UNT System

UNT System

Office of General Counsel

hot topics

Regents Rules
  The UNT System Board of Regents recently adopted The Rules of the Board of Regents of the University of North Texas System (Regents Rules).  Regents Rules generally relate to the UNT System as a whole and establish fundamental principles as a basis and guide for UNT System Administration and Institutions in implementing the Board of Regents’ vision and direction.  Click to access the Regents Rules.
   
Legal Review of Contracts
  The UNT System Board of Regents has delegated authority to the Office of General Counsel to exempt certain contracts and agreements from individualized legal review as stated in the Criteria for Exemption, issued in writing annually by the Office of General Counsel.  To see which contracts are exempt from individualized legal review click here.
   
Contracting Handbook
  The Office of General Counsel provides a Contracting Handbook to assist the UNT System in negotiation and review of contracts and agreements.  The Handbook includes forms, checklists and other useful contracting information.  Click to see the Contracting Handbook.
   
Standard Contracts
  Standard Contracts and Agreements are contracts or agreements prepared on forms created by the Office of General Counsel or by other parties, which have been reviewed and approved in writing by the Office of General Counsel for use without individualized legal review.  The written approval for the use of a Standard Contract or Agreement will expire every two years, at which time the Standard Contract or Agreement will be reviewed, revised if needed, and reapproved if appropriate.  Click here for additional information.
   
Role and Scope of  the Office of General Counsel
  Attorneys in the Office of General Counsel cannot provide legal advice or representation to employees or students about legal issues of a personal nature, such as divorce, wills and landlord tenant issues.   In addition, the OGC does not provide advice in matters unrelated to University business or to individuals whose interests are or may be adverse to the UNT System and its component institutions.  Click for more information.
   
Expert Witness Reporting
  The Texas Education Code requires institutions of higher education, including the University of North Texas, the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, and the University of North Texas System Center at Dallas, to collect and report specific information from faculty and staff members who serve as consulting or testifying expert witnesses in litigation where the State of Texas is a party. Click here for more information.
   
Political Activity by University Employees
  Have you picked your Presidential candidate yet? Are you excited about participating in the upcoming 2008 elections? While System and Institution employees are encouraged to fully and freely exercise their constitutional right to vote and to express their opinions regarding political candidates and issues, the following are important reminders for us all as University and State Employees:
Employees may not exercise these rights in a manner that suggests System or Institution endorsement of a cause or candidate
State law and Regents Rule 05.701.5 prohibit System and Institution employees from engaging in any political activity while on state time or utilizing state resources for any political activity
Employees are prohibited from using official authority or influence or permitting the use of a program administered by the System, the System Administration, or an Institution to interfere with or affect the result of an election or nomination of a candidate or to achieve any other political purpose
It is also important to remember any communication with state or federal elected officials on behalf of an Institution or the System must first be coordinated through the Office of Government Relations. Click here to contact the Office of Government Relations.

For guidance on whether a specific political activity is permitted, please contact the Office of General Counsel. For more information click here.

 


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