The Mercury 01 30 23

TikTok banned on Wi-Fi, devices

Chief Information Officers Frank Feagans and Nate Howe emailed all Comets on Jan. 17 to inform Comets that UTD would block TikTok on devices connected to the university’s “wired and Wi-Fi networks.”

After banning the app on state devices in December, Gov. Greg Abbott asked all public universities in Texas to present their policy on TikTok use. UTD responded with new provisions for personal use within weeks of Abbott’s announcement.

Specifically, no one connected to “CometNet” will be able to access TikTok, but university-owned housing will not be affected since thirdparty vendors manage those networks. Any employee or student with questions should seek assistance from the Office of Information Technology’s Help Desk.

Marketing senior Eric Aaberg — who oversees the social media accounts for the Esports program and Temoc — was in disbelief after Abbott’s letter back in December.

“I would have never thought that TikTok actually would get banned,” Aaberg said. “I’m upset because I’m a full-time content creator on the site. I use my personal TikTok to get brand deals and communicate with my audience – this is my job.”

@official_temoc is one of the most followed UTD TikTok accounts, according to Aaberg, with over 2,400 followers and 100,000 thousand likes. The last post was on December 7, 2022, the day Abbott announced the initial ban.

LANA Birds A B oun d

Eric Aaberg

Aaberg is often referred to as “Mr. UTD” and has been featured in several national publications about college TikTok bans. He still posts on his @itsericaaberg account. One recent short shows him giving a “daily scream” to his followers over rumors of a bill that could ban TikTok nationwide.

The Mercury polled students about their TikTok usage in the days after the announcement and found that out of a survey size of 50, roughly half said they don’t agree with the decision and a little over 30% of respondents still plan to use the app on other cellular networks. A majority of students said that TikTok should not be banned more widely in the U.S.

According to mashable.com, since August 2021, approximately 30 states have banned the Chinese-owned platform on government devices, encompassing at least 26 public universities. The list keeps growing as a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher, push to end TikTok’s operation in the U.S.

“This isn’t about creative videos … TikTok is digital fentanyl that’s addicting Americans, collecting troves of their data

but not in University housing DEVINEE

PARTH GHUMARE | MERCURY STAFF

Project Coordinator Jeremy Hall left a corporate job to help Comets through struggles common to college students, like substance abuse and disordered eating

When molecular biology senior Kevin Juarez mistakenly walked into the Center for Students in Recovery, they were expecting to turn around, close the door and continue looking for the Wellness Center. Instead, Juarez was welcomed by a warm presence that would lift them up in their time of need and draw them to return – Jeremy Hall.

Genuine. Impactful. Healing. These are the words Juarez and countless other Comets use to describe Hall, the admin project coordinator for CSR, a branch of the Student Counseling Center that aids Comets struggling with addiction and compulsive behaviors. In the short time he’s been on campus, Hall has established himself as a guiding force in the commu-

I had a teacher help me through [tough times] ... healing me, building me up for success. Doesn't matter who you are, I want students to know the same can be done for them.

nity and an advocate for students. His goal – support students in whatever way he can.

Spaces like CSR are especially important on college campuses. According to AddictionCenter, 80% of college students have abused substances like alcohol, and according to FinancesOnline,

Moot Court pair is No. 2 in nation

BARAKAT Mercury Staff

On the weekend of Jan. 14 and Jan. 15, political science senior Olivia Cooper and geospatial information senior Paulina Hruskoci secured a historic second place for UTD at the national Moot Court Competition hosted at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

legal issues addressed by appellate courts, meaning students argue as if they are before the Supreme Court. Competitors prepare a brief overview of their constitutional law issue and defend their stance while being battered by thought-provoking and arduous questions from the judges. To prepare the teams, professor Barbara Kirby and coach Jody Joiner — former assistant attorney general of Missouri — simulated the same THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

one in four college students currently meet the criteria for substance abuse. A critical part of the recovery process that is often overlooked is community.

And with 1,400 students having visited the CSR in fall 2022 alone, the center has established itself as a safe haven for students.

“This is a judgement free zone for students to be who they are, and take off the mask,” Hall said. “I can’t stress enough how important it is for people in recovery to have a good system with positive influences. This is one of the biggest factors in helping someone recover. It’s important to have that space for authenticity. It’s about unity and togetherness – we’re stronger together in CSR.”

CSR – located in SSB 4.500 – offers services such as recovery groups led both

SEE HALL, PAGE 9

AMIN MERCURY STAFF

Library open for 24 hours

To meet increased demand for study spaces, the Eugene McDermott Library is reinstating a 24 hour schedule from Monday to Thursday.

On other days of the week, students can stop by from midnight to 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The library has not been open for 24 hours since online classes became widespread in 2020.

“This is a response to students’ needs and serves those who need it… Everything the library does is for the students,” Travis Boode, assistant director of public services, said. “We would like to see the usage increase.”

Dean of the McDermott Library Ellen Safley said that with the return to in-person instruction, students are expressing a need to use the library more often. Management responded by bringing back the longer hours of operation. Safley spoke with UTD President Richard Benson and Vice President and Chief of Staff Rafael Martín, who both said that the demand for library resources has increased as a result of student growth and post-COVID changes.

“There is a new overnight staff. A whole new team was hired to do this job,” Safley said.

Students must have a valid Comet Card to enter the library after 10 p.m. for safety reasons. Police will keep the library and its surroundings under observation overnight for an additional layer of security.

ANUSHKA CHAKRAVARTHI | MERCURY STAFF

CAMPUS PROFILE

Paulina Hruskoci and Olivia Cooper (bottom left). The pair placed second in the nation for Moot Court, which is the highest a UTD pair has ever placed.

UTD Police Chief Larry Zacharias retires after 14 years

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

After 14 years of service, UTD Police Chief Larry Zacharias officially retired on Jan. 31. As the founding sponsor of UTD’s student Emergency Medical Response Unit program, a recipient of Richardson Citizen of the Year in 2008 and UT System Chief of the Year both in 2011 and 2019, Zacharias has been a commanding symbol of commu-

nity both on and off campus. He devoted his years to growing UTD PD’s staff from only a few officers to over 70 to better serve the area, improving student-law enforcement relations and making UTD a nearly crimeless campus. The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center was filled with over a hundred guests consisting of friends, family and affiliates to honor Zacharias’ departure from UTD on Jan. 26. The ceremony, led by Assistant Chief Brent

Tourangeau, welcomed notable guests like the Richardson Mayor, the Richardson City Council, Arlington and Richardson PD officers and UT Systems Admin to listen to four speakers highlighting Zacharias’ career.

“Of course, as a friend, I wish him all the best in retirement, but I'm really going to miss him,” President Richard Benson said. “I think a phrase that you're hearing is big

MARTIN FRIEDENTHAL Mercury Staff

FATIMAH AZEEM Mercury Staff

NITHYA ELURI Mercury Staff

Zacharias has spent years making UTD one of the safest campuses in Texas

students like recovery ally

Michelle Beakley (left) for his mentorship and life advice.

PAGE 5 Spotlight on local campus wildlife with a focus on feathers C o FFEE d ELIGHT Tre Stelle brings a taste of Eritrea to North Dallas PAGE 6

Comets excelled on arguments at mock appellate courts

— Jeremy Hall

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21

• A suspect broke into the green house at 8:13 a.m and stole a green 4imprint UTD tent valued at $1,000.

Media Adviser Jonathan Stewart jonathon.stewart@utdallas.edu

From The Mercury Archives: March 19, 1990 NASA selects UTD to build instrument

NASA has selected UTD’s Center for Space Science to build an exploration instrument for its 1995 CRAF mission. CRAF is an acronym for Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby.

In addition, in mid-February the Center submitted a proposal to build another, similar instrument for NASA’s 1996 Cassini mission to Saturn, said scientists at the Center.

The two missions will use similar, general-purpose spacecraft and gather similar types of data.

“Within NASA it’s one project called CRAF/Cassini,” said Dr. Rod Heelis, a space scientist who has been at the Center since 1973.

CRAF is “designed to rendezvous with a comet, the Kopf comet,” said Dr. Heelis. “The idea there is that you send the spacecraft out so that it moves in the same direction as the comet.

“One of the neat things about it is that you can equalize the speed of the comet and the spacecraft. So then, you see, they’re almost stationary with respect to one another, and you can make diagnostic measurements of its atmosphere and its interaction with interplanetary space,” he said.

The instrument that makes these diagnostic measurements will be built at the Center, he

said. “We cut the metal, make the printed circuits, and it’s all bolted together right here.”

The instrument proposed by the Center for the Cassini mission does the same kind of atmospheric measurements as the one they will build for CRAF, but each instrument has a different design because they are going to different places, Dr. Heelis said.

“Cassini is a mission to Saturn,” said Dr. Heelis. “And it will orbit the planet and obtain detailed information about its moon, Titan. Our (Cassini in-strument) is principally designed to diagnose the atmosphere of Titan.”

Both missions will send out probes. According to a NASA report, CRAF will drive a probe into the comet’s nucleus, and Cassini will send an instrument probe into Titan’s atmosphere. Despite many similarities, each mission is, of course, unique.

“The most interesting part of the CRAF mission is that the comet is the most primordial matter in the solar system, so that if we get a good look at that stuff, that’s what the rest of the solar system evolved from. We get ideas about the evolution of the planets by looking at the oldest matter in the solar system,” said Dr. Heelis.

The Cassini project to Saturn — a planet more primordial than

Earth but less primordial than a comet — offers scientists a look at part of the evolutionary process of planets, according to NASA’s report on the projects.

Cassini, however, also “represents an opportunity to study a body that has a dense atmosphere and interacts with a magnetic field,” Dr. Heelis said. The Earth’s atmosphere, he said, interacts with the magnetic field of the sun, and Titan’s atmosphere interacts with Saturn’s magnetic field.

Dr. Heelis said that Titan, unlike Earth, has no magnetic field of its own, but correlations can still be made.

Currently the Center analyzes data closer to home. Dr. Heelis said there are “spacecraft out there right now sending data to the ground and back to us for analysis concerned with the atmosphere of Earth.”

Future EOS (earth observing system) missions are sched uled for 1996, he said. “That’s a big mission to diagnose the environment of earth and man’s effect on it. It’s part of the global change initiative.”

Analyzing data gathered by other NASA space missions has been an ongoing activity at the Center for some time. NASA’s 1975 Viking mission to Mars and its 1978 Pioneer/Venus

mission are two planetary missions UTD has been involved in, but now, according to Dr. Heelis, the data interpretation is mostly finished.

Much of the analysis is done by graduate students, and many of them go on to work for NASA at the Applied Physics Lab in Washington, D. C., Dr. Heelis said.

Because of the time element involved in many space projects, Dr. Heelis said the Center recruits at the high school level. As an example, he said the graduate student who will analyze data from Saturn and its moon Titan is now in elementary school.

Unwilling to allow any potential recruiting opportunity to slip by, he quickly added: “If there are any graduate students out there wanting to work in space physics, come see me. We’re doing lots of stuff right now.”

Kathy Read Mercury News Staff

De. Rod Heelis displays a prototype of the exploration instrument being designed for NASA.

KATHY SULLIVAN | MERCURY STAFF

Educator wins global award

UTD professor wins inventors honors

ANDRÉ AVERION

Mercury Staff

Allan Dean Sherry will be named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors on Jun. 27 in Washington DC among other prestigious inventors. A retired pioneer in modern imaging agents and the founder of the specialized international molecular supplier Macrocyclics, Sherry has been granted the highest honor for his 34 world changing patents.

Sherry’s work was previously recognized with high honors from the World Molecular Imaging Society, the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Some of his most notable patents include bifunctional polyaza macrocyclic chelating (BFC) agents and magnetic resonance reagents (MRR). The BFC agents have uses in therapeutic medicine in all primate mammals, as they contain a complex covalent tha t has significantly advanced nuclear imaging in animals. The MRR is one of the most effective methods of sensitive detection and imaging in MRI scans across the world.

One of Sherry’s most remarkable inventions came early in his career to revolutionize the field of radiology. This patent came after Sherry’s work with Nobel Prize winner Paul Lauterbur, whose work led to the development of the MRI.

“The very first patent that I wrote was on a complex called Gadolinium Dota, and without worrying about what the structure is, turns out to be a very stable, really an excellent MRI contrast agent,” said Sherry. “That compound, now after the university's patent ran out, is now the largest selling contrast agent in the world and certainly in the United States. It makes impacts every day.”

To this day, Macrocyclics is one of two officially recognized specialized molecular suppliers for nuclear radiology in the world and serves 2,000 loyal customers a year.

“It's something to be said about being the first in the field. Being the early company out there,” Sherry said. “For, I say, the first five years, [Macrocyclics] were the only ones doing what we did and making these bifunctional chelates available.”

The National Academy of Inventors only accepts the highest professional inventors from across the world into their membership of fellows. These individuals are responsible for inventions with a tangible impact on economic development and the welfare of human species. Sherry’s own award commemorates his 50 years of experience in an

SEE INVENTOR, PAGE 9

STAFF

NASA Chooses UTD

We flew our first [thermal plasma sensor] in the late sixties. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we are the best in the world at this ... we never in the his-

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

N ASA chooses UTD physics professor Philip Anderson to lead a historic investigation to chart Earth’s poorly understood ionosphere-thermosphere.

NASA is calling this ground breaking investigation the Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) mission, and it will explore

STUDENT RESOURCES

and measure the ionosphere-thermosphere's atmospheric levels spanning across our planet, which has never been done successfully. This dynamic region is home to clashing atmospheric layers, solar events and magnetic storms. Most importantly, it reflects and modifies radio waves and other forms of radiation crucial for modern technology. In order to correctly measure this plasma region,

Anderson — who is also the director of the William B. Hansen Center for Space Sciences at UTD — will be leading the investigation for research on the Thermal Plasma Sensors (TPS), one of five instruments that will be used aboard GDC satellites.

“[TPS] senses the thermal plasma in the

SEE NASA PAGE 9

R.A.D classes resume after pandemic closure

Previously closed R.A.D classes recieve high demand and participation from UTD students, staff and others

The UTD Police Department has resumed R.A.D., a free self-defense class, for women and men this semester, reviving the program two years after its pandemic shutdown.

R.A.D. — Rape Aggression Defense for women and Resisting Against Defense for men — is an ongoing three-day program open to students, staff and the general public. This semester, the program for women will be held from Feb. 1 to Feb. 3, Feb. 14 to Feb 16, March 20 to March 22 and April 6 to April 8. The sessions will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the UTD police station for the first day and at Rec Center West on the other two days. According to R.A.D.’s training coordinator and instructor Sgt. Somer

Free membership for staff at SPN center all year

The Office of the President and Human Resources provides free new ressources to support staff, faculty health, wellbeing

Fernandez, the women's program is handson and teaches participants how to throw a punch, kick and get out of a chokehold. The men's program teaches participants how to avoid physical confrontation.

“Most of the students that we teach have never thrown a punch in their life, so we pretty much teach the basics,” Fernandez said. “Besides the hands-on stuff, we also teach you to be aware of your surroundings. [For instance,] when you’re walking to your car, when you’re leaving your apartment ... if anything looks any different, make sure to leave a light on if you know you’re going to come back after dark. We teach more than just the hands-on portion of it.”

While the class names are divided by sex, participants are free to register and attend either class regardless of their assigned sex and

gender identity. “We don’t create the classes ourselves … [so] it’s not titled by us,” Fernandez said. “That’s how [the R.A.D. program] titled it: R.A.D. for women and R.A.D. for men. However, whatever you want to register for, that’s the class you can go to. You register for whatever class you feel comfortable with.”

Fernandez said she hopes to hold the women’s class at least once a month and the men’s class at least once every semester, as there is a large difference in demand for the classes.

“[In] the women’s class, we get a lot of participants. In the men’s class, we don’t get as many,” Fernandez said. “I maybe had about 80 emails from men and the rest are from women, so 500 something emails are

SEE RAD, PAGE 9

The SPN Wellness Center was made available to all faculty, staff and affiliates for no cost starting Jan. 17

After the 2022 campus climate survey, two complaints were brought to UTD’s upper staff and supervisors’ attention; staff had limited access to wellness benefits, and some employees couldn’t access needed showers after walking or biking to campus. These resources were primarily limited by operational problems and monetary costs. Vice President and Chief of Staff Rafael Martín helped develop this policy in response to staff feedback.

“One of the points of emphasis that came out of the campus climate survey was a desire for more wellness resources for employees at UT Dallas, and this was one of those things we considered that was fairly easy to implement,” Martín said. “We felt like this was something — after I consulted with a few people — that we could make available free of charge to faculty and

staff.”

This most recent addition adds a new page to the UTD Employee Wellness Program, specifically under the Employee Assistance Program section.

Staff no longer need to purchase the $65 per semester staff pass or the $195 annual pass to access any facility. The SPN Wellness Center, located north of Synergy Park Blvd. next to the UTD testing center, is the only facility that will now be free for staff. Staff can also visit for a workout or exercise class any weekday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The facility provides staff with free weights, circuit training machines and cardio machines. Unlike the Activity Center, however, none of these resources are covered or paid for through the student recreation fee, as they are maintained by campus budgeting. The center also provides new accommodations to staff members who can’t drive to work.

“Employees who may commute via bike or other means of transportation [can] use those facilities to shower and

R.A.D PARTICIPANT | COURTESY

Participants can practice different self defense moves against UTD PD

change before reporting to work, and can do so free of charge,” Martín said. ”They just need to contact the REC official to get a free pass.”

Students — with the exception of athletes — are generally not allowed into the facility, as the SPN Wellness Center remains private and focuses on the benefit of employees.

“Student Employees would already be covered under the university recreation fee,” Martín said. “The facility is not open to students, generally speaking, unless they’re student athletes.”

The policy is maintained as a benefit for employees who are eligible for the UT System Office of Employee Benefits (OEB) and UTD Human Resources benefits, which student employees do not usually qualify for.

“I see [this policy] lasting for the foreseeable future,” Dr. Martín said. “Hopefully we’ll have more wellness initiatives across campus in the not so distant future, both in response to the climate survey and just as an additional benefit to university employees.”

UTD professor to make history with NASA in investigation that will revolutionize digital communication, radio, navigation

ISAEL CHAVEZ | MERCURY STAFF

Physics professor Philip Anderson will lead NASA's investigation to research Earth's ionosphere-thermosphere using TPS.

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA

ALLAN DEAN SHERRY

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

RESOURCES

1.17 X-WORD KEY 1.17 SUDOKU KEY

AKHIL SHASHI | MERCURY STAFF

CASEY RUBIO | MERCURY STAFF

JUHI KARNALKAR | MERCURY STAFF

ANDREW PETERS | MERCURY STAFF

THAOVY NGUYEN | MERCURY STAFF

Feathered Friends Take Flight

‘Skinamarink’ Gets Under Viewers’ Skin

Despite poorly developed characters and a lack of plot, Kyle Edward Ball’s indie horror flick “Skinamarink” creates one of the most unnerving experiences in film through its intense atmosphere and unique cinematography.

Produced primarily through crowdfunding with a meager budget of $15,000, “Skinamarink” follows two children named Kaylee and Kevin who wake up to find their parents have disappeared, along with all the doors and windows to their house. Despite the fact that the two children — played by newcomers Lucas Paul and Dali Rose Tetreault — are the only two characters in the film, they are almost never fully seen on screen, always obstructed or just out of frame. The plot is similarly confusing, as the ma-

jority of the film revolves around the children wandering around their house looking for ways to cure their boredom. This means the film has no visible characters, no real plot, and was made on a budget equal to a single UTD semester. And yet, despite its many obstacles, “Skinamarink” may be the most terrifying film of the

year, as the elements that appear to be the film’s weaknesses actually help entrench fear in the viewer’s imagination.

The lack of characterization and plot could be seen as major flaws of the film, but both of these choices actually serve to absorb the audience further into the film’s chaos. “Skinamarink’s” only characters are two confused and fearful children. Even though the characters have little else that defines them, the audience is immediately connected to them because each member of the audience can relate to being a scared child. The characters don’t need any greater purpose because the characters wdon’t really matter, as they are simply extensions of the audience’s own childish terror. Thus, there is not really a need for a plot. A child doesn’t need a reason to be

SKINAMARINK, PAGE 10

‘Single’s Inferno’ Brings the Heat

Before Valentine's Day, learn the do’s and don’ts of the first stages of courtship from “Single’s Inferno,” the hit Korean reality dating show whose second season is gaining international popularity.

“Single’s Inferno” revolves around 12 singles who are thrust onto Inferno — a remote island — and told to mingle in an attempt to forge a romantic bond in nine days. This is remarkably similar to the atmosphere of a college campus at the start of the semester, which can be doomed with small talk. Some of the contestants are college students, so it’s fun to imagine spending a summer on a dating reality show instead of worrying about next semester’s courses. The show’s rules state that contestants can’t mention their age or occupation. Forcing them to rely on their natural charms. Contestants engage in both amusing ploys for attention and

interactive guessing games. If a couple expresses mutual interest in each other or win enough games, pairs can escape Inferno and have a date night at Paradise, an extravagant resort. Though the contestants change each

Heartbreak in Ireland

‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ foretells a falling out

The Oscar nominations brought both bountiful wins for movie lovers and despicable snubs of amazing performers like Mia Goth. Amongst big names, one lesser known film that deserves a handful of Oscars is “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which captures the complexity of human relationships in a single story and pulls the viewers into the chaos with a delightfully tender cast of characters.

This beautiful film stands out from many of the Best Picture nominees – it doesn’t scream blockbuster, making its acclaim much more powerful. The film follows Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Bredan Gleeson), two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when Colm ends their friendship without warning. This sudden breakup leads to Pádraic’s relentless attempts to mend their relationship in ways that hurt the people around them, such as his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and young outcast Dominic (Barry Keoghan), while Colm resorts to drastic measures to keep Pádraic out of his life.

behavior, Pádraic is one of the most lovable characters to hit the big screen this year, and it was hard to let him go at the end of the film.

The viewers are first drawn into the picturesque setting of the west coast of Ireland, with its rolling hills, vast greenery and quaint cottages. With few townspeople and roaming farm animals, the fictional island of Inisherin seems straight out of a storybook. But with a small population comes monotonous lifestyles and endless gossip. This sense of repetition and declining relationships changes the fairytale setting into a murky, hostile isle, allowing for the audience to see the world through Pádraic’s eyes as he loses his happygo-lucky demeanor.

INFERNO, PAGE 10

The acting can only be described as pure life. Farrell portrays all of Pádraic’s emotions vividly and can make the audience sob and burst out laughing simultaneously. Farrell perfectly syncs with the entire cast — including Jenny, the donkey — and in doing so, presents achingly deep relationships that sum up the complexity of the human race. The character interactions are loving and painful, showing how friendship isn’t always a smooth road. Pádraic’s character is simple and sweet and leaves the audience wondering why Colm would suddenly discard him and his friendship. Despite his annoyingly persistent

The screenplay is immensely warm and provides so much character through basic diction and silence. The dialogue isn’t difficult to process despite the Irish slang, and the straightforward language is perfect for the working class of Inisherin. The writers prove that less is more and allow the silence to tug at the audience’s heartstrings. Viewers are able to befriend Colm — a man of few words — through his body language alone, and his effect on the scenes’ atmosphere is intensely somber.

Pádraic saying the line, “you used to be nice” deserves an Oscar alone. It’s simple, it’s cruel and it's bittersweet, just like the entire film.

The film isn’t for everyone; it is for people who feel intensely. It’s for the people who refuse to shy away from displays of emotion. “The Banshees of Inisherin” encapsulates everything that is wonderfully and horribly human and bundles it into one spectacular film.

DownyWoodpecker

MIA NGUYEN Mercury Staff

Brendan Gleeson as Colm (left) and Colin Farrell as Pádraic (right)

The children wake up to an empty house and a floor full of scattered toys.

season, Kyuhyun from the K-pop group Super Junior, actor Lee Dahee, rapper Hanhae and entertainer Hong Jin-kyung remain as the celebrity commenters. The

ALLY DUONG Mercury Staff

NETFLIX | COURTESY

The contestants of ‘Single’s Inferno’ battle it out in games on the beach.

Comets connect with culture through Makar Sankranti

Students show solidarity in diversity through Pan-Indian Hindu festival focused on honoring the harvest and the sun

The group Hindu Yuva at UTD celebrated Makar Sankranti at the DFW Hindu Temple on Jan. 15 to commemorate the start of a new season.

Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated across India that illustrates solidarity in diversity. Each state has different ways of observing Makar Sankranti; however, harvest is the factor that brings them all together.

In Hindu scripture, Sankranti rep-

resents the movement of the sun from one Rashi — or constellation of the zodiac — to the next, meaning there are 12 Sankranti in a year. Out of the 12, the Makar Sankranti is considered the most auspicious and is one of the few Hindu festivals aligned with the solar cycle. Makar Sankranti’s importance isn’t just limited to its religious significance. The festival also marks the beginning of the harvest season, when new crops are worshipped and shared with delight. It is a celebration of the changing of seasons and welcomes

positivity and good intentions.

“We took [students] from UTD to the temple ... and then we had some chai and snacks,” Saket Puri, president of Hindu Yuva and political science graduate student, said. “There was a puja [worship of the Lord] that happened, sun salutations were done for an hour, kite flying and then there was prasad [food] that was distributed.”

The puja and sun salutations are vital parts of the festival, as Makar Sankranti

Tre Stelle masters low-key ambience

Just 10 minutes from campus lies the familyowned Tre Stelle Coffee Co., a hidden gem of a coffee shop. With its diverse menu and refreshing atmosphere, this spot is a must for any student in need of a caffeine fix.

Situated on Preston Road, Tre Stelle has an abundance of classic and specialized café drinks as well as 16 different syrup options. Perfect for those in college, Tre Stelle offers 10% off on drinks to students with an active Comet Card. Run by a father and son, Tre Stelle is named after a cafe in Eritrea, drawing from the nation’s coffee culture. If you’re looking for a relaxed coffee shop with a welcoming environment, Tre Stelle may be the spot for you.

The shop itself has a low-key vibe, minimally decorated and humming with quiet conversation

perfect if you’re planning on holding a focused

study session. Upon entering, you’re greeted with a smile from behind the counter and the buzz of espresso machines. The space isn’t massive, but it still feels roomy. Lined up against one wall are sleek, high-set barstool tables for small groups, and in the center of the space sits an array of tables for two. If you’re planning on meeting with more friends or studying in a large group, there is a space up front with couches and additional seating.

As for the coffee, it doesn’t disappoint – you can taste the high quality from the first sip. The iced almond milk latte isn’t watered down, and the blend itself is strong and earthy but still light. It is easy to judge a coffee shop’s blend by how it does the classic plain latte, and if a latte’s coffee quality remains untainted by a milk alternative, you know it’s a strong blend.

Most impressive of the flavored coffees is another classic: the hot mocha. Unlike most cafes,

Local Band Drops Single

With a perfect blend between rock, punk and pop, Dallas-based indie band Chancy has been hitting all the right notes since 2017. With their latest single ‘Draw It’ released on January 6, the group has proven itself a true local band with relatable lyrics, playful band members and an appeal for dorky, good-hearted UTD students.

the flavor isn’t too heavy, as the chocolate taste echoes the coffee blend rather than overpowering it. As it’s not syrupy nor overly sweet, this is the kind of mocha that won’t distract you from your studies. Bonus points for them actually making it extra hot per request

Numerous alternative milk options are available, with almond, oat and soy milk – plus a n uncommon horchata option. Prices range from $3.25 to $5.25 for non-specialty drinks. Tre Stelle also offers food items and a seasonal menu, where you’ll find an apple cider cake donut and a caramel cookie butter latte. Their classic almond croissant is freshly baked, packed with almond flavor and dusted with sweet sugar powder. Whichever menu item you choose, rest assured it will supplement your assignments or social gatherings wonderfully.

The group consists of five members: guitar player and singer Richard Milton — who moved from California to join the band — as well as drummer Jonathan Masters straight from Craigslist, synth player and percussionist Cole Scott, guitar player and lead singer Austin Franks and guitar player and singer Alex Tuft. The group cherishes playing in locally known spots like the Factory and the House of Blues and proclaims itself to be the “the most local band in the world.”

“It really means that local bands are everywhere,” Tuft said. “We are the idea of a local band itself, sitting across America, so if you support us, you’re supporting local brands everywhere. You’re supporting America.”

Chancy – originally named Lovely and later rebranded to stand out among other bands — is an amalgamation of different music styles influenced by each of the members’ tastes. The bands’ inspirations range from Japanese songs and video game soundtracks to the hardcore sounds of rock and punk. With the range of nerd culture on campus, students are bound to

Arwa Yemeni Brings a World Class Experience

Internationally sourced coffee shop delivers the Middle East to Richardson, commemorating Yemeni culture and history

LANA BARAKAT Mercury Staff

Arwa Yemeni is a ten minute drive from campus that students won’t regret due to its cultural authenticity, tasteful coffee and aesthetic studying atmosphere.

Thinking of exploring the Middle East?

Arwa’s Yemeni Coffee has got you covered with their world class ethnic Yemeni experience. At Arwa Yemeni, one can smell the ancient cities through the Aden, hear welcoming banter, experience the hospitality of middle eastern culture and see lights enveloped with madhallas — traditional female farmer hats. Most importantly, customers can taste the rich history of Yemen through their coffee beans, loose leaf tea and honey. Studying in the same spots can lead to dreadfully monotonous study sessions, so forget your Starbucks and immerse yourself in a new culture.

From the time and effort delicately placed into crafting the camel garnished cups to the specific measurements of the ingredients, Arwa makes sure that their specialty flavors are consistent.

“If you come Monday, it’s the same flavor as Thursday or two months down the line,” Faris Almatrahi — a co-owner of Arwa coffee — said.

Whether you’re a coffee or tea person, Arwa gives both drinks a Yemeni twist.

They offer specialty teas and coffees that differ from your traditional caffeinated drinks due to their high quality coffee beans, notable for their unique sourcing, processing, roasting and brewing.

“Unfortunately, not many people are aware that coffee originated in Yemen,” Almatrahi said. “We were the first to cultivate coffee, and we controlled the industry for hundreds of years, and then lately in the last century or so, the coffee industry in Yemen started diminishing. So there's been a revival of the Yemeni coffee industry.”

Arwa Coffee founds itself on that modern revival by sourcing, roasting and brew-

ing Yemeni coffee and delivering it to Richardson. Known for being one of the most primal cultivators of coffee, Yemen has been credited for having the earliest credible evidence of humans interacting with the coffee plant. Its terraced mountains are plastered with small farms for the cultivation of these ancient and rich coffee beans, accounting for their exotic flavors.

“[It’s] like they left a little bit of Yemen,” co-founder Yazan Soofi said. “So every time from the experience they've received here, from our generosity and our hospitality, we want them to get a taste of our coffee and feel like they've left DFW and gone some-

where else.”

Not only does the coffee house serve amazing drinks, it also serves as an archive full of Yemeni memorabilia and relics paying homage to its cherished heritage and customs. With a full case of Yemeni informational books and specific ornaments of Yemeni culture sprinkled in every crevice of the cafe, Arwa’s coffee serves as a medium for becoming enlightened about its patron country. The baristas, coming from all parts of the world, also serve as passionate ambassadors for the cause, nurturing a sense of unity. The owners said that having a family-owned business in America gave them a

sense of connection to Yemen, even if they couldn’t go back.

“When you go into something with the right intentions,” co-founder Susan Shihab said, “good comes of it, and people can feel it. People can feel that you're doing this for the right reasons.”

Customers can feel this pure intention through the amazing hospitality and comfort provided. One feels reassured and secure in an environment where diversity is appreciated. If you are looking for a new place to study or hang out, make sure to check out Arwa Yemeni Coffee on Greenville Avenue.

The festivities were held at the DFW Hindu Temple in Irving, TX on Jan. 15.

NITHYA ELURI Mercury Staff

RAYA JISHI Mercury Staff

VEDANT SAPRA MERCURY STAFF

VEDANT SAPRA MERCURY STAFF

Co-owner Faris Almatrahi (left) and co-founder Yazan Soofi hope that Arwa Yemeni reminds customers of the country’s history of coffee cultivation and trade.

VEDANT SAPRA | MERCURY STAFF

The cafe, located on Preston Road, offers many specialty and seasonal items, like the apple cider cake donut and caramel cookie butter latte.

CHANCY | COURTESY Band, Chancy was created in 2017 with the goal of blending a variety of sounds.

VAISHNAVI JOSYULA Mercury Staff

WE'RE NOT Russia N , WE ' RE ukrainian

Automatic Mickey D's has OverArching Plot

Technology phases out workers

JACK SIERPUTOWSKI Mercury Staff

The new automated fast food workflow is a dangerous sign of corporate greed amidst a cost of living crisis. Working people and college students alike have long subsisted on customer service, whether that be in retail or fast food. So how would we survive if that was no longer an option? Well, a pilot test location for McDonald’s in Fort Worth has endeavored to answer that question with a setup that takes front end workers out of the equation entirely. A corporate blog post from December claims that the new restaurant is “designed for customers on the move.” Despite this assertion, McDonald’s goes to extreme lengths to prove that there is only one thing new about this establishment: it takes another wage out of the bottom line and paves the way for future automation.

“Inside the restaurant, there’s a delivery pick-up room for couriers to retrieve orders quickly and conveniently,” the blog post said. “There are also kiosks, where customers can place their orders to go, and a pick-up shelf for orders. Outside the restaurant, there are several parking spaces dedicated to curbside order pick-up, as well as designated parking spaces for delivery drivers.”

This is a convoluted way of saying there is nothing really revolutionary about the design. Don’t let the loaded language confuse you. Pickup and drive-thru ordering are already popular enough to become a focus for McDonald’s, especially since the pandemic. So, what is so time saving about picking up your order from a conveyor belt instead of getting it from a pickup shelf?

Proponents of automation may bring up the introduction of conveyor belts to sushi restaurants, where it promises increased efficiency and fewer server wages. But even conveyor belt sushi restaurants usually have human servers and clean-up staff, someone to provide a friendly welcome and presence in the customer’s eating experience.

Automation may save money, but not enough to remove humans from the picture entirely, because the customer experience ultimately suffers. There’s one other change to the workflow that jumps out. Not only are there fewer workers, but the few that remain are conveniently hidden from sight. Efficiency aside, this model also segregates the establishment’s employees from the public so effectively that they are essentially invisible. And there’s no way to know if people are getting overworked if you can’t even see them. We at least know that the owner’s stance on employee treatment is clear.

“The technology in this restaurant not only allows us to serve our customers in new, innovative ways, it gives our restaurant team the ability to concentrate more on order speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone,” franchisee Keith Vanecek said in the blog post.

Cashiers serve a vital purpose in many industries. They give a face to the brand image with a smile, and most importantly, bridge the backstage workers to the outside world. Humans are not machines. We run on social contact, not electricity. You can’t just put someone in a closed off room and have them serve food to a conveyor belt. Many restaurants have leaned more into takeout while still keeping a human presence at the counter. It isn’t impossible to have both. Unless, of course, you care more about profit than the mental health of your employees. Sorry, humans aren't machines. But the corporate world sure treats service workers like they are.

Over the past ten years, remote and app orders have become widespread in fast food and other industries. When I worked retail, I thought it was an advantage— that it could make the job of employees easier by saving the time spent in a social interaction. But corporations don’t push technology like this because they genuinely want to make customer service jobs easier. Obviously, there is an immediate bonus of cutting costs through efficiency. But more importantly, it lays the groundwork to phase us out of the work force entirely.

We will eventually approach the point where computers or AI are cost-effective enough to replace some customer service employees entirely. Under the lens of money-saving, this seems to make sense. After all, companies will always choose the cheapest option. But this undervalues the true role of customer service, which is right in the name. Customers will always prefer a human face to an LCD screen, and it is difficult to put a price tag on consumer satisfaction.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but it seems fitting that this establishment comes in December 2022, after the Great Resignation, when the labor force has shrunk more than ever. You might ask, so what? If people don’t want to work, then obviously McDonald’s has to replace them somehow. But the truth is that amongst a cost of living crisis, people desperately want to work. Employers just don’t want to pay. If Americans refuse to work for minimum wage, some companies would rather double down and just take us out of the equation.

So, please. If you’ve ever known the pain of a menial customer service job, don’t feed the robots. Eat somewhere that takes care of its employees, not one trying to erase them from the workforce.

Ukrainians have suffered greatly at the hands of Russians, in part due to the international community’s insufficient response to Russian imperialism.

I wear many different labels. I'm a Comet, a Houstonian, a Texan, an American, a Ukrainian and a Crimean Tatar. However, it has become obvious to me that not many of my peers on campus know much about the latter two. Having not met any Crimean Tatars or Ukrainians outside my family or cultural settings, usually, when people hear that I am descended from this region, they automatically assume I am Russian.

To be labeled as Russian when I am not is hurtful, and small actions such as incorrect labels show the ignorance in how students view Eastern Europe.

Russia has been oppressing Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians for hundreds of years, using their dominance to overshadow both groups. It’s imperative to know now more than ever that as we speak, Russia is silencing our voices, ripping away our culture and taking over our land. Being aware of the atrocities that the Russian government is committing against Ukraine will ensure no Ukrainian will ever have to label themselves as Russian.

Russia has been expanding their bounds since the beginning of the 21st century. They have been killing, destroying and erasing any group of people that stands in their way of the reunification of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For the past 10 years, Russia has been sowing the seeds of anti-Ukrainian propaganda in the American media. The Kremlin, government of the Russian federation, spends over $300 million per year spreading disinformation and toxic rhetoric on hundreds of different platforms, specifically social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The goal in this propaganda is to have more foreigners, specifically Americans, support

Russia’s “expansion” and reunification of the former Soviet Union. However, despite Russia’s propaganda campaign, at the beginning of the war, the support for Ukraine was undeniable. I was honestly shocked at the number of my peers and prominent American figures showing support for one of the less recognized countries in Europe. The momentum was strong. Biden and Congress immediately showed tremendous support for Ukraine by supplying military arms, contributing economic aid and severing business, economic and military ties with Russia.

However, since those few months, there has been a loss in traction and support. According to a September poll by the Pew Research Center, Americans’ concerns about Ukraine have lessened. In March, only 7% of Americans said the US was providing “too much support to Ukraine.” However, in September, that number has now shot up to 20% of Americans believing we give too much to Ukraine. This number is even more frightening given that Republicans have taken over the house, and polls show that they’re less concerned about Ukraine's war effort than in March. Social media and news, in general, tend to have this effect when a global tragedy hits; it’s big news for a little while, and then it’s dead silent after about a month or so. I have seen this pattern consistently since 2020. However, war doesn't stop when the media stops reporting on it, nor does it stop when social media users stop posting about it. If Ukrainians start losing aid, they'll lose access to critical military arms and much-needed economic assistance.

Crimeans were forced to label themselves as Russian again in 2014. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, illegally invaded and annexed Crimea with overwhelming disapproval from the U.S. as well as the international community. Crimean Tatars — including my Babushka (grandmother)

— were forced to forgo their Ukrainian citizenship and take on Russian citizenship instead. Frightened about their future in their homeland, at least 10% of the remaining Crimean Tatars in Crimea fled to the mainland, Ukraine, to escape the Russian regime. At that point, the U.S. imposed strong sanctions against the Russian government. However, these sanctions didn't deter Russia from its position in Crimea. There should have been more decisive action then, maybe including a military response instead of just economic. If there had been a more robust backing from the world instead of just “calling for peace” and sanctions, Russia probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to fully invade Ukraine in the coming years.

It is essential that we, as future leaders and the next generation, speak out about the humanitarian crisis happening to our allies. Email, call and write to your local, state and federal representatives and ask them to continue supporting aid to Ukraine. If enough constituents speak out about a specific subject, representatives will notice and, hopefully, take action. Continue showing your support for Ukraine by being outspoken on social media, donating to Ukrainian fundraisers and charities and supporting Ukrainian individuals and businesses. Although these acts seem small, you are doing your part in helping millions of Ukrainians keep their freedoms. Ultimately, pay more attention to how you label your Eastern European peers. It is inaccurate and hurtful to carelessly mix Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in with Russia given all of the trauma and pain we have endured.

I am not Russian, my sister is not Russian, my mother is not Russian and my grandmother is not Russian. Our label is Ukrainian and forever will be. Slava Ukraini!

Students should show their school spirit at UTD sports

UTD student athletes work just as hard as Division I athletes and deserve to be cheered on

UTD students like to make fun of our athletics, but the truth is that our legendary sports program has something epic to offer for everyone.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. UTD is not known for its sports. We are by all definitions a campus of nerds, usually interested in either doing research or complaining about campus. The sports teams that get the most recognition are arguably chess and esports. Neither of those focuses are a bad thing, but our physically demanding sports often get less love and attention. We need to change that.

We came to UTD to study, excel in our research and use up some of that sweet scholarship money — if we were lucky enough to get it. Despite what the very ironic “undefeated” football shirt might say, there is not an immediate drive to attend live sports if a player isn’t friend or family. You may have little reason to attend a game, and even less so if your limited free time is on the line. Sure, they aren’t even professional. But just wait until you see gameplay.

The court is enthralled with adrenaline and competition. The men’s basketball team? Those Comets give honor to their name by being an offensive force of nature rocketing past the competition. The women’s basketball

team? They stand as a legendary defense that has rocked the American Southwest Conference. For the first time, you will see that the competitive scene in sports is just as strong as the geek culture that ignores it. These athletes aren’t in Division III because they were bad. No, they are just as skilled or passionate as some professional athletes in full stadiums. Division III just means the program is given a small budget, but the skill and the determination that these players have is incomparable.

Opening 2023, we have already seen some of the most exciting games of the season from our men and women’s basketball teams. Program records are being surpassed by athletes like Kyle Poerschke and personal career records are being shattered left and right by nearly every athlete with Jordan Maxwell highlighting this on Jan. 19. In addition, the fight for first place from both teams has never been so fulfilling, with dominating strategies played by Hunter Stevens and Cierra Trigg. For these Comets and all the athletes that honor the court, history is being made. 2023 is the year of hype for UTD sports, without a single game to disappoint.

And best of all: it’s free. At home games students can whip out their comet card and get free entry to a twohour game with their friends. You can scream and cheer all you want with some of the best live entertainment and competition in the area right in front of you. Real-

izing that UTD does in fact have some quality athletes, you can be immersed in the excitement and power demonstrated on the field and in the seats.

Some students may have gotten a taste of this excitement at American high school football games, standing in the bleachers to cheer on their friends — whether it was muggy or freezing — and getting some fried abomination that could stop an adult’s heart. UTD doesn’t necessarily provide that same experience. Our cheer team isn’t always there, the food won’t drive anyone into cardiac arrest and there’s no one pranking spectators with ketchup packets under their seats.

Yet what UTD does provide is the spirit of competition that pushes us to surpass our own limits. It offers the feeling that the underdogs can overcome anything, even if statistically we are better than most other teams in the American Southwest Conference. I’ve seen families gather for these games, I’ve seen creative cheers and chants from both spectators and I’ve seen hard work pay off in a way that’s truly fulfilling to watch. Best of all, I’ve seen Comet athletes with drive and fire make every shot. You should go to the next home game, whether it be to destress or just see if the thrill is real. Our athletes deserve it for all the work they put in.

Despite the decline in social media coverage of Russia's expansion in Eastern Europe, it is more important now than ever for Americans to show support for Ukraine

ISABELLA SPARTZ Courtesy

ANDRÉ AVERION Mercury Staff

ANDRÉ AVERION | MERCURY STAFF

TENNIS TEAMS TAKE THE COURT

Men's and women's teams kick off the new year with plans for growth and reinvention

After impressive seasons in 2022, the UTD men’s and women’s tennis teams look to achieve new successes. With games coming up for both teams on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, Coach Bryan Whitt hopes to start the year off on the right foot.

The men’s team is first up on the schedule, playing their first game at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Feb. 4, a team they beat 5-0 back in April 2021. Since then, the men’s team has made back-toback playoff appearances and capped off their last season with seven different team members named ASC AllConference players, tied for the highest number in team history. However, with five of those seven players leaving this season, the men’s team hopes to reestablish themselves and develop their young core into a team of new stars. According to Coach Bryan Whitt, the men’s team has a lot of depth, making them a serious contender to win their division and make the postseason. With these high expectations, the team hopes to turn their championship aspirations into a reality, even in spite of the athletes they’ve lost.

“You can’t rep licate,” Whitt said.

“Even if all six of my starters were the exact same from last year, it’s still a different team. All the experiences they had last year makes them who they are, good and bad, for this year ... [This sea son is] a good test ... I think most of our that’s something they want. They don't

want to just play matches they can easily win, that’s not fun. It’s about testing yourself and going up against players and teams that matter.”

The women’s team starts their season just after the men’s team, opening at home on Feb. 5 against Tabor. Much like the men’s team, the women’s team found their fair share of individual success last year with six athletes taking ASC All-Conference honors. However, unlike their male counterparts, the women’s team has seen historic team success, winning the last three ASC championships in a row. This success resulted in the Comets ranking #24 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s pre-season national DIII rankings.

The Rule of Kyle Poerschke

Comet becomes DIII Basketball sensation in just a week ANDRÉ AVERION

Staff

Kyle Poerschke — holding the UTD record for 43 score points in one game — was awarded the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Player of the Week on Jan. 18.

“You know, outside of this interview, [the Men’s Basketball Team] doesn't get a lot of recognition,” Poerschke said. “We're just doing it for each other and [our] love for basketball and I'm thankful that I've gotten to do that in my five years in college. I get to do something that I feel like is really meaningful and get it to do with it with guys that I care about. That's really all you're doing it for at the [Division III] level, because it's not like we're getting the benefits of scholarship money or anything like that. We're just doing it because it's doing something special together and that's what makes D3 special. It's about the guys, about the coaches and it's about doing things together and nothing else.”

Poerschke made his claim to national recognition on Jan. 14 with a winning game against the Christian Polytech nic University’s Yellowjackets 89-81, where he proceeded to dominate eight personal records and surpass the highest points scored in all of UTD history. In celebra tion of his record-break ing performance, Poerschke was selected as the American South west Conference men’s basketball player of the week for the second time

CV Welcomes New Dean

HARIKA PATCHIPALA Mercury Staff

The Hobson Wildenthal Honors College welcomes a new dean with the beginning of the spring 2023 semester, introducing expansion of the Collegium V program and more honors initiatives.

in his career and a second spot in the d3hoops.com team of the week, which is a national recognition amongst Division III players.

Poerschke's incredible 43 points against the Yellowjackets beat the tied program record of 40 points, between Martin Salinas in 2005 and Raphael Farley in 2015. Poerschke shot a personal record of 68.2% accuracy for field goals, 70% accuracy for three and 85.7% accuracy for free throws in his longest gameplay of 37 minutes. On top of that, all in the Jan. 14 game, Poerschke managed to beat his personal career record for field goals made, field goals attempted, three pointers made, three pointers attempted, free throws made and three throws pointers attempted.

“Luckily my shots were falling through,” Poerschke said, “I was able to make a bunch of shots, and I give credit to my teammates. They just put me in the position where it's easy to do what I do. Being [able to] put the ball in the basket is the easy thing to do. A lot of my teammates do a lot of the dirty work and the

With most of the team returning — including senior Suzuka Nishino, an All-American honoree last season — the team has everything in place to chase a fourth consecutive championship. However, expectations go beyond chasing the ASC championship, as the perennial champions hope to make a stronger push at the DIII national tournament, having never advanced past the second round. With DI and DII teams on the schedule this season, Nishino and the women’s team hope to sharpen their skills against stronger competition.

“I think our team has good depth,” Nishino said, “which helps us both in practice and in competition, so even if we don’t have one specific really good player or something, we have six people that can outcompete the six from the other team. That’s what we’re hop -

ing to build in this preseason and before we get to playing these conference matches, because that’s where it really matters.”

With expectations high for both the men and women’s teams this year, the programs hope they can both bring home ASC championships – something they haven’t achieved in the same year since 2019. With both teams playing their first home games on Feb. 5, Nishino hopes a strong home crowd can help raise support for the tennis program.

“A lot of people don’t know that we have a tennis team here,” Nishino said. “I think that the best way that we can grow our tennis program into the future, for both men and women, is just to get more awareness.”

RULE, PAGE 10

UNAIZA KHAKOO Mercury Staff

Spill the Tea The Galerstein Gender Center will be hosting a series of sessions dedicated to hearing student perspectives on how to better support the student body at UTD. Students will be able to discuss important topics such as inclusion and equity with provided tea and snacks. There will be four different sessions on Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28.

Donuts With Dallas and Richardson Town Halls Working with Comets for Better Transit, the Legislative Affairs Committee of Student Government will be hosting two town hall meetings where students can speak with government officials and candidates from the Dallas and Richardson areas. Attendees include Mayor Eric Johnson and various council members from both cities. Additionally, volunteer deputy registrars

On January 17, 2023 the national search for a new Honors College Dean concluded when Donal Skinner was chosen for the role. Skinner enters UTD with a precedent of high ranking academic positions and accomplishments across various colleges. These include being the honors dean at both the University of Wyoming and Ohio University in Athens, engaging in junior research at Cambridge and winning research grants.

Donal Skinner

“I am thrilled that we can welcome Doctor Skinner as our new dean,” previous Interim Dean Douglas Dow said. “He comes to UTD having already been a dean of honors colleges at two different universities. So, he comes with a lot of experience and a lot of great ideas.”

Skinner said that study abroad and access to research opportunities helped shape his journey as an undergraduate, and that he wants to expand those programs at UTD. He hopes to make these programs more advanced and accessible for students. Skinner also aims to use his dean position to target

SEE DEAN, PAGE 10

Regional town hall for students, comet watch party

(VDRs) will be present to help students get registered for approaching elections.

Students can enjoy coffee and donuts while interacting with representatives and asking them questions The event will be held on March 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Davidson Management Auditorium located in the Jindal School of Management.

Comet Watch Party SG, in collaboration with the Astronomy department, is hosting an event for stu-

dents to gather and view Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in honor of UTD’s mascot. First discovered in March 2022, the comet stands out because of its vibrant green tail that can be seen as it makes its way across the sky. The viewing party will be held in the early morning of Feb. 2, the date of the comet’s closest passage to Earth. Students will be able to enjoy snacks, skywatch and learn about the rare occurrence in a picnic style gathering.

COURTESY | UTD ATHLETICS

Senior Suzuka Nishino (left) from Coppell, TX was an All-American Honoree last season and hopes for a strong home presence this season.

COURTESY UTD ATHLETICS

by peers and by Hall, one-on-one recovery meetings, sober social activities, naloxone trainings and weekly specialized programming for disordered eating, substance use disorders and behavioral disorders. These free services are available to both students and the public, and the center also offers therapy with new director and licensed social worker Kay Solomon. In addition to coordinating and organizing programming and events, Hall works to provide psychoeducation to students, aided by his background in therapy and philosophy. Hall was recognized in December by Student Affairs for going above and beyond in his contributions to Comets’ wellbeing.

“If you have met Jeremy Hall, you absolutely remember Jeremy Hall,” a nomination said. “Jeremy is one of the friendliest and passionate people and this translates to all of his work and interactions here at UTD … [He’s] shown innovation in his way of marketing the CSR and trying to get students through the door. When students are there, they report feeling a

TIKTOK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and censoring their news,” Rubio said.

Professor of Instruction Janet Johnson — who teaches classes on social media and politics — has a different perspective on the app’s educational value.

“When we're talking [about] deep fakes and we're talking about misinformation, TikTok is sometimes a really great example to show students about what goes on and what to watch out for now,” Johnson said. She believes there is a lot of misinformation going around about the dangers of TikTok and social media platforms.

“There are really great TikTok ac-

shoes to fill. He’s the epitome of a leader. I would hope and expect anyone would follow his example.”

At the ceremony, Dean of Students Amanada Smith talked about how inspiring Zacharias was for staff and incoming students at freshmen orientations, as he has made the campus safer and more united. Vice President and Chief of Staff Rafael Martín recounted how Zacharias embraced university spirit as a UTD sports superfan and integrated values such as development and education into the police department. UT System Director of Police Michael Heidingsfield, came from UT Austin to speak on behalf of American law enforcement, bestowing the UT Systems Police Shield and the UT Systems Distinguished Command Award as compensation for his years of excellent service. Benson, retold familiar stories of Zacharias and how he will be deeply missed. Zacharias spent many years trying to improve connections between UTD PD and the student body.

“I'm a strong believer in developing partnerships, and that was the problem with the police department and the police administration before me. It was an us versus them environment,” Zacharias said. “It was a matter of working with [students,] showing them that we're not their enemy or here to harm. We're here to help them and keep them safe — and it didn't happen overnight.”

Students attending UTD before the pandemic might remember the grill parties the police chief provided for athletes after winning games, the

RAD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 from women. With us, we do this outside of work. This is not our free time or our personal time, so that’s why whenever we do registration and send it out, we ask that if you’re going to cancel, please let us know.”

Each class is capped at 20 participants and has at least two instructors so students can demonstrate the moves with the instructors and fight three different scenarios with a UTD PD staff member in protective gear. In addition, the program requires at least six participants to show up in order to hold a session, which can often be a challenge according to Fernandez.

sense of acceptance, ease and connection within the center – all things we know contribute to improving our mental health, and I can't help from believing this is in part because Jeremy's presence and his genuine care of students … He is one of a kind and truly valued.”

But CSR wasn’t always this welcoming. Before spring 2022, the center was practically empty. Few students stopped by every semester, and the fresh return from the pandemic wasn’t helping attendance. CSR had not established itself as a notable resource for students on campus. It was around this time that Hall came on the scene as the new project coordinator.

“All of this was really created by Jeremy,” neuroscience freshman Michelle Beakley said. “His approach comes from an empathetic lens. He makes sure this is a safe comforting environment and that students get what they need for any problems they have. Even outside the center, you’ll probably run into him somewhere on campus because he puts himself out there. He’s always interacting with students wherever he can – talking with them, but

counts … and those will probably be missed,” Johnson said, “and it's hard to teach media without having the media to teach it with.”

Aaberg insists the ban is hurting not only marketing and communications majors but also UTD’s admission rates.

“It is such a powerful tool that universities can truly leverage to connect with prospective students,” Aaberg said.

TikTok is not the first app to face this amount of backlash. The anonymous messaging platform Yik Yak had to shut down after multiple college campuses banned Wi-Fi access amid cyberbullying, sexual harassment and threats of gun violence. It was relaunched in August 2021 with “community guardrails” in place.

police escorts after championship games and how Zacharias often reversed or reevaluated policies to be more student friendly. He became well known for his iconic golf cart patrols across campus where he would greet passersby with a smile.

Zacharias has been serving the public since 1977. A graduate of Sam Houston State University and the FBI National Academy, Zacharias started his 45 years of service by enrolling in the Richardson Police Department as a patrol officer. He was appointed chief of Richardson police in 2002 and later retired from the position in January 2008. In previous years, Zacharias was legislative director for the Texas Police Chiefs Association and a board member for both the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration and the North Texas Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory. After his retirement in 2008, Zacharias was working to become the police chief for DART, but after hearing about an opening at UTD, he was convinced by his wife to reconsider.

“I think there was something telling me this place needs me,” Zacharias said. “I was pretty naive when I started here. I knew how to run a police department and I knew how to manage people, but I didn't know anything about campus.”

Zacharias experienced a learning curve, trying to figure out how to transition from managing police departments and reporting to the city council to working with college students on a daily basis. However, he caught on quickly and began improving UTD PD policies.

Those attending UTD postpandemic may not be fully aware

“It is [a concern] because it takes a lot of time and … that’s a lot of work for me to do for no one to show up,” Fernandez said. “In order for us to keep our license to teach R.A.D., we have to teach so many classes a year. We get it, sometimes you forget or things come up with school, but that’s what we ask. If you’re going to cancel, just let us know, that way we can get someone else because we do have a waitlist.”

Paula Austell, director of endowment services, took the R.A.D. for women course last semester. According to Austell, the program challenged her physically and prepared her mentally to always be cautious of her surroundings.

“It was a physical challenge …

also listening.”

Before coming to CSR, Hall worked as assistant vice president for Bank of America, making six figures annually. But he was dissatisfied –while financially secure, he knew there was something greater inside him. Hall had always had a passion for teaching young people, so he put in his two weeks and began looking for mentorship positions.

“The people at HR were impressed but didn’t believe that I’d want to work here because I was overqualified,” Hall said. “But I was adamant about my interest. I wanted to do what makes me happy – and that’s save lives and impact lives. It’s not about the money. And to be in a position where I can do that is beautiful. I went through terrible abuse as a child, which really shaped me and gave me the strength to do the job I do today and relate with students’ experiences. I had a teacher help me through that time – letting me know nothing’s wrong with me, healing me, building me up for success. Doesn’t matter who you are, I want students to know the same can be done for them.”

With community such a critical

“There’s legitimate reasons to ban it,” Johnson said.

But unlike Yik Yak, the fears over TikTok come from its parent company, ByteDance.

“Maybe we should ban it until [ByteDance] can ensure our privacy or bring a version of TikTok to America where it's under America's influence, not China's,” Johnson added.

Separately, Aaberg felt the state government was setting a dangerous precedent.

“What’s stopping them from [banning] other ones that have more strange issues,” Aaberg said. “I think at the end of the day you [can] create privacy laws, create [better educated users,] but it’s up to individual Americans to take on those security issues.”

of Zacharias’ welcoming kindness and devotion to partnership with students.

Starting with a small department fresh from a scandal, Zacharias had to bring staff up to its current numbers all while reversing harsh anti-student policies and restoring a sense of community trust. Zacharias worked very closely with Student Affairs and the Dean of Students offices to improve this relationship and hopes that even in his absence, connections will continue to flourish between police and students.

“We want you to reach out to us,” Zacharias said. “That students, faculty and staff are part of the police department and we're part of the university community, so we have to work together to keep the campus safe. We have to trust each other. We have to rely on each other.”

Zacharias had intended to retire in 2020, but with the impact of COVID-19, he instead decided to revitalize the department once students began returning to campus. Two years later, Zacharias is already planning his trips and retirement plans after working nonstop for the last 45 years. Despite his vacation plans, Zacharias will not stop supporting students and the campus he changed forever. He plans to return either for spirit lunches or to patronize UTD athletics.

“I will miss this campus,” Zacharias said. “I will miss the people on this campus, I will miss the people that I work with on a regular basis and I will miss my employees. And because of that, I'm not gonna be gone forever.”

considering I’m three times older than most people that were in the class,” Austell said. “I was proud of myself for being able to hold my own. [The program] gives you some awareness and gives you the tools to be able to protect yourself or to avoid those [unsafe] situations, so I think it's good for all ages.”

Despite the concerns, however, Fernandez said she enjoys teaching the course and plans to hold classes more often to accommodate more participants.

“Of course, it's for the students,” Fernandez said, “Everything … we do is for the students, just for them to feel comfortable or feel safe.”

part of recovery, the center is especially important for students in need of a place where they feel like they belong.

“Honestly, CSR is pretty much the only place I’ve ever felt like I’ve belonged at the university,” Juarez said. “This community we’ve cultivated through Jeremy has been so helpful, so healing. To this day, that stands true.”

Juarez’s friend Beakley joined CSR in fall 2022 to complete Narcan Training, a program teaching Comets how to use Naloxone to save someone’s life during an opioid overdose. Beakley also participates in recovery groups, where she said Hall advocates for students to support other students. For example, “Nourish” is a weekly recovery group for eating disorders led by Darcy Wallace – one of the Center’s student workers – who has personally struggled with disordered eating in the past.

“It’s stressed in CSR that you need to feel represented by the people who are helping you,” Beakley said. “If Jeremy doesn’t know something, he tries his best to educate himself and I just really admire that about him. He’s the kind of person who loves to have philosophical conversations with

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demanding environment in the classroom with the assistance of other students and honorable guests.

“Coach Joyner and I prepared them by grilling them with questions during class,” said Barbara Kirby, a professor in the pre-law advising center and a Moot Court Coach. “Also, since Coach Joyner and I are both attorneys and read into the case ourselves, we ask the questions to make sure they stay on their toes. And of course, as we went along, we asked increasingly more difficult questions.”

Olivia and Paulina were both proficient with the assigned cases, making it easier to transition perspectives if they were assigned to the

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ionosphere and measures the motion of the ionosphere in three dimensions,” Anderson said. “As the ions move, they collide with the neutral atmosphere ... so if you want to understand how they interact, it’s critical to be measuring the thermal plasma properties. It also gives us the plasma density, the ion density and ion composition.”

One practical use for this research is preventing satellite drag, which happens when plasma overheats and throws satellites off their trajectory. The most notorious case of satellite drag occurred on Feb. 3, 2022, when 40 SpaceX satellites simultaneously went missing after launch.

“Just after the launch of Starlink, there was a G2 magnetic storm,” Anderson said. “There was a coronal mass ejection on the sun [which] produced a geomagnetic storm. A major goal of our research is to try to understand how this impacts the thermosphere.”

The TPS have flown on NASA and other missions be -

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array of subjects. Having retired in 2022, Sherry has contributed to over 473 published studies exploring chemistry, biochemistry and radiology. He first arrived to UTD as an assistant professor in 1972, became an associate professor in 1976 and assumed his role as head of the chemistry department in 1979. It wasn’t until 1982 that Sherry began teaching, with his research focusing heavily on the complex biochemistry of physiology and metabolism. This le d Sherry to teach radiology at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in 1991 while continuing his lectures at UTD.

Sherry served as the Cecil and Ida Green Honors Chair in 2003 before becoming Cecil H. and Ida Green Distinguished Chair in Systems Biology from 2005 until retirement. In this

people. You can tell just by talking with him that he is a very smart person and I always take something valuable away from our talks. He has that effect.”

Hall thanks student workers at the center for helping him transform CSR into what it is today. Takeru KitagawaBarnes is one of two student workers at CSR that assist with programming and spend time in the center comforting students. Kitagawa-Barnes joined the center because he had a friend in high school who struggled with disordered eating. At the time, Kitagawa-Barnes didn’t know how to support his friend, so he wanted to become knowledgeable about eating disorders in college.

“I’ve heard a lot of different folks feel like, you know, the school’s indifferent to our needs and us as individuals outside of just being another student,” Kitagawa-Barnes said. “It’s hard to find genuine people. And with Jeremy, it’s just the complete opposite and it’s kind of the culture that he’s helping to foster within our pocket of CSR.”

Outside of his work at CSR, Hall is involved with the Comet Cupboard, Eco Hub, Office of Sustainability and Student Wellness Center, as well as

opposing argument. Thanks to their practice, Olivia and Paulina excelled in the processing and delivery of their arguments. Hruskoci said that she enjoyed both the challenge and the learning experience involved in the argument process.

“Moot Court taught me how to think on my feet, but also prepare well enough that you’re not caught flat-footed when you’re answering a question,” Cooper said. “And this is for me. This is for when I’m in a class and the professor’s questioning me over readings, when I’m in an interview and one of the interviewers asks a question that maybe I hadn't thought of or hadn’t prepared for.”

Moot Court presents an opportunity for students to gain skills required for success in all careers, not just law. It’s a competition that

fore, improv ing their ability to measure the ionosphere N ow the TPS will have a specialized purpose for the GDC mission — one that has never been taken on before.

The TPS will address n eutral atmosphere collisions, which occur when t hermospheric and ionospheric flows collide, creating radio disruptions and satellite drag. Think of it as sudden and powerful ocean waves crashing into each other, misdirecting and destroying ships.

The TPS will also measure large-scale ionospheric flows which radio waves and navigation networks bounce off of in order to reach their destination. Finally, it will calculate the environment of the ionosphere in the low-latitude and mid-latitude regions, where geomagnetic activity is most prominent.

“Launch is planned for 2029,” Anderson said. “It will probably go into 2030 and then it's a nominal three year mission that they have. They're planning on fuel for a five year mission, so I expect this to go through 2035 at least.”

Anderson’s leading knowledge of the TPS marks him as one of

position he began the Green Fellows program offered jointly between UTD and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, which provided a fully paid undergraduate research fellowship to 297 students. Before his late retirement, Sherry served as the interim dean of the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics starting in 2020.

In reference to his early career, Sherry said that once you publish a patent, companies suddenly start to pay attention to you, which is how he gained recognition in industrial circles —particularly with companies who were developing contrast agents.

“And so all of a sudden a company started, you know, contacting me and saying, you know, ‘would you work with us?’ And so they would give me money to do research,” Sherry said. “You know, I think for about 15 years, I ran my entire

many student organizations. For example, Hall was involved with Radio UTD, a branch of Student Media, last semester, when he spoke live on-air with student hosts on topics including mindfulness, ADHD and suicide prevention. This semester, Hall plans to continue on-air chats through a new Radio UTD show, Music Therapy, which will air Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at utdradio.com/tuner. Going into spring 2023, Hall hopes to expand CSR to even more students and work on implementing new programs that students have suggested, like a support group for friends and family of addicts. Students who are seeking a particular service or just want to connect can message CSR on Instagram at the handle @utd_csr or join the Discord. A full list of programming can be found on CSR’s website. “You. You’re the reason I do this,” Hall said. “What inspires me is all of [y’all]. If you’re feeling shy, it’s okay. If you need help, CSR is going to be there for you.”

allows networking and encourages students like Cooper and Hruskoci to evolve out of their comfort zones. Their performance was supported by quick thinking, strong public speaking skills and Comet pride.

“We have strengthened our national presence in moot court because getting to the final round in Moot Court is just a huge deal if you think about it,” Kirby said, “like being in the final four in any sport or event. And so in the fall, the way just about every team across the country starts off their class is by showing last year's final round. I mean, that’s how we started off this year. You know, when we start off showing the final round, it’ll be UTD.”

the most valuable assets to the GDC mission. Having trained under William B. Hanson himself, Anderson graduated UTD to work at the Goddard Space Flight Center for two years and the Aerospace Corporation for another 12 years.

Subsequently, the Space Center at UTD is one of the world’s best centers for space plasma physics research and development. They have been creating instruments to understand solar interactions since 1960, with similar research investigations including missions by the US Air Force and Taiwan’s National Space Organization.

“We flew our first [thermal plasma sensor] in the late sixties,” Anderson said. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we are the best in the world at this. We currently have ten satellites in orbit around earth with these kinds of instruments on them … we have never in the history of the Center for Space Science had an instrument fail that we delivered. Every time we build an instrument, we build on time and on budget.”

research group at UTD without ever writing a grant application. They just gave me money and said ‘do whatever you want,’ and the only thing I had to give them back in return was if we discovered something important.”

Sherry was succeeded as Dean for the School of Natural Science & Mathematics by David Hyndman and hopes the school’s love of learning continues even in his absence.

“So it's often inspired by students. I mean, students are so much fun to be around, you know, because they're inspiring,” Sherry said, “I think that's something that students don't realize that they are actually making an impact in, [that] they may say something that may not make entire sense to them, but it causes someone else in the lab to say ‘ohh, you know, that might be a good idea,’ so we go off and try something new, right?”

SKINAMARINK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 scared — they just are. Putting the audience in the children’s shoes is all the film needs to be terrifying.

The film’s greatest strength is its unique ability to break the conventions of horror. In a typical horror film, each scary moment is often followed up by a lighter, more relaxed scene, allowing the audience to gain a false sense of security. However, “Skinamarink” avoids this structure, with each terrifying moment followed by more darkness and obscurity. Even as the film progresses through its runtime, the audience is never given a full view of the action, giving the viewer the impression that any scene could be the next terrifying moment. Due to this, “Skinamarink” plays out more like an endless nightmare than a horror film, as the confusion and atmosphere never let the audience recover.

The key element that differenti-

ates “Skinamarink” from the typical horror fare is its cinematography, as the film generally refuses to show the viewer exactly what’s happening. While this may seem like an odd choice, it works incredibly well for a horror film, as terror is typically built by allowing the viewer’s imagination to run rampant. Whereas a normal horror film might show its killer right from the start, like Ghostface in “Scream” or Michael Myers in “Halloween”, the majority of the shots in “Skinamarink” focus on dark hallways or characters hidden behind a couch or behind a wall. In doing this, the audience might hear the characters talking or see bits and pieces of what’s going on, but much of the horror is left to the viewer’s imagination. This allows the terror of the unknown to creep into the film, as some unseen threat begins to close in on Kaylee and Kevin, lurking in the darkness. As the audience takes in the terror of the screen’s simulated

darkness, they begin to grow aware of the shadows surrounding them in the world, forcing the terror of the screen to bleed into reality and bringing a long forgotten fear of the dark back to the audience. The unconventional cinematography, underwhelming characters and plot admittedly make “Skinamarink” a film that won’t please everyone. However, it differentiates itself as one of the most unique horror films ever made due to its masterful ability to terrify its audience without showing the viewer much at all. This film deserves to be seen on the big screen if only for its originality, but with the film’s theatrical run ending in midFebruary, time is in short supply. The film will soon make its way to horror streaming platform Shudder. Until then, audiences should make their way to select theaters as quickly as they can to see how “Skinamarink” reinvents horror.

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Because of its rustic vibe, the shop falls short in terms of a finished appearance. A pile of decorative coffee sacks lay in one corner, the concrete walls are bare and the air ducts are visible in the ceiling. But don’t be discouraged – a wide window assumes one wall, flooding the modern shop with sunlight and giving the shop an airy, unique look with a cultivated sense of openness. The only major downside to Tre Stelle is its hours. The shop

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peanut gallery pops in every now and again. This format could potentially annoy watchers since it cuts down the couples’ screentime, but their insight is interesting since they catch minute details and act as a bridge into Korean dating culture with their analysis for international fans. The panel can also be a source of comfort for watchers, mirroring the audience’s emotions and reassuring them that it’s not weird to react strongly to a reality TV show.

The two seasons have distinct vibes, so if one of them does not work for you, do not discount the other. Both have their charms, but the first season is more serious since it sets the rules for future iterations. On the other hand, the second season has a more laid back at -

may open at 7 a.m. daily, but it closes at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. If you’re planning on a long, uninterrupted study session after class, make sure you come in early or stop by on one of your free days. Tre Stelle’s coffee is on the better end of the Dallas area cafes. With a unique, relaxed ambience and impressive drink quality, it’s a shame the hours don’t permit visiting after the sun sets. Overall, Tre Stelle’s solid coffee and friendly staff are worth the visit.

mosphere, although both have their apprehensive moments. This seems to be an intentional shift based on Netflix’s new lighthearted animation style in the opening credits. While the first season is more akin to standard high-stakes American reality shows, the dynamics of the second season fall more into the tried-and-true tropes of classic K-dramas, making a more captivating story for avid romance lovers.

After the completion of season two, Netflix has released plenty of extra content to keep fans interested in the series. Recently, they posted a 40 minute video of the season two cast reacting to the first eight episodes of their season. Since the show was filmed in summer 2022, fans were looking for clues in the videos to see which couples are still in relation -

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revolves around the sun god and the beginning of the harvest season for farmers. The priest conducted the puja as the devotees listened in peace. Similarly, sun salutations are used to respect and honor the sun. In Indian culture, the sun is regarded as the source of all life and therefore holds great importance.

ships. Though nothing is certain, the way the contestants talked about their experiences on the show warmed audiences’ hearts — and not just because of the island weather.

The producers of “Single’s Inferno” are currently working on a new reality show for Netflix called “19/20” which follows the lives of 19 year olds as they turn 20, focusing on coming-of-age themes and learning to “adult,” something that is sure to resonate with college students. Since the show is coming out later this year, this is a great time to get familiar with the producers’ work and prepare for “19/20.” With its short seasons, “Single’s Inferno” is as easy to breeze through as a tropical island wind!

“I feel like [in the past] this was more of like a household event … but I feel like over time people have gathered more,” Puri said, “And we tried to celebrate with the larger community, trying to bring people together whenever we can.”

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kind of sporadic sometimes. Each song is almost different from the other ones. We don’t really like to stick to a specific genre because we all come from different musical backgrounds, so we like to change it up so everyone gets to have fun.”

With two EPs and five singles in their repertoire, the group released their latest single “Draw It” on Jan. 6. Tuft said he wrote the lyrics based on a scene from the video game “Animal Crossing,” which later developed into a song about authenticity. “I was going through some stuff,

DEAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 mental health outreach and connect with students by normalizing asking for help. He recognizes that especially high-achieving students are sometimes afraid to reach out and hopes to change that pattern.

“This is something I take extremely seriously, and it’s something I would really like to provide resources and engagement with students on mental health. A lot of my purpose and perspective as well is to provide the opportunities and tools for students early on and to normalize reaching out for help.”

Skinner also intends to work

and I was kind of just having a mind dump of what was going on in my life,” Tuft said. “I think the overall theme was my trouble with some of my close friends and authenticity and kind of watching people make the same mistakes over and over again and the frustration of that.”

Lyrically, the song does not repeat any phrases — unlike most mainstream tunes — but is still listenable with its emphasis on syllables and rhythm. Sonically, on the other hand, Franks said the song alludes to new wave music, early dance music and the punk rock era, celebrating fast paced songs with edgy melodies.

towards improving students body diversity, particularly attracting to UTD LGBTQIA+ students and international undergraduate students. The whole honors college seeks to expand the number of students coming in from 5% to 8% under the approval of the provost.

“I always feel that international students bring an interesting perspective that everybodygains,” Skinner said.

Skinner expects students to leave the honors college with interdisplicinary perspectives on situations, as well as a deeper understanding of their place in society and the world.

“If a student leaves honors think-

“We jump around a lot dynamically,” Milton said, “and it’s hard to just give one summarizing word to really capture it all … And then it jumps into a psychedelic bridge and then kind of a groovy chorus. It's kind of a brief risk, a journey song … in terms of the music.”

Like any band, Chancy’s journey has not been linear. The members have to find time outside their regular jobs to work on music and their live performances. However, the support the members receive from family, friends and fans keeps them going.

“Our friends are very supportive,”

ing the same way that they did when they arrived, then we’ve kind of failed those students,” Skinner said.

Skinner is looking forward to engaging in honors college activities and the arts and culture scene in Dallas this upcoming semester, which he sees as opportunities to connect with students. He has many goals for the school and an appreciation for the academic environment that has been cultivated at UTD.

“I think this is a very positive university,” Skinner said, “and it’s a university of ‘what can we do?’ And I really love that spirit, I’m enjoying it.”

Tuft said. “A friend of ours, Andrew Sherman, does great photography, and he was like ‘I want to do a video for free for you guys,’ and we just took the opportunity [and filmed the music video for ‘Draw It.’] A lot of our fan base showed up to our shows five years later and they brought other people …”

The members said they plan on releasing and recording more songs and performing more this year. On Feb. 9, the band opens for Mom Rock at Club DaDa. In the meantime, you can follow them on Instagram and listen to ‘Draw It.’

RULE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 of the team.

Poerschke began his career in the Division III program at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he played for the Pirates. During his time with the Pirates, Poerschke earned the All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference First Team honors in 2021 and 2022, was nominated as a three-time SCAC Player of the Week and earned National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court in 2019. Already a highly decorated basketball

“People who cultivate their land will harvest the products they grow and offer them to the Lord and celebrate the new season,” Shashanka Ranade, a member of Hindu Yuva and information technology management graduate student, said.

Hindu Yuva is particularly impactful for many international students navigating Indian and American cultures. Ranade said that for most international students, celebrations look very different as they are far from their families. However, they enjoyed spending the holiday with a traditional meal and time with friends and classmates.

player, he graduated Southwestern University with a bachelors in Business Analytics before coming to UTD.

“I wanted to use one more year to play another year of basketball and see what I'm capable of, and so I chose to come to UTD, a place that has a pretty historic, storied basketball program and felt like it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Poerschke recently transferred from a business analytics program to a marketing major during his first year of graduate school at UTD.

“I love the idea of working

Hindu Yuva’s purpose is to preserve and promote Hindu culture on campus. The organization strives to unite likeminded people and celebrate various religious holidays as a community. Puri said there is a gap between students and their affiliated religions on campus. He said that there are other Indian organizations, but the Hindu aspect is lost. Hindu Yuva’s mission is to guide students back to their roots and bring the community together by promoting Hinduism.

Hindu Yuva is looking to expand its events throughout the year, hoping for more student turnout and appreciation.

on building a brand or growing a current brand. I think that's kind of where my passion lies,” Poerchke said. “Me and my brother started a golf apparel brand that we've been running for the past two years, and that's been an awesome experience just to get to learn and figure out how to do things.

You know we've designed all of our products and done all of the promotion for our products … and getting to start that with my brother has been something that's been special.”

VEDANT SAPRA | MERCURY STAFF