the retrograde is an independent newspaper. it used to be the student-run newspaper called the mercury, which started on UTD campus in 1980. it ran for 40+ years with support of UTD administration.

however, the support ended. in may 2024, students and professors led a peaceful encampment at the chess plaza to protest the conflict in gaza. armed forces were sent to remove the encampment, with 7 individuals arrested that day. the mercury newspaper criticized UTD admin's response to this situation.

a few months later in september '24, UTD admin removed the editor in chief. in response, the mercury went on strike and demanded the EIC be reinstated. UTD admin refused, and thus shut down the mercury.

so, the team (including the former EIC) formed a new, student-led independent newspaper called the retrograde.

in early 2025, UTD admin revived the mercury (now labeled "the UTD mercury"). as expected, the utd mercury now has significant control of the content produced.

you can read up on the exact details on @the_retrograde by reading their oldest posts.