The Mercury 03 20 23

ECS COMPLAINTS: WHO IS TO BLAME?

Dean and students paint a complex picture of advising problem that includes high caseloads and staff shortages

The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, or ECS, is one of UTD’s largest and most wellknown academic schools, ranked No. 4 in Texas for engineering by The College Pod. However, in recent years, ECS has grappled with problems resulting from unprecedented surges in undergraduate enrollment and budget constraints.

Students who feel the school isn’t meeting their needs have mentioned a range of complaints. The Mercury polled students on their experiences with ECS advisors and found that out of a sample size of 97 students, 49% said a typical advisor response time was a couple of weeks, and 22% said a couple months. 30% of respondents said they had been assigned four or more advisors during their time in ECS.

“Advising has this terrible pattern of having people just [go] completely missing, having advisors not doing their job when they respond, and that’s affected me and a whole bunch of students every registration cycle,” computer science junior Jocelyn Heckenkamp said.

When asked to rate how satisfied they were with their advising experience on a scale from zero to 10, 36% of students gave their experience a zero out of 10, with only one respondent giving a 10 out of 10.

In a Jan. 23 interview with The Mer-

UV residents face hot water outages

Since the start of the spring semester, students residing in University Village have experienced unannounced hot water outages.

Shreya Billa, a sophomore biology major and resident of UV Phase 8A, said that she experienced two hot water outages in spring 2023 with no warning. The outages typically lasted a day, with Housing working to quickly establish hot water again.

“Maybe around 30 minutes to an hour after it starts, that's when I get an email that they're working on fixing it,” Billa said.

The Mercury was in contact with three other Comets who were similarly affected by UV water outages. The topic has also been discussed through Reddit posts by UTD students.

“I have heard about it affecting people in Phase 1, Phase 2 with the same problem,” Billa said. “Not like complete water going out, but the same hot water problem … in terms of my own phase, we have a group

chat where people complain a bit about it.”

Housing did not respond to a request for comment. Billa said that the outages did not happen last semester and have only been occurring during spring 2023.

“Maybe if [Housing] focus[es] on developing some infrastructure or updating some structure that [is] needed to keep the hot water going, that could help as well, so it’s not a recurring problem,” Billa said.

cury, ECS Dean Stephanie G. Adams, who considers herself a “student-centered dean,” addressed some of these concerns.

“There’s a perfect storm happening,” Adams said.

Between 2008 and 2021, ECS grew by 6,027 students, which makes it a third of UTD’s undergraduate population based on numbers from The American Society for Engineering Education.

As of February 2023, ECS has 6,792 undergraduates, with a student-to-advisor ratio of 566:1. The National Academic Advising Association, or NACADA, recommends an average caseload of 296:1. According to Adams, four-year public colleges should aim for 260:1.

For comparison, in fall 2021, UT Arlington’s College of Engineering had an undergraduate student-to-advisor ratio of 260:1 for a population of 5,201, according to Joe Carpenter, UTA’s chief communications officer. Within UTD, ECS has the highest undergraduate student-to-advisor ratio, based on data from Administrative Project Coordinator Vanessa Balderrama.

When Adams became ECS dean in August 2019, the school had only 12 advisors and two assistant directors of advising, compared to the 23 advisors they would need to meet NACADA’s 296:1 recommended ratio. At the time of the interview, ECS had only 11 permanent advisors and two temporary

advisors.

“I’ve been trying every chance I get to add more advisors,” Adams said. “There’s gonna be more complaints if you have more students.”

Mechanical engineering senior Kyle Settelmaier is an ECS student who said he had trouble communicating with advisors when he wanted to change his major from mathematics to mechanical engineering as a junior.

“[It] was a bit of a nightmare, and nobody was able to help,” Settelmaier said.

Settelmaier said he narrowly missed enrolling in a crucial prerequisite course when his degree plan had not been updated. By the time the advisor responded to his concerns over email, the class was full. Had it not been for a last-minute dropout, Settelmaier said he might have had to stay at UTD for another semester.

Four survey respondents said that the actions or inactions of their advisors prevented them from enrolling in a class, as well as two survey respondents who said they were forced to delay their graduation and spend another semester at UTD.

“It’s not the end of the world, but that’s [potentially] money down the drain for no reason,” Settelmaier said. Beyond the pandemic and natural turnover, external factors have compounded

SEE ECS, PAGE 5

Senate bills threaten DEI

Three Senate bills proposed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick could have serious implications on higher education institutions if they are passed in the legislative session.

The three bills include Senate Bill 16 — Banning Critical Race Theory (CRT) in Higher Education, Senate Bill 17 – Banning Discriminatory “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) Policies in Higher Education and Senate Bill 18 – Eliminating Tenure at General Academic Institutions.

If approved, SB 16 would prevent professors from teaching on CRT and other topics related to sex, gender, race, culture, and diversity in a formal academic setting. If approved, Senate Bill 17 will limit DEI offices at Texas universities.

Antonio Ingram, an assistant counsel attorney at the NAACP Legal Fund, explained the magnitude of the impact these bills could have on diverse institutions of higher education.

“These bills are going to have a dispropor-

tionate impact on increasing diversity in all its forms on college campuses,” Ingram said. “It’s really an attack on public education. UTD is so diverse. There's essentially plurality of racial diversity from Asian Americans, Latino Americans, African Americans, white Americans, are all learning from each other and in the classroom together. These sorts of bills are an attack on multiracial settings.”

Currently, the DEI office at UTD has several committees and projects that promote diversity among student, professors and faculty in all fields.

“There are various forms of bias that we are still struggling with in our country,” Ingram said. “DEI is not giving certain groups a pedestal. It’s remedying past forms of discrimination that are persisting. Think about STEM. We all know that women are underrepresented. And if you want to increase women in STEM, you have to have more women professors, you have to have

SEE BILLS, PAGE 5

Anti-DEI bill will harm all students if passed

If Senate Bill 17 is up for debate, students must attend the public hearing to voice their disapproval

A Senate Bill in committee — 88(R) SB 17 — could mean the end of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as we know it at UTD.

If passed in its current state, SB 17 would strike down major resources such as the Gender Center and Multicultural Center and likely dissolve the DEI office as a whole. With UTD being the 14th most LGBT-friendly campus in the nation and one of the most ethnically diverse public universities in Texas, this bill would be detrimental to both students who use ODEI services and campus culture as a whole. And while it may be early in the session,

it’s critical that students keep an eye on the bill and prepare to fight it with public comment.

SB 17, filed on March 10 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, would impose several new restrictions on all state-funded universities, including UTD. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which includes the Galerstein Gender Center and Accessibility Center, would be disbanded. UTD would be unable to provide deferential treatment on the basis of race or ethnicity, which would impact Affirmative Action and other admissions and hiring practices. UTD

would not be allowed to consider diversity statements from employees or prospective students on the basis of their experience with prejudice or marginalization, which could affect personal statements on a variety of applications. The bill would also give the UT System Board of Regents more control over hiring and the ability to deny courses taught in the core curriculum.

We should clarify the true purpose of DEI practices, which endorses of this bill do not seem to understand. The purpose of DEI is not to discriminate against the majority group, an idea Gov. Greg Abbott

hinted at in a memo arguing that DEI policies “favor some demographic groups to the detriment of others.”

The purpose of DEI is to ensure a welcoming and inclusive campus to all students and to counter the long-standing discrimination that has contributed to cycles of inequity in marginalized communities.

Even in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the college enrollment rate for white Americans was 41%, while the enrollment rate for Black Americans was 36%. And according to the Hechinger Report, white students are two

and half times more likely to graduate than Black students at public universities.

Despite this, in all applications for admission and employment, SB 17 would restrict UTD from considering the tangible hardships that people from marginalized groups experience on their journey to higher education. UTD would not be able to give preferential consideration to students “on the basis of the person’s unsolicited statement in support of an ideology described by Subdivision (1)(A).”

VARSHITHA KORRAPOLU Mercury Staff

KATHERYN HO | MERCURY STAFF

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March 5

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Contributors

Oluwaseun Adeyemi

Martin Friedenthal

Raya Jishi

Vaishnavi Josyula

Juhi Karnalkar

Unaiza Khakoo

Varshitha Korrapolu

Aditi Mungale

Harika Patchipala

Rainier Pederson

Andrew Peters

Casey Rubio

Rylee Russell

Vedant Sapra

Akhil Shashi

Rachel Woon

Corrections/ Clarifications

Bring factual errors or innacuracies to the attention of The Mercury’s staff by emailing editor@ utdmercury.com or calling (972) 883-2287 and a correction will be published in this space in a future issue.

We apologize for these errors.

• An unaffiliated male was arrested for theft of bike and subsequent drug charges at 7:07 p.m. near Canyon Creek Heights North.

March 7

• A UTD student reported theft by fraud at 5:15 p.m. near Residence Hall North.

March 9

• A student reported their wallet stolen from their backpack at the SLC pool tables at 5:04 p.m.

March 10

• A non affiliated individual was arrested for outstanding warrants at a UTD Bus Stop at 7:37 p.m.

From The Mercury Archives: March 30, 1992

Football team, stadium slated for 1993

Richardson, TX 75080-0688

BERNARD SY

Mercury Contributor

CHRISTOPHER KLEE Mercury Contributor

Construction on a 50,000seat stadium is scheduled to begin May 1 at Campbell Rd. And Waterview Dr. The $125 million needed for the construction was donated by J. Eliot Mulroney, Jr., a Canadian philanthropist.

The structure, to be named in honor of its benefactor, will be home to UTD’s new football team, The Flaming Comets.

The first team, composed of fifth-round draft picks from the continental United States and Virgin Islands, will begin season training in fall of 1993.

Straying from the current fad in retractable roofs, the designers of Mulroney Stadium based their blueprints on Toronto’s Eaton Centre. The building will also house the first United States franchise of the

internationally acclaimed five-star French restaurant Mangez-La!

Students have generally been enthusiastic about the impending structure. In addition to the financial pull expected to be generated by national sports participation, publicity plans are already in the words to host a special Texas edition of “The American Gladiators.”

“It’s about time this university got a genuine intercollegiate football team,” said Indra Robertson, a freshman.

But some faculty and students reject the project as a costly excuse to draw cheerleaders to campus.

“I really don’t see the need for a football team or a stadium at such a lilliputian school. My uncle David used to have a football. He doesn’t like those green peppers, though,” said Drew Erkliver.

Mulroney has donated nearly $1.8 billion in sports arenas and other structures to small public and private

institutions of higher education. Groundbreaking ceremonies are slated for April 1. Guests schedules to attend include sports personali -

ties Troy Acheman, Nolan Rhyen, Tom Laundry, and the ghost of Elvis. And have a happy April fool’s day!

Student Government proposes resolution to end Farage’ s teaching contract

Resolution 2022-26

After calling for a “cure to homosexuality” last summer, ECS Professor Timothy P. Farage was under investigation by UTD. However, he maintained his teaching position since he didn’t speak out on campus or

on a campus platform. SG passed a resolution recommending that UTD does not renew Farage’s teaching contract. If the resolution is adopted by UTD and ECS, Farage will not be renewed after 2025.

Resolution 2022-27

The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, requested that public universities deliver

data regarding student health services including gender-affirming care to the state government. In the case that Texas governor, Greg Abbott, requests similar information, SG has passed a resolution requesting UTD to not comply with such requests for the safety of students.

Hot Comet Walk

On the morning of April 20, SG will host a Hot Comet Walk, where students can walk around campus in a large group to celebrate Earth Week and inform others on campus about sustainability. Flowers will be available as a compostable offering.

DART station comes to utd

In a partnership with Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, and the city of Richardson, UTD is set to have one of the ten stations for DART’s Silver Line project just outside Northside. Estimated to start running 2026, the only college station in the project will facilitate travel for UTD students.

DART’s biggest capital project, the Silver Line project — originally known as the Cotton Belt Rail Line — is a 26-mile rail line planned to have 10 stations and travel through seven cities, connecting Shiloh Road in Plano to Terminal B of the DFW Airport in a 58-minute ride. According to John Hoppie, DART’s project manager in capital planning, the final design for the project is 95% complete. Hoppie said that each station is undergoing construction with personalized branding and amenities.

“We have an art and design program that has a budget for each station, and the personalization comes with the program,” Hoppie said. “[In] each station, for the most part, you have a platform, canopies, ticket vending machines [and] columns. The pictures of the UTD station show the art and design for that. It has the logo of

the university and some images that are reflective of the university.”

Calvin Jamison, vice president for facilities and economic development, said that the station at Northside is estimated to be completed by July 2023, and branding for the station will be added later. The station is a part of a Transit Oriented Development, or TOD, plan and multimodal system, which incorporates amenities including a parking garage and charging stations.

“One of the major projects that we help design, build and develop is Northside, or as we affectionately call it, ‘Comet Town.’ The programmable spine is the area between Phases 1, 2 and 4,” Jamison said. “At the northern conclusion of the spine at Northside is where the Silver Line station is located. This is adjacent to an outdoor plaza that can be utilized by students, faculty and staff. There is shelter on the platform, while you wait on a respective train, and long-term there will also be several amenities, which will be an integral part of this TOD.”

Adhering to the Yield to Wheels program from the Federal Transit Administration, the DART light rail will include level boarding to accommodate wheel-

chairs, luggage and bicycles. Hoppie said that level boarding would make boarding safer and quicker as the train would spend less time at the station. In addition, the rail lines include features that prevent sun kinking — buckling of railroads at hot temperatures — and accommodate cold weather.

“The Silver Line is a new technology vehicle, at least new to DART,” Hoppie said. “So it's a single vehicle, 276 feet long. They’re big, comfortable cars. There’s room for wheelchairs or bicycles or suitcases. There’s heaters and air conditioning on the trains so passengers will be comfortable. We’re implementing a very safe transit system, and it provides an alternative to the vehicle, the automobile, as well as other modes, so it may reduce the amount of traffic coming to and from campus if they’re taking the train.”

The proposed timings for the train are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays at 60-minute intervals and 30-minute intervals during peak hours. Working with Comets for Better Transit, Student Government senator Griffin Davis proposed a resolution suggesting that DART increase service time from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. with a 30-minute frequency throughout the

A one person army: the

thing for me.”

Noureen Hoq, a neuroscience and biology senior, is one of only five women in the male dominated esports department and is leading the Overwatch team to success as the team’s manager.

Hoq’s tasks include booking practices, scheduling tournaments and ensuring players’ mental health. While she previously played for the team, Hoq now focuses on her managerial role, which she said is like being a “glorified team mom”. Through the esports program, Hoq has found companionship and fun.

“Freshman year I didn't really have any friends,” Hoq said. “I'm from Ohio originally, I kind of didn't know anybody coming here … so I kind of was like, you know what? Heck it, I'll join UTD [esports] and I'll give it a shot, even though I was just a diamond player at the time. I just was trying to look for something where I knew I had something in common with people, and I wanted a family so I was like, [UTD esports] might be the

day, which has been passed by the Student Senate and proposed to DART’s Board of Directors.

“As a student, you’re not really just traveling during the morning and afternoon and evening, “ Griffin said. “You’re traveling anytime during the day, whenever you have classes. It’s really useful to have that 30-minute frequency all day long, even into the weekend, because waiting for an hour for a train makes it pretty difficult to use that train.”

UTD’s station will be accompanied by the Hike and Bike trail — also known as the Cotton Trail — which will provide first and last mile connections to the stations.

“The North Central Texas Council of Governments is working with each of the cities along the corridor to implement a hike and bike trail, and most of it is within our right of way for the Silver Line,” Hoppie said. “Most of it’s going to be constructed during the same time as the rail line. Some of it may be constructed a little bit afterwards, but it’ll help bring people to the station, so it’s got a lot of benefit.”

The $1.89 billion project is funded

SEE DART, PAGE 5

sole woman in UTD’s Overwatch team

Though there are a few other women throughout the esports department, Hoq is the only one on the Overwatch team. And despite the fact that she loves her teammates, Hoq said that being surrounded by men all the time can be a challenge.

“Honestly, sometimes it can get overwhelming … like the mannerisms and the way they speak … I'm not trying to generalize all men here, but sometimes it can just feel a little suffocating,” Hoq said. “And you wish it was a little bit more feminine energy, like a little bit more of a safer space … I love my boys to death. I would literally give my life for them, but sometimes, it's just that gentleness that you

can't find everywhere.”

Though Hoq has never felt left out in her team, she said that there were individuals in her early gaming experiences that made her question if she was only being talked to because of her gender, causing her to feel targeted. These targeted experiences are common to many women in gaming communities, and Hoq said that it could cause girls to hesitate in joining esports.

“Let’s say you’re not particularly good at a game or casual or something like that, like plenty of men are. Then you're just going to get targeted for that and it's going to be pinned on your gender,” Hoq said. “And that's the only thing people will focus on. Or the other hand where you are good at the game and then people can’t focus on anything … what if you just get sexualized and you can't enjoy anything because of your gender expression?”

Hoq said these experiences can make it hard to enjoy video games, as in some households, women are discouraged from pursuing gaming. Despite this culture, however, Hoq

said UTD esports has highlighted the girls on their teams and ensured that they feel welcome and accepted.

“I think the esports program has actually been doing a great job of elevating us and making us seen and heard and present,” Hoq said. “Making us visible to the general public and showing the work that we do, not just our faces, I think that's super important too. Not to just say, ‘here, we have women, we've hired them, they're our diversity hiring, they're here,’ but actually showing the work that we do, the numbers we put up, how our teams value us and showing our worth beyond just being a pretty face.”

Hoq said UTD esports should continue highlighting the women on their teams for the work that they do. However, Hoq said that beyond UTD, the world of gaming can be a toxic environment for women that holds back talented individuals. Hoq said that if you see a woman getting harassed in a video game, there are ways to stand up against the harmful culture.

“The best thing to do is, even if you get

called a white knight or anything, speak up. Most of the time, bystanders are just as bad as the perpetrators,” Hoq said. “If you see anybody — it doesn't have to be a woman — get disrespected for no reason, just ‘cause, we’re online doesn’t mean that it’s suddenly a space to do that. So just stand up for what you think is right and be vocal about it. I think that would make people feel a lot more welcome in this space and feel valued ...”

The men on UTD’s Overwatch team, according to Hoq, have helped with a welcoming environment. Despite being the only woman on her team, Hoq has proven that it is entirely possible to end discrimination and bullying against women in gaming.

“I think UTD, at least my boys, they do a great job of that. They've made me feel welcome at every turn,” Hoq said. “Any time I face adversity or discrimination, they have been loud and proud about the value I bring to their lives. So I would like for every man, everybody out there to do that, to be the same kind of bodyguard for the important people in their lives.”

Rendered image of DART's new Silver Line project, which is expected to have a 26-mile rail connecting Dallas area with surrounding suburbs and improve UTD transportation.

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA Mercury Staff

Current DART station near Northside is under construction in hopes to improve the area. Rendered DART station, which is expected to be complete and ready for use by 2026.

TEJAL DHAN Mercury Staff

NOUREEN HOQ

ANDRÉ AVERION | MERCURY STAFF DART | COURTESY

Alumnus awarded Forbes science honor

Emma Xu, a 2015 UTD physics graduate, was awarded the Forbes 30 Under 30 science award for 2023, paving the way both for young people in STEM and for improved 3D printing and viral disinfection.

As a current Ph.D. mechanical engineering student at Columbia University, Xu fostered her love for physics and research at UTD.

Through her experience in different research projects and labs, Xu developed a keen interest in the practical applications of nanoparticles and has goals to continue developing a startup for her research. She was awarded the Forbes 30 Under 30 in science prestige for her research in applying nanoparticles to viral disinfection for masks. Beyond her Forbes accomplishment, Xu hopes to see more young people, especially women, continue their education in the hard sciences.

Receiving a Forbes 30 Under 30 award is no small feat. There are over 15,000 applications nominated for only 600 available spots in 20 different categories such as science, education and social impact. According to

Forbes, over 100 reporters search the country to find and highlight different young researchers’ and entrepreneurs’ work.

“I feel very honored, I think [this award] is a pretty big thing,” Xu said. “And it feels so surreal. Since the acceptance rate is pretty low, you never know if you’re going to get it or not. So, I feel like it’s an honor that they saw something in me, and it’s validating years of hard work and perseverance.”

Xu was awarded this honor for her research with nanoparticles. More specifically, her research focuses on tiny particles that transform lower energy light into higher energy light. This specific property of nanoparticles can be harnessed into a wide range of applications such as bioimaging, night vision and 3D printing. Xu said that after receiving her Ph.D., she plans to continue working on her startup, which focuses on building the world’s highest resolution 3D printer.

“Prior to coming to [Columbia], I had exposure to seeing how scientific research can start as research in the lab to the market and have a positive impact on society,” Xu said.

“So that inspires me to also pursue a similar career trajectory.”

During her time at UTD, though she was only an undergraduate, Xu worked in Robert Wallace's lab, a UTD professor of material sciences and engineering. Wallace’s research focuses on nanoelectronics and making new materials for faster computer chips.

Wallace believes that Xu’s Forbes honor is a rare and important achievement for young

researchers. According to NPR, in the beginning of 2022, there were about 1 million fewer students enrolled in college than before the pandemic, highlighting an upcoming trend of people preferring to enter the work force rather than university for financial reasons. Research in the hard sciences has also felt the effects of this trend, as there is a decline in the number of people pursuing higher education.

“When students think about going beyond their bachelor’s degree, they might not realize that professors and universities basically cover their tuition and give them a stipend,” Wallace said. “So they don’t have to actually pay the kind of money they would if they wanted to be an MD, or a lawyer or business student … in science and engineering, we’re so desperate to attract young, talented people that we’re absolutely happy to pay for them to go to school.”

Wallace highlighted that the difficulty of the math is one of the challenges that students encounter, which discourages them from entering higher level education in the sciences.

“Math is seen as a big hurdle, but really what it takes is just time … you really have to work hard. There’s no substitute for that,” Wallace said.

Wallace said Xu is a great example of a student who worked hard to achieve her goals despite facing personal challenges. Xu said she came to the U.S. when she was 15, and despite wanting to pursue the humani-

ties and literature, her English was not as good compared to native speakers. She then focused on developing her math skills and pursuing engineering and physics. Even then, Xu felt doubt about whether research was the right path.

“… in my physics classes, there were very few women,” Xu said. “And it can be intimidating to even sit in that class because it’s like 80% men, and you feel like you don’t belong, and even the faculty are mostly men ... but hopefully younger women can see that I have pursued science and achieved some level of success, and they can be encouraged. They should want to pursue science and they absolutely can.”

Xu also said that she and many of her classmates used to fear that they would not

UT system resolutions suggest increasing financial transparency and investigating student working conditions

Resolutions suggested by the UT System Student Advisory Council in their latest meeting on March 3 and March 4 aim to aid students by increasing access to resources.

Established in 1989, the UT System Advisory Council incorporates student voices into issues that impact them the most. The council is made up of both undergraduate and graduate students from every school in the UT System, including UTD. The current UTD representatives are Kruthi Kanduri, Student Government president, and Megha Hooli, Graduate Student Assembly president. At the most recent meeting, the Council discussed resolutions such as creating a more transparent view of student tuition and fee breakdowns, implementing a survey on student worker conditions and designing a resource center for students. Since the Council can only make recommendations, the resolutions will go on to upper-level admin with the hopes that they are imple -

mented system-wide.

“Student input is seen as very valuable, so if it’s feasible, a lot of times they’re taken into effect immediately or figured out how to mesh in,” Kanduri said.

have many career prospects if they pursued physics. While Xu feels that this concern is valid, she said there are more career opportunities available than people may think.

“I think physics is a great major because you learn a lot of problem-solving skills, which can be applicable to a lot of different areas and jobs,” Xu said. “Looking back, I have my classmates who pursued Ph.D.’s in physics, and some are now working at big banks as quantitative analysts and some are working as engineers, and some are doing physics education … I think had my younger self known about all these different career paths, I would be less anxious about majoring in physics. So hopefully other physics students see this, and they may be scared, but I hope this encourages them too.”

KRUTHI KANDURI

In their most recent session, the Council continued progress toward the resolutions they have been working on throughout the year. One of their current focuses is recommending the creation of a financial portal for all universities where students can see a breakdown of their expenses. The goal is to increase financial transparency and equity. Institutions like UT El Paso already provide a full breakdown of fees and other expenses, but UTD does not.

“I think they do a really good job of taking in student recommendations. It’s almost like it’s run by the representative themselves … I would say the best way to think about the council is to think of a focus group of students across the UT System that chancellors and vice chancellors [of the UT System] can just come in and talk with and also get feedback,” Kanduri said.

Additionally, the Council is working on is creating a biannual survey to investigate student working conditions, with the goal of assessing if wages and working conditions are fair or need improvement. The survey would provide the UT System and each school specific data on whether wages are being increased when needed and whether workers are being treated fairly during their shifts.

The final topic formally discussed at the Council was creating a resource center on every campus that allows students to access all resources available to them. Whether the center is virtual or in-person, it would be a one-stop-shop for all student resources. For UTD, that would

mean a center connecting Comets to everything from the Student Health Center to the immigration attorney at SG. Centralization would make addressing student needs easier.

After the resolutions are completed at the end of the current representatives’ term, a copy of the recommendation will be sent to the university presidents and anyone else who would be relevant in implementing the changes. For the financial portal issues, the information technology systems and bursar’s offices would be involved. While some of the issues the Council encounters may seem mundane, they help to address problems impacting students all across Texas.

“I think the difficulty in seeing the benefit from [the Council’s] initiatives comes from maybe thinking too much about your own campus [instead of] thinking about the entire system as a whole,” Kanduri said. “That’ s kind of how we operate, and that’s where a lot of these conversations and initiatives are stemming from … it’s like a collective effort.”

UTD students advocate for gender equity

UTD student activists and affiliates spoke at the Galerstein Gender Center on March 8 about change for women both in the United States and abroad.

Sophomore neuroscience major Sara Juneja, who spoke at the event, acts as the academic affairs committee chair for Student Government, which leads the menstrual absence project. Juneja is also the vice president of Advocates for Sexual Health and believes that UTD’s inclusivity is one key part in allowing women to speak with more freedom.

“I feel like UTD does a very good job of making women feel included, and that sex isn’t taboo to talk about while also having events and things like this where speakers come in,” Juneja said.

Student Counseling Center staff, Student Government senator and Advocates for Sexual Health officers all showed up to support this event as guest speakers. Poetry, trivia and food were provided in between speakers as the leaders spoke about equity for women.

Freshman economics major Sharvari Pendharkar, the social media manager for Advocates for Sexual Health, hopes events like this will bring more support for revolutionary women and more open minds.

“I think if all students came in with this mindset that ‘maybe I am not

knowledgeable about this thing, but I’m willing to learn,’ [then] I feel like we could be more inclusive,” Pendharkar said. “We need to talk about it, we need to discuss it and sometimes talking and being aware can really make all the difference.”

According to the latest findings from the United States Census Bureau, in the state of Texas, there is a wage gap of approximately $10,522 between men and women amongst similar jobs with full time positions. There is a $59,156 wage gap between men and women in management positions for the same hours worked. The Census Bureau calculated that holistically, for every dollar a man makes, a woman makes 83 cents. For reference, most men in Texas occupy driving, sales, management and construction jobs in comparison to most women in

Texas, who work primarily as teachers, nurses and secretaries or administrators.

In 2023, women are undergoing radical lifestyle changes across the globe despite long-standing prejudice in many cultures against women. In the U.S., lawmakers are currently pushing for total abortion bans and a ban on a common abortion pill, mifepristone, which women’s rights groups like the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls argued is a violation of peace treaties and human rights laws in a 50-page anecdotal letter. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW, agrees as one of the only conventions to have a near-universal treaty for women’s rights, which the U.S. has refused to ratify as one of

UTD reflects on Holocaust

The Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies hosted the 53rd annual scholars conference from March 4 to March 6 at the Davidson Gundy Alumni Center.

four against 189 states in the United Nations.

“In light of the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in … striking down Roe v. Wade, a near half-century legal precedent that has protected women’s right to choose to have an abortion, the Committee expresses its solidarity with women and girls in the United States and resolutely urges the United States of America to adhere to the Convention,” CEDAW said in a public statement.

Others have labelled abortion bans oppressive to both women’s freedom of choice and bodily health. Yet even in a state that is associated with the pro-life movement, women find ways to empower other women through media campaigns, protests and lawsuits.

“I think politically right now in America, especially in the state that we’re in, we’re not allowing women to do what they need to with themselves and their bodies,” Juneja said.

Early women’s rights activists in New York developed the idea for International Women’s Day in 1909, which was first celebrated in Europe in 1911. It wasn’t until 1977 that the United Nations recognized International Women’s Day, and it wasn’t until 1995 that Congress recognized Women’s History Month. This year, the theme of the holiday is equity, with activists calling for fair treatment of

This year’s conference, entitled “(Dis) Continuities in the Third Reich,” reflects on 90 years since Hitler’s rise to power and 85 years since Kristallnacht, also known as the night of broken glass. The conference aims to provide education on the dangers of antisemitism as well as expert perspectives on the Holocaust. This year’s conference consisted of three breakout sessions: a lecture from history scholar Martin Dean, a public dinner and a public lecture from author Glenn Kurtz. Martin Dean, an award-winning Holocaust researcher and writer, started the conference early Sunday morning with a lecture on specific moments when Jewish communities realized Hitler’s government would be fatal, showcasing his extensive knowledge on the Babyn Yar massacre, a mass shooting against Jews perpetrated by the Nazis in Ukraine.

A primary goal of the conference was to connect the past horrors of the Holocaust to its parallels today, including authoritarian regimes across the globe. When asked about the response from non-Jewish people during the implementation of fatal policies during the Holocaust, Dean said, “It’s the same sort of thing that’s happening in Russia right now, not many people are going to put their necks on the line.”

Glenn Kurtz, author of “Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering A Lost World in A 1938 Family Film,” closed the conference with a lecture summarizing his 14-year effort to identify the people in a home video that his grandfather filmed in his hometown of Nasielsk, Poland just before the first Nazi roundup of Jewish people. Kurtz emphasized that every year, the world gets closer to the Holocaust becoming a purely retold story due to survivors passing away, which is why it is important to remember the atrocities committed against Jewish people.

Today, Kurtz details modern attempts to continue education on the Holocaust and prevent further erasure of Jewish narratives. Kurtz’s personal sense of responsibility upon discovering the home video jumpstarted his journey of learning about the history of the Holocaust. It also gives the people in the video a glimpse into the childhood they lost at the hands of the Nazi regime.

“I felt a great deal of responsibility to try and return this video to the people featured in it,” Kurtz said.

EMMA XU

MANYA BONDADA Mercury Staff

all genders, races and abilities.

RYLEE RUSSELL | MERCURY STAFF

ANDRÉ AVERION | MERCURY STAFF

Sara Juneja (left) and Sharvari Pendharkar (right) speak about sexual health in the U.S.

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

Xu’s research focuses on practical applications of nanoparticles, such as 3D printing. EMMA XU | COURTESY

RYLEE RUSSELL Mercury Staff

UNAIZA KHAKOO Mercury Staff

the rate at which advisors are leaving UTD. Adams said that advisors have taken similar positions at other schools with lower caseloads. Since the January interview, Adams said that ECS had lost another advisor.

Dallas College was one of the institutions Adams mentioned, as they pay their entry-level “success coaches” $65,000. For comparison, according to UTD’s open payroll, two ECS academic advisors have a salary of $41,989 and $49,693. The Mercury reached out to success coaches at Dallas College who were previously ECS advisors but received no affirmative responses.

“If you can make the same money and go to another unit with less students, some people are doing that,” Adams said. “That’s not something I can control.”

Data from a FOIA request revealed that ECS had the highest undergraduate advisor turnover rate — the rate at which advisors leave a department — at an annual average of 25% in the last five years. In 2022, ECS had a 37.5% turnover rate, the highest of all

policies that empower women to feel comfortable in a classroom …

DEI is not just giving someone extra [stars]; it's trying to right historical wrongs.”

In a press release reported on by The Texas Tribune, Sen. Brandon Creighton, who filed SB 17, said he believes DEI practices encourage polarization.

“The elevation of DEI offices on campuses have only furthered divides and created a chilling effect on open dialogue,” Creighton said. “This legislation will ensure Texas college campuses are environments that are open to differing ideas, foster meaningful, reasoned dialogue, and encourage intellectual discourse.”

In December 2021, the Texas legislature passed SB 3, which prevents schools from compelling teachers to discuss “controversial issue[s] of public policy or social affairs” in K-12 education. Education activists argued that the bill could be used to restrict how slavery, Jim Crow and other elements of American history are taught in classrooms.

“In the K-12 space, the same schools that are restrictive in their curriculum, and in that how they impact or how they allow diversity

EDITORIAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

These statements of “ideology” include a student or applicant’s experience with racism, marginalization and social injustice. If someone is applying to UTD, and they mention a personal hardship that happens to involve prejudice, it cannot be considered in their application. This is despite the fact that past hardships are what make us into the people that we are. Would we disregard someone's statement if it was about growing up in poverty? Or taking care of a dying relative? This bill picks and chooses which ideas it considers safe to discuss, and in the process completely strips students of the ability to communicate their experiences of oppression.

It’s no secret that UTD is a hub for diversity – in addition to our obvious ethnic diversity and strong LGBTQ population, almost a fourth of students are international, and we differ from most universities in that the

DART CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

through public-private partnership via federal loans, transportation dollars and grants.

In addition, Rep. Colin Allred secured the Consolidated Appropriations Act which granted DART $2.5 million to help build the UTD DART station.

“The $2.5 million will assist the university with our expanded sustainability efforts, particularly associated with [electric vehicle] stations and related sustainability projects,” Jamison said. “These are an

UTD schools. The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences was the second highest that year at 33% but had zero turnover in prior years.

Neuroscience senior Grant

Feuerbacher said that advising was one of the reasons he left his original major of biomedical engineering. Feuerbacher came to UTD for its engineering program, however, during his first semester in spring 2022, Feuerbacher said that he waited two weeks for advisors to respond to his emails about an erroneous hold on his account. Feuerbacher said it took four months to hear from advisors about withdrawing from his classes due to medical complications with a family member.

“I would say advising is one of the most important resources students have to help ensure their success, and we don’t have that here,” Feuerbacher said. “Their solution to a problem they created is to put the burden on the students. And it’s our fault they aren’t doing their jobs and responding properly?”

Feuerbacher said he doesn’t blame anyone specifically but describes some emails he received as “dismissive” and “condescending.”

to be talked about in our schools, have created environments that some students experience more bias and bullying, discrimination inside the classroom setting,” Ingram said. “It is important for people to understand how these policies are designed to cultivate certain environments. If these policies are taken away, their schools could be left in a position that does not allow them to [control] these environments.”

Ingram said having professors of a variety of backgrounds can assist students in feeling more comfortable and confident as indicated by research. Ingram argued that the proposed Senate bills could mitigate students’ ability to pursue their interests in a diverse environment.

“Banning the use of diversity statements means schools can’t attract professors of diverse backgrounds,” Ingram said. “Professors who are homosexual … who have gender diversity, sexual orientation, diversity, racial diversity. I’ve seen research journals, where there’s more diversity in the classroom from both the students and the professors, it enriches the learning environment, especially at a place like UT Dallas.”

In 2022, according to The Austin American Statesman, Patrick announced his intention to mod-

majority of students are commuters. With such variety, ODEI is critical in ensuring fair treatment, helping students find a sense of belonging and removing barriers to help Comets succeed. ODEI creates a culture all students benefit from. Removing barriers includes accessibility accommodations in the classroom for disabled Comets through the AccessAbility Resource Center, affirming resources for transgender students through the Galerstein Gender Center and cultural resources for international students to acclimate to a new country through the Multicultural Center. All of these resources are provided by ODEI, an institution that would be disbanded if SB 17 were passed into law.

SB 17 could especially harm our queer population, considering UTD is a nationally-ranked LGBT-safe institution and one of the few schools in Texas with Safe Zone Ally training. Taking away the Gender Center will strip queer students of an affirming presence on campus and communi-

integral part of the grant. The trains that DART will be utilizing are very quiet and environmentally friendly, supporting DART’s continued efforts to work with the university to advance sustainability. At the end of the day, UT Dallas is an absolute great place to advance sustainability, and around the Silver Line DART station, we will continue to partner with DART and the city of Richardson to support those efforts.”

Hoppie said he hopes to implement long-range mobility from Irving to Frisco in the future. While he has faced chal -

“It’s been nothing but the most stressful year of my life,” Feuerbacher said. “I regret ever coming here.”

Heckenkamp said that after not receiving an email response for the entire summer, she had to walk into the advising office to get registered for classes in fall 2022.

Adams has tried several strategies to mitigate the school’s turnover rate, including hiring psychologists for faculty and students, sending new hires to NACADA training seminars, increasing bonuses and allowing more overtime work opportunities.

Still, Adams said that advisors’ job duties go beyond helping students pick classes. They are tasked with managing student orientations, retention rates and career development. Advising is a small but crucial part of their job. Unfortunately, Adams acknowledges, it is “the most broken part.”

Nevertheless, Adams believes students need to take responsibility for themselves.

“Part of the college experience is to prepare you to function as an independent citizen down the road,” Adams said. “We want to empower students to have some ownership in their own planning

ify the education code to allow the removal of tenure for professors who teach CRT. Sen. Bryan Hughes more recently filed SB 18, part of Patrick’s goals for higher education, which would ban new hires after September from receiving tenure.

“At a time when colleges and universities have unprecedented endowments, bloated administrative costs and ballooning tuition it is time for lawmakers to reevaluate an outdated practice that guarantees lifetime employment at taxpayer expense,” Creighton said.

UTD’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion gave the following response regarding the impact of the Senate bills.

“While we cannot comment on pending legislation, for decades, our work has included programing and services aimed at supporting all of our students, faculty, and staff,” Yvette Pearson, vice president of ODEI, said. “We remain committed to principles and practices that ensure ‘UT Dallas [is] a place where members of the community from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated fairly and encouraged in their pursuit of excellence’ as communicated throughout the University’s Strategic Plan.”

cate that UTD is not a safe space for them. This is especially concerning considering other bills proposed by the legislature, like SB 1029, which would ban all public funding for gender-affirming healthcare, and HB 319, which would allow physicians to deny medical treatment for “reasons of conscience” or religious objections.

While the path this legislation takes will ultimately be decided in the capitol, UTD is not completely helpless. SB 17 passed on to committee on March 13, meaning there will be a public hearing to solicit testimony for or against this bill. It is critical that the UTD community uses this opportunity to come together and reject SB 17.

The public hearing date will be posted five days before the meeting, so keep an eye on texas.gov so you can testify against SB 17 and save the resources that are so critical to our student population.

lenges coordinating the Silver Line project with all seven cities, he said that the project has been exciting and fun to work on.

“It was a fun project to work on… [with] a lot of challenges, but it’s unique in that we’re using a different vehicle than we’ve used in the past,” Hoppie said. “I worked on the Orange Line and that was only in Irving. It offered unique challenges, but it’s going to be a unique project. It could be the vehicle of the future.”

and execution, but if students don’t read their emails, that’s where we get into some problems.”

Adams said that the school’s early enrollment numbers showed less than 30% of students opened their emails from advisors.

“[Advisors are] sending out emails telling you how to get the information and where to find certain things that you should be able to do on your own,” Adams said. “When we do our due diligence, we find no evidence the student has written to anybody.”

Heckenkamp said that many students care too much about what classes they are in to not look at their emails.

“When there’s things that I need to get done, I’m checking my email every day,” Heckenkamp said.

Willie Chalmers III, an ECS student council speaker and computer science senior, said he sees both sides of the issue. Chalmers hosted “Donuts with the Dean” and other events in recent months with the goal of communicating with admin about the advising problem. Chalmers said that he felt for ECS and their struggle to hire staff.

“From what I’ve heard from

talking to other students and from my personal experiences, [the issue is] response times, and occasionally the information students receive is inaccurate,” Chalmers said. “The reason they have to answer so many emails in the first place, or just request in general, is because there aren’t enough people.”

Like Adams, Chalmers believes students could do more to help themselves.

“Frankly, Comets don’t read,” Chalmers said. “There’s a sizable portion of students who just want someone else to do the hard work for them … a lot of the issues [are] just students not putting enough initiative to plan their own course-

work.”

ECS has several policies in the works to address the advising problem, including peer advising, where upperclassmen could receive course credit or money for helping younger students plan their degree path. Other solutions include a direct text line between students and advisors as well as suspending ECS 1100, usually taught by advisors, so they can allocate more time to tend to student needs.

“I’ve gotten more sympathetic to the school’s situation for advising,” Chalmers said. “Trust me, they are aware of the problem.”

2.27 X-WORD KEY

2.27 SUDOKU KEY

SPRING BREAK

Blue jays come out of hiding for spring

Campus has an eye-catching bird you can easily spot in the trees this season

A common sight in American suburbs, blue jays are among the most stunning backyard birds. They have bright blue patterned plumage on their back and heads along with black and white on their face and belly. Due to their long tails, a slight crest on the head and their large size, blue jays are an unmistakable sight.

Blue jays are more active in the early mornings and in the early evenings during the last hour of sunlight. Their calls travel far and can be heard throughout the year, particularly during the day, unlike other bird calls. The call is a peculiarly loud “jay” call which lasts about a second and descends in pitch.

Blue jays frequently visit feeders and can be seen under trees looking for food. With a diverse palate, blue jays can sustain themselves on a variety of food sources including seeds, fallen nuts and even worms. After collecting food from the ground, blue jays promptly take their catch back to their perch in a tree. On the right, you can see a blue jay with its catch. Blue jays have been documented to eat eggs and nestlings of other birds, but that is not the only thing that makes them a renegade.

The most surprising fact about blue jays is that they are most closely related to crows, ravens and magpies, as all of them belong to the corvidae family, which includes some of the most intel ligent birds. They are highly social and protective of their territory and com munity; a characteristic feature of cor vids is their aggressive behavior toward predators and larger birds. Seen on the right, our photographer caught a blue jay harassing a red-tailed hawk. After the hawk landed on the perch, the blue jay came around and disturbed the predator until it left. Blue jays can team up and drive off predators if they feel threatened or want to protect their community. It is also not uncommon to see videos online of corvids messing with larger animals, including cats.

Blue jays nest and raise young during the spring and summer months, along with many other North American birds. Be sure to help these birds raise a new generation by leaving out some water for them through the upcom ing scorching summer. During these months, blue jays are highly active outdoors with their household duties, making spring a great time to observe them in the wild.

Gender studies minor opens students’ eyes to world issues

for the first time.

Smith, a person's gender influences how they perceive information. One example of how this information was applied is the impact of gender in the workplace.

UTD’s gender studies minor gives students the opportunity to study and discuss how topics such as the gender pay gap, abortion and non-binary identities impact young people.

The gender studies program enables students to apply the content that they've learned and interacted with in their own lives and the world around them. According to Professor of American Studies Erin

"I’ve noticed that you learn all these terms in gender studies," sophomore psychology major Emma Lambert said. "I’m like, ‘wow, I can actually apply this to my real life.’ There’s this thing called the glass ceiling. It’s basically like in corporate America, it’s harder for women to move up because of a glass ceiling. It’s like you get to this point and you can’t go any further ... You just immediately realize how much of a disadvantage you’re

at when you are perceived as a woman. It’s been interesting to see and apply those terms to my actual life." Smith said that the gender studies minor provides the opportunity to engage in discussions on important contemporary issues. In past semesters, Smith’s Intro to Gender Studies class has integrated personal anecdotes and current events into relevant units. Topics related to gender, equity, race and other elements of diversity are not topics that receive attention in K-12 education, so those taking gender studies at UTD may be exploring these issues in an academic setting

Comet shines as community leader through altruism

“This course makes you look at the world and look at the media in a completely different way,” Smith said. “If you're a professor, you don't always see what a difference your class makes. And this is a class that really seems to make a difference in people's lives.”

Lambert was inspired to pursue the minor after an interest sparked in their Introduction to Gender Studies class in freshman year.

“A lot of the time when we are talking about psychology, gender is a pivotal part

GENDER, PAGE 9

UTD students crush most difficult math competition in nation, earn high ranks

along with graduate student and teaching assistant Matthew Babbitt.

Miles gave out over 120 hoodies at his second annual Hoodies 4 Homeless

UTD’s Putnam Team placed in the top 10 percentile of institutions at the most difficult undergraduate math competition in America on Dec. 3, the 83rd William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

Junior marketing major Dylan Miles has been providing homeless individuals in Houston with warm, stylish hoodies since 2021 through his brand BetOnYourself, which he started in his freshman year. In addition to this, however, Miles is highly involved on campus and brings his leadership and good heart to UTD.

Miles introduced his Houston-based brand in 2021, a collection of stylish streetwear such as hoodies, sweatpants and t-shirts, when he was still a freshman. BetOnYourself’s official website says the brand follows a mission statement of “finding that voice within yourself when dealing with life’s greatest challenges.” The brand’s meaningful message of having faith in yourself above all has attracted notable celebrities and inspired 150 people to pay $30 to sponsor a hoodie for this year’s Hoodies 4 Homeless event.

In addition to running his brand, Miles is the founder of Alpha Phi Alpha’s UTD chapter, a fraternity dedicated to altruism and community service. Miles is also a member of the Black Student Alliance, which he promotes through his brand. In the past, Miles was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council, where he served as a voice for fellow athletes as a member of the basketball team. Through his years at UTD, Dylan said he has enjoyed his leadership experiences.

“Being able to step in that position and have that confident spirit, be able to motivate, inspire certain people really means a lot to me,” Miles said. “And using my personal platform, using my brand, using the Alphas, using University of Texas at Dallas as a whole really means a lot to me because that’s a big network, and I have a lot of help through those people to add value to that... being a leader is something that means a lot to me.

And I plan to continue to be a leader in my community, the UT Dallas community.”

Xavian Bess, the undergraduate advisor for Alpha Phi Alpha’s UTD chapter, has worked

with Miles for two years. According to Bess, Miles expressed interest in the chapter during a time when membership was very low and had much planned for what he wanted to do as a member.

“He was just going out and doing it on his own,” Bess said. “He’s very ambitious, he has his own clothing line which kind of struck my interest because I understand that he’s about his business. But he also likes to do his own service on the side.”

Bess said that Miles is always looking for opportunities similar to Hoodies 4 Homeless with Alpha Phi Alpha. He has promoted the fraternity and its mission to students at a middle school as well as encouraging them to continue on to high school.

“He’s definitely a good guy,” Bess said.

“Somebody that I see that can go on and do great things. He definitely has a ‘we over me’ mind state, and I think he can do a lot of great things within his community and outside of it as well.”

The team consisted of math and computer science junior Evan Bailey, math junior Weston Miller and computer science sophomore Suraj Mathashery, who led UTD to place 32nd out of 456 competing institutions. Bailey placed 178th out of 3415 students while Miller and Mathashery scored in the top 500. The proof-based competition consisted of 12 questions — A1 through A6 and B1 through B6 — over the span of two three-hour sessions for a total of 120 points. The median score for all participants this year was only 1 out of 120.

At UTD, the competition was supervised by Nathan Williams, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, who also runs the Putnam Club on campus

“The Putnam is a yearly competition institutions all over the country participate [in],” Williams said. “It’s actually three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon on a Saturday, so students really have to love math if they want to do this. Just to give you an idea, it’s out of 120 and the median score this year was one, so half the people got a one or below.”

Students meet at the Putnam Club every Monday to solve math problems for practice. Additionally, two members from the Putnam team are currently working with Williams on independent projects.

“Weston Miller is doing an honors thesis with me,” Williams said. “With Evan, I could see that he was really interested in math and really strong. We’re currently working on a research problem actually in collaboration with another undergraduate at MIT.”

Bailey said he took Putnam for the first

PUTNAM, PAGE 9

VEDANT SAPRA Mercury Staff

fundraiser in Houston in 2022.

COURTESY | DYLAN MILES

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA Mercury Staff

VARSHITHA KORRAPOLU Mercury Staff

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA Mercury Staff

La La Land: a FIX From your dreams

This calming cafe is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with a location near UTD on Campbell Road NETFLIX

‘Outer Banks’ new season a treasure to behold Netflix drama returns to enchant audiences

Welcome back to the “Outer Banks,” where you are sure to be immersed in the continuing clash between the elitist Kooks and the underprivileged Pogues, as treasure produces new priorities and adventures for a group of seaside teens.

“Outer Banks” takes place in a small coastal town in North Carolina, where the opposite sides of the island house two very different standards of life. The Kooks are abundantly wealthy and typically entitled, while the Pogues work blue collar jobs and are constantly trying to make ends meet. John B and his gang of Pogues embark on a treasure hunt to find the gold that John B’s father went missing for. When the treasure hunt links to something even bigger, the Cross of Santo Domingo, the Cameron family, work to get a step ahead and sweep the treasure from under their feet.

Seasons one and two of “Outer Banks” are rated at 85% and 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is no shocker that “Outer Banks” enchanted fans with the adventurous lifestyles of John B and his entourage. Personally, the first two seasons kept my eyes wide open; watching the venturesome teens live life on the edge had me waiting eagerly for season three so I could once again experience life vicariously through them. The show had other viewers and I dying for summer to come around. TikTok’s reception has clearly shown how fans initially fell in love with the show. Since its premiere, various “Outer Banks” inspired wardrobes and lifestyle videos have been taking over peoples’ for-you pages.

Generally, when TV shows run past a couple seasons, viewers lose interest. But “Outer Banks” consistently gives viewers content that they can’t turn away from. Some parts of the show may seem to err from the expected focus of the treasure hunt. However, these new developments are well structured and plot holes are minimal.

In this new season, the show’s members demonstrate impressive character development, as their respective problems aren’t as similar as they were in previous seasons. While some of the personality changes made me question if writers were trying to further character development a little too fast, the integration of the characters’ decisions into the plotline had me itching to see what they would do next. John B picks up on the trail of his missing father and sets out on a new journey, almost forgetting the treasure. Sarah Cameron has been rendered as a full-fledged Pogue, but old acquaintances and new fights have her teetering on the edge of Kook tendencies.

Pope is still set on the Santo Domingo Cross, but when he and Cleo reach a dead end, he can’t seem to get treasure off his mind. JJ and Kiara deepen their friendship, yet the pairing seems

BANKS, PAGE 9

RAYA JISHI Mercury Staff

If you’re looking for good coffee, chill vibes and friendly service, you’re in luck. La La Land Kind Cafe is here to provide, with five different locations near campus.

It is no secret that La La Land is one of the most hyped cafe chains in the DFW area. With over 200,000 followers on Instagram, it’s easy to overlook such a popular coffee shop, opting for more “indie” establishments, but news flash: the hype is real. And it’s for good reason. Upon your visit to La La Land, you’ll understand why it is considered one of the best shops in the region.

La La Land is the epitome of its name: dreamy, lowkey and almost too good to be true, with a tasty and abundant menu. Their prices range from $3.50 to $8 for drinks and $4 to $9 for food items. The closest location is just four minutes down Campbell Road and is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, while other locations are dine-in shops that open between 6 and 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The Campbell location is relatively small with limited outdoor seating and a drive-thru. If you’re willing to add five minutes to your drive, the Addison location on Belt Line Road has a fantastic calming ambience for studying, as its front wall is all glass, flooding the cafe’s soft yellow and white tones with gentle sunlight.

From lattes to matcha to teas, La La Land is unique with its separate drink menus, including a coffee menu and a matcha menu that are both equally abundant in options. Plus, non-dairy milks are available, including oat, almond, coconut and soy.

Not only are their drinks delicious, but they are also visually appealing. Consider their $6 Butterfly Latte, an ombre blue-to-green creation of butterfly pea flower and matcha that tastes exactly like fruity pebbles. At the same price is their Lavender Bloom Latte, another ombre mixture but purple and filled with notes of lavender and vanilla.

In order to test a coffee shop’s blend quality, one must try the classic plain latte. La La Land passes this test. Their iced almond milk latte (with light ice) contains its own subtle sweetness, a rare but reassuring sign of a high quality blend.

La La Land also offers iced tea such as hibiscus or La La iced tea, as well as a classic assortment of hot teas. For the non-coffee lovers, London fog, matcha lemonade and hot chocolate are available, plus a complimentary puppucino, a cup of whipped cream, for any pet owners.

When it comes to food, the cafe offers sweet and savory toast options as well as pastries. Their butter croissant, priced at $3.90, is soft yet flaky and a light but satisfying accompaniment to your drink. Need a quick

breakfast? They also offer $5.20 to $5.70 grab-and-go overnight oats.

Filled with light, calming tones and quiet, upbeat chatter, La La Land offers a wonderful ambience to study or socialize. At the Belt Line location, a warm glow emanates from one side of the shop, highlighting merchandise across from the seating area. Perched along one side of the barista counter are stacks of yellow coffee cups overlooking the constantly thrumming coffee machines. Seats are comfortable and booths are available, with just enough light and space to focus andenjoy a menu item.

Not only is La La Land’s aesthetic uniquely bright yet sleek, but their service is also stellar. Dedicated to kindness, La La Land’s mission is to employ and mentor foster youth who are aging out of the system. When ordering, chances are you’ll either be complimented by the barista or at least gifted a kind smile. Enjoy the friendly service before you’re given a uniquely shaped cup with a colorful sleeve and an Instagram-ready heart-shaped lid stopper. La La Land stays true to its title of a “kind cafe.”

With numerous locations within a 20 minute radius around campus, you’re sure to find a perfect place to study, socialize or even snap a quick photo for social media. The next time you get the chance, stop by La La Land and see what all the hype is about. You may just find your new favorite spot to get your fix.

Plano boba shop offers rainbow of assorted drinks

Rainbow Teashop, a small and comfortable boba shop, accommodates all students’ taste preferences and is sure to have a delicious drink for anyone visiting while also introducing them to unique and colorful flavors.

Just a seven-minute drive from campus, their Plano location has been open for around a year and has a wide assortment of fruit tea, milk tea and blended drinks for students looking to try new things or find a familiar favorite. Rainbow Teashop’s “bobaristas” are more than happy to help customers decide what drinks suit their flavor palette best. Customer favorites are also displayed for those walking in, allowing them to try unique choices like Yakult, a creamy light yogurt drink, or a stronger Vietnamese coffee. The Plano location is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., accommodating busy student schedules and allowing customers to soak in the ambience in both the night and daytime.

The prices range from $4.50 to $9.00, depending on the choice of customizations.

A regular milk tea at $4.50 is on the lower

side of Rainbow Teashop’s price range, but once you start adding on their tempting egg puddings ($0.75) and cheese foams ($1.00), your total at the register might start to increase. The quality of the drinks, however, justifies the prices and will have you coming back for more.

There are more than 30 different flavors of teas at this location, and the assortment is definitely something to keep an eye out for.

Rainbow Teashop offers milk tea in flavors you might not even be familiar with, such as hot minty chocolate, Okinawa milk tea and kumquat tea. This shop is perfect for those into crazy flavor combos.

Coffee lovers looking to try something new will be delighted by the various choices of Vietnamese coffee, a renowned delicacy provided by the shop. Vietnamese coffee is known for its dark and bold flavor and how it is typically sweetened with condensed milk. Rainbow Teashop embraces the traditional roots of Vietnamese style drip-coffee while also adding a twist by integrating it with a former TikTok sensation, Dalgona coffee, a whipped sweet coffee fluff served on cold or hot milk.

Rainbow Teashop is a small and delight-

ful pastel paradise with cute photos and art that make your eyes wander to every wall and crevice. The shop is decorated with aesthetic polaroid photos of employees and rainbow-colored designs of the shop name across the wall. The small intricacies in the art lining the walls and boards at this shop will keep you engaged for a while and showcase the dedication the staff and management put into making the shop a homely and cute environment. Cartoon-like drawings of the employees reinforce the notion that the staff are friendly and committed. The shop is adorable during day, but truly shines in the night, with white bulb lights dangling from the ceiling. Four tables for two line the side of the shop, a perfect spot for students to have a one-on-one hangout session or a short and sweet date.

While the shop is pleasant for a quick boba run with a friend, it is not somewhere people tend to linger for longer than hour or two. The shop’s interior isn’t large and can only accommodate those who wish to sit down and talk for a little while. Still, Rainbow Teashop is perfect to quickly satisfy your cravings or introduce you to something new.

Newest ‘Ant-Man’ installment disappoints fans

Cluttered, distracted and lackluster, “AntMan and the Wasp: Quantumania” is the latest installment in the seemingly never-ending Marvel franchise and leaves the audience underwhelmed with a conglomeration of recycled ideas.

“Quantumania” follows returning character Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and his partner Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) teaming up as Ant-Man and the Wasp once again to defeat new villain Kang (Johnathan Majors). The movie follows the formula of its predecessors in combining action-packed battles with family drama by focusing on the strained relationship between Scott and his

now teenage daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton). As the group is sucked into the Quantum Realm, the audience is told that Hope’s mother, Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), previously spent time there and encountered Kang.

The group travels to the Quantum Realm after Cassie creates a device to contact it and accidentally opens a portal to the space — a confusing cluster of amorphous shapes, dull colors and odd creatures. The ominous color scheme implies the Quantum Realm’s dangerous nature. However, even the impressive visuals could not make up for the lack of focus and direction in the script, leaving the plot an afterthought to the movie’s elaborate costuming and visuals. One of the reasons that the movie felt lost was because there seemed to be no real stakes that the heroes

were fighting for. Obviously, the world was in some sort of danger, but it did not feel like the main characters had a significant personal investment in defeating their villain. Furthermore, relationships in the franchise that were emphasized in previous films, such as between Scott and Cassie, did not seem to carry the same authenticity. The combination of minimal plot, bad script and disingenuous relationships made the movie a boring watch.

“Quantumania” is the movie that would result if an artificial intelligence were told to create a new Marvel film. It is utterly predictable because it pulls its content from every other action movie to ever exist. From too

HARIKA PATCHIPALA Mercury Staff

HARIKA PATCHIPALA MERCURY STAFF

HARIKA PATCHIPALA Mercury Staff

La La Land is dreamily ambient with feel-good vibes and friendly service. The array of drink options include coffees such as the Butterfly Latte and Lavender Bloom Latte.

UNAIZA KHAKOO Mercury Staff

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” tries to elaborate on the relationship between protagonist Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), but lets the audience down with a confusing and lack-luster plot.

about the way you are perceived by other people,” Lambert said. “We talk about social psychology and gender disparities that exist in Western societies.”

Lambert said they reflected introspectively about their identity after learning more about the theories and principles around gender and sex in gender studies courses. One of the main focuses of the minor is how women and female-presenting individuals face oppression in a patriarchal society – and it’s a focus Lambert took to heart.

“Prior to taking gender studies, I’ve always identified as she/her,” Lambert said. “I never really thought about going deeper into my gender identity. Being perceived as a woman puts me at a disadvantage. About a year ago, I decided to mainly go by they/them pronouns. But now my pronouns are they/she. I kept the ‘she’ part because I still want to be able to represent femininity and womanhood. Growing up as a girl, you face all those struggles, so I wanted to be able to represent and understand that part of myself.”

In June 2022, U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the right to abortion, was overturned, the implications of which Lambert and her peers dis-

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On campus, Miles has consistently brought his altruistic attitude wherever he goes. Bruce August, director of the Multicultural Center, said Miles led several programs and aided in the multicultural student welcome that takes place each year. The program gives students from different backgrounds an opportunity to meet and connect with members of UTD’s student body and faculty.

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time his sophomore year when he added Mathematics as his second major and saw an advertisement for the competition. He scored 29 points at the 2021 Putnam competition and placed 212th out of 2975 participants, which placed him in the top 7.1% of all participants.

“It’s certainly a bit surreal, I suppose,” Bailey said. “The actual event is, you go and you sort of take this test for several hours in a row, and then you don’t hear back for several months while they do all the grading process. There’s, of course, a lot of anticipation during that period, so it does definitely feel nice when that sort of pays off, and it’s certainly motivating to try to perform better next year.”

Following his success at the competition in his sophomore year, Bailey said he decided to practice at the Putnam club in 2022. He is also involved in Code Burners at UTD, a programming competition club which helped with Putnam preparation. Bailey said that professors in both clubs have been helpful in his competitive math journey.

“Dr. Williams has definitely been a huge help in preparing for especially this year’s Putnam,” Bailey

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experimental and a bit clumsy given the history between them was never too deep before season three. The progression of relationships is not on par with past actions and personalities exhibited by characters.

Plot developments concerning treasure in the third season feel like a less than subtle strategy to

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much expositional storyline to expected action sequences, the story felt disjointed and like a bad continuation of the AntMan storyline. There is nothing particularly new or exciting that makes the film stand out within the Marvel franchise.

Public consensus suggests that “Quantumania” was a critical failure. The movie has a 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it equivalent to the lowestranking Marvel film of all time, “Eternals.” Unlike “Ant-Man”

cussed extensively. “In my Psychology of Prejudice course, we actually talked about sexism and how Roe v. Wade affects all women and any individual with a uterus,” Lambert said. “I have not been able to study that in a gender studies setting, which I’d really like to. I’ve been able to see how little the American government views women.” There has been conflict between the Evangelical Christian church and drag queens in regard to children attending their performances. Lambert said the opportunity to discuss this topic allowed them to conceptualize it as a form of oppression.

“We’ve talked about … how they’re perceived as harmful to children,” Lambert said. “It’s like, why are you associating someone that is presenting femininely, [who] may or may not be male by birth, as someone that is harmful to children?

Women [are] always seen as domestic workers and caretakers. It’s really disheartening to see and even in the 21st century we still see this.”

Psychology junior Chase Mueller chose to minor in gender studies because courses like Psychology of Gender and Psychology of Adolescence relate to his career goal of counseling, especially for LGBT individuals.

“It was a very discussion-heavy class, which opened up lots of interesting points,” Mueller said. “There

“He was very helpful in us having a great program last year,” August said. “I think since then, he’ s been able to connect with a lot of folks and invite them to be more social and get connected to other staff and students and groups on campus.”

As his advisor, August has witnessed Miles being a leader on many occasions. He recalled Miles becoming a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and grew his connections with people both local and regional

said. “Being able to talk to somebody very knowledgeable about the topics that come up on these exams … could be very helpful in future events. Dr. Chitturi from the computer science department sort of helps run the Code Burners club, which as I mentioned is a very significant part of my preparation for this event because the problems are so similar in how you approach them.”

Bailey has been interested in mathematics ever since his father would send math problems along with his lunch in elementary school, leading him to participate in UIL Math in high school. The similarities between computer science and math are what helped him prepare at the collegiate level. Bailey also said in the future, he is leaning toward pursuing a combination of CS and Math, specifically theoretical computer science and graph theory.

“On the Putnam, the problems tend to be a lot more specific,” Bailey said. “You’re given maybe one instance of the problem and you have to take advantage of certain properties of that instance, whereas in programming competitions you have to have a solution that works more generally. The level of detail you need in writing a proof versus writing a computer is also quite similar.”

further characters’ storylines, even though it ties into the Cross and its origin. While the buildup of the Cross is brought to an abrupt end, it is up to viewers to decide if the new treasure is there to continue the treasure hunting story or aid a certain relationship with John B. Fittingly, as the adventure gets more precarious, as do the action sequences. Motorcycle stunts,

and “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” “Quantumania” did not have multiple writers. Instead, it was written by Jeff Loveness alone in his Marvel debut. Despite the writer’s belief in his work, it seems that the criticism has not stopped as bad reviews continue to stream in.

With the past few Marvel releases, there seems to have been a decline in audience approval. From “Loki” to “Eternals,” the original allure of the franchise is quickly fading. Marvel gained popularity because of their interesting characters, with notice -

was someone who was in the military during the ‘Don't Say Gay’ legislation. That definitely does help connect to certain topics because there's a lot of things that end up kind of repeating themselves from current events to what's in the curriculum.”

As the President of PRIDE at UTD, Mueller said gender studies classes have had an impact both on his personal life and the club.

“I keep on top of [current events], just because a lot of it is both interesting and then important to keep track of a lot of the anti-trans, antidrag legislation,” Meuller said. “It's always interesting to know what's going on and what activism looks like, and how to best serve the LGBTQ+ community, because we also talk with people at the Gender Center pretty often.”

Meuller said that adding a gender studies minor to his major has helped him gain a broader view on past and modern-day issues along with assisting him in his future career.

“I’m interested in counseling, so having a lot of the more psychology focused courses that also focus on gender and LGBTQ issues have been valuable in my journey,” Meuller said. “And then also just having it on a day-to-day basis and processing current events through the kind of lens of having more information on how these things start and how they continue has been beneficial.”

levels. August also noted Miles’ philanthropy and ability to connect with others, both of which he said speak strongly about his character.

“I think that he is a model student and someone that people should follow here on campus,” August said.

“If they ’re looking for a leader, [or] just for a friend, I think that he ’s the type of student that if I was a student, I would want to be connected to.”

While it is common to be nervous during competitions, Bailey said that he drowns out the nerves by being engrossed in the problem he’s solving. At this year’s competition, Bailey said that his favorite problem was A3.

“You're given this process you perform on elements of a set of numbers which are the numbers up to some prime number p, and you have to determine how many different sequences of these numbers you can get,” Bailey said. “The problem itself didn’t end up being too challenging once you did some computation yourself, but the interesting part is, I learned afterwards, it ties into a certain area of math called cluster algebras, which has been fascinating to learn about.”

Bailey said participating in Putnam Club and Code Burners has both socially enriching and motivational in his collegiate journey. While the Putnam may be intimidating or challenging, Bailey said he recommends that interested students give it a try nonetheless.

“There's not really too much of a downside even if you don’t have much time to prepare,” Bailey said. “Maybe you’ll discover you enjoy it and you could continue doing it into future years.”

train robberies and plane crashes put viewers not just on the edge of their seat, but scooting toward the TV.

The conclusion of this season left me satisfied, feeling as if there’s no need for continuation. But the prospect of the Pogues either dropping treasure hunting or making it a lifestyle will definitely reel me back in again for the fourth season.

able character arcs among the fighting and action. The movies originally had something for everyone, making them the perfect family films. However, somewhere along the way, it seems that Marvel ran out of new ideas and began producing formulaic content that is no longer enjoyable. “Quantumania” is proof of this downward slope. The movie is an indicator of the direction of future Marvel films — bland, repetitive and lacking in plot. “Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is now playing in theaters.

St. Paddy’s Day is not just for drinking

JACK

As March ends and Irish Heritage Month draws to a close, it is important to recognize the true meaning of Saint Patrick’s Day — and it’s not alcohol abuse.

Imagine a classic Saint Patrick’s Day party. College students across the country wear green, put on a flamboyant orange beard and drown their sorrows in liquor — all a cartoonish caricature of an Irish person. The weekend contributes to an annual spike in alcohol-related deaths, with 287 lives lost to drunk-driving crashes on Saint Patrick’s Day weekends from 2016 to 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Saint Patrick’s is a time for all Americans — particularly party-obsessed young people — to legitimize toxic and dangerous alcohol use. Because it’s Irish culture, right?

Wrong. It is true that alcohol is a large part of Irish culture, but too many Americans turn it into an offensive stereotype. Obviously, for reasons both good and bad, alcohol is involved in many Irish holidays. But drinking is not the end goal, and yet it is woven into a misinterpretation of Irish culture

that has twisted many traditions across our country. And when people overemphasize reckless alcohol consumption, they ignore the true nuances of our relationship with the substance and turn drinking into a caricature of fun-loving, while simultaneously ignoring the horrible effects it has had on so many.

The core of Saint Patrick’s Day, where I’m from, always came down to a family gathering. Many still celebrate this as a family dinner, in addition to festivities like parades and traditional music. Like any holiday, it offers the chance to celebrate what you have and make merry with the people closest to you. And yes, that often includes alcohol. But the end goal is not to get blacked out like it’s your first time on the bottle. The goal is to connect with others and enjoy what little time we have on Earth.

Saint Patrick’s Day commemorates the date of death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. For early Irish immigrants to America, the holiday was a chance to remember their homeland and find group solidarity in a country that despised them. Before the group attained social mobility and politi-

cal influence, the Irish were frequently portrayed in media as lazy, violent alcoholics or less evolved than other groups of Europeans, sometimes even pictured as literal apes. The caricature of the rowdy Irish drunk that partiers play up is nothing new. Drinking the pain away is something any Irish person may be familiar with, but the Americans who play it up as a joke don’t really understand what it means to us. There is a reason we call the obituaries the “Irish sports page.” For Irish Americans, the obituaries have long served an important social function, allowing us to communicate with others we are close to but have been kept from by circumstance. Hard living conditions require a tight knit community, and for many in the Irish diaspora, this communion has been reinforced by suffering. It’s no secret that we have a fascination with the morbid, and part of that is due to our history. Irish immigrants to America have dealt with poverty, alcohol abuse and mental illness being passed down from generation to generation through a group that only recently attained social mobility.

It is a common joke among us to “stay away from the bottle,” only so commonly heard because of how endemic it is to a culture where addiction is rampant. In 2014, a World Health Organization report found that Ireland had the second highest rate of binge drinking in the world, and while rates have improved in recent years, alcohol abuse

is still a systemic problem for the nation. Alcoholism is so common for us that in my family, the older generation used to refer to it simply as “the disease,” without having to specify. It is one of many mental afflictions that have haunted our people ever since

Texas polling bill disenfranchises youth

Taking away the most convenient location for college students to cast their ballots is an obvious attempt at disenfranchisement and must be condemned.

Disenfranchisement is exactly what Republican Rep. Carrie Isaac is trying to do by filing House Bill 2309. The proposed legislation would remove polling locations from Texas colleges and universities.

“We must protect places of education where our children and young people gather,” Isaac said in support of her “Texas Campus Protection Bill.”

At a time when college students are voting in record numbers — 67% turnout in 2020 — conservative lawmakers are using the mantras of secure elections and public safety to discourage young people’s vote.

Why aren’t you watching the road?

As a commuter school, traffic is heavy at UTD, and with that comes careless student drivers. Drivers need to slow down and focus on the road, and UTD should implement mandatory traffic safety classes.

Alongside complaints about parking scarcity, Comets frequently talk about nearly getting into car accidents on campus. Often, this is because someone did not wait long enough at a stop sign or properly check the road before taking a left turn. Pedestrians could be walking on the crosswalk, and still cars carelessly zoom by.

At UTD, we have no choice but to be extremely careful when driving on campus because of the large number of pedestrians. Students are in a rush to get to class and don’t always look both ways before crossing the street. And if you aren’t slowing down to watch, you could easily cause preventable harm. After all, you are the one in charge of a two-ton chunk of metal that can cause death on impact! People’s lives depend on drivers, so it is vital that you pay attention to your surroundings.

Careful driving is important, because while major collisions can be a real pain, even small accidents can affect you in ways beyond a loss of life. Insurance is annoying, and no one wants to deal with the hassle of contacting providers because someone left a dent on your trunk. Worse, collisions can cause you great financial pain. We’re all already broke students, so why would you want to add onto that? Skip the bill and look before you turn. Thankfully, UTDPD has stepped in over the past few years to make our campus safer for both drivers and pedestrians. Lt. Jesus Gonzales of UTDPD’s Patrol Division said UTD has put up more signs and speed bumps to remind drivers to slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

“Of course, if you’re not paying attention to that, it lowers the effectiveness,” Gonzales said. “Still, most people do pay attention. Otherwise, we would have a lot more collisions.”

However, a common pattern among all drivers is focusing on things other than the road. Sometimes you think about your upcoming class, the date you’re going on later tonight or what song is playing on the radio. But wandering thoughts can be dangerous. Even if your eyes are on the road, you can make grave mistakes if your mind is elsewhere.

“Just slow it down and be aware of how dangerous driving really is,” Gonzales said. “Not just to you, but also to the people around you. Just slow down and think about what you’re doing. If people would do that every time they got behind the wheel, it would save a lot of lives.”

It’s important to call out careless drivers for their behavior. Too many students think that they can break traffic rules with no consequences, and unfortunately, they are right. Freshman information technology and systems major Daniel Mulugeta said that he has experienced many instances of rough driving around campus as a commuter.

“The way people drive at UTD is extremely reckless,” Mulugeta said. “There’s some people that even drive on the opposite end of the roundabout circle, believe it or not.”

The last few years, UTDPD has made campus safer for drivers and pedestrians with more speed bumps and traffic signs. However, Mulugeta said that adding extra surveillance would be more impactful, especially in busy areas.

“Sometimes I might be going through the speed bump, and there’s this car in front of

They know the demographic they are targeting. NPR found that roughly 30% of eligible Gen Z voters aligned with Democratic candidates, as opposed to 24% with Republicans and 28% with Independents.

This bill is just one example in a string of attempts by Texas leaders to discourage liberals from voting. In 2014, student IDs were deemed an unacceptable form of identification to vote, while concealed handgun licenses were “OK.” In the last few years, Abbott has ended 24-hour and drive-thru early voting initiatives and, before the 2022 midterms, crafted stricter requirements for absentee ballots.

Since 2021, a valid ID or the last four digits of your social security number has been required to file mail-in ballots, resulting in 25,000 rejected ballots in Texas’s April primary. The same law made it a felony to dis-

tribute mail-in ballots to voters who did not request them.

Isaac articulated concerns with Texas’s twoweek period for early voting. She said it was “too long” in a recent interview, despite it having a positive effect on voter turnout.

While conservatives say they are centralizing the state’s vote, they know that fewer locations and less time means more Republicans benefit. The Guardian found that in transitioning to “countywide polling places,” racial minorities in Texas had to travel the furthest and were less likely to vote than nonHispanic whites.

This might have lessened the chance of voting at the wrong precinct, but it decreased the number of available polling locations by half compared to the traditional precinctbased system. This is particularly important in the state of Texas, which, according to a

study by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, leads the country with 750 polling location closures.

Transportation has a significant effect on voter participation. Pew Research found that voters “who lack automobile access and fast public transportation” were less likely to vote, and the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement discovered that two of the top eight reasons young people didn’t vote were because of “inconvenient hours/polling location” and “no transportation to polling place.” Moreover, 29% of all youth didn’t vote because of transportation reasons.

In an interview with KTLV’s East Texas News, Isaac dismissed the need for reliable transportation, citing university busing,

Boycotting videogames does not solve injustice

Transphobia and propaganda are a few of the latest search terms to be associated with a campaign against the video games “Hogwarts Legacy” and “Atomic Heart.” But do these two games really deserve to be canceled?

The situation is complicated, but at the end of the day, despite well-meaning activism, the movement to boycott these games does more harm than good. It is fair to reconsider a purchase, but for those who are already playing, the controversy shouldn’t interrupt gameplay.

“Hogwarts Legacy” is the 18th “Harry Potter” game in the franchise and by far the most successful in immersion, gameplay and sales. There is nothing substantially wrong with the game itself, but its greatest sin is its intellectual property owner, J.K. Rowling. For the past few years, Rowling has been un-

der criticism for a series of transphobic tweets and op-eds, leaving fans angry at a franchise that once comforted them. Some fans have called other fans to boycott the game, arguing that support of “Hogwarts Legacy” gives more power to Rowling, which at first was a reasonable demand. What escalated the issue, however, is when boycotters demanded that we cancel streamers who play the game.

“Atomic Heart,” meanwhile, is a Soviet Union-themed game heavily inspired by “Bioshock,” made by a company formerly based in Russia. Before the game’s release, which fell around the anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war, “Atomic Heart” was accused of data mining by Ukraine, claims it has denied. The company also hasn’t been transparent on financing from an ex-subsidiary of Russia’s largest energy company,

Creativity is for STEM students too

With UTD’s many efforts to expand the arts on campus, now is the perfect time for STEM oriented students to take on a creative project.

At UTD, over 60% of the student body — more than 19,000 students — belongs to STEM schools. Our school culture does not encourage students to participate in creative endeavors, especially when it’s so easy to go to class, return home and leave it at that. But there is more to college than just studying.

Art is for everyone, even STEM students, who could especially benefit from pursuing a creative endeavor. A great place to start is right on campus, with opportunities in both clubs and electives. Groups like the Sculpture Club for visual art, Between the Lines for reading and Bujo Buddies for bullet journaling are great possibilities. Art is important for wellroundedness and can contribute to self-fulfillment, improved mental health and overall happiness.

Students might find it daunting to pursue a creative activity when skill is overly valued nowadays and they feel like newbies. However, skill is actually one of the least important things when it comes to creativity. Passion is the fuel of art, and every human is capable of it.

Experience isn’t important either – you don’t need any preexisting skills to take up a form of art. You can choose something completely unrelated to what you study or are

familiar with as a welcome break from daily life. If you haven’t taken up a form of art, consider this: are you simply uncomfortable with the idea of starting something unfamiliar? The challenge of doing something new is worthwhile and exciting.

You may find yourself saying you don’t have the time for creative pursuits when you have your studies to focus on. But surely you can spare 20 minutes. Art is far from a waste of time. In reality, skills you learn from creating art can be applied to school and work, as well as helping you connect with the world on a deeper level.

If you prefer to stick with the familiar, you can find art forms that build on existing skills. Are you athletic? Consider dancing with the student-led Spice Club or official Power

Dancers team. Do you find yourself enjoying essays or writing assignments? Consider creative writing at the UTD Writing Center. And the best time to start is right now. With ATEC and AHT merging and combining their resources, there is a strong epicenter for arts on campus. The Athenaeum, which will add the fourth largest Asian Art exhibit in the world to UTD, will include a new theater on campus for students to pursue physical art. Additionally, the Student Union will be creating more spaces for the expressive arts like dance studios. Most clubs at UTD are available year-round and are easy to join.

Whether you’re a well-seasoned artist or a complete newbie, now is the time to dip your feet into the arts. And who knows? You may be surprised at what you’re able to create.

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Female athletes shatter program records

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

From courts to fields, female athletes have made waves in golf, tennis, track and softball. Competing this spring semester, five women stand out as athletic inspirations at UTD: graduate golfer

Karen Lee, junior tennis player Rebecca Jackson, sophomore runner Sage Herrera and softball players Emilie Hoelscher and Megan Todd.

Karen Lee

Business analytics graduate student

Karen Lee is undoubtedly a force on the golf field, winning her second competition of the year at the Lidlifter Tournament, where she earned the second-best score in UTD history. In her first season with the Comets, she has been named the 24th best Division III player in the nation and helped to bring UTD to the top 10 national rankings in women’s golf last semester. Lee earned her second Golfer of the Week award this semester.

“I view golf as so much more mental than a physical sport,” Lee said. “Even when I had the talent and sometimes couldn’t put the scores together, I knew it was because of my mindset ... I tell myself now that I am the player that I am for a reason, and I deserve to finish stronger.”

Lee played golf at a DII university with longer courses and more game days before transferring to UTD. She said UTD’s team has helped to support her and credits the team’s national rank to their discipline.

“I have a great coach and a great team,” Lee said. “We have a very small team, but we’ve been able to really compete and progress well. We have a very relaxed environment, but we all push each other to be better players every day.”

Rebecca Jackson

Neuroscience junior Rebecca Jackson recently made headlines as the ASC East Division Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, the fourth weekly award in her career. For the last two years, she

has been key to UTD’s longest undefeated ASC tournament champion title as well as the team’s No. 6 ranking in region VIII. Since the start of the season, Jackson has won flawlessly seven times between both singles and doubles while maintaining more than double her opponents’ scores in 13 separate matches.

“It feels great to be appreciated, but it’s hard to compare because in college most of the work we do is through the team,” Jackson said, “I do think that there’s some pressure, but I think again, just the fact that it’s such a team aspect in college helps a ton. Knowing that all my teammates are there supporting one another ... definitely takes a lot of the pressure off. And knowing that our coaches support us so much and believe that we can do it also [takes off] a lot.”

Jackson said that it is a challenge balancing practice, work and school with the team’s intense schedule, but the sacrifice is worth it.

“I think mainly just understanding the amount of time and effort it takes to be on the team is appreciated,” Jackson said. “We have practice five days a week and on the weekends we're playing matches … It’s a lot of work but we’re all proud to be here.”

Sage Herrera

AHT sophomore Sage Herrera turned heads this season in track and field,

where she shattered two program records in the 800 meter and 1,500 meter dash during her first run this season. She has since broke UTD's 1,500 meter record a second time. Herrera has been running for much of her life – since middle school – and this isn’t the first time she’s broken school records.

“I’ve never been super aggressive or coordinated, so any sport that required a ball, I was horrible at,” Herrera said. “With running, you just stay in your lane and finish. It’s not easy but it doesn’t require that other stuff … It's really cool now to hold two school records. I know they'll be broken sometime soon in the future, either by me or by future Comets because our track program is so new.”

Despite an injury, plantar fasciitis, Herrera said she is training frequently to maintain top shape so she can compete in future meets. Herrera believes that the program, which only first competed as an official ASC sport in 2021, is still growing and needs student support.

“Just getting that message out that we’re here,” Herrera said. “It’s kind of hard to support us because all our meets are three to six hours away, but just knowing and having some encouragement throughout the day like, ‘hey, good job’ would be pretty nice.”

Emilie Hoelscher and Megan Todd

Chess team dominates the Southwest

On the mound and pitch, engineering senior Emilie Hoelscher and finance senior Megan Todd are collecting honors for smashing softball performances and some of the best strikeouts in the league. Both senior leaders dominated in their last four games against the Ozarks, in three of which the Ozarks did not score a single point.

“It was the couple weeks of practice that we had before those games,” Hoelscher said. “I was really critiquing my mechanics and working on certain things I knew I was having trouble with that would maybe be weaknesses during the game.”

Hoelscher has been on the team for two years, while Todd has played for four years. As seniors, both Todd and Hoelscher hold some responsibility for leading their team. They attribute good plays to adequate practice and passion for the game.

“I’ve loved every minute of playing UTD softball,” Todd said. “I love the relationships that I’ve built with these girls, and that’s kind of what kept me playing on the team for so long … Learning to re-fall in love in the sport because playing for so long, you sort of lose that interest. Playing DIII, you definitely have to love it, because we don’t have scholarships. I’ve had a great four years, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Fencers prepare for intercollegiate tournament

RYLEE RUSSELL Mercury Staff

The UTD Fencing Club is gearing up for the April 22 intercollegiate championships at Texas State University.

The team will send 12 students to compete for each of the three weapons: the épée, foil and sabre, making it 36 members in total. The tournament is hosted by the Southwest Intercollegiate Fencing Association, or SWIFT. Deepika Krishnan, a senior neuroscience major and event coordinator of the Fencing Club, said that UTD’s team maintains a welcoming culture despite the pressure of the upcoming tournament.

“A lot of times competitive sports … can be really competitive in a negative way,” Krishnan said. “You know, people backstabbing each other, not wanting to see the other person grow because the other person wants to be on top. I don’t think our organization is like that at all. I think everybody there wants to see the other people succeed.”

The club has around 50 active members who range from beginners to experienced. Their Discord also hosts 157 members who vary in levels of participation.

“It’s a great way to meet friends and also just a great way to get some physical activity in,” Krishnan said.

The training season is competitive for the Fencing Club, as only 36 members vying for a spot in the tournament will be able to attend. There can only be four members per team with one team for each of three weapons. Krishnan said that the competitive nature of fencing hasn’t impacted the club’s dynamic, however.

“Everybody here wants everybody to succeed, I’ve never seen so many people so proud of you,” Krishnan said.

Currently Krishnan has been out of fencing because of an injury and hopes to recover in time to participate in the tournament.

Students who are interested in getting involved with UTD Fencing can attend their practices on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the main gym at the Activities Center.

Women’s basketball exits nationals with home awards, high honors

The UTD Chess team finished their season strong with a victory at the Southwest Collegiate Team Championship, qualifying them for the 2023 Texas Collegiate Super Finals in fall.

The rapid-style tournament was held on Feb. 25 at Texas Tech University against five other Texas universities. UTD competed at the tournament with two teams: UTD A, which placed first, and UTD B, which tied for fourth.

Team A consisted of three grandmasters, or GMs — Rahul Peddi, Ivan Schitco and David Brodsky — while Team B consisted of three international masters, or IMs — Andrei Macovei, Eyal Grinberg and Karolis Juksta. Coach Julio Sadorra said that he decided teams based on each player’s title and availability as well as their synergy with other players.

“The way I grouped them was basically a GM team and IM team,” Sadorra said. “Team A is kind of obvious. I have a lineup full of GMs because we have only three GMs, and this could work well against other GMs from say, Texas Tech, who did really well in KCF. In the KCF Cup, the winner of the U2000 division was Andrei, Eyal and Gergana. In this one, I tried to switch it up. I let Karolis Juksta play [because] he’s in a good run.”

Computer science junior David Brodsky said that the dynamic between the three

GMs has been phenomenal. Brodsky had an easy start but faced tougher opponents as the tournament progressed, ultimately winning all his games and scoring a 5.0.

“I won all five of my games, which was the best possible result,” Brodsky said. “We had easy pairings the first two rounds, and then we played UTRGV B, UTRGV A and Texas Tech. I think I played Ozenir [from UTRGV B], Dudin [from UTRGV A] and Matviishen [from TTU A] in that order. Those were some pretty tight matches. I think I did get lucky against Ozenir, honestly, in round three, but otherwise I played pretty decent chess for this time control.”

While Team A won the tournament, economics sophomore and Chess Team Captain Ivan Schitco said Team B also contributed to UTD’s victory.

“Even though they didn’t get any medal, they still beat Texas Tech in one of the rounds,” Schitco said. “That played a role because they had less points. When we played them, that was right after that round when they beat them. So it basically was teamwork, so not only Team A won the tournament, it was a synergy between Team A and Team B.”

Schitco, who scored a 4.5 by winning four games and drawing one, attributed the team’s victory to Coach Sadorra and teamwork.

“Our coach did a great job,” Schitco said.

“He always finds new materials for us to work with. He incorporated this physical training. It went smoothly, but very easily could have been any other way, but I believe that’s because we worked hard before the tourna-

ment.”

Economics sophomore Rahul Peddi said he dedicates the victory to his teammate Eyal Grinberg, who will graduate this semester.

“He’s, I want to say, the most loved team player we have,” Peddi said. “He’s graduating this semester, and this is his last tournament, so let’s just say that this was our gift to him, or this was like a final victory for us with Eyal as a team.”

The No. 4/5 Trinity University Tigers defeated UTD in the NCAA Division III National Championship after losing 79-62 in the first round on March 3. However, the Comets secured several player awards and set a new program record.

After winning the American Southwest Conference for the seventh time in UTD history, the Comets were invited to the postregular season to face the Tigers in the opening round of the national tournament. The Tigers were ranked the No. 4 team in all of DIII and number one in assets before the ASC finals, whereas the Comets were ranked 138 overall. Still, UTD put up an unforgettable fight.

Coach Joe Shotland finished his first season with the Comets and made history at UTD as the first first-year coach to go to nationals. Before coaching, Shotland was a player and captain of the Tigers’ men’s team from 2010 to 2014. While the outcome against his alma mater wasn’t what he hoped for, Shotland said he is excited that the team will be remembered in UTD history.

“[There’s] no better feeling than cutting the nets down with a team that you believe in and who believes in you. I’m so proud of this group. We earned it the hard way,” Shotland said.

Before the game began, the ASC awarded five athletes high honors for their talent and determination.

Senior Jordan Maxwell ended her last season as Defensive Player of the Year and received her third All-Defensive Team award. She is now the fifth player to have received Defensive Player of the Year in UTD basketball history.

“Maxwell sets the tone for a lot of what we do. Her defensive intensity and ability was the standard setter for the group,” Shotland said. “The rest of our team followed suit, and I’m proud to say there isn’t a tougher team out there [in the ASC].”

Senior Lauren Fulenwider was awarded the Newcomer of the Year, the third time this honor has been bestowed upon a Comet. She was also ranked No. 2 in the entire league for 3-pointers made, totaling 48 scores this season with 144 points scored in 3-pointers alone. Fulenwider made honorable mentions with senior Diane Hurst and sophomore Cierra Trigg.

Freshman Amanda Crowninshield, who ranked top three on the team for assets, steals and turnovers, was acknowledged and added to the All-Freshman Team.

All of these athletes played in the Comets’ final game this season in San Antonio where they faced a nearly undefeated team. The Comets scored 42.3% of field goals, 22.2% of 3-pointers and 80% of free throws, in comparison to the Tigers, who made 44.1% of field goals, 22.7% of 3-pointers and 75.9% of free throws. Despite the Comets’ renowned defense, the Tigers received more

UTD CHESS TEAM | COURTESY

From left to right: Eyal Grinberg, Karolis Juksta, Andrei Macovei, David Brodsky, Ivan Schitco and Rahul Peddi, Julio Sadorra

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA Mercury Staff

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

UTD ATHLETICS, SAGE HERRERA, REBECCA JACKSON, MEGAN TODD | COURTESY

FATIMAH AZEEM Mercury Staff

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the Famine.

Maybe casual partiers can go wild on Saint Patrick’s Day and easily return to some sense of normalcy. But for those predisposed to addiction, it’s not so simple. For us, that’s a one-way ticket to an early grave.

When Saint Patrick’s Day is reduced to a drinking contest, it tries to make alcohol abuse a quintessential Irish characteristic. This stereotype ignores the fact that despite all the dark parts of Irish history, we have managed to thrive. The Irish are known for a lively, colorful culture full of energy and wit that turns generational trauma into art. Some of the best-known poets and writers

VOTING

while acknowledging that not all education institutions offer the same level of services.

If Isaac’s bill is implemented, students who depend on on-campus polls would have go out of their way to vote. Finding reliable transportation is another unnecessary cost for a population already pressed for cash.

Ultimately, college campus restrictions are more ploys to eradicate polling locations from liberal areas and discourage Democrats from voting.

While Isaac claims this bill protects younger Texans by excluding non-students, it is not the most efficient way to increase public safety.

Isaac said a 2017 stabbing at UT Austin and last year’s Uvalde shooting at Robb Elementary prompted her to write the legislation. She also plans to draft a similar bill that would prevent K-12 public and charter schools from hosting polling sites.

“Parents’ concerns have been magnified,” Isaac said. “We must protect

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Gazprom, and hasn’t communicated a clear stance on the war despite vaguely claiming to be anti-war. Its plot involves Russia invading a foreign country, causing critics to label it as propaganda. For these ethical reasons, players and critics alike are boycotting the game.

It is important to note that these political issues aren’t present in the content of either game. “Hogwarts Legacy” doesn’t support anything political Rowling has said over the years and stays true to the magic of the franchise. In fact, the characters are more diverse than they’ve ever been. The game even includes a transgender character, a clear indication that the developers are actively supportive of LGBT fans, unlike Rowling. The plot of “Atomic Heart” does involve Russian invasion, but it centers on stopping the Russians from the inside and highlights the failures of the Soviet Union. Additionally, it is true that the developers refuse to publicly support Ukraine, which has led to its ban in Ukraine. But those developers could still have families in Russia, who the government could easily target. And if the Kremlin were silencing outspoken voices in your family’s neighborhood, you’d be quiet too.

So, if the problem isn’t found in a video game itself, but rather the politics that surround it, should that

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me that’s going way too fast, and the police officer doesn’t notice it,” Mulugeta said. “So UTD police need to be really strict and really alert as to how our students drive. That way, we can stay safe, limit the amount of accidents and people can get home safely.”

Both drivers and UTD are re-

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opportunities to score.

The game was close in the first quarter, but the Tigers unleashed their claws in the second quarter, slashing through the Comets to a 21-point lead. The Comets turned up the heat with some of the best maneuvers all season, ending the third quarter seven points behind. In the last quarter, the Comets chipped away at the Tigers, but not enough to break their lead. Ultimately, the

in the Western tradition hail from Ireland, including Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats and Jonathan Swift.

As far as the history of the Irish in America, Irish Americans laid the groundwork for common musical genres like country and bluegrass. They contributed to our country’s literary tradition with greats like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Flannery O’Connor. What’s more, through generations of manual labor, the Irish left permanent physical marks on this country.

It has been said that in building New York City’s subways, Irish immigrants dug near as deep as skyscrapers are high. Legends like Mother Jones championed early labor movements despite several arrests and made strides against child labor in America.

places of education where our children and young people gather.”

But as to how exactly those two events were related to polling and elections, Isaac couldn’t provide a clear answer.

In an emailed statement to The Mercury, a spokesperson for Rep. Isaac said, “individuals who committed the crimes were not supposed to be on campus.”

In the UT Austin example, the perpetrator was a biology student who injured three and killed one of his fellow classmates. Yes, in Uvalde, the killer was not supposed to be there, but the school was not a polling location, nor was the time of the shooting close to an election. It was tragically during the last week of school. Isaac’s point is completely unfounded, since non-students could easily bring violence to a campus on any regular day of class.

Even if election-related violence is on the rise, moving polling locations from college campuses to other areas would merely “transfer the risk to another, equally vulnerable public lo-

matter when playing the game?

No.

What Rowling has said is terrible, just like the war in Ukraine, but the atmosphere around “Atomic Heart” is based more in fear than reason.

The controversy shouldn’t stop players from enjoying the game or put a target on streamers’ backs. Patronizing the developers of this games will not give a platform to malicious agents like Rowling or Russia.

The next question is, if you have not already bought these games, should you buy them given the controversies? You could boycott them and avoid an immoral purchase, but many have tried and failed. In the initial push to boycott “Hogwarts Legacy,” the primary concern was that purchase or streaming of the game would give more power to Rowling. While purchasing “Hogwarts Legacy” will provide royalties to Rowling, fueling her nearly $1 billion net worth, it doesn’t empower her. Attention does.

Most fans know to ignore and even alienate Rowling from the wizarding world, and the game itself ignores and strays away from her statements. “Hogwarts Legacy” is primarily a creative achievement for the developers and world building. Buying the game at this point wouldn’t give any more of a platform to Rowling than deciding to not buy the game in order to end transpho-

sponsible for campus safety, even though the importance of slowing down might not be clear to everyone. Mulugeta suggested that a mandatory orientation module about safe driving could be implemented by UTD administrators and marked as “required,” like the modules on sexual harassment taken at the start of freshman year.

At the end of the day, it is up to drivers to make sure that our “pedes-

Tigers won 79– 62.

Trigg led the game with 15 points, three rebounds and five turnovers. She attributed her success to the team’s efforts and their hours of defensive play practice.

“My teammates led to my field goals,” Trigg said. “Most of my shots came from passes from my teammates, so because they gave me the opportunity, I was able to make the shots that I did.”

Sophomore Trystan Clark followed up with 13 additional points, three turnovers and a steal before

But when college students dress in all green as an excuse to cripple their livers, they are not doing it because they have a deep appreciation for the history of the holiday. They don’t understand the full history of Ireland or Irish Americans, they don’t know the good and bad sides of our past and they don’t know all the ways that our trauma and resilience are woven into America today. They take one of the worst elements of our people’s history — alcohol addiction — and transform it into a grotesque caricature of what it means to be Irish.

So, this Saint Patrick’s Day, please, lay off the bottle. Attend the parade downtown or Irish cultural events in the area. Spend time with friends, family and those closest to you.

cation,” based on data from the ABS Group.

If lawmakers want to enact real change, they need to find a middle ground between sensible gun restrictions and campus security measures. Isaac said she wants to increase the number of former police officers in K-12 schools. Why not increase security on college campuses during elections instead of removing the location entirely? Though somewhat related to protecting schools, the bill’s benefits don’t outweigh the costs of disproportionately affecting young people.

Finally, though Isaac’s bill hasn’t made it through committee, it could hurt UTD more than any other college in Texas. Last semester, UTD hosted polling locations for Dallas and Collin County, the second and sixth largest counties in the state by population. Beyond students and faculty, the bill’s implementation would widely impact adults in North Texas who rely on UTD’s facilities.

bia. Almost the same can be said for purchasing “Atomic Heart,” which probably won’t change the war efforts in Europe or brainwash young minds into communism.

Individuals passionate about change should take direct action instead of boycotts. Consider confronting oppressors at the source or supporting nonprofits for those affected by war and prejudice, like the American Ukrainian Aid Foundation or GLESN.

In reality, the outcry to cancel these games has actually generated more interest in them. This is what people like Rowling want, because when it comes to publicity, all press is good press. “Hogwarts Legacy” was not expected to be one of the most sucessful video game launches in history, and yet, it saw a record 12 million sales in only two weeks. Outside the internet drooling over hyper-sexualized characters, “Atomic Heart” could have been a missed game with mediocre reviews as a “Bioshock” knock-off.

Ultimately, I can’t tell you what to do with your money. However, the purchase of these games will not righteously spite oppressive political figures. At the end of the day, the politics of others shouldn’t determine your enjoyment of a game, and if you plan to target a problematic person, target the real problems. Not the developers.

trian friendly campus,” as noted by the signs around campus borders, is actually pedestrian friendly. Focusing on what’s ahead, paying attention to traffic signs and slowing down could make both pedestrians and drivers feel much safer.

“I feel like UTD needs to really, really evaluate how their students drive,” Mulugeta said. “ … at the end of the day, driving is a privilege and not a right.”

the game ended. Maxwell returned to the spotlight with nine points scored and seven rebounds recorded, breaking her career record for nine rebounds in one game. Junior Blythe Williams scored nine points, five rebounds, four turnovers, two assists and one steal.

March 3 was the last time Maxwell, Fulenwider, Hurst and senior Maddie Edler played on the court for the Comets, as they graduate this semester. The UTD women’s basketball team will return in the latter half of fall 2023 with a new roster.