Cultural Programs and Services

UNT's commitment to cultural diversity

Diversity has long been a core value at the University of North Texas. We believe that students who interact with people from diverse backgrounds are better prepared to succeed in the world’s complex society after graduation.

As a public institution, we are deeply committed to valuing, preserving and continuously expanding the vibrant and diverse nature of our community. UNT has traditionally been a leader among Texas universities in serving students of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In keeping with that tradition, we are proud to offer several resources and opportunities that continue to nurture and to create an inclusive community at UNT.

Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

This division advocates inclusiveness on campus and is committed to maintaining a welcoming environment by providing a safe zone for everyone. Scholarship opportunities are available to incoming freshmen, transfer and graduate students to assist with college expenses.

The division also sponsors several Special Interest Group Networks (SIGNs) for our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Participants share similar ethnic or cultural backgrounds and discuss matters relating to equity and inclusion. Numerous programs for students in elementary school up to the community college level are offered by the division.

For more information on these programs, contact the office at 940-565-2711 or visit edo.unt.edu.

Mentoring programs

The transition from life in high school to life in college brings with it new experiences and challenges for incoming students. To ease the transition, we offer mentoring programs through our Multicultural Center, our Student Success Programs office and various academic units. Different criteria, including ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are used to match incoming freshman with a peer mentor. Peer mentors are usually faculty members, staff members or other students. For information on the mentoring programs, contact the department of your intended major, the Multicultural Center at 940-565-3424 or the Student Success Programs office at 940-565-4373.

The Multicultural Center

Our Multicultural Center, located in the University Union Room 216, welcomes the entire campus and community to come and experience the university’s cultural wealth. We present educational seminars, diversity conferences and workshops featuring well-known lecturers that increase the level of awareness and understanding of all groups with an emphasis on ethnicity/race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and disability.

The center plans many university-wide activities during Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Indian Heritage Month, Black History Month and Asian/Pacific Heritage Month, and assists in the planning of Women’s History Month, International Week and many other cultural programs.

Other features of the center include:

• the Alton and Renay Scales Ethnic Studies Library — a collection of works relevant to the experiences of under-represented ethnic groups
• computers and printers
• a lounge area
• a photocopying service for student organizations

For more information, contact the center at 940-565-3424.

Student organizations

UNT offers more than 300 student organizations, including many that celebrate students’ cultural heritage. Some of these organizations can provide you with a voice in student government in addition to acting as a support group and promoting intercultural awareness to all UNT students. These organizations include:

• Career-related
• Bilingual/ESL Student Organization
• Hispanic Business Student Association
• National Association of Black Journalists

• Cultural
• African Students Organization
• Asian Student Association
• Association of Latin American Students

• Fraternities
• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Iota Phi Theta
• Lambda Theta Phi
• Omega Delta Phi
• Omega Psi Phi
• Phi Beta Sigma
• Sigma Lambda Beta

• Political
• LULAC
• NAACP
• Progressive Black Student Organization

• Sororities
• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Delta Phi Omega
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Ladies Empowering a Dream (L.E.A.D.)
• Lambda Theta Alpha
• Sigma Gamma Rho
• Sigma Lambda Gamma
• Zeta Phi Beta

• Religious and spiritual
• Korea Campus Crusade for Christ
• North Texas Hillel

For a complete list and more information on student organizations, contact the Student Activities Center at 940-565-3807 or visit www.unt.edu/sa.

Special programs

Various departments on campus host special speakers or events to educate our community about issues facing a particular culture. Information about such events is available by accessing calendar.unt.edu and clicking on the “Cultural Diversity” link.