Messages to the UNT Community

All communications were originally published on the Office of the President's page.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Great news for our international community and UNT – An Official Notice from the President

Dear UNT community members,

Many of you likely have heard that the Department of Homeland Security decided to rescind guidance issued last week requiring international students to take at least one on-campus class in order to be enrolled at any U.S. university. I know this reversal relieves a huge burden placed on our international students during what is already a trying time.

As one of the first university presidents to support the amicus brief filed to protect these students, I am incredibly grateful that these students will have the opportunity to continue their studies uninterrupted. Our caring faculty and staff already had jumped into action to help our international students work through options to adjust their schedules to meet this requirement by enrolling in available face-to-face and hybrid courses, but I know this was causing unneeded stress.

All of our students – regardless of where they call home – are an important part of our campus community and absolutely deserve to have the same educational opportunities offered in our country. I am extremely proud of the diversity and perspectives these students add to our campus community – from enriching classroom discussions and campus activities to filling valuable roles as teaching and research assistants or serving on our research teams.

As we move forward, we will continue to support and care for our international students and help ensure they are able to progress toward their academic goals. Thank you to all of our students, faculty and staff who are supportive of each other and work toward creating a truly enriching global environment that values collaboration, creativity and innovation.

UNT Proud,

Neal Smatresk
UNT President

Monday, June 1, 2020
We Must Stand Together – An Official Notice from the President

Dear UNT faculty and staff,

We are all deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events that led to the murder of George Floyd. Once again, we ask why an unarmed black man was killed by a police officer while colleagues looked on without intervening. People of color and white allies everywhere in our country have shown their shock and outrage through protests, and the collective rage people feel has led to more violent actions while we wait for answers. But no answers have been given.

Thoughtful people everywhere want to see justice and racial equity, and we all hope and pray for an end to the bitter institutional racism to which we all bear witness. While there have been cries of condemnation for these horrific events, there has not been a cohesive national dialogue, and I fear the violent reactions we see are creating yet deeper divides.

For some of our community members, these events feel all too familiar and there is concern that this could happen to them. Here in Denton, and at UNT, we are not immune to the challenges that the Black Community and law enforcement are facing. A former Black student was stopped at night last week by our campus police for not having a safety light on his bike. After our police confirmed that he had an outstanding warrant, this young man attempted to flee and was arrested after a brief struggle. This is an all too common scene in modern America and calls for all of us to do better as we negotiate the nexus of law enforcement and fear.

In the fog of peaceful protests and with cities in flames, most of us are isolated from our normal campus connections and, lacking normal dialogue, we respond by listening to emotionally charged and often inaccurate social media. We take sides, and it becomes so easy to “like” or comment in ways that dehumanize those whose views don’t match our own.

Before the COVID-19 crisis, we started to take a harder look at our culture, and the impact of discrimination and racism on our campus. That dialogue, and the healthy response to becoming a more intentionally inclusive campus, largely stopped as we took on yet another crisis. Today, I am calling on everyone in our community to show our caring and compassionate values. It is a time to come together – to listen – and to have the difficult and uncomfortable conversations we need to become the inclusive and caring community we aspire to be.

This week, I am inviting our community to rekindle these discussions. Our university will host two Black Lives Matter President’s Virtual Town Halls with the first one set for students from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 5. The second one is for faculty and staff and will be hosted from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. The discussions will be framed around the three questions: How are we feeling? How does this relate to my experience at UNT? How can we move forward? Community members can ask questions during the event or send me questions in advance to untpresident@unt.edu.

As a higher education community, we want peace and racial justice as we continue honestly reckoning with our past. I hope you will join me and other campus leaders in this critical conversation that will help us return to campus as a stronger, more united community that celebrates our diversity, caring nature and commitment to a community where everyone feels equally valued.

Respectfully,

Neal Smatresk
UNT President

March 19, 2020
UNT community won’t tolerate harassment - An Official Notice from the President

Dear UNT community members,

Amid growing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 infections across the world and the United States, there has been an increase in the number of reports regarding stereotyping, harassment, and bullying directed toward students and faculty perceived to be of Chinese-American or, more generally, Asian descent. It is important for us to pause for a moment and consider how our thoughts, our words, and our actions influence others in our community who are equally affected by this global health crisis.

As we all know, words can hurt, and can substantially interfere with our students' educational access and our employees’ work opportunities. UNT will not tolerate harassing behavior toward our community members who are or may appear to be of Asian descent. Let me be clear when I state that this is not who we are as a community.

As we move into online instruction, we expect UNT students, faculty, staff, and administrators to refrain from any identity-based jokes, slurs, harassment, or exclusion against any member of the Mean Green Family. The UNT policy on “Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation” is still in effect despite these new ways of learning and working and will be enforced. Should you experience or witness a violation of this policy committed by a student, we encourage you to report it to the Dean of Students Office at report.unt.edu. Suspected violations committed by faculty or staff members should be reported to Equal Opportunity.

Now more than ever, it's important that we live our mission and our values: to be a caring community that creates and maintains an inclusive and equitable learning and working environment for collaborative educational innovation. In this time of crisis, it is essential that we are ever more vigilant in our commitment to these values.

UNT remains committed to being a caring community for all its students and employees and committed to building a world where all of humanity is treated with dignity and respect.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
UNT President

January 13, 2020
An Official Message from the President​

Dear UNT faculty and staff,

Welcome back to campus and to 2020, a year we’ve looked forward to for a long time. As a caring and creative community, it is our mission to empower our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and I appreciate all you do to help us achieve our mission.

This semester, we will begin to implement the strategic plan and vision that so many of you helped contribute to over the past year. Our plan is dedicated to improving our students’ success, building our research profile and assuring that we are efficient and effective so that we can continue to build on the momentum of the past few years.

This year, we also will continue a conversation that began last semester and work together as a community to improve our cultural competence while rededicating ourselves to creating an equitable and diverse campus climate. The topics of Equity, Diversity and Civility will be discussed during the semester’s first Presidential Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Lyceum. Please plan to join me and leadership from the Student Government Association as we continue to engage in critical dialogue that will move UNT forward.

Through monthly Presidential Town Halls, I look forward to hearing feedback from our UNT community about specific strategic plan priorities, which include becoming a more paperless campus, reducing student debt, and the importance of early-alert grade reporting. Details about future Presidential Town Halls will be released as they are finalized.

A huge congratulations to each of you for helping to make UNT one of the top 10 public universities on the rise. I know that working together, we will continue to make our Mean Green family stronger and better than ever, in this, our 130th year.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTprez

November 14, 2019
An Official Message from the President​

Dear UNT family,

The events of the last week have disturbed our campus and given our community and me a great deal to reflect on. While I am proud of the caring nature of our campus and believe that the UNT community is one of the most inclusive communities anywhere, the events last week suggest that we should take a breath and see what we can do better to promote equity and improve our campus climate.

Our students put together a list of things they ask us to consider and came to discuss them with us. I find the list to be thought provoking and it affords us an opportunity to make the campus experience better not only for students of color, but for all students.

While we are weighing what we can do to build a strong strategic plan that promotes diversity and inclusion, there are some steps we can take immediately to begin the crucial conversations that will help us create a more inclusive culture. Many of you already have started these conversations with your colleagues. I applaud your initiative. I also have asked each of our vice presidents to engage all their employees in discussions on culture and climate, and to consider what we can do individually and collectively to build a stronger more inclusive campus. Some of these conversations already have started across campus, and I know our faculty and staff senates and our student governance groups will be enthusiastic partners in these discussions.

I am confident that working together we will find ways to improve our students’ experiences and build a stronger Mean Green family. I thank you for your contributions to these crucial conversations and look forward to listening to your ideas about how we make UNT a truly caring campus.

Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez

November 8, 2019
An Official Message from the President​

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As many of you are likely aware, UNT System Assistant General Counsel Caitlin Sewell used a racial epithet on Nov. 7 during the "When Hate Comes to Campus" panel discussion on the UNT Campus in Denton. As leaders of the University of North Texas System and the University of North Texas, we are very aware of the impact Ms. Sewell’s comments have had on our community, and we approach the situation with regret and determination.

We strongly believe in a culture that embraces, and vehemently defends, inclusion. While Ms. Sewell was trying to make a point about First Amendment speech, the references used are never condoned in our community, which prides itself on our diversity and caring nature.

This morning, Ms. Sewell submitted her resignation effective immediately.

In the coming days and weeks, it is our intention to engage in a dialogue with student and campus leaders regarding ways we can continue to foster a culture of diversity that is UNT. In the meantime, UNT counseling resources are available for all students, faculty, and staff.

Lesa Roe
UNT System Chancellor

Neal Smatresk
UNT President

February 2, 2018
An Official Message from the President

Dear UNT community,

Cultivating a safe, caring campus community is a priority for all of us at UNT. We work tirelessly to create and modify programming dedicated to the UNT community’s safety and overall well-being. As we continue to build and improve our services, we wanted to take a closer look at the current campus environment to understand where we were doing well and where we could improve, specifically related to issues of sexual misconduct.

In an effort to gather information, UNT joined the Cultivating Safe College Campuses Consortium last year and launched a campuswide Assessment of Sexual Assault Perspectives (ASAP) survey. The consortium is a partnership between eight universities and five organizations focused on establishing a consistent, effective response to sexual assault on university campuses.

Based on survey results, we have begun implementing new programming to address areas we feel need improvement, and we will survey the community again in Fall 2018 to measure the impact of our efforts. It is our hope to become a community free from incidences of sexual misconduct and our first step begins with education. The eradication of sexual misconduct and violence requires each member of the UNT family to act. One way we are working to encourage that in our culture is to introduce Green Dot, a training program that empowers bystanders to act. Green Dot training for faculty, staff and students is available from the Dean of Students Office and equips bystanders with intervention tactics to help reduce violence in our community.

UNT has dedicated resources to support those impacted by sexual misconduct, including the UNT Police Department, the Survivor Advocates, the Respondent Advisors, the Dean of Students Office, Counseling and Testing Services and the Title IX Coordinator.

I am proud to be a part of this incredibly diverse, vibrant and caring community. If sexual misconduct or sexual violence affects one of us, it affects us all. I hope you will join me in ensuring it has no place among us.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President

November 8, 2017
An Official Message from the President

Sunday’s shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was a tragedy and has left our campus community saddened. The Office of Spiritual Live will host a vigil in honor of the victims who died in the shooting at noon Thursday, Nov. 9 on the Union’s South Lawn.

The Department of Counseling and Testing Services also will host “Coloring with Rockstar the Therapy Dog” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in Chestnut Hall, 311. Group therapy counselors will be available to support students in attendance. Students can reach UNT’s counseling services at 940-565-2741 and the Dean of Students office at 940-565-2648.

The UNT family is a caring, compassionate and large community that stretches throughout the state and nation. Please remember to lift up and help those in need.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President

September 8, 2017
An Official Message from the Provost

UNT prides itself on being a caring, supportive and welcoming environment for all students regardless of background, country of origin and immigration status. On Tuesday, President Trump announced plans to rescind the executive order for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I want to reiterate what UNT President Neal Smatresk said earlier this week about our university’s commitment to support all of our students, including our DACA students.

While we wait to see whether Congress or the President will take action to restore DACA in some fashion, some of our students who are affected by the decision may be in need of special assistance or someone to listen to their concerns. Please encourage them to remain focused and keep working toward the degree and the bright future they seek.

To ensure that all of our students have access to the services and support necessary for success at UNT, I have complied a list of resources that may be helpful to you and the students you advise and teach. This isn’t an exhaustive list; we will move these and additional resources to a dedicated website as they are identified. Further, we are still evaluating how the rollback of DACA may impact internships, study abroad and other learning experiences for affected students. We will be moving this kind of information to the website, too, in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, let’s work together to ensure our students have the resources and guidance they need during this uncertain time. And, let’s continue to act in the warm, compassionate and respectful manner that is the UNT way.

The information and resources I referenced follow.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Cowley, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Services for all students, including DACA students, include:

Legal Advice and Assistance

Emotional and Physical Health

  • Free counseling is available through UNT’s Counseling and Testing Services. Call 940-565-2741 or go to the Counseling and Testing Services office located in Chestnut Hall, Suite 311. For more information, visit http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/counseling-and-testing-services
  • Assistance for students who are struggling or experiencing anxiety is available through the Care Team. Students may refer themselves. Others also may refer students. Call 940-565-4373 or go to the Dean of Students office located in the University Union, Suite 409. For more information, visit http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/care
  • Medical assistance is available for injuries, illnesses and other medical issues. Call 940-565-2333 or go to the Student Health and Wellness Center located in Chestnut Hall, 2nd Floor. For more information, visit http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/student-health-and-wellness-center

Academic Advising

  • Academic advisors are available to help with class options, degree plans and other student support services. For more information on these resources and how to find advising offices by college or school, visit https://advising.unt.edu/

Financial

  • Continued eligibility for in-state tuition and state financial aid, as allowed by the State of Texas
  • Short-term loans are available to help eligible students with temporary cash flow problems pay their current tuition and fees (not past due balances). Call 940-565-3225 or go to the Student Accounting office located in the Eagle Student Services Center (ESSC), Room 105. For more information, visit https://studentaccounting.unt.edu/short-term-loans
  • Needs-based emergency loans are available to help students remain enrolled. Call 940-565-369-7761 or go to the Student Money Management Center located in Chestnut Hall, Suite 313 or the Eagle Student Services Center (ESSC), Room 110. For more information, visit http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/student-money-management-center/programs-and-services/loans/

Other Support

  • UNT’s Multicultural Center provides an environment where all students can thrive. Call 940-565-3424, email multicultural@unt.edu or go to the Multicultural Center located in the University Union, Suite 335. For more information, visit https://edo.unt.edu/multicultural-center
  • UNT’s Dean of Students is available by calling 940-565-2648 or 940-565-2039 or go to the Dean of Students office located in the University Union, Suite 409. For more information, visit https://deanofstudents.unt.edu/

Government Fact Sites Related to the Rescission of DACA

September 5, 2017
An Official Notice from the President

To the UNT community,

Today, the Trump administration announced it would begin to roll back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This action is a blow to the aspirations of hundreds of thousands of “Dreamers,” including some of our students and alumni. The action threatens to derail the future of some of our nation’s most determined young adults and brightest minds.

While we learn more about how the administration intends to enact the changes, our university’s immediate concern is for how the rollback could negatively impact the wellbeing of our most vulnerable students — those who are DACA-certified or undocumented. I want to make clear that I unequivocally support DACA, undocumented and other students who are overcoming significant barriers to educational attainment. These students aspire to a better life and are doing what our society asks of them — they work hard, study hard and play by the rules. They want to use their talents and gifts to give back to their communities and our nation. We need to encourage them to stay focused, hopeful and invested in their education.

Like other university presidents nationwide, I call on Congress to swiftly pass bipartisan legislation that provides a permanent solution for these young people — a defined pathway that allows Dreamers to continue to live, work, study and achieve citizenship in the only nation many of them have ever known as home. In my role as UNT’s president, I will be visiting with our state-elected officials in hopes of maintaining eligibility for state financial aid and in-state tuition for our DACA and undocumented students.

Often, I’ve spoken of our warm, caring and inclusive community and our respectful treatment of one another, regardless of national origin or immigration status. In every dimension of university life, we are enriched by the contributions of our students, faculty and staff. Even during these uncertain and somewhat turbulent times, our shared values of equity, diversity, inclusion and non-discrimination make us stronger. It’s the UNT way. We must do everything possible to ensure that our students have access to the services and support necessary for them to thrive at UNT and graduate from their chosen degree programs.

I want to reiterate a few of our university’s commitments, policies and procedures. UNT is strongly committed to the privacy of student records, including immigration status for all students, consistent with state and federal laws. Student records are otherwise not disseminated without student consent or a judicial order. In the performance of their duties, members of the UNT Police Department don’t initiate law enforcement activities based solely on immigration status.

Students seeking assistance can find help from the following UNT areas:

  • Students have access to free counseling through UNT’s Counseling and Testing Services. Call 940-565-2741, stop by Chestnut Hall, suite 311, or learn more online.
  • Students can receive free legal advice through UNT’s student legal services office. Call 940-565-2614, email studentlegal@unt.edu, stop by University Union, suite 411, or learn more online.
  • UNT’s Care Team is available to assist students who are struggling and may be in distress. Call 940-565-4373 to refer yourself or someone else to the Care Team.
  • UNT’s Multicultural Center provides an environment where all students can thrive. Call 940-565-3424, email multicultural@unt.edu, stop by the University Union, suite 335 or learn more online.
  • UNT’s Dean of Students is available for all students. Call 940-565-2648 or 940-565-2039 or stop by the University Union, suite 409.

Issues that impact students who are first-generation college students hit close to home for me and some other university administrators. Like most DACA and undocumented students enrolled at UNT, we were among the first in our families to pursue a better quality of life through higher education. We know first-hand how foundational and empowering a college education is to personal and professional success, and we believe our students deserve the same opportunities. Our nation will be stronger for it.

In the days ahead as more information becomes available, we will share it. Please join me now in ensuring UNT continues to be a welcoming, supportive and caring community.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
President

August 17, 2017
An Official Notice from the President

To the UNT community,

The University of North Texas long prides itself on celebrating the many facets of diversity on our campus. We are a caring community that has always been a place for the free exchange of ideas, differing viewpoints and healthy discussion and debate.

In light of recent events, I feel compelled to clarify the difference between peaceful and thoughtful protest as a way for our campus to express ideas and the kinds of violent, hate-filled and reprehensible behavior seen recently on a national scale.

Let me be completely clear in my condemnation of racial intolerance, hate speech and violence in the name of free speech and protest.

Our campus always finds a way to rise above, and I trust our community to thoughtfully engage and express themselves in ways that advance discourse, our mission to educate and our commitment to being one of the most caring college communities in the country.

I ask all of you to join me in expressing our support for our deep and rich diversity and for guarding against behaviors that violently disrupt our university community.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
President

March 3, 2017
An Official Notice from the President

To the UNT community,

I’ve spoken often of our warm, caring inclusive community, but in the last few weeks I’ve noticed a series of disturbing events that I believe do not reflect our values or our commitment to one another.

While we respect freedom of speech on our campus, there has been a recent series of flyers, social media posts and hostile speech directed at some members of our community because of who they are. I in no way condone this behavior.

In my years as a university administrator, I have witnessed how the actions of a handful of individuals who are attempting to provoke responses have crossed the line into threatening behavior or acts of vandalism. We will not tolerate this on our campus, and will act quickly and decisively when confronted with such actions.

I know you will recognize these unfortunate and misguided behaviors for what they are and will not let the actions of a few individuals disrupt our strong sense of community, create division amongst us, or erode our unity.

Please continue to support each other, be respectful, welcoming and considerate. I know that we will remain #UNTStrong.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
President

February 16, 2017
Sexual Violence Climate Survey

The University of North Texas Dean of Students office is conducting a research study; Cultivating Safe College Campuses: A College Sexual Assault Policy & Prevention Consortium. The Assessment of Sexual Assault Perspective, or ASAP, is an online survey designed to measure how common sexual misconduct is on our campus, and tell us how well our prevention and advocacy programs are doing. Your insights are valuable, and help build a respectful community that doesn’t tolerate sexual misconduct.

Participants will be entered to win one of the following prizes: UNT Eagle parking permit, ($250 value) Bookstore Gift Card ($25 value), Flex Dollars ($5 value).

*Sexual misconduct includes sexual assault, sexual contact without consent, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Here is the link: https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=175387

January 30, 2017
Our Commitment to International Students, Faculty and Staff — An Official Notice from the President

Last Friday, President Trump, through an Executive Order, imposed a temporary ban on all immigrant and nonimmigrant entry to the United States from seven Muslim-dominant nations — Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. We are deeply concerned about the well-being of members of our community who may be impacted by evolving immigration policies and practices, and we want all of our students, faculty and staff to know we are dedicated to their safety, security and success.

Our university family is greatly enriched by the more than 2,500 international students from more than 130 countries. Students, faculty and staff members from around the globe contribute to the rich learning, research, scholarship and cultural experiences that are at the very heart of our university and our standing as a public research university.

I want to assure you that we are reaching out to members of our university community from the affected nations to offer support and guidance during this confusing and difficult time. We are coordinating with the UNT International Office and are in contact with other universities, national associations and immigration experts to seek clarity on some of the issues and questions that are of concern.

As we seek more information about how this new federal restriction on immigration will be implemented, you should be aware that if you are a citizen of one the seven nations and you leave the U.S., even for an emergency, you will not be able to return during the temporary ban, possibly longer. For citizens of other countries, if you travel outside the U.S., you may experience increased visa delays and re-entry rules could change while you are travelling.

If you have questions about travel-related issues or immigration policies and practices, please contact the UNT-International Office at 940-565-2197.

Meanwhile, it’s worth noting our university’s position on non-discrimination, privacy and public safety.

  • UNT welcomes and supports members of our community without regard to country of origin or immigration status. We endeavor to foster an environment in which each member of our university family can flourish, and we enforce our non-discrimination policy.
  • In the management of our international programs, UNT complies with federal laws and requirements. The university doesn’t otherwise share information about immigration status.
  • In the performance of their duties, the UNT Police Department doesn’t inquire about or record immigration status, excepting as required by law. The enforcement of immigration law rests with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, not our campus police.
  • UNT remains strongly committed to the privacy of student records, including immigration status, for all students, consistent with state and federal laws.

The university has many resources available to help members of our community.

  • Students may receive free, confidential counseling though UNT’s Counseling and Testing Services, which can be reached at 940-565-2741.
  • Students may receive free legal assistance through Student Legal Services at 940-565-2614.
  • UNT’s CARE Team, works to help protect the health, safety and welfare of members of our community, especially students, and can be reached at 940-565-4373 or careteam@unt.edu.
  • Faculty and staff members may obtain free short-term, confidential counseling services through our Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-343-3822.

If anyone feels unsafe, please call the UNT Police at 940-565-3000 or dial 911 for assistance. UNT has emergency phones throughout campus that connect directly to the police department.

As always, UNT remains committed to growing our global perspectives and awareness by continuing to lawfully recruit into our university community and support academically talented students, faculty and staff members.

Our diversity makes us stronger, and our greatest attribute is our caring community. Please join me in ensuring UNT is a welcoming and supportive environment for all. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure your success.

Sincerely,
Neal Smatresk
President

December 1, 2016
Join the President's Office at a town hall meeting to discuss immigrant student topics — An Official Notice from the President

Join President Neal Smatresk to learn what UNT is doing to ensure that our campus is a safe and inclusive environment for all.

2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 31
University Union Ballroom 314C

Hear about the resources UNT has in place to address immigrant student needs.

University officials will be on hand to answer questions, but want to use the town hall as an opportunity to hear what the UNT community has to say on the subject.

January 17, 2017
Office of Equal Opportunity Offering WeComply Title IX Training

The Office of Equal Opportunity will be offering in-person sessions to cover the material in the WeComply Title IX training for people who were not able to complete it online. Please see the dates below for upcoming opportunities:

  • 2/21/17 from 2:00-3:30PM at Gateway 43
  • 4/20/17 from 2:00-3:30 PM location TBD
  • 6/20/17 from 2:00-3:30PM location TBD

Contact oeo@unt.edu or call (940) 565-2759 to register for the training. Please contact OEO if you require accommodations to participate in the training.

December 1, 2016
Supporting UNT students — An Official Notice from the President

Dear UNT community,

This afternoon, a group of our students gathered to voice their support for designating UNT as a “sanctuary campus.” I want you all to know that I am listening to the concerns raised and hear the anxieties of those speaking out.

Our university is first and foremost a community that cares about its students, and I will do everything in my power to preserve UNT’s supportive environment. We are planning to hold a Town Hall in January so our students can ask questions and engage directly with me and others. I want to make sure that we are meeting their needs and supporting them in ways that help them pursue their dreams.

In the meantime, please know that UNT already provides many of the things the students are requesting: free counseling and legal services, training on cultural issues, financial assistance and housing opportunities, and perhaps most importantly a commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination.

It is too early to speculate on what will happen in the future, but as we move forward together, you can rest assured that your safety and security is paramount, and UNT will continue to be an advocate for and a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion. For more than 125 years our university has been a welcoming place, and the values that have shaped our history will continue to guide us in the future.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President

December 1, 2016
Required Training for UNT Faculty and Staff

Dear UNT faculty and staff,

The Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity will launch two equal opportunity training courses this year. The courses will be available online, and will be delivered to full-time employees through the training vendor WeComply/Thompson Reuters.

The first course, “Preventing Discrimination and Harassment for Managers,” for supervisors and managers of full-time employees was deployed on Nov. 1, 2016. This course will provide strategies for managers to prevent and respond to discrimination, which is prohibited by UNT policy 16.004: Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Non-Retaliation.

Employees who completed the “Preventing Discrimination and Harassment for Managers” course in the August 2016 rollout are not required to retake it. Employees who started the course but did not complete it must complete this one.

The second course, “Preventing Sexual Misconduct,” is for all full-time employees it was deployed on Dec. 1, 2016. This course will satisfy the requirement in Section VIII (C) of UNT policy 12.005: Prohibition of Sexual Assault and Retaliation, which requires that university employees complete an educational program on the nature, effect and prevention of sexual assault every two years

Employees who are required to complete these courses received an email informing them when their course deployed. If you are a full-time UNT employee who did not receive an email announcing the “Preventing Sexual Misconduct” course, please email oeo@unt.edu immediately.

This email will come from staff in the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity, and will include a link to the Office of Equal Opportunity webpage where the course will be hosted. The courses are hosted in the box titled “EO Compliance Training”. Please use your EUID and password to access this course.

Participating employees will have the option to print their course completion certificate once they have passed the quiz at the closure of the course. Please note that all course participants are responsible for printing their course certificates and preserving them.

November 11, 2016
UNT is a caring and inclusive community — An Official Notice from the President

Dear UNT students, faculty and staff members,

Thank you for coming together this week to openly, respectfully and peacefully discuss your feelings and thoughts about the outcome of the Presidential election and its possible implications for our nation at home and abroad.

Our campus community, like our nation, holds many points of view about what is good and right for our country, and I am encouraged by the way our community has responded to one another with discourse that reflects intellect, empathy and understanding. As a university, we promote the exploration of different points of view and the exchange of opinions as part of the educational process.

In the days ahead, as we seek a deeper understanding of the complex situations that may face the members of our university community, even the university itself, we need to continue to have respectful dialogue, even if it may be uncomfortable. This is how we build an honest, caring and inclusive community.

Please remember that we have many resources available to help:

  • Students may receive free counseling through the university’s Counseling and Testing Services, (940) 565-2741.
  • Faculty and staff have access to free short-term counseling services through the university’s Employee Assistance Program, 1-800-343-3822.
  • An additional resource is UNT’s CARE Team, which works to help protect the health, safety and welfare of UNT students and the members of the UNT community. You can reach out to the CARE Team by calling (940) 565-4373 or emailing careteam@unt.edu.

And, as always, if anyone feels unsafe please call the UNT Police at (940) 565-3000 or dial 911 for assistance. UNT has 45 emergency phones throughout campus that connect directly to the police department.

For more than 125 years, our university has served Texas and our nation by preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens of the world. As we continue to progress, let’s keep in sight the values that have shaped us throughout our history.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President

June 15, 2016
Candlelight vigil at Library Mall Thursday honors Orlando victims

Dear UNT Community,

In the wake of Sunday’s tragedy in Orlando, the UNT community will unite during a candlelight vigil Thursday to express its condolences and support the victims, their families, loved ones and friends, and our nation’s LGBTQ community.

The vigil to remember the victims and strengthen our community will be hosted by UNT’s Pride Alliance, Multicultural Center and Office of Spiritual Life in collaboration with TWU and Denton community organizations from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Library Mall on UNT’s campus.

The vigil will include speakers who will talk about the mass shooting’s effect on the LGBTQ, Latino and Islamic communities. In addition, community members may choose to participate in the vigil by sharing during open mic time. The vigil will close with the reading of the names of the deceased and lighting of candles.

It is important to remember that following a tragic event such as Sunday’s shooting, there are resources available to help. Students, faculty and staff who may be dealing with grief in the aftermath of the shooting can find free, confidential counseling services through the university. Students can contact Counseling and Testing Services at 940-565-2741 or counselingandtestingservices@unt.edu. Faculty and staff can receive services from the Employee Assistance Program, which can be reached at 800-343-3822.

We encourage all of our community members to take care of themselves and be mindful of others who may be hurting.