The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (commonly called UT Permian Basin) is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. Its enrollment is 2,705 (approximately 2050 undergraduates and 650 graduate students). 35% of the student population is male, while 65% is female.

History

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin began in 1973 as a university that offered only junior, senior, and graduate level programs. It was unique in the University of Texas System in this way until it began accepting freshman applicants in 1991.

There were 1,011 students when the school opened. The school set another first when it allowed students to help with the interviews of prospective faculty. Student recommendations were considered when additional faculty were hired.

A rivalry with Odessa College got underway from the very beginning when Odessa students taunted the UT Permian Basin students that they were too old (being all juniors and seniors) to ever produce a streaker. A student finally agreed, and with only his head covered, streaked across the campus. The Director of Admissions not only witnessed the feat, but contributed to the bail when the poor student was arrested.

When freshmen and sophomores were added in 1991, UT Permian Basin doubled its campus housing units, created an intercollegiate sports program, and also began funding academic scholarships for freshmen.

In 2000, the J. Conrad Dunagen Library and Lecture Center was completed, featuring a twenty-station multimedia lab and classroom.

External links

• Official University webpage