University of North Texas System regents did not discuss interim provost and critical race theory scholar Albert Bimper at last week’s meeting.
UNT announced the appointment of Bimper as its interim provost and top academic official last month.
After a brief NFL career, Bimper focused his academic scholarship primarily on racial issues related to college athletics. He has explicitly discussed his use of critical race theory as a “lens” on several occasions.
As dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Bimper oversaw coursework that promoted witchcraft, demonology, “queer anti-capitalism,” and “sexual liberation politics.”
Under a state law passed in 2025, provost hires require approval from the Board of Regents. The law is unclear whether this provision applies to interim hires.
That same law gives the university president, Harrison Keller, final jurisdiction over day-to-day university operations.
UNT officials have also extended a withholding period for records related to Bimper’s promotion. UNT previously stated that these records would be released on August 17.
After 5 p.m. on Monday, Director of Strategic Communications Melisa Brown stated that UNT was “recertifying release for responsive information Aug. 28, 2026.”
Texas Scorecard filed the open records requests in question on July 13.
Elsewhere on the agenda, UNT regents certified compliance with recently passed state laws regarding research security and DEI abolition in human resources.
The University of North Texas System oversees three institutions. It is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Carlos Munguia of University Park is the current board chair.
