Updates from the President

Editor's note: In an attempt to better communicate with the university community, new UNT President Norval Pohl has decided to provide periodic updates in Inhouse.

President Norval Pohl met with a group of students Nov. 27 to gain insights from their viewpoints and to address their concerns regarding diversity issues, particularly those that affect ethnic minorities and women.

Vincent Ramos, assistant professor of psychology, facilitated the three-hour discussion that Pohl and student participants described as both spirited and constructive.

A student group will now meet regularly with Pohl. He directed Cassandra Burrell, associate vice president for equity and diversity, to coordinate the effort.

In addition to the students who met with Pohl in November, Burrell says she is working to ensure representation and participation more inclusive of under-represented campus groups.

Also at Pohl's request, Neal Tate, dean of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies, has organized a new body known as the Graduate Enrollment Advisory Council.

The new council will advise the graduate school regarding strategies to enhance recruitment, enrollment and retention. Tate says that initially the committee will consist of five faculty representatives, including at least one Faculty Senate member. In addition, Tate and Lynn Eubank, interim associate graduate dean, and three others are serving as ex officio members.

Tate expects that the new council will meet each month during the academic year and will work with other faculty and staff. Members are Rebecca Glover, associate professor of counseling, development and higher education; Bruce Gnade, professor and chair of materials science; Annette Lawrence, assistant professor of visual arts; John Price, professor and chair of accounting; and Brenda Sims, professor of English.

The additional ex officio members are Joneel Harris, interim associate vice president for enrollment management; Donna Hughes, coordinator for graduate services and admissions; and Phil Turner, associate vice president for academic affairs for distance learning and dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences.

Pohl asked Allen Ward, senior associate athletic director, to serve as acting director of UNT athletics while the university conducts an external search.

Allen, who has served in the athletic department for nearly nine years and has in recent years overseen the department's financial operations and certain administrative and support services, will provide the department with some continuity in leadership and services.

All coaches will report to Allen.

Reporting directly to the president, Allen will have the authority to continue conducting athletic department business. His willingness to serve in a temporary capacity gives the university maximum flexibility to conduct its search for a permanent director.

Pohl, who is working to constitute the search committee, has set a goal to have a new athletic director in place by March 2001.

"There is a high level of interest and genuine excitement about the search throughout the North Texas family," Pohl says.

.

Other featured articles in this issue

• Retired football coach Gene Stallings joins UNT as athletics consultant
• Campus construction continues
• Physics professor works to improve accuracy
• Weather closing information
• New state rep speaks at Fall 2000 commencement
• Two TAMS students have promising year ahead
• UNT beats SECC $100,000-goal by $28,172
• Network set to accommodate students

homepage