As Mavericks walked through the University Center mall Wednesday, they were greeted by multiple organizations and clubs during the Activity Fair Day and Maverick Cookout. The event invited students to meet face-to-face with UTA organizations, departments and clubs, which showcased their services and involvement opportunities. This year, about 300 organizations and 10 vendors participated in the fair, said Tristian Brooks, student activities coordinator in the Office of Student Organizations. “It is proven that getting involved in a student organization helps with retention and overall satisfaction with having a good time at the university,” Brooks said. Chris Choi, president of the Korean Student Association, said the organization’s goal at the fair was to reach new Mavericks on campus and encourage students to join and enjoy themselves throughout the year. Choi said events like the activity fair are important because they give organizations a chance to introduce themselves without pulling students away from school. The event also gave the group a boost in recruitment. The UTA Wranglers are a spirit organization that supports Maverick athletic teams, said Jaysen Johnson. The Wranglers use the annual event to connect with new students and boost game attendance. Johnson said his favorite part of the fair was seeing all the different organizations and groups adding up every year and the diversity the campus offers. Ayehush Assefa said she attended the activity fair after she noticed students gathering and that she'd been wanting to learn more about UTA organizations. Assefa said she visited every table at the fair and found each group unique in its own way. “I love this so much. I think it’s very helpful, and I’m glad UTA is doing this,” she said. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Dozens of protesters gathered outside Esports Stadium Arlington throughout Tuesday and Wednesday in response to a mass U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hiring fair. The hiring event comes as part of ICE’s recent expansion initiative, which has continued ramping up nationwide, bolstered by revamped hiring benefits and patriot-centered marketing. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also recently waived the age cap for new ICE applicants. The agency’s recruitment efforts reinforce preexisting tensions caused by President Donald Trump’s increased deportation rates and strong immigration policies. In January, Trump signed an executive order tightening immigration laws to remove illegal immigrants from the U.S. The order states that unlawful immigrants pose significant threats to national security and public safety. On Wednesday, several protesters came together in a lot across from the esports stadium, where they confronted and criticized attendees entering the venue for the ICE hiring. Eddie Delgado, Fort Worth Area Indivisible member, 44, said many people in the community are beginning to take a stand against the mass deportations. “We need to protect Black and brown people. We need to protect our communities, and we can't have this anymore,” Delgado said. “For them to hold a recruiting event to try to recruit 1,000 people in the DFW area, it's obvious what's about to happen in this area.” He also criticized ICE’s hiring incentives. “They can afford $50,000 sign-on bonuses, but they can't afford to pay for school lunches for kids. They can't afford health care for people. They're taking away Medicare,” Delgado said. Arlington resident Teresa Dunham, 65, like several others, shouted criticisms from across the street at attendees walking into the hiring fair. She called it “the walk of shame.” Dunham said ICE’s goal to expand is an intimidation tactic and that the agency is not following the proper legal process before taking people into custody. Antonio Rodriguez, Brown Berets NTX member, said the protest is for people to stand up to defend themselves and defend their human rights. “The time is now,” Rodriguez said. A counterprotester was also present in support of ICE, but declined to speak with The Shorthorn. ICE’s new initiatives gained funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law in July. The act provides $165 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for causes such as hiring additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, increasing capacity at ICE detention facilities and funding ICE’s new hiring incentives. Over 80,000 people applied to join ICE in less than a week after the new incentives were announced, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release. The agency also recently began using Uncle Sam in recruitment posters, evoking imagery of World War I U.S. Army recruitment posters. One ad calls for former Department of Homeland Security workers to “return to mission.” “The amount of interest in working for ICE is unprecedented. We’ve never seen numbers like this before,” said acting ICE director Todd Lyons in a press release. “We’re looking to hire thousands of patriotic Americans who care about justice, accountability and the rule of law, and we know Arlington is a great place to start.” @PMalkomes @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Clarification: Over 1,000 bills were signed, not passed, into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. Only the legislature passes bills. Over 1,000 bills were signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott from the 89th regular legislative session, which finished June 2. Over 800 new laws will go into effect Sept. 1. While all of the laws put into effect after this session will have an impact on society and individual lives, several of these bills will directly affect the lives of students and faculty in higher education. The Shorthorn compiled a list of several laws going into effect Sept. 1 that might impact students and universities. HB 102 This bill states that institutions of higher education that provide early registration for courses and programs to any group of students are now required to include students enrolled in a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, in a corps of cadets or in a maritime academy. HB 4848 This bill aims to expand flexible and affordable degree pathways to better align with workforce demands and nontraditional student needs by requiring university systems in Texas to offer competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in at least one institution. The total student cost for participating will be capped at no more than half the average cost of attendance and will be adjusted to annual inflation. SB 37 This bill provides that faculty councils or senates at public institutions of higher education be abolished unless they meet certain criteria. SB 769 This bill instructs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study and report on the state of students with disabilities in Texas colleges and universities, including barriers to admission, total enrollment levels, availability of accommodations and related school policies. SB 800 This bill will require universities to provide a video on the institution’s Title IX office contact information, location, coordinators’ names and available services. The video must also cover how to report sexual assault to the institution. Universities will also be required to print the national suicide prevention lifeline, the crisis text line and the national sexual assault hotline contact information on future IDs. SB 1273 This bill will establish the Higher Education Research Security Council with the intention of promoting secure academic research at tier one research institutions while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and interference. The council will meet quarterly to develop state-wide research security protocols, establish accreditation for security excellence, create an annual training program for tier one universities and submit an annual report to the relevant committees and the attorney general of Texas. SB 1401 This bill will establish the Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program, with the intention for institutions to develop pipeline programs to provide clear, guided pathways for students who transfer to participating institutions to pursue a baccalaureate degree, postbaccalaureate degree or certificate in various mental health professions. SB 1534 The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will conduct a study identifying the gaps in health physics education and training provided by higher education and assessing workforce needs in the nuclear energy and radiological safety sectors. SB 2431 This bill requires private and public universities to build on existing study abroad programs and provide an option where participating students in the program can earn the allotted foreign language credit required by the institution. SB 2615 This bill will restrict remote work for employees of public institutions of higher education, allowing faculty to work from home only under certain conditions, such as illness, disability or when their role does not require consistent in-person engagement. SB 2972 This bill, also known as the “Campus Protection Act,” addresses free speech by allowing universities to restrict protests, speeches and wearing facial coverings or masks during expressive activities. It could call for people engaging in expressive activities on campuses to present proof of identification and status at the university. SB 2995 With this bill, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop a financial aid displacement advisory detailing common reasons for aid displacement and how students can avoid aid displacement. It aims to ensure students are prepared in the event of aid displacement. It will require universities to include information on how to apply for aid, a timeline for the process and deadlines and contact information on the admission forms stating where the student may seek advice regarding aid. SB 3039 This bill is intended to provide more transparency for transferring students by requiring institutions to identify existing barriers and emerging issues for students. It will require institutions to detail their goals to increase the number, success and persistence of transfer students, as well as the institution’s actions to serve current and prospective transfer students. Institutions will be required to include on their website the five majors with the highest number of courses for which academic credit is denied or not applied, and an analysis of the institution’s performance regarding application and admission rates, financial aid awarded, the projected time to complete an academic program and baccalaureate graduation rates. @ATClements03 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

A brush slowly moved across the canvas, creating a backdrop of pinks, whites and blues, crafting mountains, sunsets, grassy pastures and trees. Dressed as Bob Ross, Graham Spencer, Fellowship of Christian University Students pastor, led about 140 students during the Bob Ross painting night Monday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Prior to the event, Spencer watched one of Ross’ videos to prepare for the role, taking note of his mannerisms and speech patterns. “I’m not great at his accent or voice, but it feels very natural to say the things that he says,” Spencer said. He said his favorite part about playing the character is that Ross was a positive person. While canvases were provided, some painted on different materials. Automotive engineering sophomore Ahmed Alzayabi painted his landscape, titled “Monday Morning,” on a paper towel. An image of green grass, trees, a stick figure and a golden sun overtook the tiny sliver of the paper towel. Alzayabi said he based the painting on a regular Monday morning. He said he saw what everyone else was doing and wanted to paint something different. Although many did not come with a background in painting, some did have a technique. Emily Long, resource and energy engineering junior, said she wanted her piece to be more impressionistic. “I’m going to make blobs more than more detailed realism painting,” Long said. Laughter and conversation filled the air as attendees showed one another their paintings. Long said events like the painting night give individuals an activity to do together while taking the edge off. As the night went on, Spencer gave many Ross-isms, one being, “Tap, tap, tap.” Long said she loves Ross’ quote: “We don’t make mistakes; we just have happy little accidents.” “When you embrace failure with that kind of attitude, you are much more free to make mistakes, and you’re also free to be innovative,” Long said. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With the fall semester underway, the university is working on construction projects to update classrooms, labs and other campus spaces. Don Lange, facilities and campus operations assistant vice president, said the university’s goal is to ensure its buildings are designed to support research, student success and academic needs. “Just staying stagnant doesn’t grow our ability to do better and make better,” Lange said. UTA has several construction projects underway. Life Science Building Construction on the Life Science Building began in 2023 with the intent to expand and renovate the existing facility. Lange said the building is scheduled to open in December 2027 for classes to begin in 2028. According to The UT System’s fiscal year 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program budget, the cost of the project is about $182.87 million. Lange said the renovation includes two new classroom types. One will feature a round setup with only six to eight rows, with space for the instructor in the center for more personal interaction with students. The other is a multifunction room that is elevated with fixed seating and tables. The project will also include several research and teaching labs, mechanical and electrical upgrades, plumbing improvements and several code-compliance updates. One of the unique additions is a fermentation lab in the north section of the building where students will be able to brew beer, Lange said. UTA West The new building will be a new 51.1-acre campus in western Fort Worth, according to previous Shorthorn reporting, and is still in the design stage. Lange said infrastructure work will start in December, while construction on the first building is expected to start in February 2026. The project is expected to finish by spring 2028, in time for fall classes. University Center The University Center is also in the design stage for major construction and renovation. Lange said the building has undergone several renovations in the past and has multiple inefficient spaces. The UT System’s fiscal year 2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program budget lists the project cost at $175 million. The project aims to create a more efficient building with more usable square footage, updated equipment and energy-saving systems. Construction timelines are not yet finalized, but the project was approved in 2024 and is expected to finish by mid-2028, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. Maverick drone facility The Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center at the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute in Fort Worth, a $2.3 million project, according to previous Shorthorn reporting, is set to open during the fall semester. Construction began in spring 2025 and is now complete, with a grand opening set for Sept. 16. Because the 120-by-150-foot structure is fully enclosed with nets, it counts as “indoors” under Federal Aviation Administration rules, so large-scale autonomous flights can be done without a certified pilot for each drone. Principal research scientist Nicholas Gans said the motivation behind the project was to give students and faculty a safe environment for researching the use of drones. The facility has a motion capture camera system that can track drones, vehicles or people with high accuracy. Gans said the project strengthens UTA’s ability to win major research grants from agencies such as NASA and the Department of Defense. It will also allow collaboration with local businesses. “There’s no other university that has a facility like this,” he said. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Focus, a campus ministry at UTA, is hosting a Bob Ross painting night from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the University Center. Focus pastor Graham Spencer will be leading the event, donned in a Bob Ross costume. Eventgoers are also encouraged to dress as Ross, Spencer said. “I would love if other people showed up as Bob Ross,” he said. Focus will provide all the supplies, including 4-by-4-inch square canvases. Spencer will lead through one of Ross’ classic videos. After the video, there will be a break followed by free painting time. “People don’t have to have any skills; they don’t need to have any supplies. We bring that all and then it’s just about having fun and connecting,” Spencer said. Focus became a registered campus organization in 2015. It is part of a wider network of churches and ministries in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Denton areas. Participants gather weekly in student-led small groups called “Cores” where they share life, pray and read the Bible. “Just want people to know that they have a place on campus to be seen,” Spencer said. “And if it’s something as silly as a Bob Ross painting, I hope they can connect with people.” @ATClements03 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu