Two bills passed in the Texas Legislature's 78th session bring the University of North Texas at Dallas closer to reality.

One bill, Senate Bill 1297, authored by Sen. Steve Ogden of College Station, makes previously authorized funds available for the first UNT at Dallas building and allows construction to begin as early as late next year, in order to handle the current UNT Dallas Campus student enrollment — even before the new university is officially established.

UNT System Chancellor Lee Jackson says Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick took a strong interest in this project and helped Rep. Jim Pitts of Waxahachie ensure that sufficient funds were appropriated to allow UNT to build this first $25.4 million classroom building. Pitts is chair of the House Appropriation Committee's subcommittee on education.

SB 1652, authored by Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano and co-authored by Sen. Royce West of Dallas, brought a second major change.

That bill changes the point at which the UNT System can begin securing approvals to establish UNT at Dallas as an accredited, full-fledged, freestanding university by lowering the required enrollment threshold from 2,500 full-time equivalent students to 1,000 full-time equivalent students.

The current UNT Dallas Campus, which has been enrolling students for graduate and undergraduate classes and degree programs in southern Dallas since January 2000, will continue to operate as an extension of the UNT campus in Denton until the new university opens.

On Oct. 30, the UNT System plans to celebrate this new momentum at the future site of UNT at Dallas (located at Camp Wisdom and Houston School roads) with Craddick and other key legislators responsible for authoring and sponsoring the bills.

"Thanks to some visionary legislative leadership, UNT is now actively planning a new university for southern Dallas County," says Jackson.

"The new Texas laws give us the green light to construct the first permanent building on our Dallas County land in 2004 and to develop the operating plans for UNT at Dallas."

Jackson says, "The UNT System is sincerely grateful to all of the Texas leaders whose help has placed UNT at Dallas on an accelerated course to open in just a few years. Area leaders such as Rep. Helen Giddings of Dallas and Rep. Ray Allen of Grand Prairie helped advance both measures in the House, for example."

UNT plans to break ground for the first UNT at Dallas building on the new university's southeast Oak Cliff campus as soon as current land development and master planning for needed utility extensions, transportation and other services can be completed.

With major help from the city of Dallas and many other partners, UNT acquired 264 acres at Camp Wisdom and Houston School roads that UNT System officials believe is an attractive site for the future campus.

The design and construction of the first UNT at Dallas building will set the tone for this major land development and employment center.

Jackson notes that a study completed in 2002 predicted enrollment at UNT at Dallas may grow to 6,000 students by 2010 and 16,000 students by 2030. During the same period, the projected economic impact of the new university will expand from $75 million in 2010 to $237 million in 2030.

"We know it can be a significant intellectual and economic force in the region and we are committed to a first-class standard of construction. The quality of this building will signal our strong commitment to Oak Cliff, the city of Dallas, southern Dallas County and Ellis County and the surrounding area," he says.

"With this first building, it will be clear that UNT is going to be a permanent and major provider of education in southern Dallas County. Thanks to our legislators, the UNT System is making major strides toward bringing a first-class, public university to southern Dallas," Jackson says.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Multimillion-dollar bequest creates new behavior analysis research program at UNT
• UNT reaches all-time enrollment high for Fall 2003
• UNT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
• Poet and essayist to speak at UNT Sept. 25
• Staff Council elects officers for 2003-04 year
• Families to share in Mean Green spirit Sept. 26-28
• Music industry supports musicians' health initiatives
• Interpretational change to holiday pay entitlement

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