NT considers building on golf course

From: North Texas Daily
Nov. 20, 2002

Space needed for new dormitory, green sees little use, Pohl says

Pablo Gaete
Daily Reporter
November 20, 2002

NT President Dr. Norval Pohl discussed transportation, ethnic diversity and the purchase of a law school during "Let's Talk" on Tuesday in the University Union.

The university is considering building a new dormitory where the Eagle Point Golf Course is located, next to the Radisson Hotel, Pohl said.

According to Pohl, the plan would avoid building the new dorm on the land used as intramural fields off of Bonnie Brae and Prairie streets.

Pohl said the university needs more intramural fields and the golf course does not receive enough visits to warrant remaining open. NT is considering the purchase of Texas Wesleyan University's law school in Fort Worth, Pohl said.

Purchasing the school would provide the Dallas-Fort Worth area with it's first publicly funded law school.

Wesleyan law students pay $17,000 a year in tuition.

This figure would go down considerably if the school were administered by NT, Pohl said.

Pohl is waiting for the board's approval to begin negotiations with Texas Wesleyan.

If purchased by NT, the law school would remain in Fort Worth, Pohl said.

NT's transportation goal for next semester is for e trans buses service every Denton apartment complex where at least half the residents are students, he said.

In the spring, e trans will begin a night route, from 5.30 p.m. to 2.30 a.m., he said.

In addition, Pohl spoke about the current escort service available to all students. With this service, students can request a van to drive them home by calling the NT Police Department.

Students may request the service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pohl addressed questions asked by Ezra James, a representative of the Coalition of Black Organizations, about racial diversity.

"The workforce is going to be very diverse just as the population is," Pohl said.

"If we have anything within our current system that doesn't encourage diversity, we're hurting ourselves economically in the long run."

Pohl expressed particular concern for the Hispanic community which is the fastest growing minority and "the population with the least penetration into higher education."

Mark Heath, Arlington senior, said he was discontented with the treatment of disabled students on campus.

Heath, who is deaf, voiced his opinion with the help of an interpreter.

"Because we are deaf, people think that we are not capable, he said."

Secretary of the organization We The People, Alan Chin, encouraged disabled students to join his group for support.

© 2002 North Texas Daily