Faculty and staff at the University of North Texas are getting merit-based pay increases this month, the first the university has handed out in several years, according to a summary UNT released Thursday of President Harrison Keller's annual State of the University speech.
The university did not say how large the raises are or how many employees qualify. It tied them to what it described as a stronger financial position over the past year, and said a separate incentive program that rewards its leading researchers will continue.
Campaign beats its goal early
UNT also reported that its Better Look North fundraising campaign, which set out to raise $100 million for student success over 24 months, cleared that mark in 10 months. The total now stands at $107 million, according to the university, with the money going to scholarships, help with students' financial and basic needs, and programs meant to keep them on track to graduate.
"Reaching this milestone just 10 months after announcing the campaign speaks to the extraordinary generosity of the people who believe in our students," Brandon Buzbee, vice president for university advancement, said in the release.
A career hub for students and alumni
The main new initiative Keller announced is the UNT Advantage, which the university plans to launch this year. It pulls together services UNT already provides, such as AI courses, internships, credentials that employers recognize, career coaches and introductions to hiring companies, into a single destination that both current students and graduates can use.
