OC, UTPB plan for big additions

Administrators at the institutions of higher learning in Odessa focused on building their campuses with new community relationships, programs, facilities and software this year.

At Odessa College, President Gregory Williams — in his first year as top administrator — made clear he wanted the junior college to become a partner with other city organizations.

From teaming up on college readiness and dual-credit programs with the Ector County Independent School District to the college itself coming together to volunteer in the community, Williams said he has a vision for the institution to be the “community’s college.”

In the same vein, the college administration and trustees decided to maintain its radio station, KOCV-FM, while trying to build up listener support.

Odessa College prepares to launch a branding campaign to see how students, business leaders and community members view the college.

And in the classroom, some OC professors used a new program called Tegrity to allow their students to download and view lectures online. Administrators have planned for the college to use the program to expand its course selection to online offerings — reaching potential students across the globe.

At the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, administrators have also built partnerships with ECISD through college readiness and dual credit programs this year.

As a university, the physical aspects of the campus are expected to change with the eventual addition of a new science and technology building.

Administrators, business and state leaders and community members secured funding this year from the UT System Board of Regents to build a $66 million performing arts center. The center, located on FM 1788 near the Center for Energy and Economic Diversification, is slated to begin construction in early 2009 and is scheduled to open in mid-2011.

In addition, many areas of study at UTPB, such as social work, education and art, have received national accreditations this year.

Toward the end of the year, the university’s Tuition Advisory Committee proposed an $8 per credit hour tuition increase for fall 2008 and another $6 per credit hour increase for fall 2009.

Students voted for increases to the student services and athletics fees in November.

UTPB president David Watts plans to make a tuition and fee recommendation to the regents in January.