Only on the web:

Chancellor's statement on Dallas City Council action

UNT Chancellor and President Alfred F. Hurley on recent Dallas City Council action affecting the UNT System:

"On behalf of the University of North Texas System, I want to express sincere appreciation to the Dallas City Council and everyone involved in the passage of the June 28 resolution that brings the establishment of a public university serving southern Dallas and northern Ellis counties closer to realization.

"We applaud the resolution directing Dallas City Manager Ted Benavides to secure up to $3 million in funds from public and private sources to purchase approximately 200 acres and/or provide infrastructure in the I-20 corridor of southern Dallas that eventually would be the permanent site for a University of North Texas at Dallas.

"Once again, we are indebted to State Sen. Royce West, who originated the idea of bringing a public university to the area and who, along with his fellow area legislators and local officials, has championed the idea in Austin ever since.

"This generous commitment by the city of Dallas complements very well the ongoing support of area businesses and foundations for UNT’s efforts in the southern Dallas area.

"The cumulative effect of this and other Dallas area actions in our favor will enable us to send a very positive signal to the state’s political leadership and to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Since UNT became the educational partner for addressing the need for a public university located in southern Dallas, state officials have been interested to see what kind of additional support we might receive. The Dallas area’s efforts to support us will lend much credibility to our request for funding in the next session of the Legislature.

"Most importantly, we believe the actions of the city of Dallas and our corporate and foundation supporters will go a long way to help us achieve the goal of significantly expanding the number of well-educated citizens and workers in this part of the North Texas region.

"All the same, a lot more has to be done by the university system — in close collaboration with the political, business, civic and educational organizations of the area, as well as with local residents — to build the System Center into a full-fledged university. This must include increasing the enrollment of the UNT System Center at Dallas to meet the benchmark set by the state of 5,000 full- and part-time students before university status can be achieved.

"UNT is fully committed to reaching that enrollment mark not only by offering attractive degree programs, but also by working with the communities involved to help strengthen public education and to increase the higher education participation rate of their residents."

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Craft named to Board of Regents
• System Center expansion adds rooms, technology
• UNT impact expected to reach $1 billion
• Recent System Center donations exceed $1 million
• UNT recognized for fund-raising efforts
• Students select catalog design concept
• Conference on access is planned
• Photos document pollution effects
• UNT helps Intel train teachers
• A fond farewell: 1999-2000 retirees

homepage