The Board of Trustees of the Odessa College District (hereinafter called OC), in compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, formalizes the beliefs, philosophy, goals, and objectives of OC with approval and publication of this document. This formal Statement of Purpose provides the core around which all institutional programs are built. Institutional planning and evaluation processes demonstrate a commitment from Board members, administration, faculty and staff to the tenets expressed in this statement.
Historical Background
The past of Odessa College is interwoven with growth and progress. A review of its history reveals a success story of a public institution that has maintained the community college spirit and has grown by serving the people of Ector County and the Permian Basin. Beginning with 184 students in 1946, OC has grown steadily through the years. Almost 6,000 students are currently enrolled in university-parallel and occupational/technical credit courses. During a year, almost 11,000 individuals also enroll in one or more Adult Basic Education, Continuing Education or Community Recreation courses.
Many university-parallel courses are offered for students planning to complete four-year degrees at senior colleges or universities and are freely transferable. Former OC students have a phenomenal record of success in the fields of accounting, law, medicine, music, public administration and teaching.
More than 30 occupational/technical programs are offered to meet the needs of citizens who want to learn new or improve existing skills. With more than 30 percent of our students enrolled in occupational/technical programs, OC continues to fulfill the workforce demands of our community.
Initially housed in temporary quarters in the old Odessa High School, OC’s first classes were conducted after public school hours in late afternoons and evenings. Ector County taxpayers purchased a five-acre plot in the 2500 block of the Andrews Highway and in 1949 authorized the building of Baskin Hall, the first permanent structure.
The campus grew to 15 buildings on a 35-acre plot by 1960. During the 1990’s, OC received a number of major property donations as the college continued to expand to serve the educational needs of its students and service area.
Role and Mission
Odessa College shall lead the way in preparing its students and community for the future. The College District offers exemplary courses, programs, and services to assist students in achieving their educational goals and becoming lifelong learners, community builders, and global citizens. Odessa College shall empower its employees to model excellence in their service to students, colleagues, and community.
Odessa College is an open door, two-year institution offering quality career, technical, and academic courses for certification or associate degrees. Additionally, the College offers continuing education, remedial and compensatory education, and provides guidance and counseling programs. Odessa College primarily serves individuals located in our service area and insists on excellence in teaching, research, and public service.
Purpose
The purpose of Odessa College, as prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is to provide:
- Technical programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or certificates.
- Career and technical programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations.
- Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences.
- Continuing adult education programs for occupational or cultural upgrading.
- Compensatory education programs designed to fulfill the commitment of an admissions policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students.
- A continuing program of counseling and guidance designed to assist students in achieving their individual educational goals.
- Workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs.
- Adult literacy and other basic skills programs for adults.
Institutional Responsibility
Odessa College, within its role and mission, must serve the public to:
- Transmit culture through general education.
- Extend knowledge.
- Teach and train students for professions.
- Provide for scientific, engineering, medical and other academic research.
- Protect intellectual exploration and academic freedom.
- Strive for intellectual excellence.
- Provide educational opportunity for all who can benefit from post-secondary education and training.
- Provide continuing education opportunities.
City of Odessa
Odessa College is located in Odessa, Texas, a progressive West Texas city of more than 100,000 people midway between Fort Worth and El Paso.
Odessa is a cultural, recreational, educational, medical, retail, and wholesale trading center for a region as large as several Eastern Seaboard states combined. Three hospitals provide a wide variety of medical services for the region, and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is adjacent to Medical Center Hospital, providing additional health opportunities.
Odessa boasts a daily newspaper, seven television stations, 21 radio stations and more than 120 churches. Numerous cultural, intellectual and recreational activities are available for the area’s citizens.
Odessa is a growing, progressive city where friendly people heartily support Odessa College and its efforts. Newcomers find Odessa a good place to live and to raise a family, as well as an enjoyable place to study and to work.
Equal Opportunity at Odessa College
Odessa College is committed to the basic right of all people to have an equal opportunity for education or employment at this institution. Every effort will be made by the board of trustees, the administration and the faculty to defend this right and to vigorously seek to promote its implementation in all areas of the institution.
In accordance with its admissions standards, OC will admit as students any persons who can benefit from the instructional programs offered. In addition, OC will strive to meet post-secondary educational needs of its students by restructuring current programs and by creating new programs when these actions will benefit students.
Title IX of the Civil Rights Restoration Act prohibits sexual discrimination in all programs of institutions which receive federal funds. Inquiries regarding Title IX should be made to the Title IX compliance person in the OC Human Resources Office or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 2020.
Accreditation
Odessa College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Odessa College. Prospective students and interested parties who wish to view the accreditation documents and/or the institutional self-study may inquire at the circulation desk of the Murry H. Fly Learning Resources Center (SLR) where a copy is available for reference.
The number of agencies and associations that have given accreditation and membership privileges to Odessa College acknowledges the quality of education provided. The college is approved or accredited by the following professional organizations and agencies:
National Accrediting Agencies
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
- National Association of Schools of Music
State Accrediting Agencies
- Texas Board of Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Vocational Nursing
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas Department of State Health Services
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