In defense of YA

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • January 12, 2026

Senior Columnist Arista Rail argues in defense of young adult novels as a way to learn and diversify our perspectives through an easy-to-digest form of literature. 

Donate following the government shutdown

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • December 2, 2025

Senior Columnist Arista Rail encourages students to consider donating this holiday season, given the aftermath of the government shutdown and the increased needs of food banks.

Inclusividad del aprendizaje del lenguaje

Arista Rail and Noemi Castanon • November 18, 2025

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 05 de noviembre de 2025 por Arista Rail y fue traducido al español por Noemi Castanon el 7 de Noviembre. A muchos estudiantes de UT se...

Inclusivity of language learning

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • November 5, 2025

Senior columnist Arista Rail argues for students to maintain their language skills after taking the mandatory classes.

Pursuing a teaching career in a deteriorating system

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • October 22, 2025

Senior columnist Arista Rail shares her personal experience pursuing a post-grad teaching career.

Academic freedom at UT continues to decline

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • October 2, 2025

Senior columnist Arista Rail argues that the administration of UT should better support its professors in pursuit of freedom of speech and academic freedom.

Professors, go offline

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • January 19, 2025

Senior columnist Arista Rail argues that professors should offer offline aspects as part of their class.

Forced intimacy with a disability

Arista Rail, Columnist • November 5, 2024

Senior columnist Arista Rail talks about her experience with the constant need to overshare and depend on others due to her disability.

Practice political literacy within social media

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • October 27, 2024

Senior columnist Arista Rail argues that students should avoid acquiring all their political information from social media.

Reflecting on Deaf Awareness Month

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • October 1, 2024

Senior columnist Arista Rail argues that students should take advantage of Deaf Awareness Month to learn more about the deaf community.

Create more accessible classrooms

Arista Rail, Senior Columnist • September 22, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail argues that professors should create a more inclusive space through multiple points of access.

Set boundaries with roommates early

Arista Rail, Columnist • August 26, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail urges students to set boundaries before conflict arises with roommates.

Pets deserve your consideration

Arista Rail, Columnist • July 16, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail discusses the importance of research before adopting a pet.

Mental health advocacy must exist in classrooms

Arista Rail, Columnist • April 23, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail argues that professors should be more open and straightforward when discussing mental health.

Offer more sexual education resources

Arista Rail, Columnist • April 23, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail discusses the importance of UHS offering more sexual education resources to fill the gap left by high school health classes.

Overcoming anxiety about discussing disabilities

Arista Rail, Columnist • March 25, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail discusses the importance of overcoming the discomfort of approaching individuals with disabilities.

Aid Student Orgs in the Disability Landscape

Arista Rail, Columnist • March 6, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail argues that the Office of the Dean of Students should help educate student orgs about accommodations and accessibility.

Being lowercase deaf

Arista Rail, Columnist • February 29, 2024

Columnist Arista Rail shares her experience as a deaf student on campus, navigating communities.

Volunteer at the LBJ Wildflower Center

Arista Rail, Columnist • November 29, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail encourages students to volunteer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to gain valuable career skills.

Caffeine: friend or foe?

Arista Rail, Columnist • November 27, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail urges FIGs to cover the impacts of caffeine consumption.

Student organizations should plan donation drives with UT Outpost

Arista Rail, Columnist • November 15, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail urges student organizations to plan donation drives with UT Outpost to further support the community.

Disability Access and Belonging Month: an opportunity to learn

Arista Rail, Columnist • October 10, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail argues that spirit groups should attend Disability Cultural Center events to spread awareness about Disability Access and Belonging Month.

Discussing disabilities: an avoided topic

Arista Rail, Columnist • September 29, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail shares her personal story on communicating disabilities and encourages more discussion.

Closed captions: Stepping stones for more accessibility

Arista Rail, Columnist • September 26, 2023

Columnist Arista Rail argues that closed captions should become more accessible in classes to create a more welcoming environment.