The University of North Texas is attempting to conceal information related to its current interim provost.
UNT recently announced critical race theory scholar Dr. Albert Bimper as its interim provost and top academic official.
Bimper had a brief NFL career and his academic scholarship primarily focuses on racial issues related to college athletics. He has explicitly discussed his use of critical race theory as a “lens” on several occasions.
Coursework from Bimper’s term as dean of the College of Liberal Arts promoted witchcraft, demonology, “queer anti-capitalism,” and “sexual liberation politics.”
UNT’s provost is the chief academic officer. He “provides leadership in the development and supervision of the university’s academic programs and curriculum.”
Following the announcement of Bimper’s hire, Texas Scorecard sent a series of open records requests July 13 for certain communications from Bimper and for communications about his hire by senior officials:
- Communications in the possession of Dr. Albert Bimper mentioning the following keywords: Abbott, Critical, Equity, Queer, Sexual.
- Communications in the possession of UNT System Board of Regents Chairman Carlos Munguia mentioning the following keywords: Bimper, Provost.
- Communications in the possession of UNT Campus President Harrison Keller mentioning the following keywords: Bimper, Provost.
On July 27, Texas Scorecard received a series of replies from Director of Strategic Communications Melisa Brown, who stated that UNT would seek an attorney general’s ruling on whether it could withhold this information from disclosure under exemptions to the Texas Public Information Act.
Although the precise rationales for withholding the Bimper, Keller, and Munguia requests varied, UNT claims that all three are exempt from disclosure under Texas Government Code sections 552.107 and 552.111.
Section 107 concerns “attorney-client privilege,” while section 111 covers “agency memoranda.”
Even if ultimately unsuccessful, UNT’s maneuver can delay the release of this information for several weeks.
The UNT System Board of Regents’ next meeting, where they could potentially discuss Bimper’s hire, is scheduled for August 13.
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.
Keller reports to the Board of Regents.
The University of North Texas did not respond to multiple detailed requests for comment about Bimper’s hire. This article will be updated if the university responds after publication.
The University of North Texas is a component of the University of North Texas System. The UNT System 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 chairman.
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