- Mailing Address
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1155 Union Circle
#311277
Denton, Texas 76203 - Phone
- (940) 565-2681
- Email address
- gograd@unt.edu
- Website
- https://www.unt.edu/
- School Information
- "Established in 1890, the University of North Texas thrives as a Tier One public research university with nearly 41,000 students and a path to any career. As we’ve grown into one of the nation’s largest public universities, our impact has grown, but we’ve never lost sight of our beginnings above a hardware store on the Denton square." (Source: https://www.unt.edu/about-unt). The university offers 109 bachelor's degrees, 94 master's degrees, and 36 doctoral degrees. The student to faculty ratio is 24 to 1.
- General Information
- In response to the death of George Floyd, the University of North Texas at Denton has set many goals. This involves required training for all students, faculty, and staff. The university hopes to incorporate required sessions and programming at new student orientations as well. In addition, the university is planning on requiring implicit bias training of UNT PD and plans to divest from Denton PD. Notably, the university hopes to enact diversity course requirements of all students. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
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The Division of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access offers various "Diversity and Inclusion Training" programs online.
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In Fall 2020, UNT created the "UNiTing Race Relations" program which separates participates by "INTRAgroups" and then reconvenes as "INTERgroups."
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"Faculty Success" created the "Anti-Bias and Cultural Awareness Program." In Fall 2020, this program trained over 2,000 faculty and staff.
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As part of the "Moving Forward Together" plan, UNT created a Strategic Plan. This plan seeks to implement training programs for all members of the university. Sessions for "diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence" will be required of students at orientation.
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As of June 2020, "President Smatresk and university leaders worked together to begin identifying needed training and developed an actionable plan for training at all levels – from first-year students to faculty and staff."
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Starting with the 2020-2021 year, UNT hopes to "require a cultural competency course of all its students in either a first-year seminar or as a standalone course integrated within Orientation and Transition Programs." This cultural competency training will also be required of faculty and staff.
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- Curriculum Changes and Requirements
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The UNT history department created a new History Antiracism syllabus in response to George Floyd's death. This course includes one of the several texts written by Ibram X. Kendi, an author who is notable for his book, "How to Be an Antiracist."
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UNT might decide to require diversity and anti-racist curriculum.
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- Program and Research Funding
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In June 25, 2020, the UNT Staff Senate Executive Committee called upon the President to engage in its action plan, "Moving Forward Together" for "Improving Diversity and Inclusion on Campus." This was submitted as part of UNT's Black Lives Matter initiatives.
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UNT hopes to create a Diversity Council that will convene every semester "to monitor and review the university's progress toward racial and ethnic equity."
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- Resources
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The Office of Diversity and Inclusion's mission is: "The University of North Texas Office of Diversity and Inclusion facilitates the development of a socially just and intentionally inclusive environment for the university community through Cultural Humility and Inclusion, Education and Identity Development, and Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships." The office provides many resources as a commitment to its mission.
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On August 7, 2023, Legal Insurrection published an article titled "University of North Texas Dissolves the DEI Office," which discusses how UNT has become the first "Texas university to publicly announce the dismantling of its DEI offices following the passage of SB 17.” According to LI, "In the wake of the Texas Legislature passing a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and pressure from elected state officials, many universities have had to grapple with shuttering the doors of their social justice-focused departments."
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