View source for University of Texas at Dallas

{{Short description|Public research university in Richardson, Texas}}
{{distinguish|text=[[University of Dallas]] or [[University of North Texas at Dallas]]}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Texas at Dallas
 | image_name             = University of Texas at Dallas seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | motto                  = {{lang|la|Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis}} ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "An educated mind protects and strengthens democracy"{{efn|name=motto|{{lang|la|Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis}} is a Latinization of the quotation by [[Mirabeau Lamar]] that "Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy."}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://president.utdallas.edu/vision-and-goals/|title=UT Dallas Vision}}</ref>
 | established            = {{start date and age|1961|02|14}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library of Congress LCCN Permalink n79141031 |url=https://lccn.loc.gov/n79141031 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=lccn.loc.gov}}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | parent                 = [[University of Texas System]]
 | academic_affiliation   = {{hlist|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]|[[Universities Research Association|URA]]|[[Space-grant]]}}
 | endowment              = $862.7 million ([[Fiscal year|FY]]2024)<br />(UTD only)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook">{{cite web |url= https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2025/ut-system-smartbook/smartbook-online-version-june-2025.pdf |title=Smartbook |date=June 2025 |publisher=[[University of Texas System]] |access-date=June 28, 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250628203826/https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2025/ut-system-smartbook/smartbook-online-version-june-2025.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />$47.47 billion (FY2024)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | budget                 = $947.9 million (FY2025)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | president              = Prabhas V. Moghe <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=About the president |url=https://president.utdallas.edu/about/ |accessdate=August 4, 2025 |website=University of Texas at Dallas |language=en}}</ref>
 | provost                = 
 | city                   = [[Richardson, Texas]]<!-- do not link city and state separately per MOS:GEOLINK -->
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = {{nowrap|{{coord|32|59|06|N|96|45|00|W|region:US_type:edu|display=inline,title}}}}
 | faculty                = 1,404 (fall 2023)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | administrative_staff   = 281 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | total_staff            = 6,767 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | students               = 29,886 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | undergrad              = 21,602 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | postgrad               = 8,284 (fall 2024)<ref name="UTSystemSmartbook" />
 | campus                 = Suburban, 645 acres <ref>{{Cite web | title=The University of Texas--Dallas - Profile, Rankings and Data {{!}} US News Best Colleges | url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/the-university-of-texas-dallas-9741#:~:text=its%20setting%20is%20suburban%2C%20and%20the%20campus%20size%20is%20645%20acres | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204453/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/the-university-of-texas-dallas-9741 | access-date=2025-08-09 | archive-date=2024-09-09}}</ref>
 | colors                 = {{br list
  | Orange and green<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/brand/logos-visual-identity|title=UT Dallas Visual Identity |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref>
  | {{color box|#e87500}} {{color box|#154734}}
}}
 | nickname               = [[UT Dallas Comets|Comets]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division II]] – [[Lone Star Conference|LSC]]
 | mascot                 = Temoc
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.utdallas.edu/|utdallas.edu}}
 | logo                   = Ut dallas univ wordmark.svg
| logo_size = 250
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | former_names           = {{indented plainlist|
* Graduate Research Center of the Southwest (1961{{nbnd}}1967)
* Southwest Center for Advanced Studies (1967{{nbnd}}1969)
}}
}}

The '''University of Texas at Dallas''' ('''UTD''' or '''UT Dallas''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Richardson, Texas]], United States. It is the northernmost institution of the [[University of Texas System]]. It was initially founded in 1961 as a private research arm of [[Texas Instruments]].

The university is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2016/2/4-31897_Carnegie-Classification-of-Institutions-Elevates-U_story-sidebar.html|title=Carnegie Classification of Institutions Elevates UT Dallas to Highest Research Category|website=Utdallas.edu|access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> It is associated with four [[Nobel Prize]]s and has members of the [[National Academy of Sciences]] and [[National Academy of Engineering]] on its faculty with research projects including the areas of [[Outline of space science|Space Science]], [[Biological engineering|Bioengineering]], [[Computer security|Cybersecurity]], [[Nanotechnology]], and [[Behavioural sciences|Behavioral and Brain Sciences]]. UT Dallas offers more than 140 academic programs<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/about/|title=About UT Dallas |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> across its seven schools and hosts more than 50 research centers and institutes.

While the main campus is officially under the city jurisdiction of [[Richardson, Texas|Richardson]], one-third of it is within the borders of [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]]. UTD also operates several locations in [[downtown Dallas]] – this includes the [[Crow Museum of Asian Art]] in the [[Arts District, Dallas|Arts District]] as well as multiple buildings in the Medical District next to [[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center|UT Southwestern]]: the [[Center for BrainHealth]], the [[The Center for Vital Longevity|Center for Vital Longevity]], and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

== History ==
=== Establishment ===
Before the founding of the University of Texas at Dallas, [[Eugene McDermott]], [[Cecil Howard Green]] and [[J. Erik Jonsson]] had purchased [[Geophysical Service Incorporated]] (GSI) on December 6, 1941 – the day before the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. With the rapid increase in defense contracts due to declaration of war with Germany, the General Instrument Division of GSI grew substantially and was later reorganized under the name [[Texas Instruments]], Inc. (TI) in 1951.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kso4OUQ0GgoC&pg=PA153 |publisher=The MIT Press|date= June 22, 1989|title=Cecil and Ida Green, Philanthropists Extraordinary|isbn=0-262-19276-4|pages=153–162|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref>

The increase in defense contracts also created a shortage in the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth area]] of the qualified personnel required by TI. At the time, the region's universities did not provide enough graduates with advanced training in engineering and physical sciences. Texas Instruments was forced to recruit talent from other states during its expansion, and the founders observed in 1959 that "To grow industrially, the region must grow academically; it must provide the intellectual atmosphere, which will allow it to compete in the new industries dependent on highly trained and creative minds."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/student/catalog/undergrad10/about.html |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas |title=History |access-date=October 14, 2010 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020130756/http://www.utdallas.edu/student/catalog/undergrad10/about.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

To compensate for a shortage, McDermott, Green, and Jonsson established the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest on February 14, 1961. While the institute initially was housed in the Fondren Science Library at [[Southern Methodist University]], a nearby empty [[Cottonfield|cotton field]] was later acquired by Jonsson, McDermott, and Green in [[Richardson, Texas]] in 1962. The first facility, the Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Science (later named the Founders Building), opened in 1964. The Graduate Research Center of the Southwest was renamed the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies (SCAS) in 1967.

On June 13, 1969, Texas governor [[Preston Smith (governor)|Preston Smith]] signed House Bill 303, which added the institution to the [[University of Texas System]] as the University of Texas at Dallas (effective September 1, 1969).<ref name="Handbook">{{cite book|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kcu10|title=Handbook of Texas Online: University of Texas at Dallas|last=Champagne|first=Anthony|date=February 22, 2010|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> When Texas Instruments and UTD co-founders officially bequeathed the young university to the UT System, they boldly stated that they envisioned it would one day become the “[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] of the South.”<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/create/print.html|title=Printable Timeline – Creating the Future Since 1969 – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2014/01/28/president-determined-for-utd-to-reach-tier-one|title=President determined for UTD to reach Tier One|date=2014-01-28|website=Dallas News|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> At the time, the college only accepted [[Graduate school|graduate]] students for [[Master's degree|masters]] and [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] programs – no [[Undergraduate education|undergraduate]] [[Bachelor's degree|bachelor's]] degree programs were offered. Francis S. Johnson served as the initial interim president before Bryce Jordan was selected in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/research/spacesciences/homeframe.html|title=William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906175458/http://utdallas.edu/research/spacesciences/homeframe.html|archive-date=September 6, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=June 3, 2010}}</ref>

=== Expansion and growth ===
[[File:Engineering and Computer Science Complex (University of Texas at Dallas).jpg|thumb|Engineering and Computer Science South Building]]
In July 1971, [[Bryce Jordan]] became the university's first president and served until 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/40years/transcripts/jordan.html|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=Bryce Jordan Transcription|access-date=August 26, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> At that time the campus consisted of only one facility (the Founders Building) and only admitted graduate students. During Jordan's 10-year tenure the university received {{convert|275|acres|0|abbr=on}} of land in 1972 from the [[Hoblitzelle Foundation]]. This allowed the campus to expand with the addition of a number of new facilities, including most notably the Cecil H. Green Hall, the Eugene McDermott Library, and a campus bookstore.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gard|first=Wayne|title=Handbook of Texas Online:TEXAS RESEARCH FOUNDATION|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/snt02|access-date=December 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/development/donor-report/Donor-Report-Fall-2011.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606044504/http://www.utdallas.edu/development/donor-report/Donor-Report-Fall-2011.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2012|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=Donor Report, Fall 2011|access-date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> The school received accreditation from the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] in 1972, and the first diplomas were awarded in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|publisher=[[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]|url=http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=73200|access-date=June 22, 2010|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301221508/http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=73200|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first bachelor's degrees were awarded in spring 1976. The Callier Center for Communication Disorders became part of the UTD in 1975 and the School of Management opened in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/calliercenter/|title=Callier Center for Communication Disorders|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=January 26, 2011}}</ref> Enrollment increased from 700 in 1974, to 3,333 in 1975, and later to more than 5,300 students in 1977.<ref name="Handbook" />

UT Dallas's first [[Nobel Prize|Nobel]] laureate, the late [[Polykarp Kusch]], was a member of the physics faculty from 1972 to 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/04/09-001.php|title=2009 Kusch Lecture To Showcase Mission to Mars|access-date=May 31, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-date=March 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326164832/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/04/09-001.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first art installation, the ''Love Jack'' by [[Jim Love (artist)|Jim Love]], was added to UTD's campus in 1976.<ref name=":12" /> The Visual Arts Building opened in 1978.

[[Robert H. Rutford]], an Antarctic explorer recognized with the naming of the [[Rutford Ice Stream]] and [[Mount Rutford]] in Antarctica, became the second president of UT Dallas in May 1982.<ref name="Antarctic Peak named for Robert Rutford" /> He served in this post until 1994. During his tenure as president, the university secured approval for a school of engineering, added freshmen and sophomores to its student body, and built the first on-campus housing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/create/print.html|title=Printable Timeline|access-date=January 29, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>

The school became a four-year institution in fall 1990.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/02/style/campus-life-u-of-texas-at-dallas-something-brand-new-on-campus-freshmen.html|title=Campus Life U. of Texas Dallas|date=September 2, 1990|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=June 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/1990/10/01/MONEY.aspx|title=Money, October 1, 1990|magazine=[[D Magazine]]|access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> The initial incoming freshman class was about 100 students. The state mandated that admission criteria for entering freshmen "to be no less stringent than the criteria of UT Austin".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pre-health.utdallas.edu/applying/success-rates/|title=Coordinating Board vote adds freshmen, sophomores – Creating the Future Since 1969 – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>

[[Franklyn Jenifer]] became the third president of UT Dallas in 1994 and served until 2005. During that time, UT Dallas's enrollment increased over 61% – from less than 8,500 to nearly 14,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2003/jenifer.html|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=Franklyn Jenifer|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406080741/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2003/jenifer.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Parts of the university's ceremonial mace have been brought into space. A steel band in the headpiece and the metal foot of the staff fashioned from a scientific instrument designed by the UT Dallas Space Sciences Institute and were flown aboard the [[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Space Shuttle Endeavor]] in September 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2005/mace.html|title=UTD's First Ceremonial Mace to be Fashioned From Wood of Austin's Historic Treaty Oak Tree|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-28|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926184800/https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2005/mace.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/studentaffairs/traditions/|title=Traditions – Student Affairs – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>

The Galerstein Women's Center opened in 1996.<ref name=":12" /> It was renamed the Galerstein Gender Center and then dismantled in 2023 after the passing of SB17.
[[File:UT Dallas - Full Mark Texas Logo.jpg|alt=UT Dallas Texas logo|thumb|UT Dallas logo, inspired by the Texas Instruments logo]]

In June 2005, David E. Daniel was appointed the university's fourth president. He previously served on the faculty at [[University of Texas at Austin|UT Austin]] and was the Dean of Engineering at the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois]] from 2001 to 2005. He has continued the expansion of the campus by adding the Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory, the Center for BrainHealth (near the [[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center]]), and almost 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) of new facilities added from 2007 to 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/10/20-001.php|title=Building Projects to Change Look, Feel of UT Dallas|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-20|archive-date=April 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415235050/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/10/20-001.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2007/0605001.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708235440/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2007/0605001.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-07-08|title=Texas Icon H. Ross Perot Keynote Speaker at UT Dallas Dedication June 5|date=2008-07-08|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/|title=Center for BrainHealth|website=Center for BrainHealth|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref>

The first fight song was written in September 2008; it was written to the music of ''[[Tiger Rag]]''.<ref name=":12" />

=== Attempted DFW-area UT System mergers ===

In July 2001, the [[Seventy-seventh Texas Legislature|77th Texas legislature]] failed to pass two proposed bills which had very different plans for the future of the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]] [[University of Texas System|UT System]] intuitions.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/doc/0424.doc|title=SUMMARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATION – 77th LEGISLATURE|date=July 2001|website=TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD – Office of Governmental Relations/Public Information|access-date=2019-05-20|archive-date=November 8, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041108171414/http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/doc/0424.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/bill-would-join-uta-ut-schools/article_33fac29e-f277-5160-b6b7-cf1600a2a5cf.html|title=Bill would join UTA, 2 UT schools|last=LaFlash|first=Crystal|website=The Shorthorn|date=March 16, 2001 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/topic/5579-lawmaker-proposes-taking-the-ut-out-of-uta/|title=Lawmaker proposes taking the UT out of UTA|website=GoMeanGreen.com|date=March 13, 2003 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref>

The first plan, 77(R) HB 3568 proposed by [[Kenn George]],<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/partyListSession.cfm?leg=77|title=Legislative Reference Library {{!}} Legislators and Leaders {{!}} Political affiliation, 77th Legislature|website=lrl.texas.gov|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref> would have consolidated the two universities and one medical school under the name "The University of Texas at Dallas".<ref name=":10" /> It would have established UT Dallas (UTD) in Richardson, Texas, as the main flagship campus, [[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center|UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas]] (UTSW) as its medical school, and would have designated [[University of Texas at Arlington|UT Arlington]] (UTA) as a UT Dallas [[satellite campus]] (a situation similar to [[University of Texas Rio Grande Valley|UT Rio Grande Valley]]).<ref name=":10" /> The purpose of the bill was to consolidate all DFW UT System institutions into one, creating a single cohesive flagship-level university for the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. However, the bill was unpopular with supporters of UT Arlington (because they wanted to retain their identity as a separate institution from UT Dallas) and the House Bill ultimately failed to pass. Despite this, UT Dallas has continued a close relationship with UT Southwestern. UT Dallas' [[Center for BrainHealth]] and Callier Center were built right next to UTSW's main campus in downtown Dallas. Additionally, UT Southwestern later established a Clinical Center in Richardson next to UTD's main campus.

The second plan, 77(R) HB 3607 proposed by [[Domingo García (politician)|Domingo Garcia]],<ref name=":11" /> would have transferred UT Dallas, UT Southwestern, and UT Arlington to the [[University of North Texas System]] (to create something similar to the [[University of Houston System]]).<ref name=":10" /> The [[University of North Texas|Denton, Texas campus]] would have remained as the flagship university while the three Dallas–Fort Worth UT System institutions would have been designated as separate degree-granting sister UNT System colleges. Their names would have changed to the "University of North Texas at Dallas" located in Richardson, Texas (not to be confused with the present-day [[University of North Texas at Dallas|UNTD]] campus established later in 2009), the "University of North Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas" (UNTSW), and the "University of North Texas at Arlington" (UNTA).<ref name=":10" /> The law was left pending due to objections from both UT Arlington and UT Dallas, as both preferred to remain under the UT System.

=== Recent history ===
[[File:UT Dallas School of Management.jpg|left|thumb|Naveen Jindal School of Management]]
On July 15, 2016, Richard C. Benson was appointed the fifth president of the University of Texas at Dallas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/29/benson-named-president-ut-dallas/|title=Benson Named President of UT-Dallas|last1=Tribune|first1=The Texas|last2=Watkins|first2=Matthew|date=2016-02-29|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref> Previously he was Dean of the [[Virginia Tech College of Engineering|College of Engineering]] at [[Virginia Tech]], which saw record growth from 2005 to 2016 after the number of engineering applicants nearly doubled during his tenure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/president/about/|title=About the President – Office of the President – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref> He has continued the expansion of the UTD campus with the addition of The Bioengineering and Sciences Building, The Engineering & Computer Science West Building, a new Science Building, The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center, and Northside Phase 1 & 2 (the first on-campus apartments with first floor retail space).
[[File:UT Dallas 2 Color Emblem - SVG Brand Identity File.svg|alt=UTD Emblem Logo|thumb|150x150px|UT Dallas emblem logo]]

In 2018, the university inherited the Barrett collection of Swiss art which will be housed in a new building as part of the Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History.<ref>{{cite web |title=Acquisitions of the month: November 2018 |url=https://www.apollo-magazine.com/acquisitions-of-the-month-november-2018/ |website=Apollo Magazine|date=December 7, 2018 }}</ref> In January 2019, the family of Trammell and Margaret Crow donated the entire collection of the Crow Museum of Asian Art to The University of Texas at Dallas, along with $23 million in support funding to help build a structure on the university campus to show more of the artworks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/arts/design/university-of-texas-at-dallas-crow-museum-of-asian-art.html|title = Large Asian Art Collection Donated to University of Texas at Dallas|newspaper = The New York Times|date = January 24, 2019|last1 = Aridi|first1 = Sara}}</ref>

In fall 2019 UT Dallas marked its 50 years as a Texas public university (est. 1969), 44 years of undergraduate junior/senior enrollment (since 1975), 29 years of incoming freshmen enrollment (since 1990), and 58 years as a research center (founded in 1961).<ref name="40_Years">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/40years/print.html|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=40 Years|access-date=April 28, 2010|archive-date=July 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721065903/http://www.utdallas.edu/40years/print.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/nsm/50/|title=Celebrating 50 Years|website=utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-20|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420223917/https://www.utdallas.edu/nsm/50/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2023, University of Texas at Dallas students protested the [[Gaza war]] and [[Palestinian genocide accusation|genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malenfant |first=Marley |title=UT Dallas students among Texas students protesting Israel-Hamas war this week |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/04/25/ut-dallas-student-pro-palestine-protest-demand-action-campus-president/73454359007/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=From LA to NY, pro-Palestine college campus protests grow strong in US |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/4/27/from-la-to-new-york-student-protests-in-support-of-palestine-grow-strong |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> They staged a sit-in and setup an encampment, [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|joining other campuses across the USA]]. The students demanded that the university [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|divest]] from companies that contribute weapons to the war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-27 |title=Pro-Palestine students occupy UT Dallas building demanding action amid Gaza conflict |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/04/23/pro-palestine-students-occupy-ut-dallas-building-demanding-action-amid-gaza-conflict/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref> The university administration called in riot police to forcibly remove the encampment and there were 17 arrests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Alejandra |date=2024-05-01 |title=17 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested at UT-Dallas as police break up encampment |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/01/ut-dallas-palestinian-protest-arrests/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Steven |last2=Hurst |first2=Marvin |last3=Jenkins |first3=S. E. |last4=Allen |first4=Jason |date=2024-05-01 |title=Law enforcement removes encampments at UT Dallas campus, at least 17 arrested - CBS Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/gaza-protest-encampment-university-texas-dallas/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> UTD students were charged with trespassing on UTD land and threatened with disciplinary action.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrera • • |first=Alicia |date=2024-09-10 |title=UT Dallas holds hearings for students following May arrests during pro-Palestine rally |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/ut-dallas-hearings-students-may-2024-arrests-pro-palestine-rally/3642282/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 20, 2023, UT Dallas announced that it would leave the [[American Southwest Conference]] and transition to become an [[NCAA Division II]] school in the [[Lone Star Conference]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://utdcomets.com/news/2023/7/19/baseball-ut-dallas-accepts-invitation-to-join-lone-star-conference.aspx | title=UT Dallas Accepts Invitation to Join Lone Star Conference | date=July 19, 2023 }}</ref>

On August 26, 2024, UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson announced plans to step down from his position as the fifth president of the university. The [[University of Texas System|UT System]] Board of Regents conducted a national search for his replacement over the course of the 2024–25 academic year, with Benson persisting in his role until a successor began their term, after which he would remain at the university in a faculty capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.utdallas.edu/campus-community/benson-plans-2024/ |title=UT Dallas President Stepping Down |publisher=University of Texas at Dallas |date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> On May 7, 2025, the Board of Regents announced that Prabhas Moghe, former executive vice president for academic affairs at [[Rutgers University]], had been voted as the sole finalist for the sixth UT Dallas presidency. Moghe's experience with raising research funding at Rutgers was cited as a primary reason for his selection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-07 |title=UT System Regents name Prabhas Moghe as sole finalist for UT Dallas presidency {{!}} The University of Texas System |url=https://www.utsystem.edu/news/2025/05/07/ut-system-regents-name-prabhas-moghe-sole-finalist-ut-dallas-presidency |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.utsystem.edu |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2024, the student newspaper ''The Mercury'' website was shut down by the administration and the editor removed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mercury |first=The |date=2024-09-16 |title=Mercury EIC fired by UTD |url=https://utdmercury.com/mercury-eic-fired-by-utd/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302072836/https://utdmercury.com/mercury-eic-fired-by-utd/ |archive-date=2025-03-02 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=THE MERCURY |language=en-US}}</ref> allegedly in retaliation for criticism of UTD actions against the pro-Palestinian protesters earlier in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title=UT-Dallas student newspaper staff strike after editor removed |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/09/20/ut-dallas-student-newspaper-staff-strike-after-editor-removed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240921133440/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/09/20/ut-dallas-student-newspaper-staff-strike-after-editor-removed/ |archive-date=21 September 2024 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

== Academics ==
As of 2024, UTD had an 8-year student graduation rate{{efn|The student graduation rate is the share of students who graduated within 8 years of entering UTD for the first time}} of 70% for its undergraduate students seeking a bachelor's degree, compared to the national median of 58% for 4-year universities. This is the third-highest student graduation rate for public universities in Texas, behind the 82% student graduation rates of [[University of Texas at Austin|UT Austin]] and [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]].<ref name="collegescorecard.ed.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228787-The-University-of-Texas-at-Dallas|title=The University of Texas at Dallas|website=College Scorecard|access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=June 2023 |title=The University of Texas System Smartbook |url=https://utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publication/2023/ut-system-smartbook/smartbook-pdf-october-2023.pdf |access-date=Jan 27, 2024 |website=utsystem.edu}}</ref>

=== Rankings ===
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- National rankings -->
| Forbes_NU     = 126
| USNWR_NU      = 109 <small>(tie)</small>
| Wamo_NU       = 341
| WSJ_NU        = 319
<!-- Global rankings -->
| ARWU_W        = 501–600
| QS_W          = 597 <small>(tie)</small>
| THE_W         = 401–500
| USNWR_W       = 537 <small>(tie)</small>
}}

In 2025, ''U.S. News & World Report'' in ''Best Colleges'' ranked UTD at tied for 109th among national universities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US News and World Report-- The University of Texas--Dallas Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/the-university-of-texas-dallas-9741/overall-rankings}}</ref> The ''2017 [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]'' placed UTD at 71st–99th in the United States. ''[[Washington Monthly]]'s 2015 Annual College and University Rankings'' placed UTD at 99th in the United States.<ref name="The Washington Monthly">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2015/national-universities-rank.php|title=The Washington Monthly 2015 annual college and university rankings|magazine=The Washington Monthly|access-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Kiplinger]]'s Personal Finance magazine's 100 Best Values in Public Colleges 2016'' ranked UTD at 33rd in value for in-state residents and 38th for out-of-state students.<ref name="Kiplinger's Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php|title=Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges|publisher=Kiplinger's Magazine|access-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref>

=== Colleges and schools ===
[[File:UTD Science Learning Center .JPG|thumb|Science Learning Center. The tile exterior represents two patterns: atomic emission spectra of gases, and human DNA.]]

{{Main|University of Texas at Dallas academic programs}}

For fall 2021, the University of Texas at Dallas offered 146 academic programs across its seven schools including 56 baccalaureate programs, 59 master's programs and 31 doctoral programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fast Facts {{!}} The University of Texas at Dallas |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/about-us/fast-facts/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=www.utdallas.edu}}</ref><ref name="University of Texas Dallas Annual Report 2010">{{cite web|url = https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/index.html|title = Degrees by School – The University of Texas at Dallas|publisher = The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date = December 20, 2015|archive-date = April 22, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190422000358/https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/index.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="The University of Texas at Dallas College Portrait">{{cite web| title = The University of Texas at Dallas College Portrait| url=http://www.collegeportraits.org/TX/UTD| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728185633/http://www.collegeportraits.org/TX/UTD| url-status=usurped| archive-date=July 28, 2009|publisher=College Portrait|access-date=January 23, 2011}}</ref> The school also offers 33 undergraduate and graduate certificates.<ref>{{cite web|title = Certificates|url = https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/certificates.html|publisher = The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date = December 20, 2015|archive-date = May 8, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170508225324/http://www.utdallas.edu/academics/certificates.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> The school offers a number of interdisciplinary degree programs.<ref name="Interdisciplinary degrees">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/admissions/graduate/degrees/interdisciplinary/|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=Interdisciplinary degrees|access-date=June 8, 2010|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120041802/https://www.utdallas.edu/admissions/graduate/degrees/interdisciplinary/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2022, UTDallas announced it would combine the School of Arts & Humanities with the School of Art, Technology and Emerging Communications (ATEC) to form the School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (AHT) effective August 22, 2022.

The seven schools of UT Dallas for fall 2024:
{{Div col}}
* Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities and Technology <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2022/07/28/ut-dallas-will-merge-two-schools-creating-the-school-of-arts-humanities-and-technology/ | title=UT Dallas will merge two schools, creating the School of Arts, Humanities and Technology | date=July 28, 2022 }}</ref>
* School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
* School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
* Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
* School of Interdisciplinary Studies
* Naveen Jindal School of Management
* School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics{{colend}}The Hobson Wildenthal Honors College offers several programs and support resources for high achieving students:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/honorscollege.html|title=Honors College – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-21|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017033011/https://www.utdallas.edu/academics/honorscollege.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/mcdermott/|title=The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref>{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program
* The Collegium V Honors Program
* The Davidson Management Honors Program
* National Merit Scholars Program
* Terry Scholars Program
* Office of Distinguished Scholarships
* Archer Program
* Phi Kappa Phi
* Texas Legislative Internship Program
* Model United Nations{{colend}}

=== Student body ===
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of Fall 2024<ref name="oisds.utdallas.edu">{{Cite web|url=https://oisds.utdallas.edu/university-profile/|title=University Profile - Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support - Institutional Research, Analytics and Reporting &#124; The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|42|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|22|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|18|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]<ref name="collegescorecard.ed.gov"/>
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|31|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|69|%|2||background:black}}
|}

The top majors among undergraduates are [[computer science]]; arts, technology, and emerging communication; computer information systems and technology; [[biology]]; [[finance]]; [[psychology]]; [[business administration]]; [[neuroscience]]; [[mechanical engineering]]; and healthcare studies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/about-us/mission-vision/state-of-the-university/|title=2023 State of the University
|access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> Undergraduate students comprise 69% of the student body, while graduate students comprise 31%. The majority of graduate students (61.57%) are [[international students]], compared to only 4.43% of undergraduate students being international students.<ref name="oisds.utdallas.edu"/>

In the fall 2022–23 academic year, UTD enrolled 227 [[National Merit Scholars]] in its freshmen class of 4,220, which was the highest total number in Texas and one of the highest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/annual_report.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61|format=PDF|title=National Merit Scholarship Corporation 2016–17 Annual Report|website=Nationalmerit.org|access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> The fall 2017 entering freshmen class had an average SAT composite score of 1323 and an average ACT composite score of 29. These freshman SAT/ACT scores are the highest averages in UTD's history – which surpassed [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]]'s and matched [[University of Texas at Austin|UT Austin]]'s averages of that year.<ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/parents/fastfacts/|title=Fast Facts – Parents and Families – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=Utdallas.edu|access-date=August 12, 2025|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419194956/https://www.utdallas.edu/parents/fastfacts/|url-status=dead}}</ref> For the 2022–2023 academic year, the university granted 5,227 bachelor's degrees, 3,788 master's degrees and 250 doctoral degrees for a total of 9,265 degrees.<ref name="UT Dallas State Of The Union 2023 - Review of Quantitative Targets at 0:09">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/sotu/|title=State Of The University|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

=== Scholarship programs ===
All freshmen admitted to the university are automatically considered for an Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) Award. For the fall 2017 incoming freshmen class, the awards range from $3,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees up to complete coverage of UT Dallas tuition and mandatory fees plus $3,000 per semester cash stipend to defray the costs of books, supplies and other expenses.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://aes.utdallas.edu/|publisher = The University of Texas at Dallas|title = Academic Excellence Scholarship|access-date = October 20, 2017}}</ref>

The McDermott Scholars Program, established at UT Dallas in 2000, provides full scholarships and unique cultural and civic opportunities to academically talented high school students.<ref name="Eugene McDermott Scholars Program">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/mcdermott/|title=Eugene McDermott Scholars Program|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=May 3, 2010}}</ref>

The National Merit Scholars Program, established at UT Dallas in 2011, provides admission to the Collegium V Honors college, full tuition and mandatory fees, and an additional stipend.<ref name="UT Dallas National Merit Scholars Program">{{cite web|url=http://honors.utdallas.edu/nmsp/|title=UT Dallas National Merit Scholars Program|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>

In 2006, UT Dallas became one of 13 universities in Texas affiliated with the Terry Foundation Scholarship. The Terry Scholars Program is a cohort experience that offers academic, cultural, service, mentoring, and other unique opportunities to traditional and transfer students awarded the prestigious scholarship.<ref name="TerryScholars">{{cite web|title = Terry Scholars|url = http://www.terryfoundation.org/|publisher = The Terry Foundation|access-date = December 20, 2015|date = May 18, 2010}}</ref>

=== Research ===
UT Dallas is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and had research expenditures of $140 million for the 2022 fiscal year, $60 million of which came from federal fundings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=228787 |publisher=Center for Postsecondary Education |website=carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Table 20. Higher education R&D expenditures, ranked by FY 2018 R&D expenditures: FYs 2009–18 |url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |website=ncsesdata.nsf.gov |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930141919/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Research projects include the areas of space science, bioengineering, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, and behavioral and brain sciences. The university has more than 50 research centers and institutes and the UTD Office of Technology Commercialization, a technology transfer center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/otc/|title=Office of Technology Commercialization|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=January 29, 2011|archive-date=February 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204185002/http://www.utdallas.edu/otc/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Research Centers and Institutes">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/research/centers.html|title=Research Centers and Institutes|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=June 19, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UT Dallas State Of The Union 2021 - Review of Quantitative Targets at 0:09">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/sotu/|title=State Of The University|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 25, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:221588main CNOFSmodel HI.jpg|thumb|Scale model of the [[C/NOFS]] probe. NASA's CINDI instrument is installed on C/NOFS.]]
The William B. Hanson Center for Space Studies (CSS), affiliated with the Department of Physics, conducts research in space [[plasma physics]]. It has its roots in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Laboratory of the university's predecessor. The center conducts a NASA-sponsored mission, [[CINDI|Coupled Ion-Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI)]], which was launched in April 2008 in cooperation with the United States Air Force.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/04/24-002.php |title=UT Dallas Professor's Experiment Blasts into Space |publisher=UT Dallas News Center |access-date=June 24, 2008 |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513220343/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/04/24-002.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> CINDI, which is part of the payload for the [[C/NOFS|Communication and Navigation Outage Forecast System]] program, seeks to uncover information about the [[equatorial plasma bubble]]s that interrupt radio signals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cindi/index.html|title=CINDI Mission Page|publisher=NASA|access-date=June 24, 2008|archive-date=June 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612021026/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cindi/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cindispace.utdallas.edu/|title=CINDI Project Page at UT Dallas|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref> Under the leadership of [[John H. Hoffman]], the center designed the [[mass spectrometer]] for the [[Phoenix Mars Lander]] as part of the [[Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer]] (TEGA) experiment in cooperation with the [[University of Arizona]].<ref name=marsexp>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/05/23-001.php|title=Prof Heads to Arizona to Monitor Mars Experiment|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=May 25, 2008|archive-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905083203/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/05/23-001.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

UT Dallas conducts cybersecurity research in a number of areas including cross-domain information sharing, data security and privacy, data mining for malware detection, geospatial information security, secure social networks, and secure cloud computing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://csrc.utdallas.edu/|title=CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH CENTER|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=December 8, 2010}}</ref> The university is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research for the academic years 2008–2013 by the [[National Security Agency]] and [[Department of Homeland Security]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://csepi.utdallas.edu/|title=CyberSecurity and Emergency Preparedness Institute|access-date=November 13, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103050500/http://csepi.utdallas.edu/|archive-date=November 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Alan G. MacDiarmid]] NanoTech Institute was established in 2001 when Bay Baughman, a pioneering nanotechnologist, became the Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Chemistry and director of the university's NanoTech Institute. In 2007, it was renamed in memory of the late [[Alan MacDiarmid|Alan G. MacDiarmid]], who shared the 2000 Nobel Prize in chemistry with [[Alan Heeger]] and [[Hideki Shirakawa]]. The NanoTech Institute has produced more than 200 refereed journal articles, 13 of which have been published in ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'' or ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', and given over 300 lectures in the United States and abroad.<ref name="Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute Publications">{{cite web |url=http://nanotech.utdallas.edu/publications/index.html|title=Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute Publications|access-date=April 26, 2010 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> Ray Baughman was ranked number 30 on the March 2, 2011, Thomson Reuters list of the top 100 materials scientists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/7/8-11621_NanoTech-Director-Makes-List-of-Top-Researchers_article.html|title=NanoTech Director Makes List of Top Researchers|publisher=University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=July 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sciencewatch.com/dr/sci/misc/Top100MatSci2000-10/|title=Top 100 Materials Scientists|access-date=July 11, 2011 |publisher=Thomson Reuters }}</ref> [[File:Natural Science Engineering and Research Lab building (University of Texas at Dallas).jpg|left|thumb|Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory]]

The Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory (NSERL), a four-story, {{convert|192000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} research facility, was completed in December 2006 after two years of construction. Including [[ISO 14644-1|ISO]] [[Class 1000 (standard)|7]] [[cleanroom]] facilities, the $85 million building provides open floor plans that allows chemists, biologists, nanotechnologists, materials scientists and other specialists to conduct multidisciplinary research. The laboratory provides extensive wet lab, fabrication, instrumentation, and high performance computing facilities to foster biomedical engineering and nano-technology research. The [[Nanoelectronics]] Materials Laboratory, on the fourth floor, includes a system that allows researchers to deposit thin film materials one atomic layer at a time. In May 2011 a $3 million JEOL ARM200F scanning transmission electron microscope with an atomic resolution of 0.78 [[picometers]], was added to the research laboratory, already home to two transmission electron microscopes.<ref name="Texas Icon H. Ross Perot highlights Dedication of UTD's Natural Science & Engineering Research Laboratory">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2007/0605001.html|title=Texas Icon H. Ross Perot highlights Dedication of UTD's Natural Science & Engineering Research Laboratory|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708235440/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2007/0605001.html|archive-date=July 8, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeol.com/PRODUCTS/ElectronOptics/TransmissionElectronMicroscopesTEM/200kV/JEMARM200F/tabid/662/Default.aspx|title=JEM-ARM200F Opens Doors to New Ultra Micro Analysis|publisher=JEOL.Ltd.|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924083011/http://www.jeol.com/PRODUCTS/ElectronOptics/TransmissionElectronMicroscopesTEM/200kV/JEMARM200F/tabid/662/Default.aspx|archive-date=September 24, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/3/25-2001_Microscope-to-Further-Bolster-Nanotech-Research_article.html|title=Microscope to Further Bolster Nanotech Research|access-date=September 6, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>

[[File:Outside of bh wiki.jpg|thumbnail|Center for BrainHealth]]
The [[Center for BrainHealth]], both its own facility and part of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is a research institute with clinical interventions focused on brain health. The center is located near the UT Dallas' Callier Center for Communication Disorders and adjacent to the north campus of [[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center]] in the city of Dallas. Brain research is concentrated on brain conditions, diseases, and disorders including, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, autism, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and working memory.<ref name="brainhealth.utdallas">{{cite web|url=http://www.brainhealth.utdallas.edu/|title=Center for BrainHealth|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref>

The Callier Center for Communication Disorders became part of the University of Texas at Dallas in 1975 as part of the School of Human Development (now the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences). Research, at the center, includes the causes, prevention, assessment and treatment of communication disorders and the facilities include laboratories for research in child language development and disorders, autism spectrum disorders, speech production, hearing disorders, neurogenic speech and language, cochlear implants and aural habilitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/calliercenter/|title =Callier Center for Communication Disorders|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref>

Additional ongoing research initiatives at UT Dallas include researchers overseeing the long-running British Election Study (BES). Harold Clarke, the Ashbel Smith professor of political science in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, and Marianne Stewart, professor of political science are the co-principal investigators for the study, which began in 1964 and is one of the world's oldest continuous political research projects. The other two co-investigators are David Sanders and Paul Whiteley of the [[University of Essex]] in England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bes2009-10.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108171136/http://www.bes2009-10.org/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 8, 2009|title=UK voting study|access-date=June 2, 2010|publisher=British Election Study}}</ref>

== Campus ==

=== Main campus ===
[[File:UTD Visitor Center.jpg|thumb|UTD Visitor Center]]

The main campus is located in [[Richardson, Texas]]. Small portions of that campus extend into [[Dallas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st48_tx/place/p4861796_richardson/DC20BLK_P4861796.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Richardson city, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2023-07-01|pages=1, 5 (PDF pp. 2, 6/9)}} - Compare to [https://engineering.utdallas.edu/engineering/files/UTD-Campus-and-Parking-Map.pdf the Campus and Parking Map].</ref> The main campus is next to Dallas's [[Telecom Corridor]], {{convert|18|mi|km}} north of downtown Dallas, on the boundary of [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas]] and [[Collin County, Texas|Collin]] counties. UT Dallas owns land in Richardson, Texas consisting of approximately {{convert|465|acre|km2}} for campus development and another {{convert|265|acre|km2}} adjacent to the campus.<ref name="Facilities Management">{{cite web|title= Facilities Management|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/facilities/|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref> ''The Princeton Review's Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition'' recognized UTD for their green campus efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx|title=The 2014 Green Colleges Guide is Here!|publisher=The Princeton Review|access-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref>

While the main campus' address is officially within the jurisdiction of Richardson and Collin County, approximately one-third of the campus today (one-half in 1969) is located within Dallas County. This section contains major areas in the south end of campus, including the Visitor Center, Bookstore, the Naveen Jindal School of Management, Athletics District and facilities, half of the Founders Building, parking lots, and some on-campus student housing (Canyon Creek and University Village buildings 1, 2, and 3).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utdmercury.com/county-divide-to-have-implications-for-elections/|title=County divide to have implications for elections|last=Mercury|first=The|date=2018-09-17|website=The Mercury|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/masterplan/download/Campus_Master_Plan_Update_20180515.pdf|title=UT Dallas Campus Master Plan 2018, Page 65|last=UT Dallas|date=2018|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref> When UT Dallas started growing in the 1960s, the university needed to coordinate with one of the cities for water, electricity, sewer, police, and fire services. Dallas agreed to let Richardson officially host the university because it did not have the ability or capacity to support UTD at the time (a situation similar to [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] and [[University Park, Texas|University Park]]).<ref>{{Citation|last=UTD TV|title=Busy Being Born: The UT Dallas Story, timestamp 2:16|date=2018-10-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xexy9iwXDP8|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref> Today, UT Dallas and Richardson share a close relationship and have strongly supported each other's growth for the past 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/magazine/3707/the-tale-of-a-happy-union-between-utd-and-richardson/|title=The Tale of a Happy Union between UTD and Richardson – UT Dallas Magazine – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref>

=== Other locations ===
* Waterview Science & Technology Center and the Research and Operations Center, a leased building, is adjacent to the main campus and officially within Dallas city limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/maps/|title=Campus Map|date=April 29, 2009 |access-date=September 16, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>
* Callier Center, consisting of 8 buildings, and the [[Center for BrainHealth]], a single building, is adjacent to the [[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center]] in the city of Dallas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/maps/callier.html|title=Map of the Callier Center Dallas Campus|date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=January 7, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>
* Artist residency [[CentralTrak]] was located east of downtown Dallas one block away from [[Fair Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/ah/programs/arts/visual/centraltrak.html|title=CentralTrak – Visual Arts – School of Arts and Humanities – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-21|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124112715/https://www.utdallas.edu/ah/programs/arts/visual/centraltrak.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It closed in 2017 due to a lease cancellation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2017/01/centraltrak-utd-closing-dallas-lease-expo-park/|title=UTD's CentralTrak Forced to Move Out This Summer|date=2017-01-13|website=D Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref>
*The Crow Museum of Art, acquired by UT Dallas in January 2019, is located in the [[Arts District, Dallas|Arts District]] in Dallas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/museums/2019/01/24/advancing-place-regions-arts-scene-ut-dallas-acquires-crow-collection-asian-art|title=UT Dallas acquires Crow Museum of Asian Art, advancing its place in the region's arts scene|date=2019-01-24|website=Dallas News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref>
*The Venture Development Center and Center for Emergent Novel Technology at the Innovation Quarter (CENT-IQ) will be located at the headquarters of the Innovation Quarter as part of a partnership between the City of Richardson and the University of Texas at Dallas to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2022, to officially launch CENT-IQ that will be home to five multi-disciplinary research centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The IQ at 1302 {{!}} Richardson IQ |url=https://richardsoniq.com/iq1302/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=richardsoniq.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=September 19, 2022 - F&ED This Week - Facilities & Economic Development - The University of Texas at Dallas |url=https://fed.utdallas.edu/news/20220919/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Facilities & Economic Development – The University of Texas at Dallas |language=en}}</ref>
*The Athenaeum, a cultural district on the UT Dallas campus, opened its first phase in September 2024. It features a new home for the Crow Museum of Asian Art and a performance hall, establishing a significant arts and cultural hub for the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UTD Celebrates Grand Opening of New Arts Cornerstone on Campus - News Center {{!}} The University of Texas at Dallas |url=https://news.utdallas.edu/arts/athenaeum-phase-1-opening-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=news.utdallas.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>
*TI Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building: Dedicated on October 26, 2023, this 150,000-square-foot facility is located on the East Campus of UT Southwestern. Funded by a $120 million donation from Texas Instruments, it features advanced lab spaces and collaboration areas, aiming to enhance biomedical innovation and training at UT Dallas and UT Southwestern.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UTD, UTSW Dedicate TI Biomedical Engineering, Sciences Building - News Center {{!}} The University of Texas at Dallas |url=https://news.utdallas.edu/campus-community/ti-biomedical-engineering-building-dedication-2023/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=news.utdallas.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Architecture ===
[[File:UT Dallas Student Service Building.JPG|thumb|Student Services building]]
The first campus development plan (1971) called for [[Brutalist architecture|brutalist]]-style concrete architecture, a [[monorail]], and skywalks.<ref name=":12" /> While not everything was implemented, some of the original elements outlined do remain today. The overall modern look and feel of the campus was inspired by the founders' vision of a "college of the future" – intentionally straying far from the traditional "red-brick" styles of older universities.

Later architecture (early 21st century) exhibits late modern or [[Postmodern architecture|postmodern]] features such as bronze glass, bronze aluminum frames, unadorned geometric shapes, unusual surfaces, and unorthodox layouts. This styling is seen in the Engineering and Computer Science West building, School of Management, Cecil and Ida Green Center, and Natural Science and Engineering Research Lab facility (called the Mermaid Building due to its colorful anodized shingles). To provide protection from inclement weather and extreme temperatures, many of the buildings on campus are connected by a series of elevated indoor walking paths also referred to as [[Skyway|skybridge]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/pardonourprogress/images/Indoor-Walking-Path-Map.pdf|title=Indoor Walking Path|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=July 25, 2011}}</ref>

The Student Services building, completed in 2010, is the first academic structure in Texas to be rated a [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Platinum facility by the [[U.S. Green Building Council|United States Green Building Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/2/10-8711_UT-Dallas-Building-Awarded-Highest-Green-Status_article.html|title=UT Dallas Building Awarded Highest Green Status|access-date=February 8, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>

=== Landscape ===
[[File:UTD mall.JPG|thumb|left|The Plinth, located between the McDermott Library (left) and the Student Union (right)]]
A $30 million Campus Landscape Enhancement Project, largely funded by Margaret McDermott (wife of UTD founder Eugene McDermott), was started in October 2008 and completed in late 2010. The project encompassed all aspects of landscape architecture from campus identity to pedestrian strategies, future growth patterns, sustainability and establishing a campus core. The first enhancement included the reforestation of the main entry drive with more than 5,000 native trees. Each tree was hand-picked and individually arranged by the landscape architect after study of native stands in Texas.

The next major enhancement included the commitment to a [[Riparian zone|riparian]] corridor, consisting of a densely planted natural creek bed along the central entry median to the campus [[Avenue (landscape)|Allée]]. The main Mall (or 'Allée') includes 116 hand-picked columnar 'Claudia Wannamaker' Magnolias alongside five reflecting pools and four human-scale chess boards (to represent the achievements of the school's chess team). At the northern terminus of the Mall (between the McDermott Library and the Student Union) is a pavilion-sized plaza, referred to by many students as "The Plinth". The plaza includes a granite fountain complete with mist column, an overhead trellis covered in [[wisteria]] vines, and a temperature-modifying shade structure design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/facilities/files/CLEP-Executive-Summary-Nov-2010.pdf|title=Campus Landscape Enhancement Project
|access-date=January 1, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/enhance/downloads/enhancement-facts.pdf|title=Campus Enhancement Facts|date=April 16, 2007|access-date=September 17, 2010 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/president/viewpoint/2010/10/|title=President Viewpoint 2010|access-date=January 1, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009021813/http://www.utdallas.edu/president/viewpoint/2010/10/|archive-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The most recent Phase of the Campus Landscape Enhancement Project was completed in time for the fall 2021 semester. This phase included converting a section of Rutford Ave from North Loop Road to Franklyn Jenifer Drive into a 24-foot wide pedestrian-only promenade. Six brick signs matching that of the main entrance was also installed at major intersections and campus entrances. A bridge was also installed over Cottonwood Creek between Callier Center Richardson and the Bioengineering and Sciences Building which was finished in September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=September 14, 2021 - F&ED This Week - Facilities & Economic Development - The University of Texas at Dallas |url=https://fed.utdallas.edu/news/20210914/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Facilities & Economic Development - The University of Texas at Dallas |language=en}}</ref> A total of 1,200 trees were planted and enhancements were made to the Rock Garden behind the Founder Building.

=== Art museum ===
In November 2018, the university announced the donation of the Barrett Collection of Swiss Art, the largest collection of Swiss art outside of Switzerland. Shortly after, in January 2019, the family of Trammell and Margaret Crow, local real estate mogul, donated the entire collection of the Crow Museum of Asian Art to The University of Texas at Dallas, along with $23 million in support funding to help build a structure on the university campus to show more of the artworks. This donation was a decade in the making by the Director of the Center for Asian Studies and Dean of the then School of Arts and Humanities, Dennis M. Kratz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crow Family Gives Complete Asian Art Collection, $23 Million to UT Dallas |url=https://news.utdallas.edu/philanthropy/crow-family-donates-asian-art-collection-funding-for-new-museum-to-university/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=News Center |language=en-US}}</ref>

With the need to build an art museum to hold these vast collections, Richard Brettell, founding director of the Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History and major orchestrator of the two acquisitions, was heavily involved in the design process,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-25 |title=Dallas' Rick Brettell, a critic, museum director and UTD rainmaker extraordinaire, dies at 71 |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/visual-arts/2020/07/24/dallas-rick-brettell-a-critic-museum-director-and-utd-rainmaker-extraordinaire-dies-at-71/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref> which was designed by the Los Angeles-based architecture firm Morphosis, which is also designed the renowned Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Downtown Dallas<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Innovates |first1=Dallas |last2=Seeley |first2=David |date=2022-05-12 |title=12 Acres of Creativity: UT Dallas Breaks Ground on a $158M Cultural Arts District |url=https://dallasinnovates.com/12-acres-of-creativity-ut-dallas-breaks-ground-on-a-158m-cultural-district/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Dallas Innovates |language=en-US}}</ref>

Located south of the Naveen Jindal School of Management and close to the main entrance of the university, groundbreaking for the two story 68, 459 sq ft Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum began on May 11, 2022, and is expected to be completed by 2024. The project is expected to cost $58 million, with around 55% of the cost being funded through university gifts.<ref>Marvos, L. "Arts and Performance Complex - Athenaeum, Page 1 Executive Summary Report. 12 April 2022.</ref> Upon completion, the Athenaeum will be the largest major art museum north of I-635.

== Student life ==
=== Activities ===
[[File:UTD Activity Center.JPG|thumb|Activity Center]]

The University of Texas at Dallas has 300+ registered campus organizations, including fraternities and sororities. Traditional athletic sports are not a major focus of the institution.<ref name=":9" />

UTD's {{convert|89000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Activity Center includes a fitness center, basketball courts, a multi-purpose room, and an indoor swimming pool. Also available are sand volleyball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, softball fields, baseball fields and a [[disc golf]] course.<ref name="UT Dallas Recreation">{{cite web|url = https://urec.utdallas.edu|publisher = The University of Texas at Dallas|title = University Recreation|access-date = December 18, 2023}}</ref>

=== Recreation and education teams ===
==== Chess ====

The internationally ranked UT Dallas chess team was launched in 1996 under the direction of two-time president of the U.S. Chess Federation, Timothy Redman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2006/redman-resigns-chess.html|title=U. T. Dallas' Tim Redman Recognized By United States Chess Federation|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=October 25, 2010|archive-date=June 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626050044/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2006/redman-resigns-chess.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The university recruits worldwide for its chess team and 24 [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmasters]] and [[International Masters]] have played for UT Dallas from 1996 to 2018. The UTD chess team has won or tied for first place in the Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship more than 10 times since 2000.<ref name=":9" /> As a result of the program's success, four human-sized chess boards were installed in the campus' Mall, now referred to as "Chess Plaza."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.utdallas.edu/campus-community/chess-brings-mind-body-soul-of-ut-dallas-campus-in/|title=Chess Brings Mind, Body, Soul of UT Dallas Campus into the Game|publisher=UT Dallas Magazine|access-date=November 18, 2025}}</ref> The university offers chess scholarships to qualified student players and several full four-year tuition tournament-based scholarships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/chess/chess-team/|title=The UT Dallas Chess Team|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=August 28, 2010}}</ref>

Achievements include the following:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/chess/chess-team/accomplishments/|title=Accomplishments – Chess – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>

* UT Dallas has taken first place in eight of its 12 appearances at the Texas State College Championship and the UTD chess team has won or tied for first place in the Southwest Collegiate Championship for 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/11/18-7211_Chess-Team-Edges-Out-Rivals-in-State-Championship_article.html|title=Chess Team Edges Out Rivals in State Championship|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=November 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/chess/chess-team/accomplishments.html|title=UT Dallas Chess Team Accomplishments|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=November 11, 2010|archive-date=October 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006184133/http://www.utdallas.edu/chess/chess-team/accomplishments.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The UTD chess team has won the Transatlantic Cup in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. They tied for first place in the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 matches with the [[University of Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/11/8-13851_Chess-Team-Battles-to-a-Draw-in-Trans-Atlantic-Riv_article-wide.html|title=Chess Team Battles to a Draw in Trans-Atlantic Rivalry|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2014/11/7-31289_Chess-Team-University-of-Belgrade-Finish-All-Squar_story-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePageCenterColumn|title=Chess Team, University of Belgrade Finish All Square in Cup Matchup|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> Since 2000, UTD's chess players have won or tied ten [[Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship]] titles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/crosswords/chess/colleges-fight-for-team-title-with-talent-filled-rosters.html?ref=chess&_r=0|title=Colleges Fight for Title With Talent-Filled Rosters|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/12/31-21371_UT-Dallas-Ties-for-First-Place-at-World-Series-of-_article-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePage|title=UT Dallas Ties for First Place at 'World Series of Chess'|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=December 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/chess/news/|title=News – Chess – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2016/11/14-32286_Chess-Team-Retains-Transatlantic-Cup-with-Victory-_story-wide.html|title=Chess Team Retains Transatlantic Cup with Victory over Belgrade – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
* The UT Dallas chess team has competed in each consecutive Final Four of Chess tournaments starting in 2001 though 2018, winning or tying for first place five times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2013/4/8-22981_Comets-Earn-2nd-Place-in-Final-Four-of-Chess-in-Wa_article-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePage|title=UT Dallas Takes 2nd Place in Chess Final Four|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/campus/chess-team-advances-to-final-four-with-pan-american-performance/|title=Chess Team Clinches Final Four Spot with Pan American Performance – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref> Since 2019, UT Dallas has made 16 total appearances in the 19 years the Final Four tournament has existed.
* The U.S. Chess Federation selected UT Dallas as the Chess College of the Year for 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/9/7-19521_Chess-Team-Begins-Season-With-New-Designation_article.html|title=Chess Team Begins Season With New Designation|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=September 7, 2012}}</ref>

==== Debate ====

Established in the fall of 1996, UT Dallas Debate has consistently ranked in the top 25 debate programs nationally. Students engaged in college debate devote hundreds of hours per season researching and defending a specific policy resolution, in the process gaining a graduate-level understanding of complex social and political issues. UTD's Debate program is generally run under the Honors College and offers competitive scholarships to students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://honors.utdallas.edu/debate|title=UT Dallas Debate – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=honors.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> Since 2019, UTD has made 16 consecutive appearances at the National Debate Tournament, which is attended by the 78 best teams in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2014/4/10-29491_Debate-Team-Finishes-Season-With-National-Event_story-wide.html|title=Debate Team Finishes Season With National Event – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>

Achievements include the following:
* Won the [[Cross Examination Debate Association]]'s "Brady Lee Garrison Newcomer Sweepstakes Award" in spring 1997.
* UTD first qualified a team for the [[National Debate Tournament]] in 2004 and has qualified each year since. In 2004 the team also hosted its first annual "Fear and Loathing" tournament, with more than 325 participants, coaches, and judges in attendance.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}
* The UTD debate team placed in the top five at the American Debate Association national championships each year between 2009 and 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utdmercury.com/news/article_eb712d74-d101-11e1-9bf5-0019bb30f31a.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205125359/http://www.utdmercury.com/news/article_eb712d74-d101-11e1-9bf5-0019bb30f31a.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2013|title=Debate duo takes fifth at nationals|newspaper=The UTD Mercury|access-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref>
*UTD placed in the Top 10 of the [[National Debate Tournament]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2016/5/11-32036_UT-Dallas-Debate-Team-Finishes-in-Top-10-at-Nation_story-wide.html|title=UT Dallas Debate Team Finishes in Top 10 at National Tournament – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
*In 2012 and 2018, the UTD debate team made it to the Sweet 16 of the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) national tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2018/4/23-32933_Debaters-Find-Sweet-Spot-at-National-Tournament_story-sidebar.html|title=Debaters Find Sweet Spot at National Tournament – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/2/15-15761_Debate-Team-Earns-Outright-Win-in-Kansas-City_article.html|title=Debate Team Starts 2012 Strong… - UT Dallas News|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
*The UTD debate team qualified and placed in the finals of the [[Cross Examination Debate Association]] (CEDA) national tournament in 2019. In the same year, the UTD speech team qualified for and placed at the [[American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament|American Forensic Association national tournament]] and the [[National Forensic Association]] national tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://utdallas.edu/news/campus/speech-debate-teams-spring-2019/|title=Speech, Debate Teams Make Voices Heard Nationally, Finish Year Strong|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>

==== Pre-law ====
The school fields teams in the pre-law competitions: Moot Court, Mock Trial and Mediation. UTD is one of the few schools in Texas to field teams in all three major undergraduate legal advocacy competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/pre-law/advocacy-teams|title=Pre-Law Advising Center Advocacy Teams – Pre-Law Advising Center at UT Dallas – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref>

Achievements include the following:
* In November 2009, the UT Dallas team won the National Mediation Tournament championship in the advocate/client division. The tournament was held at the [[John Marshall Law School (Chicago)|John Marshall Law School in Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/11/20-003.php|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|title=Indisputably Excellent: Mediation Teams Win Big|access-date=December 21, 2010|archive-date=December 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217033758/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/11/20-003.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2010, UTD students again placed first and second in the advocate/client division to win the Dan Stamatelos National Trophy for Advocacy. The tournament was held at the [[Drake University Law School]] and UT Dallas was the only school to place two teams to the final rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/12/16-7721_Its-Agreed-Mediation-Team-is-Tops-in-Nation-Again_article.html|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas |title=Mediation Team is Tops in Nation Again|access-date=December 21, 2010}}</ref>
* UTD received first, second and fourth place at the November 2010, South Central Regional Moot Court Championships. The [[University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law|University of Arkansas at Little Rock's, William H. Bowen School of Law]] was host to the 32 teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/11/23-7321_Moot-Court-Squad-Makes-Convincing-Case-for-Itself_article.html|publisher=University of Texas at Dallas|title=Moot Court Squad Makes Convincing Case for Itself |access-date=December 5, 2011}}</ref>
* UT Dallas Moot Court debate team placed first overall in the regional competition at the American Collegiate Moot Court Association National Tournament, hosted January 2012 at [[Chapman University]] in Orange, California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/2/8-15641_Teams-Rank-in-Top-Tier-of-National-Moot-Court-Chal_article-wide.html|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas |title=Teams Rank in Top Tier of National Moot Court Challenge|access-date=March 23, 2011}}</ref>
*In 2013, one UT Dallas team reached the quarterfinals at the Southwest Regional Tournament, and another made it to the semifinals to earn a bid in the national tournament, hosted by the American Moot Court Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2014/9/2-31149_Moot-Court-Preparing-Students-to-Make-Their-Cases--_story-wide.html|title=Moot Court Preparing Students to Make Their Cases after Graduation – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
*In 2016, UTD won the International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament and qualified for the American Collegiate Moot Court Association tournament in California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2016/1/14-31862_its-all-settled-mediation-team-takes-home-national_story-wide.html|title=It's All Settled: Mediation Team Takes Home National Championship – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>
*UTD qualified for the American Mock Trial Association's Opening Round Championship Series in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2018/3/8-32878_Mock-Trial-Teams-Court-Success-Prepare-for-Nationa_story-wide.html|title=Mock Trial Teams Court Success, Prepare for National Competition – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>

=== Greek life ===
The University of Texas at Dallas opened the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in 1992 with [[Kappa Sigma]] and [[Alpha Gamma Delta]] as the first fraternity and sorority on campus, respectively. Internal sources state that more than 1,000 students are involved in 26 Greek organizations as of fall 2019.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/gogreek/about/
|title=About Us
|publisher=University of Texas at Dallas
|website=Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref>

=== Student media ===
''The Mercury'' has been the official student newspaper of the University of Texas at Dallas since 1980. It publishes 5,000 copies every other Monday during the fall and spring semesters, and every third Monday during the summer. It is distributed free around campus and at the UTD newsroom in the Student Union. ''The Mercury'' also publishes online at utdmercury.com. In April 2011, ''The Mercury'' won 12 awards at the 101st annual Texas Intercollegiate Press Association IPA convention.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/5/3-10571_The-News-is-Good-for-Student-Media-at-Awards-Event_article.html|title=The News is Good for Student Media at Awards Event|publisher =The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=May 3, 2011}}</ref> In September 2024, ''The Mercury''<nowiki/>'s editorial board, management team, and staff went on strike to protest the removal of Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez as Editor-in-Chief of ''The Mercury'' and to demand his reinstatement by UTD's Student Media Operating Board.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Maria |last2=Racheeti |first2=Kavya |last3=Martinez |first3=Paola |last4=Morgan |first4=Aimee |title=Editorial: Reinstate Gregorio as EIC now |url=https://retrogradenews.com/2024/09/16/editorial-reinstate-gregorio-as-eic-now/ |access-date=2025-11-18|website=The Retrograde}}</ref> The team formed a new student paper, ''The Retrograde'', which has been recognized by Student Government as the official student newspaper of UTD.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In retrograde: UT Dallas students fight to preserve independence, free press |url=https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/university-texas-dallas-utd-mercury-retrograde-student-newspaper-media-strike-palestine-protests/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Texas Standard |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In 2004, another student print named ''A Modest Proposal'' (''AMP'') was formed. In contrast to ''The Mercury'', which is almost all news articles, ''AMP'' is a magazine and features mostly editorial content. ''AMP'' is published once a month, eight times a year. Any student, faculty, or staff of UTD can contribute to the paper. Copies of ''AMP'' are available for free at the first of each month around the campus, and can also be downloaded in PDF format from their website.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://amp.utdallas.edu/about/ | title=About ''A Modest Proposal''|publisher=A Modest Proposal|access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref> ''Radio UTD'' is the university's student-run, online-only, radio station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/02/25-001.php |title=Radio UTD to Beam Show on XM Satellite Station |access-date=April 17, 2008 |date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=UT Dallas News Center |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208154621/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/02/25-001.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009, UTD TV, an internet-based campus TV station, was founded and launched by students. It webcasts a range of student-interest programs from campus news and amusing serial stories to student affairs coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/studentmedia/|title=Student Media|publisher =The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref>

=== Residential housing ===
[[File:Residence Hall (University of Texas at Dallas).jpg|left|thumb|UTD Residence Hall South]]

On-campus housing for the 2015–2016 academic year consisted of the University Commons five residential halls and 1,237 apartments.<ref name="UTD Housing">{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/housing/|title=Housing at UT Dallas|date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=April 27, 2010 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> The apartment buildings 1–37, which make up 696 units and buildings 38–67, which make up 541 units, are owned by the university and privately managed by American Campus Communities under the name University Village. Buildings 1–37, previously known as the Waterview Park Apartments, were owned by the Utley Foundation and purchased by UTD on July 1, 2013.<ref name="Water view Park Apartments">{{cite web |url= http://www.waterviewparkapts.com/about-us.aspx|title=Waterview Park Apartments|date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=May 10, 2010 |publisher=Waterview Park Apartments, LLC..}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2013/7/1-24471_Waterview-Becomes-University-Village-Purchase-Comp_article-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePage|title=Waterview Becomes University Village: Purchase Complete|access-date=July 1, 2013 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> Apartment floor plans vary from 1-bedroom to 4-bedroom units and amenities include swimming pools, volleyball courts, outdoor grills, and study centers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/housing/uv/ |title=University Village|date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2010 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> According to a ''UTD Mercury'' article on September 18, 2011, both graduate and upperclassman housing continues to be in short supply due to the increase in enrollment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utdmercury.com/news/campus_news/article_ce876862-b654-11e1-aa1a-0019bb30f31a.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205101517/http://www.utdmercury.com/news/campus_news/article_ce876862-b654-11e1-aa1a-0019bb30f31a.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2013|newspaper=The UTD Mercury|title=Overcrowed Housing|access-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:UT Dallas Apartments.JPG|thumb|UTD Apartments]]
On August 12, 2009, a {{convert|148000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} residence hall (Residence Hall South) opened, providing housing for 384 full-time freshmen residents and 16 peer advisers. The building includes a mix of three-bedroom, single-bath suites for freshmen and one-bedroom, one-bath units for peer advisers. On each wing and each floor are several communal study areas and the ground floor features a {{convert|1800|sqft|m2|adj=on}} glass-enclosed rotunda with pool and ping-pong tables, large-screen televisions, couches and chairs.<ref name="ResHall">{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/04/15-003.php |title=Event to Celebrate Residence Hall's Construction |date=April 15, 2008 |access-date=November 3, 2008 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208154631/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/04/15-003.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> A second, {{convert|150000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} residence hall, (Residence Hall North), was officially completed June 27, 2011, and a third freshman residence hall (Residence Hall Northwest) adjacent to the two existing halls was completed in August 2012. A fourth residence hall (Residence Hall Southwest) opened in time for the fall 2013 semester.<ref name="University Unveils Plans for 3rd Residence Hall">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/7/28-11851_University-Unveils-Plans-for-3rd-Residence-Hall_article-wide.html|title=University Unveils Plans for 3rd Residence Hall| date=July 28, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref><ref name="The University of Texas at Dallas">{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/8/9-19091_University-Gets-OK-to-Build-Fourth-Residence-Hall_article-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePageCenterColumn|title=New Structure to House 400 Students with a Target Opening Date of Fall 2013|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> Construction for a fifth residential facility (Residence Hall West) was started in July 2013 and completed in 2014. The 339,000-square-foot (31,500&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) 600-bed facility includes a dining hall with seating for 800 and a recreation center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2012/11/27-20931_Regents-OK-New-Residence-Hall-and-Jindal-School-Ex_article-wide.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePageCenterColumn|title=Regents OK New Residence Hall and Jindal School Expansion|access-date=November 27, 2012 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2013/7/8-24431_Building-Starts-on-School-Expansion-Residential-Ha_article.html?WT.mc_id=NewsHomePage|title=Building Starts on School Expansion, Residential Hall|access-date=July 8, 2012 |publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> Residence Hall West houses the Living Learning Communities program that groups students with similar interests and majors together.

Construction has begun on two new apartment-style housing complexes known as Phase VI and Phase VII.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2016/5/23-32060_Summer-Heats-Up-with-New-Construction-Projects-Con_story-sidebar.html|title=Summer Heats Up with New Construction Projects, Continued Work on Several Others – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=Utdallas.edu|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> The two complexes will offer a total of 800 beds and are expected to open in time for the fall 2017 semester.{{Update inline|date=March 2020|reason=}}

In 2015, co-developers [[Balfour Beatty]] Campus Solutions and Wynne/Jackson began construction of a private mixed-use development known as Northside on leased university land directly adjacent to the main campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2015/4/29-31526_Developers-Begin-Construction-of-Northside_story-wide.html|title=Developers Begin Construction of Northside – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=Utdallas.edu|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> Opened in time for the fall 2016 semester, the development offers 600 beds through a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and townhomes. Northside also includes 20,000 square feet of space for retail and food vendors, bringing an integrated residential and retail complex to the edge of campus for the first time.

=== Dining ===
Students have multiple dining options, including commercial restaurants primarily within the Student Union, a traditional dining hall near the residence halls, and convenience stores within buildings. Commercial restaurants include [[Firehouse Subs]], [[Chick-fil-A]], [[Smoothie King]], [[The Halal Guys|Halal Guys]], [[Panda Express]], [[Starbucks]], and [[Einstein Bros. Bagels]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Comet Cafe|url=http://www.dineoncampus.com/utdallasdining/show.cfm?cmd=menus|website=Dineoncampus.com|access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/services/dining/|title=Dining Services – Auxiliary Services – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref> The Student Union dining hall opened on August 12, 2009, in conjunction with the opening of the first residence hall and was later replaced by a new dining hall within the Residence Hall West complex.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/09/08-003.php|title=New Halls Having an Official Housewarming Party|date=August 10, 2009|access-date=August 20, 2009|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406080522/http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/09/08-003.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2015/6/29-31596_University-Adding-Dining-Options-Launching-Meal-Ex_story-wide.html|title=University Adding Dining Options, Launching Meal Exchange Program – News Center – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=Utdallas.edu|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> The former Student Union dining hall was later replaced by an extended food court area featuring an expanded Chick-fil-A and a Panda Express, among other options. The Student Union building houses The Pub which features a sit-down restaurant atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dineoncampus.com/utdallasdining/show.cfm?cmd=menus|title=Where to Eat at UT Dallas|date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=February 8, 2011|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> Beginning in the fall 2016 semester, UT Dallas Dining began hosting local food trucks on campus. All first-year students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan; meal plans are optional for all other students who live on campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dineoncampus.com/utdallasdining/?cmd=_mealPlansFAQs|title=First-Year Students Meal Plans|date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=August 19, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref>

== Traditions ==
The student body is collectively known as the Comets, while the college's mascot is Temoc. The "Whoosh" salute is a way for students to show campus unity.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/studentaffairs/traditions/|title=Traditions – Student Affairs – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref>

Resting in front of the Texas Instruments Plaza is the sculpture ''Jack'', created in 1971 by artist [[Jim Love (artist)|Jim Love]] (1927–2005).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bottoni |first=Paul |date=May 10, 2021 |title=Love Jack Gets New Home |url=https://magazine.utdallas.edu/2021/05/10/love-jack-gets-new-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513185303/https://magazine.utdallas.edu/2021/05/10/love-jack-gets-new-home/ |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2022 |website=UTDallas Magazine}}</ref> Margaret McDermott, wife of UTD founder Eugene McDermott (1899–1973), presented the sculpture to the university in 1976.

=== Spirit Rocks ===
The Spirit Rocks were a set of three "free speech" rocks on campus where students could paint anything following loose rules. The rocks were painted frequently with political, event-related, and school spirit messages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-17 |title='We called them out': How Black undergraduates at UT Dallas are powering a push against systemic racism on campus |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2020/09/17/we-called-them-out-how-black-undergraduates-at-ut-dallas-are-powering-a-push-against-systemic-racism-on-campus/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Melhado |first=William |date=2023-11-22 |title=A Texas university removed its unique public billboards after students used them to share thoughts on Gaza war |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/22/ut-dallas-israel-palestine-spirit-rocks/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

On October 16, 2023, student newspaper The Mercury reported on students spray painting [[State of Palestine|Palestinian]] and [[Israel]]i flags and messages on the Spirit Rocks in response to the [[Gaza war]]. Students painted various messages in support of both countries, including "WE (Israel) ARE WINNING", "Free Palestine", "END OCCUPATION", "Terror ≠ 'Justice{{'"}}, and "Zionism = Nazism". Dean of Students Amanda Smith said the support for both countries did not violate the rules of the Spirit Rocks.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Mercury |first=The |date=2023-10-16 |title=Comets react to war in Middle East, graffiti spirit rocks for Palestine, Israel |url=https://utdmercury.com/comets-react-to-war-in-middle-east-graffiti-spirit-rocks-for-palestine-israel/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The Mercury |language=en-US}}</ref> CBS Texas reported on the issue, calling the Spirit Rocks "a tense platform for politics with competing views about the violence in the Middle East".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=UT Dallas' "Spirit Rocks" become tense platform for students amid Israel-Palestine conflict - CBS Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/ut-dallas-spirit-rocks-become-tense-platform-for-students-amid-israel-palestine-conflict/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>

On November 20, the Spirit Rocks were removed by Student Affairs executives for platforming "extended political discourse" without consulting the committee responsible for university policies.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Mercury |first=The |date=2023-12-04 |title=Student Affairs removes Spirit Rocks for platforming 'extended political discourse' |url=https://utdmercury.com/student-affairs-removes-spirit-rocks-from-campus/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=THE MERCURY |language=en-US}}</ref> This sparked backlash from the student body, prompting protests attended by hundreds of students.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Averion |first=André |first2=Azeem |last2=Fatimah |last3=Sierputowski |first3=Jack |last4=Shaikh |first4=Maria |date=2023-12-04 |title=A week of protests for Spirit Rocks |url=https://utdmercury.com/spiri-rocks-student-protests-collection/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=The Mercury |language=en-US}}</ref> Free speech advocacy group [[Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression]] condemned the university for the Spirit Rocks' removal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UT Dallas removed 'spirit rocks' amid Israel-Palestine conflict. Does it violate free speech? |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/02/01/ut-dallas-removes-spirit-rocks-utd-students-protest-israel-palestine-conflict/72422636007/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> Students have since attempted to bring the Spirit Rocks back through Student Government<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Giana |last2=Baker |first2=David |title=Letters from your Student Government representatives |publisher=The Retrograde |url=https://retrogradenews.com/2025/08/25/letters-from-sg/ |access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref>, opinion articles<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crivella |first=Tyler |title=Want to fix campus culture? Bring back the Spirit Rocks
|access-date=2025-11-19 |publisher=The Retrograde |url=https://retrogradenews.com/2025/09/08/want-to-fix-campus-culture-bring-back-the-spirit-rocks/}}</ref>, and artistic exhibitions.

== Athletics ==
{{main|UT Dallas Comets}}

UT Dallas is transitioning to [[NCAA Division II]] varsity athletics. It has competitive club teams and intramural sports teams. Athletic teams are known as the Comets, while the mascot is Temoc ("Temoc" is "comet" spelled backwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/mascot/|title=UT Dallas Mascot|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>)

=== Varsity ===
The University of Texas at Dallas' Varsity athletics program started when UTD provisionally joined the [[NCAA Division III]] and the [[American Southwest Conference]] (ASC) in 1998 and was granted full membership in the ASC in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascsports.org/sports/2007/8/15/About%20ASC.aspx|publisher=American Southwest Conference|title=American Southwest Conference|access-date=April 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> On July 20, 2023, the university announced it would move to [[NCAA Division II]] and join the [[Lone Star Conference]].<ref name="auto"/> Varsity sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, esports, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.<ref>{{cite web| title =Comet Sports| url =http://cometsports.utdallas.edu/index.aspx|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas| access-date=July 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utdcomets.com/|title=University of Texas at Dallas Athletics – Official Athletics Website|website=University of Texas at Dallas Athletics|language=en|access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> In total, 300 student athletes and 14 intercollegiate teams are officially supported by the university.

Gene Fitch, the university's vice president of student affairs, stated that UTD plans to open "the premier collegiate gaming center in the country" by the spring of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=$15M esports building at UT Dallas set to open in January
 |url=https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/richardson/education/2024/10/08/15m-esports-building-at-ut-dallas-set-to-open-in-january/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Community Impact |language=en}}</ref>

=== Intramural sports ===
UT Dallas has several intramural sports teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/urec/competitive/intramural/|title=Intramurals – Competitive Sports – University Recreation – The University of Texas at Dallas|website=www.utdallas.edu|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> These teams compete only within UTD, as all teams are organized groups of current students. While available sports and teams can vary each year, teams offered in spring 2019 included badminton, basketball, Battleship, cricket, esports, flag football, sand volleyball, swim, soccer, table tennis, tennis, ultimate frisbee, wiffleball, rock climbing and Xtreme dodgeball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imleagues.com/spa/intramural/a2ff00c067844f4898ad8795d1bfde2d/home|title=IMLeagues – UTD Intramural Sports|website=www.imleagues.com|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
[[File:James Reilly.jpg|thumb|upright|Astronaut [[James F. Reilly]]|alt=|right]]
{{Main|List of University of Texas at Dallas people}}

Notable UT Dallas faculty, staff, and alumni include an Antarctic explorer,<ref name="Antarctic Peak named for Robert Rutford">{{cite web|url=http://www.gsafweb.org/CurrentEvents/mtrutford.html|title=Antarctic Peak named for Robert Rutford|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=The Geological Society of America Foundation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304212603/http://www.gsafweb.org/CurrentEvents/mtrutford.html|archive-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> an astronaut,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2005/reilly-talk.html|title=NASA astronaut|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas|archive-date=March 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312032523/https://www.utdallas.edu/news/archive/2005/reilly-talk.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> members of the National Academies,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/about/|title=About UT Dallas|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> four Nobel laureates,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1993/|title=The Nobel Prize in Physics 1993 was awarded to Russell A. Hulse|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=Nobelprize.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920203401/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1993/|archive-date=September 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> a writer and folklorist,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/5/24-3631_Alumnus-Wins-Guggenheim-for-Photography-Research_article.html|title=Alumnus Wins Guggenheim|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> a member of India's Parliament,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utdallas.edu/news/2010/2/26-1391_Alumni-Award-Recipients-and-New-Leadership-Honor-A_article-wide.html|title=Alumni Award Recipients|access-date=June 10, 2010|publisher=The University of Texas at Dallas}}</ref> and the founder of the world's first molecular nanotechnology company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zyvex.com/AboutUs/background.html|title=NanoTech Institute|publisher=ZYVEX|access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== See also ==
* [[List of The University of Texas at Dallas people]]

== References ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://utdcomets.com/ Athletics website]

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