Programs and Services

The Dean of Students office is here to help.

The Dean of Students Office serves as a pivotal hub within the university community, offering support and guidance to students navigating the complexities of academic and personal life. A resource for students facing various challenges, ranging from academic struggles to personal crises, we're dedicated to fostering a caring environment conducive to student success. Our hope is to empower students to overcome obstacles and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

The University of North Texas (“UNT”) provides students with a procedure for resolving complaints against UNT faculty, staff, and the university in matters where no other formal process for resolution of complaints has been established.

This policy does not supersede other specific UNT policies relative to student complaints or appeals including discrimination, student financial aid, admissions, academic policies, human resources, involuntary withdrawal, disability accommodations, or the Code of Student Conduct. Find the Student Complaint Policy here.

It is the mission of the Early Alert Program to facilitate campus-wide collaboration through the Early Alert Response System in an effort to increase student retention and persistence by identifying struggling students and actively provide a link to academic support services, advising, and campus referrals in a timely way.

Things to consider when submitting an Early Alert:

Early Alerts for academic concerns are supplemental to, not a replacement for, communication between the professor and student about expectations and topics related to class performance.
Early Alerts are most beneficial during the first 3-6 weeks of the semester.
Following submission, a trained advisor will review the alert and make appropriate referrals, often within 24 hours.
Students are not automatically contacted through the EARS system when an alert is submitted. The student will be highly encouraged by our office to contact the referring party to have appropriate conversations.

A dedication to the fallen eagles who passed away while enrolled. We will fly the UNT flag at the Student Memorial Flag area (south library lawn) at half-staff for seven days upon the Dean of Students Office being notified of their death. If the UNT flag is being flown at half-staff, you can visit the Fallen Eagles site to find out more information.

If you are experiencing housing insecurity, you are not alone; the Dean of Students Office is here to help!

According to a recent #realcollege survey, up to 46% of college students nationwide experience some level of housing insecurity. The Dean of Students Office assists UNT students facing housing security by removing barriers through a variety of services:

Referrals to community resources/shelters in any county a student may reside in, such as Cloud 9 Charities, whose mission is "To provide temporary housing to families in our community who are in crisis and need safe shelter."
Connections to financial resources both on and off-campus
Discussion of housing resources
Connections to the UNT Food Pantry. The Pantry is currently operating by contactless curbside pick-up and enhanced safety measures
Operation of the Loads of Love program

To be connected with a staff member, please email deanofstudents@unt.edu or call 940-565-2648.

Resource Guides for Denton and Surrounding Counties

The University of North Texas cares about the well-being of our students, staff, and faculty. Because of this commitment, we provide multiple resources and services that support campus members.

CARE Team

The CARE Team is a collaborative interdisciplinary committee of university officials that meets regularly to provide a response to students, staff, and faculty whose behavior could be harmful to themselves or others. Learn more about the CARE Team, our mission and resources.

Seeking Options & Solutions (SOS) Program

Through the Seeking Options & Solutions (SOS) Program, staff assists students and their families in navigating diverse concerns, as well as identifying resources for personal, academic, and social issues. For questions, contact deanofstudents@unt.edu or 940-565-2648. Students and families can also explore community resources or complete the Seeking Options and Solutions Reporting Form.

RISE Center (Recovery and Intervention Support and Education)

The RISE Center offers stigma free, nonjudgmental support services for students seeking information on alcohol and other drugs, along with peer recovery support. Our department houses two primary supportive services, the Substance Use Resource Education (SURE) program and the Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP).

Survivor Advocacy

If you're overwhelmed and struggling due to experiences of violence, trauma and/or harassment, even if it occurred before your time at UNT, Survivor Advocacy is here to help. We can discuss reporting options, arrange for housing and academic accommodations, schedule appointments, and connect you to a variety of resources available.

Withdrawals

Are you considering withdrawing from the semester? We would like to assist you in any way that we can. We offer a variety of withdrawal resources, whether the issue is financial, academic, mental health or a personal emergency.

The University of North Texas has an interest in supporting our students who serve in the military and who are called to active duty while enrolled. A student who is a member of the National Guard, Reserve, or another branch of the United States Armed Forces and is unable to complete classes because of military activation may request course withdrawals, incomplete, or grades, depending on the timing of the activation and the individual needs of the students. This will ensure understanding and standardized guidelines for awarding grades to students called to active military duty during an academic semester.

If a student is called to active duty while enrolled in the University of North Texas they will be required to provide documentation of military orders to the Dean of Students office and follow procedures for withdrawal through this office indicating the options of withdrawal, requesting an incomplete or requesting assignment of grades depending on the time of activation during the semester. Dean of Students will meet with students to discuss options and consider all areas that affect the student upon withdrawal.

The Dean of Students office will review the form and verify the military orders and review the academic options for the student. If incompletes or grades are requested the student will be referred to the faculty member or academic department for assistance. The Dean of Students will send a notification to faculty, academic department, and Associate Dean of the verification of military orders and student's preference for incomplete or grade assigned.

Additional information can be found on the UNT Student Veteran Services site.

Per the Texas Education Code 54.0006 (f) 3. Either grade is assigned or incompletes granted. If a student receives an incomplete he/she will have one year from the end of their active duty to complete the course. The Dean of Students office will complete the official withdrawal of the student and full refund of appropriate tuition and fees. If a student opts for an incomplete or grades are assigned no refund will be given.

The US Department of Education and Office for Civil Rights released new Title IX requirements regarding pregnant and parenting students in June 2013. Those students wishing to seek accommodations for Pregnancy and Parenting please submit the form linked with appropriate documentation. The Dean of Students office also offers a list of Pregnanacy and Parenting Resources.

The requirements and suggestions include:

Schools must excuse student's absences because of pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student's doctor deems the absences medically necessary.
Absence policies in classes must accommodate pregnancy or childbirth-related absences and allow for make-up work. “A teacher may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that she missed because of absences due to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, if a teacher's grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, the student should be allowed to earn the credits she missed so that she can be reinstated to the status she had before the leave.”
“A school may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work, such as retaking a semester, taking part in an online course credit recovery program, or allowing the student additional time in a program to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date, especially after longer periods of leave. The student should be allowed to choose how to make up the work.”

The UNT Dean of Students Office will provide a Verified Absence slip for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to doctors' appointments or to take care of their sick children as long as they provide proper documentation. Students needing this documentation should contact the Dean of Students Office at 940-565-2648 or deanofstudents@unt.edu.

When there is a student death, the main point of contact is the Dean of Students Office. The Dean's staff will notify all appropriate people and departments on campus. Information needed is the student's full name and the contact name and number for the student's family. A staff member will be identified by the Dean of Students to make direct contact with the family and serve as the University liaison to assist the family as needed. The names of the student's friends should also be given to the Dean of Students for the purpose of outreach to those affected by their friend and fellow student.

The Dean of Students Office organizes the annual Flight Memorial in which the UNT community will recognize all students, faculty, staff members, and alumni who have died over the past year (April 1- March 30) which is usually held the last Wednesday of April. All family members of those who will be honored are welcome to join us for the memorial. Please contact the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@unt.edu or by calling 940-565-2648.

It's not unusual for students to encounter temporary illnesses or injuries during their time at UNT. The flu, broken bones, extended hospitalizations, surgeries etc. all represent temporary conditions which may result in missed classes and other academic difficulties. Such temporary conditions may not qualify for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) We encourage you to contact the Office of Disability Access at 940-565-4323 to determine if ODA can assist you.

More information related to Temporary Illness can be found here on the Dean of Students website.