students walking on campus
The fall 2022 semester begins on Monday, August 29

Welcome to Fall 2022, Falcons! We are excited you are here. We've got a lot of fun programs for Welcome Week! Settle in with your favorite beverage because we've got a lot of updates to share with you!   

Library Renovation Update

The renovation on the 1st floor of the library is ongoing and is expected to be finished in early 2023; library services remain the same. Library hours can be found here. The project will bring a Maker’s Space, an eSports arena, Blackstone Launchpad, and a Starbucks. The computers, printers and study tables are all on the 2nd floor. Laptops, hotspots, and library information services are available at the front desk on the 1st floor.    

Food Service Updates

Burger 432 in the Student Activity Center will continue to have burgers, chicken strips, and will add plant-based customized bowls with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors; convenience items will continue. The Starbucks Coffee Bar in the SAC will continue for a few weeks into the fall term, but we expect to change it out for something new that that will serve smoothies. Stay tuned for future announcements. 

An expanded snack bar with coffee, grab and go will open in the Library this Spring. The Midland campus will have an operation open sometime in Spring 2023 like Burger 432 with a few more options, including breakfast and some dinner items. There will be a grill at that location. There will be meal plan options too.   

Access to Drinking Water on Campus 

There are existing bottle fillers or water stations in the Health and Human Performance Building, Engineering, WNPAC, and S&T. New bottle fillers are going in at the library. We are working on adding some in the SAC. As spaces are renovated, new drinking stations and bottle fillers will be added.   

Registration, Advising, Tutoring 

In the run up to the start of the semester, make sure you are checking your UTPB email account. If you haven’t paid for classes or chosen a payment plan, your classes could be dropped.  

If you need to adjust your schedule, now is the time to do it. Contact advising@utpb.edu for help. The full academic calendar is online. 

August 31: Last day to add a class for the first 8-week session 

September 6: The last day to drop a class for the first 8-week session 

September 7: Last day to add a class for the full semester 

September 14: Last day to drop a 16-week class without creating a record 

Tutoring services in the Student Success Center begin the 2nd week of the semester. Services are available in person and online. Contact success@utpb.edu for more information.   

Campus Construction Updates 

The CEED Building is also under construction and is expected to be completed by early Spring 2023. The project will bring a food service area that will include a full-service kitchen, lab renovations for the West Texas Water Institute, a new maker space, small business incubator and space for new start-up companies. There will be 6 office spaces that are used for music practice that will be reassigned to office space. Temporary practice room spaces have been made available. The auditorium has been improved by making the chairs moveable and removing the existing stage for flexibility.  

Mesa Building  

The Mesa Building will undergo a significant renovation in the next few years. There will be opportunities to provide your feedback via surveys, emails, and committees. Design work will begin this fall and we expect the work to take place over the next two to three years. New elevators have been ordered. Installation is delayed by supply chain issues but is expected to start October 1. The elevator project is likely to take three months.    

Campus Transformation  

In addition to changes to the Mesa Building, the University has received funds for a campus transformation project that includes the Quad, Walking Trails, signage, campus entrances, and the Bright Stars Memorial. The University will soon launch a dedicated website that will include construction documents, information, and updates, as well as ways to get involved.  

Gym Hours 

Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm 

Sat-Sun: Closed  

Open gym hours (2nd floor BBall) 

Mon-Fri: 2pm-8pm 

Sat-Sun: 10am-4pm  

SAC Fitness Center 

Mon-Fri: 8am-10pm 

Sat-Sun: 12pm-6pm  

 Fitness Classes (Gym 204) 

Yoga Mon & Thurs 5:45pm-6:30pm & 6:45pm-7:30pm 

Virtual Fitness Programs are available through the MySSP website and app. The program is called LIFT.  

Mobile Apps for Support 

At UT Permian Basin, we put the resources and support you need in your hands. We are proud to offer the LiveSafe and My SSP mobile apps for our students. www.utpb.edu\inyourhands.  

LiveSafe is a mobile safety app for the UTPB community. LiveSafe has several features that you can use both at work and at home. The “Watch Me Walk” feature lets you share your location as you make sure you get safely get to your destination. Tips submitted via the app are monitored 24/7 by the UTPB Police Department. You can also receive safety messages and customized team or geographical alerts.    

My SSP: With My SSP, we have expanded counseling services to students significantly and put the power of help in your hands. This support includes: 

  • Confidential mental health and wellbeing support available to students at no charge 

  • Access to clinical counselors that have experience working with students and speak multiple languages (English, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, & Spanish) 

  • 24/7 real-time chat and phone support. Connect via telephone, chat, video, mobile app, or web. 

  • Includes access to virtual fitness through the App via LIFT 

Public Health – COVID and Monkeypox 

COVID-19 is still circulating in our community and the University continues to offer support and assistance for students. 

If you are experiencing Signs and Symptoms | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC, contact Student Emergency Services at deanofstudents@utpb.edu or 432-552-4602. You can also report experiencing signs or symptoms of monkeypox online using the Injury/Illness (including hospitalization) option on the Report a Student Concern form. More details on our procedures and helpful information can be found on the UTPB website.    

Food Pantry 

The UTPB food pantry is open to all UTPB students. The hours are Wednesdays 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Thursdays 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM or by appointment. Email studentlife@utpb.edu to schedule an alternate time as needed.