Division of Finance & Administration News

Each week, we highlight the work being done in our departments. We appreciate the efforts our staff members make that support UNT and make it a great place to learn and work!

If you want to know more about the work our staff members do for UNT, check out these news media stories from our current academic year.
You can also find archived news from 2023-24 by clicking here.
Flyer for the HUB Vendor fair that lists all information in the story at right.HUB Vendor Fair set for Nov. 8
UNT Vice President for Finance & Administration Clayton Gibson and the UNT System HUB Program partner every year to host a HUB Vendor Fair. This year's fair is from 10 am to 1 pm Nov. 8 (Friday) at the UNT Union, Room 314.
A Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) is one that is at least 51 percent owned by Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific or Native Americans; women; or service-disabled veterans (at least 20 percent service disabled). In addition, to qualify for this event, Texas must be the primary place of business and the owner should be a Texas resident for at least one year.
These State of Texas certified HUB Vendors will attend the fair to share information and samples from the goods and services they provide. There will also be door prizes for attendees.
For more information, email HUB@UNTSystem.edu or call 940-369-5580.
Posted Sept. 30, 2024
Asset Management team members sit on steps next to UNT Dallas signSpotlight on One Team in action
Soon after UNT System Chancellor Michael Williams was appointed to his role, UNT's Director of Asset Management, Jimmy Grounds, had a vision to encourage collaboration with his team here at UNT and other asset management teams across the System.
Earlier this year, these teams met at UNT Health Science Center (HSC), then at UNT and most recently at UNT Dallas (pictured).
The goals are to learn from other units, help increase efficiencies, trade tips and best practices, and – most importantly – to reinforce the One Team concept. 
At their UNT Dallas trip, these leaders in asset/property management and inventory control took time to meet, tour the UNT School of Law and were even able to tour The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
Posted Sept. 26, 2024
Photo of Physical Education Building entrace before renovationSpotlight on campus construction projects

During each academic year, UNT sees a variety of construction projects both on and near campus.

Most of the construction happening around campus is roadwork or utility work from the City of Denton or other partners. In 2024, UNT will also have a big construction project as we build a new Science & Technology Building on the current site of Lot 7.

However, most folks don't know that our teams handle several other smaller projects around campus each year. One example is shown at left, the Physical Education Building. Old carpet and tile that was more difficult to maintain was replaced by brand new flooring. This new flooring also added some brightness to the hallways as it replaced dark flooring and carpet.

Another recent renovation was done to the Kerr Hall lobby area. The front desk area was expanded to Phyiscal Education Building photo of flooring and walls after renovation.provide better service to students and give staff a bit more space. Flooring and furniture were also updated to give students a more community-focused space.

Smaller projects are highlighted on the Facilities Department's social media platforms (Facebook: @UNTFacilitiesDept; Instagram and X: @UNTFacilities). Follow their accounts to learn more about work being done at UNT.

Larger projects are detailed on the Facilities Department's website so that they can continue to update the UNT community about every step of the construction. These updates include progress reports received by the City of Denton and other partners about work being done near the campus. Click here to view the Construction page on Facilities' website.

Keeping students, faculty, staff and visitors aware of these projects is important to our team!

Posted Sept. 16, 2024

black labrador puppy photo on a background of green four-leaf cloversSpotlight on community service K-9 Clover

The UNT Police Department announced in August that they would be getting a community service K-9. This puppy will be on campus to serve the UNT community by helping with community engagement activities.

Not everyone feels comfortable interacting with police, so Police Chief Ramona Washington wanted this dog to help bridge that gap by allowing others to feel more at ease with campus officers. The puppy will also receive obedience training so that she can be a comforting animal if a crime victim or survivor would like to hold her while they speak with police.

To truly help the UNT community feel as if she is their dog, the police department held a naming contest pared down from five names voted on by staff at the department. The top vote-getter, Clover, won out over second-place Jazz by just 25 votes. Clover is a reference to both the color green and UNT's unofficial mascot Lucky, the white squirrel. Jazz, of course, being a reference to UNT's world-class music program. Other names in the list were: Grace, Luna and Maple.

The UNT Police Department will need to get puppy vaccinations for Clover and have her undergo several weeks of obedience training so that she can interact with the community. They expect she will start making her rounds at community engagement activities later this fall semester in October or November.

Posted Sept. 9, 2024

Business continuity receives top state recognition, as staff member graduates from prestigious training

Associate Director of Emergency Management & Planning Corey Olszewski holding his graduation certificateThe University of North Texas has been recognized with a statewide award for exceptional commitment to business continuity planning and execution.

The State Office of Risk Management’s (SORM) Continuity Preparedness Program Award was received by UNT’s Emergency Management and Safety Services (EMSS) program, housed in the Risk Management Services department.

To qualify, recipients must have a dedicated continuity practitioner with advanced certification, a comprehensive and regularly updated continuity plan, and a proven history of conducting exercises and after-action reviews.

“This is a very selective award, with only six recipients this year from across the state. UNT and the University of Houston were the only two universities to receive the award this year,” said Associate Director of Emergency Management & Planning Corey Olszewski, who is pictured at left.

UNT’s program includes business continuity for critical areas – such as police, on-campus housing – that have a significant role in student safety and support. The campus Continuity Liaison Program also requires all major departments or divisions to appoint a continuity manager. Olszewski, who is certified through DRI International, then works with those areas to help train them on continuity planning and provide support.

“An important part of this program is that we also help our partners, so our program provides support and collaboration across the UNT System entities and with other external partners,” said Olszewski, who recently graduated from the National Emergency Management Advance Academy offered by FEMA.

SORM reviews the framework of UNT’s plans and during the last review, the state organization found that the university met all requirements with no changes needed. This framework provides terms and definitions, identifies levels of criticality and response requirements.

Plans are implemented during major events, such as the COVID pandemic, and during impactful events, such as extended power outages due to severe weather.

“We were the first institution in the state to take a framework approach that establishes a base plan from which all others branch out into their own plans. This gives each of our areas guidance, but with the flexibility to address their own needs,” said Olszewski.

Smaller areas may not already have a business continuity plan, but Olszewski is happy to work with any UNT group to help create one. Simply email him at emergency.management@unt.edu.

Receiving this state award reaffirms UNT’s position as a leader in emergency management and business continuity. It validates the university’s proactive approach to safeguarding its students, faculty, staff, and community. UNT will continue to prioritize continuity planning as an integral component of its overall risk management strategy.

Posted Aug. 30, 2024

University of North Texas Renews NWS Storm Ready Designation
Staff members from Emergency Management and Safety Services holding their Storm Ready signThe University of North Texas renewed its Storm Ready designation from the National Weather Service. This prestigious recognition underscores UNT’s unwavering commitment to campus safety and preparedness in the face of severe weather.
 
UNT’s Emergency Management and Safety Services (EMSS) program, housed in the Risk Management Services department, applied for the designation eight years ago and has maintained it ever since.
The Storm Ready designation is awarded to groups that have created and implemented emergency plans, public education methods, and warning systems that inform and protect against severe weather hazards. UNT has consistently met and exceeded these rigorous standards, demonstrating its dedication to the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
 
“A big part of this designation is the public readiness aspect and proving that you promote severe weather preparedness,” said Senior Director of Emergency Management and Planning Scotie Selman. “One example of this is our team’s consistent monitoring of weather conditions. Our staff members rotate on-call assignments to monitor weather for our Denton and Frisco locations 24 hours a day.”
 
EMSS staff members have found themselves in UNT’s Emergency Operations Center at 4 am – or all night – when monitoring weather.
“I’ve been in the office during times when I thought we might lose power at home due to a bad ice storm. I’ve stay here to be sure I’m still able to monitor for the safety of our UNT community,” said Selman.
 
The team’s work includes:
  • Regular weather awareness and safety training for students, faculty, and staff
  • Advanced warning systems and communication protocols
  • Partnerships with local emergency management agencies
  • Emergency response and recovery procedures
As they monitor situations, they use their judgment to share what is needed without oversaturating communications so that the UNT community receives relevant information that is actionable.
 
“We make sure we are communicating to Mean Green Athletics or other partners hosting outdoor events if we think there is a high likelihood of a severe storm. We also share regular posts on social media. We even worked with the Green Brigade Marching Band to ensure they had information about heat-related conditions since they are out there practicing in the Texas sun,” said Selman. “We spend a lot of time communicating because we know how weather can impact our campus and we want our students, faculty, staff and guests to be prepared.”
 
UNT is one of 32 universities/colleges in Texas to receive this designation and one of about 300 universities/colleges nationwide. The designation is open to public and private entities, including tribal nations, government/military sites, communities, counties and municipalities, and commercial sites. 
 
By maintaining Storm Ready status, UNT reinforces its position as a leader in campus safety and emergency preparedness. The university encourages all members of the campus community to stay informed about severe weather threats and to take necessary precautions to eliminate or lessen the impacts of those threats.
 
Posted Aug. 30, 2024
a pair of road closed signs along Avenue B on campusSpotlight on better roads

Most of the roads surrounding UNT's campus are owned and maintained by our partners at the City of Denton. Starting with this academic year, some of these roads are undergoing utility expansion and paving roadwork. This work will not only help ensure our utilities are carrying the load to sustain activity on campus but also that we will have smooth, nice roads surrounding our beautiful campus.

Our own Facilities department acts as the primary partner with the City of Denton, receiving updates and sharing information campus-wide so that students, faculty, staff and visitors have a better understanding of the best routes to navigate campus.

If you need the latest information about roadwork -- or any of the construction impacting campus -- then please visit the Construction page on the UNT Facilities website. They keep the site updated so that our community members have a better understanding of what is going on around campus and can best prepare for their journey to or from UNT.

Posted Aug. 26, 2024

Vice president Clayton Gibson stands with two studentsSpotlight on Welcome Week

The first day of school, even for returning students can be very overwhelming because UNT has a big campus with many supportive services. It's a lot like a small city when you're here at UNT!

During the first week, Vice President Clayton Gibson enjoys spending time at the welcome tents giving out goodies and answering questions for students. One of the questions he heard the most this year was regarding wayfinding so it's important to note that all UNT buildings and almost all parking lots are listed on Android and iPhone maps (along with Google Maps). If you enter in your building name and "UNT" then you should get a direct route to help you find the location.

Most of the departments in the Division of Finance & Administration do not have a direct impact on education but all of the departments oversee efforts to provide supportive services. We recommend our community members familiarize themselves with our social media and websites to help them find information to make their experience at UNT a bit smoother.

Click through the departments listed on this site to find their websites. You can also find Facilities on Facebook at UNTFacilitiesDept, and on X or Instagram at UNTFacilities. UNT Police Department is on Facebook, X and Instagram at UNTPolice. Transportation and Parking is on Facebook and Instagram at UNTTransit. Risk Management Services is on Facebook, X and Instagram at MeanGreenReady.

Posted Aug. 19, 2024

Officer Cioffi walks alongside K9 WatsonSpotlight on UNT Police K-9 Watson

In May 2024, K-9 Keegan retired after six years of service with the UNT Police Department. The department then chose Ofc. Cioffi to be the next K-9 handler for their explosive detection dog. In July 2024, he returned from training with K-9 Watson, shown at left.

The duo can be seen at home games and large events on the UNT campus. Watson is trained as an explosives detection dog using the Vapor Wake system, in that and his looks he is almost identical to K-9 Keegan. He sniffs the air to detect scents and follows the scent of explosives to their source. When you see him on campus or at events, you may see him raise his face as he sniffs the air. He may also seem to be wandering, but that is a sign that he is tracing a scent.

K-9 Watson is almost 2 years old and has been extensively trained in detection. He and Ofc. Cioffi will also be on-call for assistance to other police departments, as needed.

If you see K-9 Watson on campus, he may be friendly but please refrain from petting him unless the officer says it is OK -- because he may be working and we don't want him to get distracted.

Posted Aug. 12, 2024

DCTA bus route sign in a Denton neighborhoodSpotlight on public partnerships

Many students who attend UNT live within the Denton city limits. To make it easier for them to navigate campus, UNT has a partnership with Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA).

DCTA is the service provider of buses that run routes internal to UNT's campus and externally within the city to allow commuters to leave their cars at home and still get to class on time.

The fall 2024 bus route and service schedule was recently posted on DCTA's website. Find it by clicking here.

As a supplement to DCTA's routes, UNT's Transportation Services department also offers a Night Flight program. This allows students to get a safe ride between two points on campus by calling for a Night Flight shuttle. Find out more about the Night Flight shuttle (formerly E-Ride) and other transit options on campus by clicking here.

Posted August 5, 2024

dirty tub with clothing and other memorabilia by a brick wallSpotlight on the 'Wild Women'

In 1982, the self-proclaimed "Wild Women" were a group of friends who lived in Clark Hall while attending UNT. They gathered for a reunion during homecoming in 1992 and buried some sentimental items in a storage bin “time capsule” near Clark Hall.

On July 10, 2024, a UNT Facilities work crew was repairing a sanitary waste pipe when they discovered the bin. This led to a social media post and, ultimately, the Wild Women were identified! You can read about our discovery and the social media responses of the Wild Women in news media stories linked on this page.

Kudos to our staff for identifying the sentimental value of their discovery and taking steps to preserve it as best they could. Please note that UNT does not recommend burying your own time capsules as digging on the grounds may disrupt utility lines.

Posted July 29, 2024

 
Risk Management staff listening to a speakerSpotlight on team strengths

The University of North Texas takes pride in living Our Values. These values have meaning and can be seen in our every day activities.

For example, Risk Management Services, shown at left, explored the "Be Curious" value as they conducted an exercise to learn about the strengths of each team member. Developing a better understanding of each other also supports the "Better Together" value as the team learned how each member could use their strengths to support each other, the department, and the mission of UNT.

Taking time to learn and grow is important in our roles here at UNT. It supports our own professional development while keeping us connected back to our community.

Posted July 22, 2024

Member of the controller's team helping a UNT staff memberSpotlight on the UNT Controller's office

The staff in the UNT Controller's office handle many of the daily accounting duties that keep our university fiscally responsible and on track to achieve our budgeting goals.

They also make time to help others. At left, a member of the UNT Controller's office explains financial accounting processes during an open house help session. The University Budget team hosts these monthly sessions in collaboration with the controller's team so that staff at UNT can get their questions answered directly from our experts.

The UNT Controller's office includes four areas of concentration: accounting & financial reporting; student accounting; cash; and state. These teams offer support for all of our campus needs.

Posted July 15, 2024