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Straight from Smatresk

Dear Alum,

The outlook for state public higher education is much brighter following the 84th Texas Legislative session, thanks to the renewed support for universities from the Texas Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott. Recognizing that universities are key to the state's economic and intellectual vitality, the Legislature boosted state funding for institutions, increased financial aid for college students and approved funding for construction projects so we can keep up with growth.

President Neal Smatresk in his office

This increased support will help UNT continue transforming an increasingly first-generation student population into the workforce and leaders of tomorrow.

We also received the green light to build a new home for our College of Visual Arts and Design, and we have a new dean whom you will learn about below.

I'm also pleased that the Texas Legislature bolstered support for research by creating the Core Research Support Fund and infusing significant funding into the Texas Research Incentive Program to support emerging research universities like UNT. Gov. Abbott's new Governor's University Research Initiative will help the state's public research universities attract distinguished researchers like Nobel Laureates and members of the National Academies. These changes provide more opportunities for UNT to advance and become a nationally prominent public research institution.

In addition, you likely are aware that a new law will allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed handguns on university campuses beginning in Fall 2016. We'll work with our constituents and stakeholders and consult with our peers to ensure we continue to provide a safe, secure campus environment. We are reviewing the legislation thoroughly to understand our latitude in developing regulations for carrying concealed handguns on campus. You can learn more in my message to the university.

This session was good for universities, and we will continue to prove that there's no better value or investment than public higher education. I would like to thank our district representatives, Rep. Myra Crownover and Sen. Craig Estes, for their hard work and support of higher education -- and specifically UNT -- this session.

With such positive outcomes from the session, we'll build an even stronger foundation to move our great university forward.

UNT proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
President Smatresk on Twitter @UNTPrez

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Environmental science doctoral candidate Jessica Beckham is as busy as a bumblebee. She is studying the impact of urban sprawl on the buzzing insects' declining populations in Texas. She's also observing how urban green spaces such as parks and community gardens can preserve these important pollinators, which are a key link in our food chain. Her vital research could help protect the humble bumblebee. Watch Jessica's talk on the history of North Texas bumblebees.

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