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UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

UTD's student-run newspaper since 1980

The UTD Mercury

The new contract, which was finalized in March, requires more rigorous background checks for Chartwells employees and increases profits for Auxiliary Services. Photo by Anna Phengsakmueang | Mercury Staff.

Auxiliary Services renews contract with Chartwells

April 29, 2019

University officials are working with Chartwells to implement a new eight-year food service contract, with an option to extend it for a full 12 years.  Bryce Brownlee, UTD’s director of the...

Graphic by Chiamaka Mgboji | Mercury Staff.

Select Chartwells employees to hold union election in May

April 16, 2019

Editor's Note: This article has been updated since its original publication. After a months-long organizing effort, certain Chartwells workers will be able to participate...

Letter to the Editor: Dining Services values community voices

April 15, 2019

A series of articles has been published by The Mercury this year about the university’s food service contractor, Chartwells. We value this input, and we have consistently encouraged dialogue with students...

Eight of 10 Chartwells employees who spoke to The Mercury said they did not receive state-mandated food safety training in a timely manner. Photo by Nikita Bantey | Mercury Staff.

Chartwells workers allege lack of food safety training

February 25, 2019

Management claims all associates receive ongoing training during employment Following student concerns about food safety, The Mercury obtained evidence that suggests many Chartwells workers did not...

Students can text 972-808-5028 to address concerns or give suggestions to Dining Services management. Photo by Medha Somisetty | Mercury Staff.

Chartwells launches feedback platform

January 28, 2019

In response to a rising number of student suggestions and complaints regarding dining on campus, UTD Dining Services created a messaging portal to allow students to anonymously provide feedback on all...

The new gaming cafe in The Pub features access to Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles for students to play free of charge. Photo by Noah Whitehead | Photo Editor.

Pub to feature gaming lounge

January 14, 2019

Game consoles, TV screens installed to enable student gamers to socialize Citing a surge of interest in esports along with the creation of a dedicated esports team earlier last year, the Student Union...

Photo courtesy of Reddit.

Students report raw, moldy food at on-campus eateries

January 14, 2019

Richardson Health Department conducts inspections of Dining Hall West, IHOP Express to address numerous complaints A series of posts on UTD’s subreddit featured pictures of moldy food and raw chicken...

Food service workers accuse Chartwells management of misconduct

Food service workers accuse Chartwells management of misconduct

January 14, 2019

Food service workers accuse Chartwells management of misconduct Editor’s Note: The Mercury’s publication of a Dec. 3 report, in which former and current Chartwells workers alleged verbal abuse, unfair...

Chartwells chef Michael Tyler made wild mushroom bisque at the November session of Teaching Kitchen, a monthly food series hosted by Dining Services. Photo by Noah Whitehead | Photo Editor.

Dining Services offers interactive cooking lessons

December 3, 2018

Every month, Dining Hall West hosts the Teaching Kitchen, an event where DHW chefs show students how to prepare a meal. This meal is dependent on the super food of the month. This month, DHW chefs demonstrated how...

UTD Dining Services is spearheading an effort to allow students to donate up to two of their meal swipes per semester to other students who need it. Photo by Nadine Omeis | Mercury Staff.

Unused meal exchanges find new purpose

December 3, 2018

Student Government and Dining Services teamed up to create a meal swipe donation program to help combat food insecurity on campus. With close to 22 percent of college students facing very low levels...

Graphic by Carolina Alvarez | Mercury Staff.

Chartwells workers move to unionize

December 3, 2018

Food service workers across campus are seeking to unionize amid allegations of wage withholding, harassment and other unfair labor practices against Chartwells, the primary food service provider at UTD. In...

The Kinaara section of The Market on the upper level of the SU has a rotating menu of Indian dishes such as biryani and butter chicken served throughout the week. Photo by Pavan Tauh | Mercury Staff.

Classic Indian cuisine comes to campus

October 29, 2018

Chartwells partnered with Kinaara, a local restaurant, to provide halal Indian food options at The Market of the Student Union. The Market, the SU eatery previously known as Outtakes, introduced the...

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