This summer, Human Resources staff has been visiting department areas to recognize managers with great Gallup scores from the spring survey. Many managers were recognized from Facilities, Parking, Police and other departments in our division.

Senior Reporting Analyst Kristel McClaran (fourth from left) oversees the State Team for the UNT Controller’s department and was one of the managers honored by the HR team. Each of the managers that HR recognized received a gift basket with goodies to share.

Posted July 21, 2025

In early June, Transportation Services hosted a driver training session for members of their staff and for staff in Facilities and the UNT Police Department who drive as part of their campus jobs. The session included coursework and classroom training, as well as hands-on practice.

The Smith System defensive driving teaches five basic principles. These are, in summary:
1. Aim High in Steering: look far ahead, not just at the vehicle in front of you, to anticipate potential hazards.
2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings: make sure you are aware of other vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions.
3. Keep Scanning: be sure you check your mirrors and blind spots regularly.
4. Leave Yourself an Out: maintain a safe distance
5. Help Them See You: use your signals, horn, lights, eye contact and more to help other drivers see you.

Posted July 7, 2025

For years, Risk Management’s Environmental Compliance Specialist, Tony Roman, has watched the vultures at Discovery Park as they raised their young outside one of the big windows. Last year, the We Mean Green Fund decided to partner with faculty and students to create a “vulture camera” and keep an eye on the ever-growing family.

Facilities Marketing Specialist Bonnie Banks, also a volunteer member of the We Mean Green Fund committee, has been a mentor on this project.

The Discovery Park Black Vulture Camera Project launched in Spring 2024 as the brainchild of the UNT Bird Campus Committee, backed by funding from the We Mean Green Fund and the Audubon on Campus program.

In April, Mama Vulture’s eggs started to hatch. In the photo at left, you can see two of the chicks.

You can read more about this project in the online article Vultures on Camera: UNT Project Sheds Light on Misunderstood Birds.

Posted June 23, 2025

Each May our departments gather for a year-end meeting to review accomplishments made, learn about expectations for the coming academic year, and spend time socializing and learning with others in the Division of Finance & Administration.

This year's meeting included guest speaker Dr. Anna Sidorova, a Professor of Information Systems and the Chair of the Information Technology and Decision Sciences (ITDS) department at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. She spoke about the rise of Artificial Intelligence, common uses, and what we can expect from the future of AI. The program also included presentations by staff members who shared stories about themselves and their interests, award presentations, lunch and professional/personal development classes.

Our departments remain busy during the summer as we prepare for the next academic year. We look forward to welcoming back the students, faculty and staff who take a break during the summer months!

Posted June 9, 2025

The UNT Police Department's Criminal Investigative Services team will once again offer a free Forensic Fun Day to children of UNT faculty and staff. Classes are limited to 40 participants in each session. This is a very popular event. Last year's sessions reached maximum capacity prior to the RSVP deadline.

The hands-on activities include learning about fingerprinting methods, documenting a scene with photos/sketches, preserving evidence with casting and collection, and there will be a chance to interact with police vehicles and equipment.

• The first session is for children ages 5 to 9 from 9 am to noon on July 11.
• The second session is for children ages 10 to 14 from 1 to 4 pm on July 11.

Snacks, pizza and ice cream will be served with each session. RSVP by June 27 to Sgt. Cory Lane at Cory.Lane@unt.edu.

Posted May 22, 2025

Our campus Facilities department provides support for larger UNT System construction projects such as the Science & Technology building, which is expected to be complete in 2026, but oversees other significant projects on campus each year.

One such project is the Kerr Hall renovation (pictured), which included a complete rework of the lobby area, a new laundry room for Tower A, and a community kitchenette. This $4.1M renovation also updated furniture in the lobby and created more gathering spaces for games and friendly gatherings.

Other big campus projects this year included the $2.3M renovation of UNT Volleyball's Building H, the $1.4M ceiling and classroom repairs in the Ryan College of Business building, the $1.3M roof replacement at Discovery Park and the renovation of the Discovery Park dining facilities, plus more.

Our Facilities Design, Planning and Construction team remains hard at work each year to improve buildings and conditions to help our community better use UNT spaces.

Posted May 19, 2025

In January 2025, Transportation Services hired SWOOP (Students Working On Our Profession) the student-run advertising agency in the Mayborn School of Journalism. SWOOP hires students on a semester-long basis to do real work for real clients for real money. The money received from clients goes directly toward scholarships and awards for students. 
Two competing student groups – Team Lucky and Team Ford – collected data and feedback from hundreds of fellow UNT students to give our parking team a better understanding of how to connect with students who use parking and transit services. The student groups also assessed Transportation Services' social media accounts, website and other communications assets in order to create an integrated marketing and communications plan for the department.
Two final presentations were given allowing Transportation Services staff a chance to pick a winning team – and to use the advertising materials created for Transportation Services in upcoming messaging to help students better understand our services. Both teams focused on boosting community engagement and clear, consistent messaging. Team Lucky, with their "Park Smarter" plan was announced as the winner at a dinner on May 7.

Posted May 12, 2025

In Risk Management Services, our staff is able to share real-world training and experiences with our student interns and through training we offer to faculty, staff and students. But, we are always looking for more ways to engage and to provide support to our campus community.

In our Environmental Health and Safety program, new registered sanitarian and Public Health Program Manager Angela Sietsema found a way to offer more support. She was recently appointed to serve on the College of Health and Public Service’s Public Health Advisory Board. This will help the college, which is transitioning to the Ryan College of Business, by giving professional guidance to faculty and students at UNT. It also helps our staff keep in touch with new talent and helps us remain connected to our mission here on campus.

Posted May 5, 2025

The UNT Police Department's community service dog, Clover, has grown so much since the department adopted her in September. In April, she turned 8 months and weighed in at 63 pounds -- nearly full grown and time for her first official UNT portrait.

Things didn't quite go as planned because Clover had much to explore at the photographer's studio. Click here to enjoy a video of Clover exploring and ignoring her partner, Cpl. David Causey, as she finds much better things to do than sit still for a photo.

Eventually, University Brand Strategy and Communications Assistant Director of Photo/Video Ahna Hubnik was able to get Clover's attention long enough to get three great photos.

Posted April 29, 2025

Kudos are in order for Director of Asset Management Jimmy Grounds for showing “We Care” and “Better Together” values recently.

He received a “Way to go!” from UNT Frisco Director of Operations Shauna Barbato. She praised his dedication and teamwork, writing in the note that Jimmy “consistently goes above and beyond, accommodating the needs of our team and ensuring assets are updated with precision and care.”

UNT faculty and staff who know someone who deserves recognition can send a “Way to go!” message on the UNT System site by clicking here. You'll be directed to sign into your UNT account to fill out a form outlining who you're honoring and what they did.

Posted April 21, 2025

Congratulations are in order for Training and Exercise Coordinator Hannah Taylor, who recently graduated from FEMA's National Emergency Management Basic Academy.

According to FEMA, the National Emergency Management Basic Academy provides a foundational education in emergency management by supporting those in their early careers through a training experience combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts, and practices of cutting-edge emergency management.

While also working to complete her master’s degree here at UNT, Hannah participated in the academy which requires 3 weeks of classroom training.

Posted April 14, 2025

UNT Police Department recently welcomed two new officers recently.

Davionne Campbell, shown on the left, previously worked for The Colony Police Department and became a police officer after serving in the military.

Chaz Walzer, shown on the right, just graduated from the academy. He is an alum of UNT and previously had worked for the police department as a non-sworn public safety officer.

Posted April 7, 2025

Spotlight on Service Award recipients

Spring heats up with salsa contest

Spotlight on friendly competitions

Night Flight vans get upgraded look

The Building Representative program was created to facilitate the communication between Facilities, its partners, and building occupants. UNT has about 184 buildings and 125 building representatives.

Building representatives are UNT employees who have roles in ensuring that buildings and occupants are prepared.  Building representatives should have a broad understanding of the unique needs and activities of the department(s) in their building. They distribute important information, support programs and activities that require coordination of building operations, and act as liaisons for a number of other key functions. 

Find out more about the UNT Building Representative program on this page.

Posted Feb. 24, 2025

Two division departments receive Institutional Effectiveness awards

Spotlight on service to students who are parents

Spotlight on professional development

Spotlight on Facilities year end

Spotlight on parking citation forgiveness

Visit with K-9 Clover!

Spotlight on nighttime staff

Spotlight on professional development

Spotlight on police and community engagement

Work Control in Facilities named Outstanding Department

Spotlight on Better Together

Spotlight on charitable donations

Learn to prep for winter weather at Nov. 7 online seminar

HUB Vendor Fair set for Nov. 8

Spotlight on One Team in action

Spotlight 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 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

Spotlight 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

The 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

Spotlight 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

Spotlight 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

Spotlight 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

Spotlight 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

Spotlight 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

Spotlight 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