schools
UNT won’t cover conference costs for two journalism professors, citing SB 17’s ban on DEI
By Denton Record-Chronicle
· July 5, 2026
· 1 min read
Two UNT journalism professors are headed to a national conference to present work their peers accepted through a screening process. The presentation explains a student project about the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma. The university declined to fund the faculty's registration…
Key takeaway The presentation explains a student project about the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma.
Why this matters in Denton News
The decision by UNT to deny conference funding for its journalism professors raises questions about the impact of state legislation on academic freedom in Denton . By citing SB 17's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the university is drawing a direct line between the law and its own funding decisions. This move may have broader implications for how UNT approaches faculty research and conference participation, particularly in fields like journalism where exploring diverse perspectives is a key part of the curriculum. As the university navigates the requirements of SB 17, faculty and students will be watching to see how this affects the types of projects and research that are supported and promoted on campus. The fact that the presentation in question focuses on a student project about the Muscogee Nation suggests that the university's decision may have a disproportionate impact on faculty and students working on projects related to diversity and inclusion.
About this story
Original reporting by Denton Record-Chronicle . Denton News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Denton Record-Chronicle . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: Denton Record-Chronicle ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two UNT journalism professors are headed to a national conference to present work their peers accepted through a screening process. The presentation explains a student project about the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma. The university declined to fund the faculty's registration…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by Denton Record-Chronicle and curated for Denton News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Denton Record-Chronicle. To learn more about how Denton News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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