The Mercury 9/19/2016

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September 19, 2016

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Residents finish moving into Northside

Review: Donald Glover’s personas shine in “Atlanta”

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Soccer players prepare for last season on pitch

THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Attorneys retrace night alum went missing Witness testimony continues into second week

CARA SANTUCCI | MANAGING EDITOR

The trial of the man accused in the disappearance of an alum progresses at the Collin County courthouse.

ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS Mercury Staff

Plano police officer Kevin Sasso confirmed on Friday what the friends and family of Christina Morris, the UTD alumna missing since 2014, have feared when talking about her search.

“I am looking for a dead body,” he said.

As the trial of Enrique Arochi, the Allen man accused of kidnapping Morris in 2014, moves into its second week in the Collin County courthouse in McKinney, the actors and storylines in the disappearance are becoming clearer.

This much is already certain: On the night of Aug. 29, 2014, Morris and a group of friends, including Arochi, gathered at a friend’s apartment at the Shops at Legacy in Plano before heading into the shopping center for a night of fun. After hanging out at a couple of bars, the group came back to a friend’s apartment, where witnesses

→ SEE AROCHI, PAGE 12

MATT STRACK | MERCURY STAFF UNIBEES | SOURCE

Int’l students’ app detailing free giveaways, deals on campus gains traction MIRIAM PERCIVAL

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News Editor

ungry and tired after a long day of classes, three friends sat on the bus contemplating what to eat. Only then did they learn, a bit too late, about an event with free pizza on campus.

International students Sanjay Kurani, Abinav Kalidindi and Chandra Achanta channeled their frustration about the difficulty of finding affordable events on campus and came up with UNIBEES, a phone application to help other international students navigate UTD. “UNIBEES is an application for students which will provide them information about all of the free events,” said Kalidindi, a co-founder of the app and a finance master’s student.

The application launched Aug. 18.

Within the first 10 days, they gained over 1,300 users, surpassing their original goal of 100. As of Sept. 14, the app has 1,393 active users.

Achanta, co-founder and business analytics master’s student, said the inspiration for the name of the application came from the way bees collect nectar and bring it back to the hive.

He said UNIBEES’ function is similar in that it collects the “sweet” information on campus and brings it to students.

“Just like how bees collect nectar and store it in a beehive, our bees collect all the happenings in and around the university campus pertaining to free giveaways, deals and discounts, entertainment and store it in the

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

International students (left to right) Sanjay Kurani, Chandra Achanta and Abinav Kalidindi founded a phone application called UNIBEES that helps students find affordable events to attend on campus.

app,” he said.

The inspiration for UNIBEES came from the difficulties the co-founders shared their first semester as international students, Kalidindi said.

He said can be hard to navigate campus and the surrounding area while keeping a budget, which is why they wanted to create this resource for other students to use.

“Being an international student, we have a lot of financial burden because we pay out of state tuition and fees,” Kalidindi said. “This app helps (students) to save a lot of money.”

UNIBEES currently provides information in three categories: free, deals and entertainment. It lists on-campus events with free items, local businesses offering a student discount and concerts or movies.

The app also highlights exclusive deals the UNIBEES team secured with local enterprises.

“We directly approached vendors around campus and we told them that there is a huge market for them,”

→ SEE UNIBEES, PAGE 12

Color Guard provides creative outlet Club helps members forge bonds, career paths through participation it’s a beautiful mixture between theater and dance,” Aldridge said. “It’s a different Mercury Staff way to tell a story that’s more than just The UTD Color Guard spent the saying it out loud or doing body work. first month of the fall preparing for its You have an extra piece of equipment that first exhibition of the semester at the can also convey emotions that you don’t get from anywhere else.”

Day for Kids event in Mesquite.

Chokpapone said the club practices as Last fall, a small group of students, led by Yathip Mindy Chokpapone, a a group for two hours every week to preneuroscience junior, officially started pare for exhibitions, with their first one the Color Guard. Chokpapone, who scheduled on Sept. 17.

The Guard is also doing at least one has been involved with guard since the beginning of high school, said she hoped exhibition per year in collaboration with to find others who were interested in the group the director from PISD runs.

Chokpapone said they hope to have the sport. a competitive Guard historian team in the Kendalyn Aldridge, an next few years. arts and performance The club senior, said Chokpapone prepared the started to seek out felsame basic low students during choreography the spring semester of for their first 2015. Aldridge said exhibition of the fledgling club then the year that met with a color guard was used for director with the Plano its show last Independent School spring. After District, who supplied fall recruitequipment and helped ment, the chothem find funding. reography was While color guards expanded to often accompany a accommodate marching band or — Kendalyn Aldridge, their growing drum corps, UTD’s Color Guard historian membership.

Color Guard is a variaChokpapone tion known as Winter said creating Guard. A winter guard performs indoors with a typically pre- the choreography was a group effort.

“Basically, I made the rough draft recorded background music track. During the performance, they spin and toss the of the choreography, then I went in equipment in sync with each other, occa- and asked everyone else to contribute sionally switching from one piece of their ideas because I’m just a person equipment to another. The equipment and I have favorite things I like to do, traditionally includes flags, sabres and so I tend to repeat a lot of things,” rifles, though other pieces may be includ- Chokpapone said. “Other people like other things and they’re able to put that ed occasionally.

“My favorite thing about guard is that in. That’s pretty much what this club SUMMER LEBEL

Guard is ... a beautiful mixture between theater and dance. It's a different way to tell a story that's more than just saying it out loud.

is; it’s just everyone together making a show.”

Sarah Perkins, a mechanical engineering sophomore and the club’s treasurer, said although the exhibition performance may seem effortless, people may not realize how challenging the sport is physically.

“It’s actually really intense and it’s a work out when done properly,” Perkins said.

Perkins said due to the group nature of the club, a close bond is formed between the members while preparing for exhibitions.

“It really is a pretty tight-knit group and we do kind of become like a family as time goes on and the season drones on,” Perkins said.

Danika Lelina, the club’s vice president, said being in guard during high school and college helped her decide what she wanted to study at UTD. “That’s when I really realized that somewhere in the future I want to teach something, because I found being a section leader my senior year, I really liked teaching, whether I was teaching guard or something else,” said Lelina, a sophomore math major.

“Color Guard basically helped me find my path through life.”

Though the club has several members who started in guard early in high school, it accepts interested students of all skill levels. Students who are newer to the sport prepared for the Sept. 17 exhibition alongside the longtime veterans.

Aldridge, who began participating in guard during her freshman year of high school, said one of the most important things when starting out is accepting imperfections.

“Guard is only what you make of it,” Aldridge said. “You have to be open to it. It’s one of those things where you start off and you have to know it’s okay to make mistakes.”

JENNIFER CHI | MERCURY STAFF

UTD Color Guard members Yathie Mindy Chokpapone (front) and Sarah Perkins practice for the group’s first exhibition of the year, which was on Sept. 17. Performances are indoors with routines incorporating equipment such as flags.

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THE MERCURY UTDMERCURY.COM Volume XXXVII No. 25 Editor-in-Chief Nidhi Gotgi

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UTDPD Blotter September 6 • A student reported their orange parking permit stolen from their vehicle in Lot P at 9:37 a.m.

• At 1:42 p.m., a student reported their bicycle was stolen from the Phase 2 apartments.

September 7 • At 1:06 p.m. in Parking Structure 4, a student’s car was struck by another student's vehicle who then drove away.

September 8 • A student reported their purse stolen from ATEC at 4:03 p.m.

• At 5:37 p.m. a student reported their purse stolen from JSOM. September 9 • An unaffiliated person reported their laptop stolen from Green Center at 8:58 p.m.

September 11 • At 2:21 a.m., a student left their longboard in the lobby of Res Hall Northwest while he went to his room, and when he returned it was stolen.

September 12 • A student reported their bicycle stolen at 9:09 a.m. from a bicycle rack in Phase 2.

September 14 • At 9:22 p.m., a student reported $20 stolen from their locker in the Activity Center.

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LEGEND VEHICULAR INCIDENT THEFT DRUGS & ALCOHOL OTHER MAP: UTD | COURTESY

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Contributors Carolina Alvarez Vibu Anbarasan Ankith Averineni Esteban Bustillos Jennifer Chi Eunjee Chong Ariana Hadden Brianna Hubiera Summer LeBel Chiamaka Mgboji Alvin Nguyenly Nyemike Okonkwo Ian Seamans Roman Soriano Matt Strack Abhinav Thummala Kevin Vanhorn Marisa Williams

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SEPT. 19, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

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Increased minority presence in media breaks barriers Minority representation on TV shows, movies helps share individuals’ stories ESTEBAN BUSTILLOS COMMENTARY

As a kid, I didn’t have a lot, if any, Latino stars to look up to. So when I was younger, I pretended Batman was Mexican.

Growing up, Batman was a big deal to me. I tuned into Kids’ WB every day to watch “Batman: The Animated Series,” where the adventures of Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting alter ego enthralled me to no end. What made it even better was the fact that the animators used a certain color for Wayne’s skin that made it look more brown than white. With his black hair and dark skin, I came to the only logical conclusion an 8-year-old could make: Batman was Latino.

Sadly, I eventually realized that it was all pretend. Batman turned out to be white and I once again had to search for someone to look up to on the TV screen that looked like me. Thankfully, for today’s young Latinos and other people of color, that isn’t the case in the world of entertainment.

This year alone, we have seen a huge influx in the number of authentic Latino portrayals on screens of all sizes.

In January, Disney announced Princess Elena of Avalor, its first Latina princess ever. This summer, DC’s “Suicide Squad” featured Jay Hernandez as Chato Santana, also known as “El Diablo,” the first time a Latino super

hero has been portrayed in a major summer blockbuster. And on Sept. 12, “Saturday Night Live” announced it was adding Melissa Villaseñor, its first Latina cast member.

Thankfully, Latinos aren’t the only ones coming into the spotlight. Across the entertainment spectrum, minorities are finally getting recognition and it’s not just as token pieces. From Aziz Ansari on “Master of None” to Donald Glover on “Atlanta,” minorities are acting, creating and running their own shows and franchises.

This is a huge deal. It’s becoming increasingly rare for other people to tell us how our stories should be told. For the first time, we’re telling our own stories, our own way.

What’s important about this is that it finally feels like we’re getting accepted into the American mainstream. For years, turning on the TV and going to the movies meant almost exclusively watching white people. Now, it’s becoming rare to see a show or movie without a minority cast member of some kind. We’re not just the person who dies off first. Now, we’re the stars of the show.

Even more importantly, having minority representation in entertainment, especially entertainment catered to children, allows kids to aspire to one day take those positions themselves.

It’s the Jackie Robinson effect. Before the groundbreaking Brooklyn Dodger geared up and became the first black player to play baseball in the major

leagues, the dream of being a minority player in America’s biggest sport at the time was just that — a dream, a fantasy, an unachievable goal.

Once Robinson broke that barrier, however, the floodgates opened forever.

All it took was one person.

That’s the kind of change I hope this renaissance of minority talent will bring about. We’re no less talented as writers, actors, musicians or designers — we’ve just never felt comfortable telling our stories because we thought no one would listen, care or pay attention. But as America moves closer and closer to becoming a majority-minority nation, I feel entertainment is finally being democratized for the disenfranchised.

Now, the Latina screenwriter in a college classroom doesn’t have to feel like her words don’t matter. Now, the black actress looking to make her big break doesn’t have to fear being overlooked because of her skin. Now, the Asian director trying to get her vision across doesn’t have to feel pressure from studios to cater to a white audience. We’re now making the decisions for how we should be portrayed on screens across the country and, contrary to what detractors might say, we’re getting paid for it too.

That’s not to say there aren’t challenges still to be overcome. For every victory, there’s an incident of Hollywood whitewashing a minority character a la Matt Damon in the upcoming film “The Great Wall,” where he plays a Chinese character.

There’re still people who just don’t get what it’s like to not see people who you

EUNJEE CHONG | MERCURY STAFF

can look up to on the TV and movie screens and feel left out.

But that’s why it makes me so happy to see all of the new diversity that’s apparent on a daily basis in Hollywood. Now kids who look like me don’t have to pretend their superheroes look like them. Now they just do.

It can’t stop here, though. As minorities, we can’t depend on anyone else to look out for us. History has taught us time and time again that simply doesn’t work. So for all of the minority creators out there, the message has to ring loud and clear: We can’t rest on our laurels. We

have to keep pushing.

We have to keep writing, acting, designing, drawing, animating and doing whatever it is that we do to tell our stories. In a school like UTD, there’re a million of them, each unique. Maybe those stories won’t all go on to be awardwinning shows or movies, but they’re all worth telling.

Our history and culture are not barriers. They’re bridges we can use to connect to other people like us. It’s time we started crossing them ourselves and opening them up for others to join us in our journeys.

Schools must value skills-based agenda Work experience benefits students more in long run than classroom learning RAMAH JARADAT COMMENTARY

BRIANNA HUBIERA | MERCURY STAFF

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?

Students interested in writing opinions for The Mercury can email editor@utdmercury. com.

I have struggled multiple times in the past to learn material for an exam only to realize that all the class was teaching me was how to take a test. Instead of doing something that would strengthen me for my future field of study — business administration and pre-law — I would sit and try to integrate an equation in applied calculus, constantly wondering how learning the subject would be of any help to me in the future.

A few weeks ago, one of my professors asked us to read an article called “From Knowing to Doing: Rethinking the Goals of Public Education,” which I found intriguing. The article reconsidered the goals of general public education, from focusing on what we should know to focusing on what we can do while taking one’s major into consideration.

The article states that the current goal of public education is to shape students who “know” things, which is measured by standardized tests and exams. The article claims the goal should be shaping students who can “do” things, like successfully completing projects and accomplishing things

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of meaning to the individual.

This is why I applaud UTD JSOM for making internships a requirement for graduation — it essentially pushes students to get involved and accomplish something pertaining to their majors.

Although I am still looking for my first internship, I do know that getting involved with campus organizations and extracurricular activities has improved my communication skills, which is essential for my career goals.

According to a survey conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education and American Public Media’s Marketplace, employers care more about internships and extracurricular activities than GPA and relevant coursework. Grades are also extremely important, but if that is the only thing on your resume that stands out as extraordinary, then all you have proven is that you know how to study.

However, having a high GPA in addition to extracurricular experience gives the impression that you know how to “do” things as well as “know” things.

“From Knowing to Doing” argues vocational education, which focuses on hands-on activities that closely resemble the activities students will partake in after graduation, is one of the most effective forms of education. However, according to the article, this form of education is rarely used in the public schooling system, because the system has

a different definition of education.

According to neaToday.org, mainstream education’s focus on memorization and standardized testing has caused students to lose the knowledge they gain in school, and does not promote critical thinking and communication.

When students only focus on attaining a high GPA without additional experience, they may lack strong communication skills — which, according to mba.com, is essential to employers.

You can read a textbook and learn about a subject for hours in the library, but without application, the knowledge becomes useless.

Externships and internships encourage students to “do,” and UTD offers plenty of opportunities for them. The business classes also encourage “doing” through group projects and presentations.

Although internships are not a requirement for non-business majors at UTD, it is still highly encouraged to utilize UTD’s resources, like the Career Center, and pursue one.

So, it is essential to constantly get involved, to apply yourself in the real world and to gain experience to prove that you not only “know”, but can accomplish. Like Robyn Sue Fisher, the founder of Smitten Ice Cream, said, “While you can spend your years of your life preparing and making plans, nothing can compare to lessons learned while actually doing.”

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Radio club connects with international station in Russia K5 UTD uses amateur devices for various projects

ANDREW KOENIG | COURTESY

Andrew Koenig, a telecommunications engineering senior and the president of K5 UTD, helps prepare to launch a weather balloon in a competition. Balloons like these allow the club to help the weather service in Texas with their tracking.

ARIANA HADDEN Mercury Staff

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THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

lation filled Michael Aldridge next summer from a high altitude.”

Since weather balloons are an ongoas he methodically fumbled with the amateur device. Us- ing project for the club, Koenig and ing only spare parts from other devices Aldridge continue to test new ideas and old radios, Aldridge and his club and software to ensure the best results.

“More recently, we have been workhad done it: They made contact with a ing on a platform which uses a small Russian radio station in Moscow.

Aldridge is the vice president of K5 Linux computer,” Aldridge said.

UTD. The club is an amateur radio “(Koenig) has written a software that organization that specializes in using will allow it to take a picture and dyelectrical and telecommunications namically switch from transmitting engineering knowledge to build con- the position over to transmitting the traptions. These devices can be used picture, getting a picture taken from to communicate with other areas 70,000 feet. It is a very humbling from far-away countries to various moment to be able to see the curvacounties in Texas. The group also uses ture of the Earth taken from a device the technologies to measure climate you built.”

Another function of K5 UTD data from high altitudes and compete includes weather tracking for the in contests.

K5 UTD is not only a club at the weather service in Texas. university, but also an organization “The weather service trains us to recognized by the Federal Communi- go out and spot weather events.” cations Commission as of 1995.

Koenig said. “Say there is a huge “As a UTD organization, we partici- hail storm. With (amateur radio) oppate in bringing freshmen on board, eration, we have direct channels to helping students get talk to the radio sertheir license to go on air vice, so we will posiand promoting the cool tion ourselves in the You stay up engineer knowledge that storm and report back all night trycan be gained working to them. We can give on (amateur radio),” Althem a clue as to what ing to talk dridge said. “An example is going on in the real to faraway would be like trying to world.” places, and contact every county Aldridge said his in Texas in under 24 then when you desire to join the club hours.” spurred from an interare talking to Aldridge, a software enest he has had in radio gineering senior said the broadcasting since he someone, it’s members of the club are was a child. someone who always eager to communi“I lived in a small shares your cate with new places. town where we had a “We are at the right very high power AM interests. point latitude wise to be radio station, and we able to bounce a signal to — Michael Aldridge, got to take a tour of Japan,” Aldridge said. “Beit,” Aldridge said. cause of where both places K5 UTD vice president “They had a huge are on Earth, we are able vacuum tube inside a to reflect a signal around a metal cage and I reallayer in the atmosphere.” ized that’s what’s transmitting the Part of the appeal for Aldridge is con- music. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s retacting different cultures and people us- ally cool,’ and it became a question ing similar technology. of how was the music going from “You stay up all night trying to talk to the CD player into this thing that’s faraway places, and then when you are glowing like a lightbulb and then talking to someone, it’s someone who coming out of the radio?’” shares your interests,” Aldridge said.

Electrical engineering sophomore Aside from communicating to oth- Joseph White-Swift said the knowler areas, Aldridge said that launching edge he gains from being in the club weather balloons is a major component has both helped him excel in his maof the club. He was able to experience jor as well as network. this aspect when he attended a summer “As a radio ham in general, I have camp hosted through UTD that led to been offered a number of opportunihis involvement in the club. ties that I would not have otherwise “We got to send a weather balloon had, and have met a lot of mentors up to 70,000 feet,” Aldridge said. and engineers who have mentored me “There are not a lot of affordable radio and continue to aid in my learning,” technologies that can work over that White-Swift said. distance, so we chose to use amateur He said it’s enjoyable and reassurradio technology which would allow us ing knowing there are other people to send weather, altitude and battery who share his hobby both in the club life information back to the ground.” as well as in the places they are able to Andrew Koenig, a telecommunica- reach with the devices. tions engineering senior and the presi“From our ham shack here at UTD, dent of K5 UTD, said the club doesn’t we talk to people across the street, have any projects set in stone just yet across town, and across the world,” but weather balloons continue to be a White-Swift said. “We are able to do major focus. all of this in real time, not through a “We're always working on the next network or links like a phone system, weather balloon payload,” Koenig said. but the voice you are hearing come “The big talk right now is to figure out out of your radio is the voice that is how to capture the huge solar eclipse going into someone else’s.”

UTDMERCURY.COM

Northside OCCUPIED Students face issues with floorplans, amenities after delayed move-in MARISA WILLIAMS Mercury Staff

All of the 595 individuals who had planned to reside at Northside, the new apartment complex on Synergy Park Boulevard, have moved into the apartments as of Sept. 15.

Sydney Huebner, who works in the Northside office, said the delay was caused by unfinished loft units in block two of the complex.

Residents whose units weren’t completed in time were given the option of receiving alternative housing at various hotels and a food stipend. They also could instead receive an abatement in rent to compensate for the delayed move-in.

Sam Goetsch, another employee of the Northside office, said students were also provided transportation to campus through Sept. 15. From then on, Goetsch said the hotels have been providing shuttle transportation.

AJ Bucag, an information technology and systems sophomore, had stayed at the Holiday Inn for four weeks. He moved in on Sept. 15 and said the move went smoothly despite a few complications.

“We were missing the microwave plate when we moved in,” Bucag said.

While all the residents have moved in, some were placed in units with different floor plans than what the residents had requested.

Iris McColm, a biology senior who moved in on Aug. 27, was placed in a unit designed for someone with a disability. She said she and her roommates didn’t receive notice of the change.

“We didn’t know until the first one of us got our keys and came in the room and saw that it was different from the floor plan we signed up for,” McColm said.

Due to the accommodations made for someone who needs mobility with a wheelchair, McColm said both of her roommates have

→ AROCHI

sizably smaller closets. They resemble the closets in the dorms, with only a small cutout in the wall.

One of the rooms is also smaller to make the hallways wider, and the bathroom is openly facing the hallway rather than being enclosed in the corresponding bedroom. The original floorplan had an attached bathroom for each bedroom. Additionally, counter, fridge and pantry space have been lost for similar reasons.

Although the rent amount wasn’t any more expensive, McColm said her roommates wanted a deduction in their monthly rent due to the differences in the layout within their own rooms.

“They didn’t offer to reduce our rent until my roommates went with their parents twice. … They reduced their rent by $50 a month,” she said.

McColm said she felt like she shouldn’t complain since her room remained the same as the layout she was expecting to have. She still pays the normal rate.

She and her roommates have also experienced a flooded bathroom and a washer that moves aggressively, bringing it almost directly in front of the door by the end of a wash cycle.

SAHER AQEEL | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

Northside, the new apartment complex on Synergy Park Boulevard, moved in all of its residents by Sept. 15. The pool (above) is one of the amenities that won’t be complete until around fall break.

tentive expression on his face as he watches witnesses take the stand. Collin County Prosecutor Zeke Fortenberry, who is currently calling in witnesses on the prosecution’s befrom that night testified nothing seemed half, is questioning almost anyone who had out of place with Arochi. anything to do with that night: police officers, Morris, however, seemed to be upset detectives, security guards and friends of Morwith her boyfriend, Hunter Foster. Al- ris, among others. though she had planned to stay at the apartSome of the testimony is purely technical, ment in Plano that night, like that of the employees from witnesses say she changed her Sprint and AT&T who came mind and decided to go to in to verify whether or not the Fort Worth and visit Foster. phone records investigators That’s when she left the obtained accurately depict the apartment with Arochi. Sasso activity of Morris’ and Arochi’s said he believes Morris got cells from that night. Other into Arochi’s car willingly, testimony dives into the invesbut he testified that at some tigation, with everyone from point in the ride she gave up security guards at the Shops at consent to be in the car.

Legacy to lieutenants from the AROCHI Plano Police Department deSurveillance footage from that night shows the two walktailing their work on the case. On ing through the Shops at Legacy back to Friday, jurors got the chance to look at Arochi’s the parking garage Arochi left his car in, Camaro, which has multiple dents investigaeven though Arochi told detectives he and tors noticed appearedafter Morris disappeared.

Morris split up after leaving the apartment.

Then there’s the emotional testimony Footage shows Arochi and Morris walking from the likes of Mark Morris, Christina into the garage in the early morning hours Morris’ father. As he testified on the first of Aug. 30, 2014 and Arochi’s Camaro full day of trial, Mark Morris seemed a leaving, but it never shows Morris leaving bit shaken as he answered questions from by herself. both the defense and prosecution about Now, two years later, Arochi must wait his daughter and whether or not she would for a 12-person jury to hear the Morris’ walk alone at night or climb into the trunk story and ultimately decide whether or not of a car. he should be found guilty of aggravated Mark Morris and Christina Morris’ mothkidnapping, a charge that can warrant a life er, Jonni McElroy, like a large chunk of Morsentence in prison. ris’ immediate family who will be called to the Arochi, who sits at the end of the table witness stand, is forced to sit outside of the on the left side of the room with the de- courtroom and wait as the trial progresses. fense, usually looks on with a blank but at- For hours, he and other family members bide

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ABHINAV THUMMALA | MERCURY STAFF

Despite these difficulties, McColm said she approves of the floor plan.

“It is a really nice layout and it’s a cool space,” she said. “It has a lot of potential.”

Criminology sophomore Sierra Sees, who moved into a three-person Northside apartment on Aug. 27, said she was drawn to the complex’s style and amenities.

“When we first moved in, they also told us they were going to be having a pool, a private gym and a clubhouse for all the residents,” Sees said.

However, she said, she was notified by Northside prior to signing her lease that it may be six months until the amenities would be completed and able to be utilized.

Maureen Omrod, the person in charge of media relations for Balfour Beatty Investments, the company that manages Northside, said Northside expects to have its amenities completed and available to residents prior to the fall break.

Despite delays in move-in and amenities, Omrod said Northside lost only three residents.

In each of the cases where residents decided to not take occupancy and cancel their lease, Omrod said fees for breaking the lease were waived by the Northside team.

their time in the large, white hallways of the courthouse, waiting for any details on what’s happening inside but restrained by their vows to not discuss the case.

The defense, led by attorney Keith Gore, takes their time with arguments, going over detail after meticulous detail to make sure they can portray their case in the best light possible. While the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Arochi took Morris away without her consent, the defense has to make jurors question whether or not Arochi did it.

To do this, they’re relying on some uncomfortable truths about Morris’ history, like her relationship with Foster, who is serving a nearly three-year prison sentence on drug charges. Friends of Morris testified that she knew Foster sold drugs, as did the rest of her friends’ circle. The defense has taken this a step further, claiming they can show Morris actively participated in Foster’s illegal activity.

This, they said, might explain her disappearance due to a drug deal gone wrong. They also have been throwing suspicion at Foster.

The trial is proceeding slowly. Spectators varying from extended family of Morris and Arochi to members of the press to curious onlookers fill the spectators’ gallery each day, with every decision made by the judge met with silent gestures of victory or defeat.

There’s likely no quick resolution to the case as the defense is still calling in witnesses for questioning. As everyone gears up for the next possible weeks of trial, however, the question still remains: What happened to Christina Morris on that now-infamous night two years ago?

Follow utdmercury.com for more coverage of the Arochi trial.

LIFE&ARTS Faculty member shares passion for ‘Star Trek’ Long-time fan displays memoribilia for 50th anniversary

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SEPT. 19, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Singer finds voice Student places third in national singing competition

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Jacqueline Long, a supervisor for the Academic Bridge Program, worked with several UTD departments to commemmorate the “Star Trek” series.

IAN SEAMANS Mercury Staff

Various departments at UTD put on events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek’s” premiere — all organized by a faculty member and self-described “Trekkie.”

Jacqueline Long, the program supervisor at the Academic Bridge Program, helped the Meteor Theater, UTDesign and the McDermott Library host events starting Sept. 8, which marked fifty years since the first episode of “Star Trek” aired.

Long has been a “Trekkie” since first watching “Star Trek: The Original Series” in eighth grade in 1969.

She has been interested in the exploration of the final frontier since a young age. She grew up at the height of the Space Race and lived in Washington D.C., where Goddard Space Flight

Center is located and where astronauts went after conducting missions.

Her high school was located next to Goddard and she said the Center was cause for distraction in class.

“Instead of paying attention, you could see the weather balloons and rockets,” Long said.

She said she would go with her classmates to watch astronauts parade down the boulevard outside of school before going home to watch them speak from downtown. Although now a big fan, she said she didn’t watch “Star Trek” for the first few seasons because she felt it didn’t compare to the NASA missions she was following regularly.

“My friends were like, ‘You need to see this new science fiction show,’ and I was like, ‘Well, why do you need to watch science fiction when reality is

→ SEE STAR TREK, PAGE 6

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Interdisciplinary studies junior Scott Li said he was reluctant to compete in the U.S. division of the show “Voice of China,” but agreed to compete after his father encouraged him. He placed third but didn't advance to the next round.

MIRIAM PERCIVAL News Editor

Scott Li walked onto the stage, his heart racing. In front of him were judges who would decide his fate in the singing competition.

Li, an interdisciplinary studies junior, competed in the “Voice of China” singing competition and placed third in the U.S. division. While his family and friends encouraged him to participate for the experience, Li said he was hesitant to compete.

“The only reason that I participated in the first place was because my dad wanted me to go, I never really liked these competitions in the first place,” Li said.

Two of his father’s tenants were auditioning for the U.S. division of the “Voice of China,” which has since been rebranded to “Sing!China.” Li said he didn’t plan to compete, but went to support his friends and check out the competition.

After driving from Houston to Carrollton where the competition was held, Li waited with the tenants for their turn.

“Outside of the stage, there is a waiting room and there are people lining up waiting to perform in front of the judges,” Li said. “There was a small stage and people were practicing.”

When practice wrapped up, the staff opened the stage to anyone who wanted to perform. Encouraged by his friends to go, Li sang and impressed the event work-

ers. He said they asked him if he wanted to enter the competition even though the deadline had passed.

After thinking about the offer for a few minutes, Li said he decided to compete but was nervous because he hadn’t prepared at all.

“Everybody else had these guitars,” Li said. “I didn’t have any song ready. I just chose an old blues song … because it was acapella.”

Because of his late entry, Li was the last person of the day to sing in front of the judges. After singing, Li said they complimented him.

“One of the judges, after I finished singing said, ‘Oh man, I was asleep the

→ SEE VOICE, PAGE 6

Novel explores magical realism in utopian afterlife Shannon Kirk’s latest novel focuses on woman torn between celestial love, earthly attachment NYEMIKE OKONKWO COMMENTARY

REPUTATION BOOKS | COURTESY

Vivenne Marshall, the protagonist, finds herself in heaven while in the ICU.

Have you ever wondered if there is a heaven? Have you contemplated the meaning of life? Have you ever wondered if the butterfly effect is more than just an abstract theory? If so, “The Extraordinary Journey of Vivienne Marshall” by Shannon Kirk is a must-read novel for you.

“The Extraordinary Journey of Vivienne Marshall,” published on Sept. 6 and a finalist for the William Faulkner Wisdom Writing Competition: 2012 Novel-in-Progress, is simultaneously

gut wrenching and heartwarming.

Vivienne Marshall, the novel’s protagonist, takes a fatal walk into a truck’s path while playing a word game on her cell phone. Ironically, the word played by her opponent is “ascend” and Vivienne does just that. She soon finds herself transported to the next life.

As she lies in the intensive care unit, Vivienne begins constructing her own eternal utopian rest by taking a trip through the heavens of a priest, a best friend, a homeless child and a lover who never was. Vivienne’s guardian angel, Noah, who may just be her soulmate, escorts her through selections of heavens and through the confusion Vivienne experiences as she stumbles between a doubt of life and the cer-

tainty of death.

Kirk clearly invested tender, loving care in developing this novel, which was over four years in the making.

Kirk’s descriptions of Vivienne’s life are exquisitely written. Throughout the novel, the reader learns about Vivienne’s relationships with her best friend, her mother, her lovers and her son, and each relationship is a building block for the person Vivienne ultimately becomes.

Although the novel is a work of fiction, the reader can’t help but look at their own life and find similarities. In each of our own life stories, we have a great love, a family member forever etched into our soul and a person who is a solid and reliable presence.

Kirk paints Vivienne’s life before the

accident as very causal and linked to uncontrollable circumstances, which in a way is the definition of all life.

Kirk’s description of the interplay between the fluctuating affairs of life and inevitable reality of death is where her prose shines brightest.

Kirk’s new novel is a constant reminder of how we operate in unpredictable, incalculable and quandary-filled existences and it is the destiny of us all to become dust. It’s a grim reality, but Kirk reminds the reader of the power of love, impermanence and connection.

The heavens Vivienne visits have an undeniable air of fantasy, yet as fantastical as they may be, Vivienne feels torn between

→ SEE BOOK, PAGE 6

‘Atlanta’ tackles social issues through lens of rap FX’s new show featuring Donald Glover enthralls with strong ensemble cast, powerful social commentary VIBU ANBARASAN COMMENTARY

Donald Glover has presented himself in multiple forms in the past decade — writer, rapper, comedian, visual artist and now showrunner of FX’s “Atlanta.” Glover’s latest artistic endeavor is the culmination of all of his professional personas.

“Atlanta” successfully webs social commentary and entertainment with a talented ensemble cast under the guidance of Glover.

Atlanta has been influential in the evolution of hip hop since OutKast’s

debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.” Every artist from the region has presented a sound that is unique to hip hop and the city as well. Chris Robinson’s film “ATL” tied the music of the city to the silver screen. Now, Donald Glover, an ATLien himself, successfully brings the musical energy of Atlanta to network television.

“Atlanta” follows Earn Marks (Donald Glover), a Princeton dropout who is attempting to get his foot in the door of Atlanta’s music scene. The city holds its own with production and sound with artists like Young Thug, Future, Migos, Metro Boomin, Zaytoven among others. The list is end-

less and, hailing from Atlanta himself, Glover understands this.

Earn’s cousin Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) is a rapper and has a hit on his hand. Paper Boi and his sidekick Darius (Keith Stanfield) need management to tread their newfound and growing fame.

Earn approaches his cousin and proposes the idea of family business. The landscape of Atlanta serves as a gauntlet for Paper Boi’s creative promise.

While the show is a portrait of Atlanta, Earn and Paper Boi also serve as two versions of Donald Glover. In Glover’s comedy special, “Weirdo,” he mentions his family members reaching out to him as he was experiencing his first wave of fame. Earn is a

caricature of the cousins that reached out to Glover and Paper Boi is the charisma Glover possesses but does not always showcase.

With the city of Atlanta housing rap’s most eclectic characters, Paper Boi has a sound but not the personality to stand out. He is at the top of the charts and also the bell curve. His normality is the only thing that does not mold to the scene where he belongs. However, his introspective outlook gives a glimpse into what it’s like to be a rapper in Atlanta.

The two episodes that premiered on Sept. 6 laid out everything Glover has planned for the show. Glover’s inbe

→ SEE ATLANTA, PAGE 6

FX | COURTESY

'Atlanta,' which premiered on Sept. 6, explores the lives of struggling musicians entering the rap scene in Atlanta.

6

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

→ STAR TREK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

right there in front of you,’” Long said.

The first episode of “Star Trek” that she watched included an amoeba, which she’d just learned about in class. The connection between applied science and science fiction piqued her interest. She was hooked.

A few years after starting her obsession with the series, she went to her first “Star Trek” convention in 1975. She couldn’t manage to find someone to come with her, so she went by herself. Still in her teens, she said it was the first time that she had gone to an event alone.

“I wanted to see it so badly that I had to make that life step and navigate alone. … For me, it was one of those incidents in your life that moves your development,” Long said.

Going to that convention was one of many moments in her life related to “Star Trek.”

She said watching “Star Trek” often reminded her of events in her life.

“A lot of times on ‘Star Trek’ you see something and it relates to a moment you had and for me it really became something that’s a part of my life,” Long said.

Long has worked on many projects related to “Star Trek” throughout her life. Several of

→ BOOK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

her final destination and what she may leave behind on earth.

Vivienne’s images of heaven are emotionally charged ones, each centering on a love - past and present, familial and passionate.

Kirk frequently references an Italian opera called “La Boheme,” a children’s book called “The One and Only Ivan” and the northern red cardinal, all of which playfully connect to the

LIFE&ARTS

Long’s Trek essays were pub- on the back of its 747 carrier lished in the 12th edition of craft. People around the D.C. a fan anthology “The Best of area came out and lined the Trek,” her master’s thesis at the streets to see the shuttle as University of Louisiana at La- it flew over. Long was out of fayette was about “Star Trek: town visiting her boyfriend at The Next Generation’s” effect the time.

“I had gone out of town on junior high school students’ to Richmond attitudes towards … and we had NASA. Her AcaStar Trek is gone out to dindemic Bridge ner when the Program sumlike the Rosetta news came on mer camps also Stone talking … and he was often involve talking to me Tr e k - t h e m e d from science but the TV was activities. Long people to nonbehind him, said she sees the science people. and I was like, show as being a good tool for ... You can always ‘If I had known about this beeducation, espepull something fore I would cially in science. not have come “My brotherfrom (the show) visit him this in-law said ‘Star to explain it to weekend.’…

Trek’ is like the somebody.

I had tuned Rosetta Stone him out while talking from — Jacqueline Long I watching and science people he paused like to non-science I was supposed people. … You can always pull something from to say something. He had pro‘Star Trek’ to explain it to some- posed to me,” Long said.

Long said the reason she loves body who does not know sci“Star Trek” isn’t just because of ence,” Long said.

One of the largest events in its usefulness as a teaching tool, Long’s life was influenced by its diverse cast, or its great stories “Star Trek.” In 1983, the first — it’s the feeling she gets from space shuttle orbiter called En- the show and the community.

“There’s just a connection terprise was being flown back to the United States after its show- there. It’s like seeing your old ing at the Paris Airshow. On its friends. That’s really what flight back home, the Enter- ‘Star Trek’ does for me. … It’s prise circled Washington D.C. there for you.”

themes of the novel.

While the novel is well written, the time traveling and the alternating character perspectives occasionally make the novel difficult to follow. The characters are also complex and none of them, with the exception of Vivienne and Noah, are given enough depth and development.

A novel that works to encapsulate the entire life of a single person, as well as their afterlife, is bound for a few missteps. However, “The Extraordinary Journey of Vivienne Marshall” is a com-

pelling story with very believable characters and events.

Reminiscent of “Life of Pi”

by Yann Martel, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”

by Mitch Albom and in the spirit of “When Dreams May Come,” Kirk’s new novel will simultaneously warm the heart and inspire the soul. The nature of love, the variety and magic of life, unending hope and the importance of saying goodbye are central to this uplifting tale.

→ ATLANTA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

tentions of showing what it is like to be black in America is preserved.

From the screenwriting to casting, every detail is crucial to maintaining the show’s brand.

Hiro Murai’s art direction provides the aesthetic kick necessary to tackle the issues of Glover’s “Atlanta.” The dark overtones of the shots project an eerie atmosphere. Glover’s newest venture needed a familiar brand to his largest fan base, Murai’s collaboration is a perfect pairing. His touch complements Glover’s observations of Atlanta.

Under Glover’s musical moniker Childish Gambino, he produces sounds that are usually

→ VOICE

UTDMERCURY.COM focused on his celebrity, personal and an ensemble cast, but all of the issues regarding relationships and characters seem to have been estabhis state of lished in the first two mind. With episodes. The characters Glover uses “A t l a n t a ,” that Earn encounters the platform Glover uses may or may not recur the platform but the themes will of...television of network definitely take different to express his television to forms and stories. express his The misadventures opinions on opinions on of Earn, Paper Boi and race, black race, black Darius are not to be culture (and)... culture, hip missed this fall. “Athop, mental lanta” fits perfectly into fatherhood. health, masFX’s roster of unique, culinity and thought-provoking fatherhood. shows. Donald Glover’s Every single one of these issues awakening comes at the right time. are attended to within the jam- During civil turmoil and discomfort, packed pilot and second episode. It Atlanta peers into what it is like to is hard to predict the trail of a televi- be black, youthful and navigating sion show with a ten-episode season through hope.

day for the national competition.

Without realizing it, the “Voice of China” had sent him an email to entire day and now that we his junk account to invite him to got to you I finally woke up,’” the next round.

Li said he then he said. called his father Li said he to tell him he was sent to The only had won. Li said the lobby with reason I parhis father enthe rest of the couraged him to participants ticipated in the compete for the after his perfirst place was experience and to formance, and because my meet new people. waited several “I was really minutes bedad wanted me hesitant and my fore they were to go, I never re- dad said, ‘You all called back don’t need to into the comally liked these about it petition room. competitions in think as a competition The judges the first place. but just go and kept 20 of the sing as if you’re contestants in — Scott Li doing a night the room and of karaoke with then announced friends,’” Li said. who the five While Li loves to sing, he said he winners were — and Li wasn’t prefers doing it in smaller settings. one of them.

“I always enjoyed singing non“Honestly I was a little disapcompetition, especially in kind of pointed,” Li said.

Thinking nothing of it, he a smaller audience and things like went back to Houston and for- that,” he said.

The first round of the comgot about the competition.

A week later he received a petition included the top five phone call late at night asking if contestants from each state, with he was going to L.A. that Satur- 50 moving to the next round. Li

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

made it through.

Although Li said he’s usually comfortable singing, the stage and large crowd made his throat constrict and it was hard for him to perform. “(I thought), ‘Oh man, if my voice serves me as well as it did in the rehearsal then it will be no problem.’ Then it gets to the actual night-time, I end up getting real nervous and my voice ended up choking a little bit,” he said.

Li said the song he chose, “Innuendo” by Queen, wasn’t the best crowd-pleaser song. He ended up getting third place at the competition and didn’t advance to the next round.

“It wasn’t life changing or anything, but it was a fun experience.

I went more to have fun than to compete,” he said.

After competing in “Voice of China,” Li has gone on to compete in other events like UTDTV’s talent show, Comets Got Talent and at various festivals in the area. He said he hopes to continue to do so.

“I definitely want to perform more because it’s just fun,” Li said.

“I hate competing, but I love just going up to have fun.”

UTDMERCURY.COM

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THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

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SPORTS

SEPT. 19, 2016 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Home stretch Athletes optimistic about future once collegiate career ends

FALL SPORTS UPDATES VOLLEYBALL Volleyball opened up ASC Freshman

outside

hitter

play on Sept. 16 against Dylan Brinkman recorded a LeTourneau. The

Comets career high in kills and points

routed the Yellow Jackets in with 15 and 17.5, respectivestraight sets, 3-0. Standouts ly. The Comets (8-1, 1-0) are from the match included currently the No. 11 ranked freshman

setter

Caroline team in the country. Their

Shecterle who finished with only loss came at the hands 21 assists, a game high. of No. 5 Colorado College.

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Megan Mugavero (above and right) is serving as a team captain for the soccer team for a second straight season. She is one of four players graduating this year.

Konstanty said he has sought out advice from former teammates on dealing with his last year.

For senior forward Megan Mugavero “I’ve talked to Omar Jaroun, Brian and senior defender Sam Konstanty, this Childs and Travis White about it a bit, season is a season of lasts — last home who were my role models on the field game, last road trip and the last time as a younger player,” he said. “They they’ll take the field representing UTD. just encouraged me to enjoy my last At first, Konstanty didn’t try to year since the competition … is nearly make too much of the fact he was en- nonexistent after college.”

Mugavero said what she’ll miss the tering the final year of his collegiate most about her soccareer, but he said cer career is taking it has become inthe field with 30 of creasingly harder as (I) have constant her closest friends games pass. reminders that every night of the “(I) have conweek. She said she’s stant reminders that (my) career here trying to find some(my) career here is is almost over, thing else to fill the almost over, which which has turned vacancy that soccer has turned out to will leave behind. be more difficult to out to be more “One of my foraccept than I previdifficult to accept mer teammates told ously expected,” he me CrossFit is a said. “In terms of than I previously fun, good workout approach, I initially expected. to fill that competiwas focusing only on tive void,” she said. myself and working — Sam Konstanty, “From what I've hard to make sure I senior defender seen, you just have to had a great last seadive into your (proson to end on. As fessional) career and practices go by, I’m really just trying to enjoy this last sea- find new passions after your athletic son while working hard and encour- career ends.”

A 1-1 overtime thriller against Tyler aging our younger teammates since they will be the future of this team in 2014 quickly came to Mugavero’s mind as one of the most memorable after our seniors graduate.”

PABLO JUAREZ Sports Editor

moments she’s experienced in her time at UTD. She would end up notching the equalizer in front of a packed home crowd of 600 people.

But she said she would also like to be remembered for how she conducted herself on the field, beyond the goals and assists.

“My playing time here throughout my career has been very exciting with challenges and victories among them,” Mugavero said. “If someone looked back at my time here, I would want them to remember me as someone who was always fun to be around and could keep everyone calm on the field.”

For Konstanty, an event that sticks out from his playing time didn’t even happen on the field. “(My freshman year) I went to

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Senior middle blocker Michelle Toro (left) and freshman outside hitter Dylan Brinkman (right) await a serve from LeTourneau on Sept. 16.

SOCCER The men’s and women’s soc- ASC opener to the tune of 6-0. cer teams have gotten off to a The men’s team (2-3) has yet rough start, but will look to get to play an ASC opponent. In on track as they begin the ASC their first five games, they have portion of their schedule. The faced three opponents ranked women’s team (3-2, 1-0) de- in the top 25, two of which

→ SEE HOME STRETCH, PAGE 9 feated Howard Payne in their were in the top 10.

Cricket team temporarily loses field privileges Miscommunication, campus construction force club team to halt practices indefinitely while, new cricket field is being built ROMAN SORIANO Mercury Staff

Going into the third week of the semester, UTD’s cricket team is still without a practice field due to ongoing construction on the southwest side of campus.

Amogh Butta, a finance graduate student and the president of the cricket team said the group had previously spoken to Vice President of Student Affairs Gene Fitch about getting a new field. At the end of last semester, they were told their request had been approved and there were plans to build a new cricket field, meaning they would be unable to use their old field, Butta said.

He said it is a big deal that the team is getting a new field because they will finally be able to host home games.

“It’s a big thing, we don’t mind missing out on a semester (with a proper field) if it’s good for the college in the long term,” Butta said.

Communications Manager Chase York said an outside civil engineering company was designing a new field with input from students on the team, UTD Athletics and Student Affairs.

The company is still in the process of finalizing the design for the field, York said.

“We wanted AstroTurf because it is better suited for cricket, the ball bounces better,” Butta said. “And we wanted it to be leveled out, the old field had ditches and was never properly level.”

This month Student Affairs will begin requesting bids from contractors, and

ROMAN SORIANO | MERCURY STAFF

Sudhindra Nekkanti (left) and Amogh Butta are among members of the cricket team left without a field to practice on. Team representatives said they haven't practiced since the beginning of the semester.

once they select a contractor, construction will begin, York said. The new field should be ready by spring 2017 and will be next to Lot U, she said.

Butta said the group was told at the end of last semester they would be able to use the soccer fields in the mean-

time, but due to complications, the team hasn’t practiced at all since the start of the semester.

“Last semester we had three practice sessions a week, six hours a week” Butta said. “(This semester we are) not able to practice at all.”

The reason they have been unable to get a soccer field, Butta said, stems from the team’s officers missing the initial student leadership meeting at the beginning of the semester because the email meant to inform them was sent to last year’s officers.

As a result of missing this orientation, they lost field privileges, which means they cannot reserve any fields.

They are also not allowed to play any away games or use state funds.

→ SEE CRICKET, PAGE 9

UTDMERCURY.COM → CRICKET

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

In order to get these privileges back, have to make up for missing the orientation by taking a written test about club management.

Butta said they have been unable to take the test because they have yet to receive the date for it.

Every club that missed the initial meeting takes it at the same time, but they have not been told when it will be administered.

Butta said he did not expect to be facing these issues and finding out they had lost field privileges was a shock, but he remains determined.

“I’m just hoping we can get our field privileges back and start practicing as soon as possible,” he said.

According to the team’s vice president, Sudhindra Nekkanti, a systems engineering graduate student, the temporary use of soccer fields isn’t ideal for cricket.

SPORTS

“For cricket, you need a hard “We can get an idea of how surface, it’s usually concrete good a player is, you can’t get a with a mat on top. The ball complete picture, but you can get needs to bounce on a hard sur- to know the player,” Butta said. face and on grass that’s not posThe team won the National sible,” Nekkanti said.

Championships last year on Butta said playing on the soc- March 15 against Drexel Unicer fields also versity when the makes it more club was only challenging for three months I’m just hopthem to judge old. This year, ing we can get how skilled new the South players are.

West Regional our field priviChampionship “ T h e re’s leges back and is in November three different start practicing and nationaspects, batals takes place ting, bowling as soon as posin March over and fielding. sible. spring break.

(The) problem is that with the “Even though — Amogh Butta, we lost regionals soccer fields, you can only cricket team president last year, we were judge the fieldstill ranked numing, and you ber one accordcan’t judge how good a bats- ing to the college cricket board,” man they are or how good a Butta said. “But now I don’t bowler they are,” Butta said. think we deserve that ranking Fielding is still an important as- because we don’t have any pracpect of Cricket, and the team plans tice, and we’re going to have to to make do with what they have. build the team from scratch.”

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

9

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. CONCORDIA Women's soccer looks to remain unbeaten in ASC play

September 22, 5 PM, UTD Soccer Field MEN’S SOCCER VS. CONCORDIA Men's soccer begins the conference portion of their schedule

September 22, 7:30 PM, UTD Soccer Field VOLLEYBALL VS. EAST TEXAS BAPTIST Volleyball takes on familiar foe East Texas Baptist

September 27, 7 PM, Main Gym → HOME STRETCH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

The women’s soccer team gathers on the field after a 1-0 win against Carroll University on Sept. 9.

This year, the team is poised to break their ASC title drought, which has been going on for 11 years.

a steakhouse with some of the upperclassmen on our preseason trip to California,” he said. “That night was amazing for me as it helped me feel like a part of the starting team and really made me less nervous to play with those upperclassmen who can be intimidating as a freshman.”

Despite all the fun trips and hard fought games, Konstanty said nothing quite compared to winning the ASC tournament last year.

“After (Joe Weber) saved that last penalty against Tyler there was just a feeling of elation and every guy on the team was screaming and laughing,” he said. “It was definitely the most united we had ever been and it was simply an amazing feeling that can’t quite be put

into words.”

Konstanty admitted he was never the most skillful or flashiest player on the team, but he said he played his role and put in the effort every time he took the field. He said he’ll miss competing alongside his teammates the most.

“I know (that) after this season it will feel weird not seeing my teammates every day,” he said.

10

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

NEWS

UTDMERCURY.COM

UPCOMING EVENTS COMETS ROCK THE VOTE

ONE O’CLOCK LAB BAND

Get registered to vote and enjoy music and food.

Check out a Grammy-nominated ensemble from UNT

Sept. 21, 7-9 PM, RHW Courtyard

Sept. 23, 8 PM, ATC 1.102

TEXAS PARTY

22 PUSH-UP CHALLENGE

Join in on some traditional Texas fun.

Show your support for veterans by participating in the challenge.

Sept. 24, 7-10 PM, SU

Sept. 28, 12-2 PM, Chess Plaza

COMICS&GAMES

BUNNIES ARE RUDE

SEPT. 19, 2016 | THE MERCURY

SAVED IT

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PARKING TICKETS

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PROFESSOR SYMPATHY

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CAMPUS LAUNDRY

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FANIMALS

THE MAZE

START

KEVIN VANHORN | MERCURY STAFF

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THE MERCURY | SEPT. 19, 2016

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Kalidindi said. “Most of the students coming for graduate studies are international students, which are not aware about the businesses around campus.”

To put events on the application, they hand pick information from social media, the Comet Calendar and OrgSync.

“The quality of data might not be that good if it’s a computer run program,” said Kurani, a supply chain management graduate student.

To verify event information, they then call each organization to confirm the date and time.

“All the things that are in the app are verified events,” Achanta said.

“Whatever comes to UNIBEES, it is legit. You can trust us on that part.”

Users can sync events from UNIBEES onto their Google calendars and can pin the exact location of an event with their phone’s map application, Kalidindi said.

“The beauty of our app is if a particular student is an international student and he is new to this university, our app navigates the student to the location,” he said.

While it only took them two months to create the app, Achanta said this did not come without complications.

Since all three of the co-founders are business students without a strong background in computer science, he said they hired an application developer to work with them on UNIBEES. During development, they ran into some issues with time differences since their developer was in India. Their app was also sent back

by Apple for re-evaluation when it had already launched on the Android system because it said “beta” on the landing page.

“Whenever we have an issue, we have to revamp our entire design and the developer has to do that too,” Achanta said.

Ultimately, Kalidindi said the application fits their vision but they plan to add improvements like a point reward system and the ability for student organizations to add events by themselves over the coming months.

“Right now the app is vanilla and we are planning to put some sprinkles and some chocolate on it,” Kalidindi said.

After talking with Jeremy Vickers, the executive director of the

NEWS

Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UTD, Kalidindi said they decided to join the Venture Development Center’s incubator program to help their business grow.

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship created the VDC and it serves to help members of UTD create businesses, said Olia Bosovik, the assistant director of the VDC. “Our mission and vision is to help companies started by students, faculty (and) alumni turn their vision into enterprise,” she said.

Since coming up with the idea for UNIBEES last year, the business has grown with the implementation of a working app and an active user base.

“Looking at our progress, (Vickers) decided that we needed an office space, mentorship and resources,” Kalidindi said.

Once UNIBEES moved into the office space in the Research Operations Center across Waterview Parkway, Kalidindi said the different types of businesses working in the space surprised him. He said research labs were located directly across from business desks, with people working on ideas from 3D printers to drones.

FALL BASH

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Rohit Khanna (left), an information technology and management graduate student, performs with Vyas Vaibhav, also an ITM graduate student, at the Indian Student Association’s annual Fall Bash. It was held on Sept. 17 and featured several events, including a fashion show and dance performances.

UTDMERCURY.COM

ANKITH AVERINENI | MERCURY STAFF

Sanjay Kurani (center), a supply chain management graduate student, said the UNIBEES team hopes to expand the app’s user base to universities across Texas by December 2017.

“The space is really nice and the beauty about it is that it has such diversity,” he said.

As UNIBEES grows, Kurani said the team is looking toward

expanding the application to other Texas universities by December 2017 to help those students find deals on their campuses.

“We feel that there is a defi-

nite need for such an application in other universities as well,” Kalidindi said. “We are very excited for what’s in store for us in the future.”