"The best inheritance is a college education. A degree cannot be lost or taken away."
- a wise parent
Campus life
Do students have to live in a residence hall? Can my child live off campus?
All unmarried undergraduate students who have graduated from high school the semester prior to enrolling at UNT, who have completed less than 30 semester hours of university work (advanced placement hours not included) and who enroll for 12 or more semester hours are required to live in university-operated residence halls under a contractual room and board plan as long as space is available. Exceptions may be made for students who live with parents, grandparents or a married sibling, so students should apply for exemption with the housing department before signing a housing contract. If living off campus is an option for your child, many apartments are within walking distance and many are served by campus and county buses.
What are the advantages to living on campus?
Students who live on campus may find it easier to get more involved in campus activities than students who live off campus. They have access to nutritious meals and don't have to worry about grocery shopping, cooking or kitchen cleanup. Each of UNT's 12 residence halls has its own personality, and many residents make lifelong friendships. Two new residence halls, including one for Honors College students, will open in Fall 2007.
What if my child can't adjust to living in a residence hall with a roommate?
Each residence hall has student RAs (resident assistants) who can help ease the transition from home and guide freshmen in their adjustment to college life. RAs assist students in finding solutions to issues that arise and help connect them with the campus services they need to be successful. Your child can also seek help from the residence hall director, the dean of students or the First Year Experience program. The key is asking for help.
Will my child get balanced meals at UNT?
Residence hall cafeterias provide a variety of nutritious selections for students at every meal in an all-you-can-eat format. Even if your child doesn't live in a residence hall, he or she can purchase a meal plan or buy individual meals at a reasonable price. In addition, the University Union food court offers salads, soup, fruit smoothies and hot meals in addition to burgers, wood-fired pizza, Taco Bell® and Chick-Fil-A®.
What type of food is served in the residence halls?
The Bruce Hall cafeteria offers an exclusive vegetarian/vegan line, and Kerr Hall offers six different meal options. Low-fat meals are available at Maple Hall. Items at Clark Hall are offered until midnight on weekdays. Students with a meal plan can eat in any cafeteria, and color-coded nutrition labels are displayed for every item served. All full-service cafeterias are open at least 12 hours a day, and a staff dietitian will work with students on special diets. Go to the Dining Services web site for more information.
What will happen if my child gets sick or hurt while at college?
UNT offers a full-service primary care clinic, with full-time physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses to manage your child's care and treatment. Also offered are a full-service pharmacy, comprehensive lab services, radiology services, substance abuse referral service, health education programming and ambulatory mental health care provided by part-time senior psychiatric residents. These services are available because students pay a medical usage fee each semester, which is included in their tuition bill. Services are provided at a discount if students need to fill prescriptions or have X-rays taken, laboratory tests performed, nutrition consultation, massage therapy, splints or minor surgery. Services will be provided at the Student Health and Wellness Center until January 2007, when the new student health and wellness center opens next door in Chestnut Hall. For insurance and other information, visit the Student Health and Wellness Center web site.
Are students allowed to have cars?
Yes. Several parking permit options are available, including premium parking, residence hall parking, general parking and motorcycle parking. The parking fee is not included in your child's regular tuition and fees payments. For more information, visit the Parking Services web site.
My child will not have a car while attending UNT. Is this a problem?
Many students without cars live on campus or nearby apartments and use e-trans or Denton County's bus system to get around Denton. The county also offers transportation to and from downtown Dallas, Carrollton and Lewisville on the Commuter Express. The system is free to UNT students.
My child tends to get bored easily. What is there to do on campus?
Students can get involved in 300 organizations; go to athletic events, concerts, plays and art exhibitions; play table tennis or pool in the Union Syndicate; meet friends for coffee and study sessions at the Cyber Cafe inside Willis Library or at Jazzman's in the University Union; attend lectures, film festivals and other cultural events; compete in recreational sports leagues; and work out in the Pohl Recreation Center or try a new adventure through its outdoor pursuits program. Many students donate their time for community service or get involved in the department of their major doing research, working on the campus radio or television station, tutoring or mentoring other students, or performing in campus productions. That's one of the chief advantages of attending a large university like UNT - there's something for everyone.
What if my child has a legal problem while at UNT and needs a lawyer?
Free, confidential legal advice and services are available from the attorneys in the Student Legal Services office. Types of cases handled include auto accidents, cellular phone billing, consumer complaints, debt and credit issues, discrimination, domestic violence, evictions, injuries, security deposits, sexual harassment, unpaid wages and wrongful termination.
My daughter has a disability and I'm worried about how she'll manage in college. Can someone help her?
About 650 students are served through the Office of Disability Accommodation, which helps students with hearing, mobility or vision loss; with learning disabilities such as dyslexia; and with brain injuries, cancer, chronic back pain and other conditions that are not obvious. Students with a temporary disability, such as a broken arm or leg, may also receive some services from the Dean of Students Office.