THECB grants planning authority for UNT engineering program

In an update presented to the UNT System Board of Regents at its winter meeting, President Norval Pohl reported that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted UNT planning authority for baccalaureate- and master's-level engineering programs.

Pohl explained that plans for full-fledged UNT engineering programs are already under way. He anticipates that the process will lead to final conclusions regarding the scope of UNT engineering programs in Fall 2001 and that the university can seek final coordinating board approval at that time.

The UNT regents had approved the resolution authorizing the university to seek planning authority for engineering programs at their November meeting.

Regents Chair Bobby Ray has called the engineering programs proposal "most important" in light of the fact that the Metroplex and Texas as a whole are falling far short of producing enough engineers to meet the current market demand. Although there are engineering programs at area universities, all estimates indicate that even sustained growth of existing programs will be insufficient to close the projected workforce gap. Establishment of engineering programs at UNT can help address the growing needs.

BY RODDY WOLPER rqolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• UNT debuts :CRQ™ technology at capital campaign gala
• UNT opposes TNRCC permit for asphalt/concrete plant
• Women's History Month events at UNT
• Time set for Pohl inauguration
• UNT schedules events for International Week
• UNT professor serves as phone-a-friend lifeline for "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" contestant
• UNT Vision forums completed
• Regents approve building name change, raise tuition and fees
• UNT cosponsors 100-year commemoration of community colleges

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