Campus Life
The University provides a wide range of services and programs to help UT Permian Basin students develop leadership skills, designs and implements activities for UT Permian Basin students to enjoy between, before, or after classes, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for students to relax, study, watch television, or participate in on-campus programs.
New Student Orientation – Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR): The Office of Student Life coordinates summer and January orientations for new students. Orientation leaders are students who can help new students become familiar with programs, services, and other resources available to them on campus. If you are interested in helping new students transition to college and learn about UT Permian Basin, please consider becoming an Orientation Leader.
University Performance Groups: Students are encouraged to engage in campus life through the various sponsored groups. These groups are Ballet Folklorico, Cheer Team, Choir, Falcon Heat Dance Team, Marching Band, Mariachi, Orchestra, Pep Band, and Step Team. Each group has an advisor or coach who recruits, instructs, directs, and manages the group. Scholarships are available to qualified participants. These groups perform throughout the year on and off campus.
Student Media: The University supports the dissemination of news and information of student interest and the publication of literary and artistic student work.
The Mesa Journal, the award-winning student newspaper for UT Permian Basin, publishes news and information regarding the University, its students, and national or international news that affect the University community. The Mesa Journal provides an opportunity for students to gain newspaper journalism experience while attending the University.
The Sandstorm, an annual magazine-yearbook publication, is a collection of poems, short stories, and essays submitted by students and selected by a panel for publication. The magazine also prints photographs of student art that includes painting, sculpture, pottery, and photography. The editor and staff of this student publication are selected from the student body. Applications for editor are received from returning students and incoming students with publication experience.
Student Senate: The Student Senate is the elected student organization representing the interests and needs of the student body and is recognized by the administration of UT Permian Basin and by the UT System Board of Regents of the UT System. Officers are elected at the end of each spring semester and Senators are elected at the end of spring and early in the fall semester. Candidate registration forms are available through the Student Senate Office. Students are encouraged to seek elected offices. The Student Senate makes recommendations to the administration on policies that affect the student body and appoints students to sit on important University committees with faculty and staff members.
Campus Activities Board: The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for identifying, budgeting, and developing cultural, social, and recreational programs for the student body. Students are encouraged to contact the CAB to get involved as volunteer activity programmers or as paid part-time staff members. CAB brings in a variety of aspiring artists and entertainers, sponsors various events, and takes students to leadership development conferences.
Student Clubs and Organizations: Students are encouraged to join or develop clubs and organizations that unite members with a common cause or interest. Such organizations allow students to pursue specialized interests and to have an opportunity to interact with classmates and professors in an atmosphere different from that of the classroom. Involvement in student organizations also provides a means of practicing leadership skills.
The Office of Student Life is responsible for the registration of student clubs and organizations and publishes a guide for the development of clubs and organizations. The Office of Student Life also provides various resources for student organization development, workstations and materials, and training on UT System policies and campus policies.
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, student organizations may be single sex organization only if they are a "social fraternity."
The Gymnasium/Pool Complex: The three-story building is designed for recreational use by students, faculty, and staff and their families. The Gymnasium/Pool Complex consists of racquetball courts, two volleyball and badminton courts, and three basketball courts. The complex has an exercise room equipped with free weights and a full set of station weight machines In addition, there is an athletic field, four lighted tennis courts, and 3.5 miles of walking, jogging, and skating trails. The Olympic-size swimming pool is the largest outdoor pool in Odessa. It is heated for comfort and has certified lifeguards on duty during operating hours. The pool is open late March through late October, depending on weather.
Housing: The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a variety of options for students who desire to live on campus. The UT Permian Basin Residence and Dining Hall is the designated housing for incoming freshmen students. Freshmen options in the Residence and Dining Hall include a four-bedroom unit, or a two person double occupancy unit. Each floor of the three story Hall has study/Teaming rooms, laundry, and lounges for student convenience. Upperclassmen have the following options in the apartment-style units: four-bedroom unit, two bedroom unit, and efficiencies. Most buildings have a central laundry room downstairs for student convenience. The University also offers options for married students who may select from a one bedroom or two bedroom unit.
The housing area is within easy walking distance of the University Mesa Building, the Visual Arts Building, the Library/Lecture Center, and the Science and Technology building. Each student unit is fully furnished. All Student Housing prices include the cost of electricity, water, sewer, cable, internet, laundry, garbage collection, maintenance, and police security. Student Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and students must be enrolled. For additional information contact the Student Housing Office.
Bookstore: The Bookstore, which is located in the courtyard area of the Mesa Building, carries course-related textbooks, general books, additional course materials, school supplies, discounted software for UT Permian Basin students, and collegiate apparel and gifts. Textbooks, clothing, and gifts can be ordered through the Bookstore website (www.utpb.bkstr.com) for either store pick-up or shipment to the student's home. Graduation Regalia and graduation announcements are also ordered through the Bookstore.
Refunds on textbooks are allowed for the first 7 days of class in long semesters, and first 5 days of the summer sessions. Although the Bookstore does buy textbooks daily, scheduled buybacks are held during finals week in long semesters and held twice during the summer. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express cards are accepted, and gift cards are available. "A student of this Institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer." Texas Education Code, Section 51.9705.
The course syllabi include textbook information, including to the extent practicable the International Standard Book Number and will be available on the bookstore website for every required and recommended textbook and supplemental materials.