OC purchases $116K data processing software

With so many numbers on the rise at Odessa College in areas like enrollment numbers, faculty additions and academic programs, a new computerized data warehouse may be just in the nick of time.

The Odessa College Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a new electronic data processing software system on Tuesday evening that administrators hope will bring a new level of efficiency to its way of compiling and analyzing data.

Trustees unanimously voted to approve a $116,000 contract for Zogotech Software, which OC Chief of Staff Tanya Hughes said should be fully implemented within the next two or three months.

Once implemented, she said, the system should help the college compile and utilize a wide array of data that ranges from detailed enrollment numbers to overall institutional health. It also will give OC staff access to national databases.

In other business, OC Vice President for Instruction introduced the board to this semester’s seven new faculty instructors. The instructors have already begun teaching in their respective areas, which are music, anatomy and physiology, geology, nursing, English, Spanish, and emergency response.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the adoption of a corporate contract with Compass Bank to handle the college’s banking needs.

In other business, the board:

>> Approved a budget report that included expenditures for many recent on-campus renovations and  equipment replacements and renewals.

>> Heard a report from OC President Gregory Williams about topics ranging from a new student welcome center to an upcoming education symposium scheduled for November.

>> Heard a report from OC Vice President for Student Services David Bauske about the college’s record enrollment of 5,189 this fall.

>> Learned about a new quarterly institutional newsletter that was produced in-house this fall for the first time.