The Mercury 7/2/18

July 2, 2018

facebook.com/theutdmercury | @utdmercury

THE MERCURY

UTDMERCURY.COM

Alumna introduces drones to classrooms to promote STEAM education

STORY BY: BHARGAV ARIMILLI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PHOTO BY: MICHAEL STOUT | MERCURY STAFF

Ron Poynter was first introduced to drones while working as a helicopter pilot for the military. It wasn’t until federal restrictions on civilian usage of drones — officially known as unmanned aerial vehicles — were lifted in 2012 that he began to realize their potential.

“In 2012, I was reading an article in (the New York Times) about how someone was flying a drone, and they were stopped essentially because what he was doing was illegal,” he said. “I knew that the technology was going to be very transformative.”

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 replaced restrictions on drones and instead provided a framework to integrate them into American airspace within both private and commercial settings. Since then, Poynter and his wife, Rebecca, who graduated from UTD in 1986, launched OnPoynt Aerial Solutions, a Richardson-based company that specializes in creating drone kits for STEAM education, with the backing of UTD’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Venture Development Center.

→ SEE DRONES, PAGE 5

OnPoynt Aerial Solutions, a Richardson-based drone kit supplier, received backing from UTD’s Venture Development Center in November. The company is developing and testing prototypes for a drone racing system.

Fitness Center reopens after weeks-long closure Renovated space features refurbished carpeting, updated equipment

Softball players earn national recognition Two athletes simultaneously earn spot on Academic All-America team for first time in Comet history

UTD ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS | COURTESY

Stefanie Polderman (center), who graduated from UTD in May, played on UTD’s softball team for all four years of her college career.

MADELINE AMBROSE | MERCURY STAFF

The redesigned Fitness Center reopened on June 3, offering a new layout to make it easier for groups to exercise together.

MADELEINE KEITH Mercury Staff

After three weeks wrapped in caution tape, the doors to the Fitness Center have reopened to reveal new carpeting, restructured machinery and a modernized facility.

Over the past year, University Recreation has undergone a series of renovations from refurbished roofing and new gym partitions to the recently- completed carpeting in the fitness center.

Additionally, UREC instituted a series of new projects to help the activity center become a more cost-effective and welcoming environment. Director of UREC Tricia Losavio said the updates stemmed from a rebranding and a desire to embrace a more comprehensive perception of exercise.

“About a year ago, we decided to change our name from Recreational Sports to University Recreation because we felt that University Recreation was a more holistic approach to what we do,” she said. “We do health and wellness…

and we’re more than just sports. So we got permission to change our name (to UREC) and that prompted us to start looking at the facility.”

Losavio said the upgrade she is most proud of is the remodeling of the fitness center and weight room which, in addition to receiving flooring, also saw a new exercise machine layout. The design starts with a “beginner’s area” and then moves to more advanced machinery, promoting a well-rounded workout and allowing friends to more easily exercise together.

“The design is more intentional to where it’s not just a row of treadmills and then a row of cross-trainers and then a row of bikes. And the concept behind that is, most people, when they go work out with friends, not everybody is going to want to run that day,” Losavio said. “Whereas if you cluster the pieces together, you may be able to work out as a group and not be separated from your friends.”

In addition to its facility enhance-

ments, UREC is now offering programs such as free intro-to-weight classes and personalized tours for incoming international students to better familiarize new Comets with what the Activity Center has to offer. Losavio said that so far, the response has been positive, with students posting words of support across UREC’s social media. Computer engineering graduate Madhumitha Shankar voiced her approval of the recent changes.

“Personally, I feel it’s really great because it has become really spacious.

It is way more organized than before,” Shankar said. “People are finding it difficult to find the machines from where they used to be before but I think that’s something they will get used to with time.”

Though no more major renovations are planned for the near future, Losavio said she hopes to continue making improvements wherever she can to create a

→ SEE RENOVATIONS, PAGE 5

TRAVIS DICKERSON Mercury Staff

Two players from the UTD softball team have been placed on the Academic All-America team, becoming the first in the softball team’s history to receive the honor at the same time.

After concluding the 2018 season with a 24-18 overall record, the softball team made history after it was announced that two players would join the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America softball teams. Sponsored by Google and selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the status is handed out annually to qualifying players. Both junior infielder Melissa Livermore and senior outfielder Stefanie Polderman were honored.

Livermore is on her way to becoming one of the most decorated players in UTD softball history, having already secured several honors since she joined the team in 2016. These include becoming UTD’s first three-time AllAmerican from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and a three-time All-ASC performer. Livermore began playing softball at a young age and has been playing for local teams since she

was seven. A local from Frisco, she attended Wakeland High School where she earned several awards, including alldistrict selection four times and team MVP two times.

“I started playing softball ever since I could pick up a ball and a bat,” Livermore said. “I’m not a player who is constantly looking up stats and worrying about what I can do to make sure I play perfectly.”

Livermore started her collegiate career at UTD by becoming the first softball AllAmerican and being named ASC Freshman of the Year. This season, she broke the softball career record of runs scored during a season and is expected to break the program’s hit record next spring, which will be her last season.

“As I step out onto the field for my last season, I want to be reminded of the little girl who put on her cleats for the first time,” Livermore said. “I want to play for the girl who fell in love with the sport and never looked back.”

Polderman received the same honor last year, now making her a two-time winner of the status. Originally from West

→ SEE SOFTBALL, PAGE 5

2

THE MERCURY UTDMERCURY.COM Volume XXXVIII No. 26

NEWS

THE MERCURY | JULY 2, 2018

UTDMERCURY.COM

UTDPD Blotter

Editor-in-Chief Bhargav Arimilli

editor@utdmercury.com (972) 883-2294

Managing Editor Cindy Folefack managingeditor @utdmercury.com (972) 883-2287

Copy Editor Diego Alvarez

copyeditor@utdmercury.com

Graphics Editor Matt Strack

graphics@utdmercury.com

Photo Editor Noah Whitehead

photo@utdmercury.com

News Editor Emaan Bangash

news@utdmercury.com

Sports Editor William Legrone

sportseditor@utdmercury.com

Life & Arts Editor Ayoung Jo life@utdmercury.com

Web Editor Bharat Arimilli

web@utdmercury.com

Outreach Editor Carolina Alvarez

media@utdmercury.com

Contributors Madeline Ambrose Sarah Besserer Bianca Del Rio Travis Dickerson Ariana Hadden Madeleine Keith Christina Lazutkin Samantha Lopez Chiamaka Mgboji Keaton Nations Ian Seamans Michael Stout Sarah Streety

D

June 11 • An unaffiliated female was issued a criminal trespass warning at Canyon Creek Heights South at 4:36 p.m.

A

June 20 • A UTD student’s laptop was stolen from their apartment at University Village at 12: 41 p.m.

B

June 20 • A UTD student reported two phones missing from his unlocked vehicle at Engineering and Computer Science South at 8:32 p.m.

C

June 25 • An unaffiliated male reported his bike stolen from Residence Hall North at 1:14 p.m.

D

June 26 • An unaffiliated male was issued a criminal trespasss warning after an argument with a UTD student at Green Hall at 12:07 p.m.

E

E

D A LEGEND VEHICULAR INCIDENT

THEFT

DRUGS & ALCOHOL OTHER MAP: UTD | COURTESY

Media Adviser Chad Thomas

chadthomas@utdallas.edu (972) 883-2286

Mailing Address 800 West Campbell Road, SU 24 Richardson, TX 75080-0688 Newsroom Student Union, Student Media Suite SU 1.601

The Mercury is published on Mondays, at two-week intervals during the long term of The University of Texas at Dallas, except holidays and exam periods, and once every four weeks during the summer term.

Advertising is accepted by The Mercury on the basis that there is no discrimination by the advertiser in the offering of goods or services to any person, on any basis prohibited by applicable law.

The publication of advertising in The Mercury does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the newspaper, or the UTD administration.

Opinions expressed in The Mercury are those of the editor, the editorial board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily the view of the UTD administration, the Board of Regents or the Student Media Operating Board.

The Mercury’s editors retain the right to refuse or edit any submission based on libel, malice, spelling, grammar and style, and violations of Section 54.23 (f ) (1-6) of UTD policy.

Copyright © 2017, The University of Texas at Dallas. All articles, photographs and graphic assets, whether in print or online, may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without express written permission.

The Mercury is a proud member of both the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

B

C

A

C

LIFE&ARTS Prosthetic progress

3

JULY 2, 2018 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Locomotor Systems Lab develops new leg with improved user control

UTD community members receive recognition from NFL legend in episode of ‘Undercover Boss’

TRAVIS DICKERSON Mercury Staff

A robotics lab at UTD has managed to make its new prosthetic leg stronger and quieter and is ready to move on to the next stage of testing.

Currently situated in the ATEC building, the Locomotor Systems Lab has recently made advancements in its new prosthetic leg which allows users more control while not wearing them down or subjecting them to the noise of loud motors. Instead, the new prosthetic has replaced the existing motor with a quieter, electric one and sensors that connect from the hip to the device, allowing it to work with the user and giving them more direct control. Currently headed

by Robert Gregg, an assistant professor of bioengineering and mechanical engineering, the lab has been working on the prosthetic development for several years. Since its establishment in 2013, the group’s focus has been the creation of practical exoskeletons and prosthetics for use in real-world applications, through funding from grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The progress on the prosthetic has moved forward with the help of research assistants such as Edgar Bolivar, a mechanical engineering doctoral student, and David Allen, a mechanical engineering graduate student.

“The lab has a good balance between software, hardware and research,” Bolivar said. “There is a space for everyone here.”

Their current prosthetic, intended to help people missing limbs above the knee, has moved to a new stage of physical testing. Existing prosthetic limbs act like a stump and put a considerable amount of weight on the wearer’s leg, making users tired after wearing it for a certain amount of time. The original versions of the Locomotor Systems Lab prosthetic lacked the ability to properly conform to human joints from a biome-

Alumna, professor featured in TV series

CBS CORPORATION | COURTESY

Desiree Allen, a UTD alumna and former UTD women’s basketball coach, was featured in a season nine episode of “Undercover Boss” with former NFL player Deion Sanders.

LOCOMOTOR SYSTEMS LAB | COURTESY

The newest iteration of the Locomotor Systems Lab’s leg prosthetic comes equipped with quieter motors and sensors to improve user controlability.

chanical standpoint, meaning the user had to plan their every move. Gregg attributed this issue to a lack of understanding on how human joints worked.

“The problem comes from synchronization,” Gregg said. “Think of every joint having its own clock, and if you’ve ever been in a room with multiple clocks (that are) not all synchronized, that could be like the joints.”

Gregg said after further testing, it was discovered that the joints synchronized better than expected, allowing the new knee-ankle prosthetic to have more user input and control using advanced sensors which connect the prosthetic to the hip, allowing the hip to control the prosthetic like a crank. The user then has the ability to move freely, while the motor inside prevents the user from getting too tired while wearing it.

It also runs quieter than previous versions, as the original sound of the brushless motors inside were comparable to that of a vacuum cleaner. Advanced

motors with higher torque and a lower gearbox inside the prosthetic act like electric car engines, maintaining enough power to keep the leg running while still remaining silent.

“Our first-generation prototypes were used to supplement muscles with electric motors, adding a variable stiffness element,” Allen said. “Now we’re at a place where artificial muscle technology will replace the electric motor acting like a real muscle.”

The next iterations of the device will go through intense trials focused on mobility and practical applications of the leg. Future tests with the new prosthetic will include scenarios relating to stair climbing and running.

“We have so many new features we’re adding into the next generation to make it viable,” Gregg said. “That’s been our main focus in the lab — making it accessible and practical for the user while not sacrificing its ability to properly function.”

IAN SEAMANS Mercury Staff

In North Dallas High School’s gymnasium, two coaches, a UTD professor, a homeless college student, a film crew and the school band waited for the arrival of an old man named Willy, whose picture was plastered across a huge piece of banner paper. The band shouted his name in rhythm as the coaches looked on in confusion, and after a few moments, a tall man in a leopard print hat walked through the paper, smiling. It was MLB and NFL legend Deion Sanders.

In a June episode of “Celebrity Undercover Boss,” Sanders, disguised as an old man named “Willy,” visited football coach and UTD alum Desiree Allen of North Dallas High School. Later in the episode, Sanders separately visited Jonathan Palant, a vocal music professor at UTD and conductor of the Dallas Street Choir. The show follows a different celebrity every week as they go undercover to find undiscovered talent. Sanders, who was brought to tears by his visits to North Dallas High School and the

choir, ultimately bestowed large donations to Allen, her football team, the choir and one of its homeless members.

Allen, one of the first and only female high school football coaches in Texas, was approached by “Willy” under the guise that he wanted to start coaching his own team. Allen trained him in the basics of coaching, as Sanders attempted to conceal his prior knowledge of the sport. In a candid conversation after practice, Allen told Sanders that she had regularly used her own resources to properly outfit the innercity high school team, several of whose players are homeless. Later in the episode, Allen said she sees it as her job to create an outlet and safe place for her players.

After revealing his true identity, Sanders praised Allen’s commitment to her players and coaching ability. Sanders then donated $10,000 to Allen to reimburse her for equipment costs, and an additional $10,000 to fund the team. He also invited her to help coach the national football camp he runs for the 21 best high school football athletes in the nation.

→ SEE BOSS, PAGE 5

PHOTOS BY: NOAH WHITEHEAD | PHOTO EDITOR

po

es er icl r h ps fo po t en nprm we

em

po

it

A free coding camp run by high school computer science students met multiple times in Residence Hall West over the last month in teams to develop an app to encourage positive social impacts on their local communities.

UTD alumna Maya Piata returned for the SUAABsponsored event “Pop-n-Popsicles” on Friday, showcasing her original music as students enjoyed ice cream provided by Steel City Pops.

4

LIFE&ARTS

THE MERCURY | JULY 2, 2018

cistern installed in campus gardens

UTDMERCURY.COM

UPCOMING EVENTS FOUR DISCIPLINES OF EXECUTION Develop roadmaps to help overcome day-today challenges.

July 2, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., SPN 1.121

TEA TUESDAYS Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea with the Galerstein Gender Center.

On Friday, the Student Government’s green initiative took a step towards conserving natural resources in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and UT Dallas Eco Reps.

A new water collection system was installed in the Blanca Botello garden on campus, which allows Facilities Management staff to use harvested rainwater to grow crops.

July 3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., SSB 4.300

BUTTERFLY FLUTTERBY Help maintain UTD’s on-campus monarch butterfly waystation.

July 11, 9 - 11 a.m., SSA Lobby The produce in the garden is open for Facilities Management staff to enjoy. After the installation is complete, a student artist will paint a mural on the sides of the water tank. Gary Cocke, associate director of energy conservation and sustainability, said the changes happening on campus bring excitement for the future.

CAROLINA ALVAREZ | OUTREACH EDITOR

DIVERSITY DIALOGUES Join a campus discussion about diversity and representation.

July 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., MC 4.402

UTDMERCURY.COM → BOSS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Allen played sports at UTD, and after graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1999, she went on to coach the women’s basketball team. Since then, she has worked four years at North Dallas High School as both a math teacher and the football team’s assistant coach.

Allen also plays in the Women’s Football Alliance, a national women’s full contact football league. Her team, Dallas Elite, has made it to the national championship game every year since its founding in 2015.

UTD professor Jonathan Palant has been teaching vocal music at the university since 2016, a year after founding the Dallas Street Choir. Palant started the choir after working with the homeless community to create a performance designed around the Street Requiem, a

→ RENOVATIONS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

facility that all students can enjoy.

“We’re grateful for their sup-

NEWS

funeral dirge to honor those who died on the streets. Since then, the choir has performed at venues ranging from Dallas homeless shelters to Carnegie Hall and the Washington National Cathedral.

As Sanders helped set up a room for one of the choir's rehearsals, he spoke to and became invested in the stage crew coordinator, Michael, a young man who at the time of filming was homeless while attending college. Sanders fought back tears as Michael described his time in the foster care system and the struggles of living on the street.

“Our segment was originally intended to be about the Dallas Street Choir, but after they met Michael, they started to film him more and more and follow(ed) him,” Palant said.

“I’m thrilled that they latched on to Michael’s story because he is an exceptional person.”

Sanders’ gift allowed Mi-

chael to finish his undergraduate degree and to subsidize an apartment and food for one year. Palant said Michael is now in the process of applying to graduate school and is looking for a job while still serving as the stage crew coordinator for the Dallas Street Choir. Sanders, who briefly helped conduct the choir during the episode, also donated a significant, undisclosed amount to the choir to fund the purchase of music, incentives, post-rehearsal meals and day-to-day operations.

“It’s been transformative both for me personally and for others. Having a place to express themselves physically, having an opportunity to teach the broader community about homelessness and just show that those who are experiencing homelessness have a whole lot more to say than are often given credit for — that they’ve got heart and passion and goals,” Palant said.

port and their patience during some of these growing pain projects, and we like their comments and their feedback,” Losavio said. “We can’t get all

the equipment that we want but we definitely try to get as much as we can so that way everyone can enjoy their workout while they’re here.”

→ SOFTBALL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Vancouver, Canada, she has been with the team since 2015.

It wasn’t until her second and third year with the team that she achieved high honors such as the ASC Distinguished Scholar Athlete. It was also the first time she won All-America status.

Polderman said in the past, she found motivation in her competiveness and inspiration from those above her in the team who

→ DRONES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“There’s an entrepreneurial spirit at UT Dallas and we really appreciate that,” Rebecca Poynter said.

The market for drones has expanded considerably since 2012 and is expected to reach a value of $100 billion by 2020, according to a recent Goldman Sachs report. Rebecca Poynter said she and her husband launched the company after seeing an opportunity to adapt the industry into learning experiences for classrooms. In 2016, the FAA recognized drone usage in educational environments as a form of recreational usage, eliminating the need for direct licensing from the agency.

“Our main customers are students, and we want them to have a great experience with drones,” Rebecca Poynter said. “It’s rewarding because the teachers are excited about the drones as a classroom experience. Students are really excited about experiencing drone technology.”

The company sells kits that allow students to build drone themselves. According to Ron Poynter, the integrative nature

THE MERCURY | JULY 2, 2018

5

worked for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

“Playing softball was always first and foremost my stress relief,” Polderman said. “I wanted to have fun on the field and I found the more competitive I was, the more we won, then the more fun I had, so that was motivation in itself.”

For her final season with the team, she started all 42 games and was named First Team AllASC, a conference honor, after hitting .360 with two doubles

and one home run. In addition to winning the Academic All-America honors, she also received the American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athletes honor alongside four other Comets.

“Being part of the athletics department was the best thing that could have happened to me at college,” Polderman said.

“Even through the ups and downs, I don’t have a single regret about coming to UTD to play softball.”

of the drone kits is especially helpful for younger students.

“You’ve got propellers and such, and you can talk aerodynamics. You could spend time talking about the battery chemistry and how they fly,” he said.

“There’s engineering challenges you can do with them as well— a lot of different things that can add to the experience.”

OnPoynt was recognized by UTD’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in November of last year as part of the UTDesign Startup Challenge.

Rebecca Poynter and her husband won $20,000 towards the costs of further research and development.

Through its relationship with the IIE, OnPoynt has access to dedicated office space and mentors.

“The foundation to support innovation is there, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to have mentors, to work with students (and) to have facilities that have all the resources that UT Dallas has provided us as we continue to grow our business,” Rebecca Poynter said.

At UTD, OnPoynt is collaborating with the School of Engineering and Computer Science to develop drone racing

and gaming systems along with accompanying mobile applications for fans to watch remotely.

The company works with ECS capstone students to test and demonstrate their products.

“They’ve been fun to work with,” Ron Poynter said. “We don’t have the computer science or technical background that they have, so it makes for a good team.”

Rebecca Poynter said through the development of a racing system and an accompanying mobile application, OnPoynt will use its platform to promote growth of drone clubs and racing teams on college campuses. Universities such as Purdue University and the Georgia Institute of Technology have sponsored drone-racing teams on their campuses.

The inaugural U.S. College Drone Racing Championship took place last year at Purdue.

The company is currently in the process of filing patents for its technology. OnPoynt will expand its catalog to include underwater drones and autonomous terrestrial vehicles.

Additional reporting Emaan Bangash

by

6 7

JULY 2, 2018 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

CARLZ SAYS

COMICS

CAROLINA ALVAREZ | OUTREACH EDITOR

UTD APPROVED PETS

HAIR ISSUES

KEATON NATIONS | MERCURY STAFF

O&B: ANCIENT HISTORY

SARAH BESSERER | MERCURY STAFF

SUMMER PUNS FOR SOME MORE FUN

SARAH STREETY | MERCURY STAFF

CICADAS

CHIAMAKA MGBOJI | MERCURY STAFF

MAZE

BIANCA DEL RIO | MERCURY STAFF

START

END MATT STRACK | GRAPHICS EDITOR

OPINION

7

JULY 2, 2018 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

More campus sustainability measures necessary Updated guidelines, initiatives needed to reinvigorate campus environment through low-cost replacements, revitalizations IAN SEAMANS COMMENTARY

In the last decade, UTD has made great strides in making the campus more sustainable, but there is still work to be done to make life better for both students and the local environment, such as by allowing lower-impact pesticides, introducing and revitalizing more green spaces and encouraging native and adapted plants.

According to both the UTD Development Plan and Sustainability Coordinator Gary Cocke, only the least toxic pesticides should be used, and even then, only in specific circumstances. However, the Development Plan, which is the school’s long-term roadmap, allows the use of several relatively toxic pesticides. Many of these pesticides are dangerous to beneficial insects and fish, even if they are safe for humans. Meanwhile, lower risk methods such as diatomaceous earth, neem oil, iron phosphate and others are excluded from use. The guidelines that govern chemical use should permit the use of the best, least toxic solution.

Parking lots aren’t as exciting an issue as pesticides, but they are a part of UTD’s environment and the everyday experience of students. Campus is home to a lot of ground level, uncovered lots. These lots are not aesthetically pleasing, contribute to the urban heat island and make the walk to and from your car unbearably hot during the summer. The term “urban heat island” describes a city that is much warmer than the surrounding area, typically due to large amounts of exposed concrete and asphalt.

According to a 2017 study conducted by the Texas Trees Foundation, areas of Dallas can heat up to 11 degrees higher than the surrounding countryside, on average. In-

terspacing canopy trees in these lots would greatly help with the summer temperatures, both because of the shade and the reduction in urban heating.

Other areas that could use more trees and vegetation are the two creeks that flow through campus. UTD is home to two branches of Cottonwood Creek, which flow into White Rock Lake. Both branches could use revitalization to promote the local ecosystem and help drainage. Canyon Creek, on the western portion of campus, flows through concrete channels, and the northern portion of Cottonwood Creek, on the eastern side of campus, does the same. Restoring these streams by entirely removing concrete channels and buried pipes and encouraging plant growth would enlarge habitats for wild animals, create more green space for students and reduce the possibility of flooding. While these issues have been mentioned in UTD development meetings as recently as May, they haven’t been a priority for the administration. Revitalization should be an immediate priority and more should be done to optimize the area for animal, plant and human habitation.

Native plants shouldn’t just be confined to these two creeks. They should also replace much of the turf grass that pervades campus. Turf grass might be beneficial in the sense that it slows erosion and looks nice, but it isn’t able to survive for long or look aesthetically pleasing without consistent fertilization and maintenance. UTD already has set aside large swaths for native grasses along Armstrong Boulevard and across Floyd Road in recent years, but there are still many large areas of turf grass that could be replaced. Although St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses are somewhat drought tolerant, they still require regular watering, fertilizing and mowing to maintain their appearance. Meanwhile

CHRISTINA LAZUTKIN | MERCURY STAFF

native grasses, although tall, require little to no extra watering, fertilizing or cutting.

For large areas that aren’t going to be used for recreation, it makes sense to choose a low maintenance grass that will not only save the university money, but also serve as a home for native insects and animals.

The initial replacement of these grasses doesn’t cost much, either. Letting turf grasses die by not watering or fertilizing and then replacing with them native seed can cost less than $100 per acre. There are even incentive programs administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Department of Agriculture which can bring those costs down even further.

Planting turf grass from seed can cost around $500 per acre in seed alone.

Facility Management’s guidelines already encourage the planting of native and adapted plants, but the practice isn’t mandatory. It is a reasonable constraint to mandate that all new landscaping be from one of those two categories. Mimicking the natural environment of North Texas will save on resources while also enlarging the natural habitat for local insects, fish, animals and birds.

Opening up the option for lower impact pesticides, creating and revitalizing green spaces and replacing grasses are all relatively low-cost endeavors that can yield large,

and visible, results. Switching pesticides has little to no price difference, and replacing grasses with natives has little costs and saves on fertilizer and water long term. The largest cost is in revitalizing creeks, which would require the purchase of saplings and the deconstruction of concrete channels. UTD has previously shown its commitment to sustainability and it should continue to do so by taking responsibility for its local environment. Students should express their support for further campus greening to the school. Without that communication, the administration will not know what current or prospective students want from their campus.

Comets and Craters New sidewalk encircles UTD A new sidewalk has been built along Waterview Parkway, Synergy Park Boulevard and Floyd Road, preventing pedestrians, bikers and runners from having to use the road.

North Floyd Road closed North Floyd Road is partially closed due to construction and is only open to southbound traffic.

Alumnus wins OZY award Alumnus James Griffin won the OZY Genius Award for his advising app RamifAI, which helps students navigate the requirements of their college degree plans.

SAM LOPEZ | MERCURY STAFF

COMET COMMENTS

Does UTD do enough to conserve natural resources and protect the environment?

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Students interested in writing opinions can email editor@utdmercury.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR “I think we have a pretty good policy on recycling, and just being mindful of what you do with your trash, and all of that. I think we are a little bit irresponsible with how much plastic

“Yeah, I mean there are so many trees and it’s so green. And we have the no-smoking policy too, which is really bad for the plants when you smoke.”

“I guess they do. I like the water filtering system where they don’t use the plastic bottles, I like that idea. I don’t know much about what else they do.”

we put out, like with the plastic utensils in the SU.”

Nashia Rahman Healthcare Studies Senior

Anagha Param Neuroscience Junior

Amaan Shaik Computer Science Senior

Letters must be 250 words or less. Students should include their full name, major and year. Faculty, staff and administrators should include their full name and title.

Email letters to editor@utdmercury. com. Although electronic copies are preferred, a hard copy can be dropped off at the reception desk of the Student Media suite (SU 1.601). Please include a headshot.

Authors may only have one letter printed per edition of The Mercury.

OP-EDS

Apart from your name and photo, personal info will not be published.

We reserve the right to reject submissions, and we cannot be responsible for their return. We reserve the right to edit for clarity, brevity, good taste, accuracy and to prevent libel.

8

THE MERCURY | JULY 2, 2018

ADVERTISEMENT

UTDMERCURY.COM

YOU CAN CHOOSE CHOOSE

NOW LEASING

1, 2, 3 & 4-bedroom apartment homes.

RATES STARTING AS LOW AS $548!

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE Enjoy prime retail, choice dining, and exciting entertainment right outside your door.

APPLY TODAY!

LiveAtNorthside.com / 972.800.5891