It’s been one year since The Retrograde was born after UTD administration’s crackdown against former student newspaper The Mercury. Instead of buckling to the university’s demands for us to censor our critical and investigative coverage, we started our own independent publication by students, for students.
And what a first year we’ve had.
In our first year, we:
- Received over 1.5 million views across our social media accounts and website, something The Mercury had never accomplished in the past.
- Published 221 articles covering everything from student protests to local art and music, to how sexual assaults are covered up on campus, to how state and federal laws are redefining life at UTD.
- Became a nonprofit so we can manage our own affairs without administration’s ever-watchful eye over our shoulder.
And…
- Joined a lawsuit against the UT System to oppose Senate Bill 2972, a law restricting campus free speech.
- Made our Managing Editor president of Texas student journalists to start building our own version of the Associated Press.
- Created new university policies to make our school more just.
- Published over 2,000 pages of public records that revealed key details about the May 1, 2024 student encampment and arrests.
As massive changes continue sweeping through Texas and the U.S. at large, The Retrograde will be out in the field covering the good and the bad, and especially the things people in power don’t want you to know. Here’s to many more years of sharp-eyed campus journalism that doesn’t hesitate to ask tough questions, even if it makes us some powerful enemies.
The Retrograde appreciates your support over this past year. If you have any suggestions for how to improve our coverage, reach out via direct message or email us at retrogradenews@gmail.com.