The institution has adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.

JUDGMENT: Compliant

STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Southwest Texas Junior College is a public, open-admission college.  SWTJC’s mission is to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality education across its eleven county service area.  SWTJC has adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and service.  The College regularly evaluates its physical resources and uses the assessments to make improvements and changes required to support its broad base of programs and services.  The physical plant of the College is presently valued at well over twenty-six million dollars.

Adequacy of physical resources is determined by utilization rates, Student Satisfaction of Services Survey, the Graduating Student Survey, and input from the Curriculum Committee, the Service Operations Committee, the Technology Committee, and evaluation of budget requests. All physical resources support student learning either directly (i.e. classroom/laboratories) or indirectly (i.e. support services and administration),and allow SWTJC to prepare students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region.

Physical Facilities

Southwest Texas Junior College facilities comprise any structure built or installed to support student learning. To support the scope of SWTJC programs and services, SWTJC facilities are located at  Uvalde, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and other instructional facilities (Crystal City, Hondo, Medina Valley and, Pearsall).

Uvalde

Uvalde is located ninety miles west of San Antonio, Texas.  The Uvalde facility, the oldest, includes approximately seventy-nine acres, thirty –five of which are now in use.  It has twenty-one permanent buildings and serves approximately 1,100 students (21% of the SWTJC population) per semester.  This facility provides 49 classrooms of which 11 are equipped with distance learning equipment, a library, a student services center, a gymnasium, a writing center, two dorms and a cafeteria.

Del Rio

The Del Rio facility is located 70 miles from Uvalde in Del Rio, Texas.  This facility serves about 900 students (16% of the SWTJC population) per semester.  SWTJC – Del Rio has 26 classrooms of which 7 are equipped with distance learning equipment, a library, a student services center, a writing lab, a testing center, an activities center, and a fitness center.

The IT Department of SWTJC maintains a computer network and internet system for all campuses for students, faculty and administration.  The IT department located on the Del Rio facility has 1 full-time employee.  If major computer or network issues arise, personnel are dispatched from Uvalde to address the issue.

Eagle Pass

SWTJC – Eagle Pass facility is located 66 miles from Uvalde in Eagle Pass, Texas.  This facility serves about 1,400 students per semester (26% of the student population).  It provides 22 classrooms of which   6 are equipped with distance learning equipment, a library, a student services center, and a writing lab.

The IT Department of SWTJC maintains a computer network and internet system for all campuses for students, faculty and administration.  The IT department located on the Eagle Pass facility has 1 full-time employee.  If major computer or network issues arise, personnel are dispatched from Uvalde to address the issue.

Maintenance

The physical plant maintenance department is divided into: general maintenance, custodial, grounds, and specialized technical areas (plumbing, air-conditioning, etc.). 

• Uvalde Campus:  4 general maintenance staff, 7 custodians, 1 plumber, 2 air-conditioning technicians, 1 electrician, and 3 grounds personnel

• Del Rio Campus:  4 full-time general maintenance staff/custodians, 1 skilled craftsman, 1 part-time general maintenance staff/custodian; grounds keeping services are contracted to a local landscaping firm
• Eagle Pass Campus:  5 general maintenance staff/custodians

SWTJC utilizes an online work-order system site, SchoolDude, to record and track maintenance requests for routine and preventive maintenance work orders. Administration, faculty, and staff enter maintenance requests into this work-order system. The maintenance department strives to complete routine and preventative maintenance work orders in a timely manner and tracks its achievement of this goal on an on-going basis.

The College utilizes a deferred maintenance program to address building systems that have exceeded their life expectancy.   In August 2010 the architect firm of Ferrell/Brown & Associates completed an inspection that identified and prioritized deferred maintenance issues ("Ferrell Brown & Asso-Deffered Maint. Issues").  The audit produced a list of maintenance deficiencies that formed the basis for the College’s Deferred Maintenance (DM) plan. Maintenance staff removes deficiencies from the list as they are repaired and adds deficiencies as systems reach the end of their useful life or are judged to require significant repair. Current DM list categories include mechanical systems, electrical systems, flooring, exterior restorations, parking lots and roadways and roofing systems.

Transportation

Southwest Texas Junior College is a regional institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border and comprises nearly 17,000 square miles. Therefore, transportation for students, faculty and staff is essential to the college.  The College maintains a fleet of vehicles used by administration, faculty, staff, and students traveling between campuses or within the service area of SWTJC.  Two full-time staff members maintain all SWTJC vehicles. 

Technology

The IT Department of SWTJC supports a region-wide computer network and infrastructure system for all campuses for students, faculty and administration.  The three main campuses employ full-time IT technicians. For those locations without full-time IT technicians (e. g. Crystal City, Hondo, Pearsall), full-time technicians are deployed from one of the three main campuses.

In September 2008, as part of the Strategic Plan 2011-2015, Goal S2-5a, a technical audit was conducted to document and establish areas of concern regarding technology, infrastructure and support of our students, faculty and staff.  The audit, the Information Technology Assessment, focused on organizational and technical leadership, network and infrastructure, customer service and end user support, and website usability, content and design.  In response to this audit the following were implemented:

• A report entitled the Institutional Technology Enterprise Response Planning was created.  The following areas were improved or added for faculty, staff, and students based on this report:
• new software for analysis; consulting and training for staff to improve efficiency; the implementation of the Higher One card (refund distribution management for students), and the implementation of an emergency alert system.
• A web site redesign which has standardized the appearance of the SWTJC web site and centralized web content.
• Ticketing software managed by the IT Helpdesk to track workflow.
• An electronic document imaging software system to scan, store, and retrieve documentation.
• A comprehensive upgrade of the College’s administrative computing system (software, equipment, training).
• An IT Major Projects Report was generated in 2013 to help with assessing the scope of work done by this department.  This report also helps the administration determine personnel needs and if consultants need to be hired for certain projects.

The Technology Committee meets monthly to assess college-wide technology needs and identify funds for enhancing, updating, or replacing of equipment, software, and related items.

Other Instructional Facilities

Crystal City

The Crystal City Instructional Facility (CCIF) is located 42 miles south of Uvalde and serves approximately 185 students each academic year. The College owns property adjacent to the Crystal City Facility, securing its capacity to grow to meet future needs.

This facility provides the following:

• Five traditional, face-to-face classrooms, three of which are equipped for multi-media.
• Five additional classrooms equipped for interactive video courses. Two of those rooms have 24 computers each.
• One science laboratory, equipped with a projector.
• One computer lab with 13 computers for student and public use.

The Student Success Center staffed by a full-time Coordinator and several student tutors. At the front entrance to the facility a reception area is set up for student study groups and as a student waiting area. Advisors’ offices, the business office, and faculty conference offices are adjacent to the reception area. Their location offers students easy access to academic advising, personal counseling, Financial Aid Advising, and registration. This site also offers the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA), the state-required basic skills test for placement of incoming freshmen students.
 
The Crystal City campus employs no maintenance personnel for building and grounds maintenance.  A local contractor performs building custodial services.  SWTJC utilizes a work-order system site, SchoolDude.  This computerized work-order system is used to record and track maintenance requests for routine work orders and preventive maintenance work orders. Preventive maintenance helps ensure that all equipment and facilities are kept in proper working order.  Administration, faculty, and staff enter maintenance requests into this work-order system.

The IT Department of SWTJC maintains a computer network and internet system for all campuses for students, faculty and administration.  The IT department located on the Crystal City campus has 1 part-time employee.  If major computer or network issues arise, personnel are dispatched from Uvalde to address the issue.

Pearsall

The Pearsall Instructional Facility is located 50 miles east of Uvalde and serves approximately 200 students each academic year.  The one-building center is owned by the Pearsall Independent School District.    
 
This facility provides the following:
 

• Four classrooms equipped for interactive video courses.  One room has 12 computers.
• One science laboratory.
• Document cameras for two classrooms.      
• The Pearsall Intermediate Campus Gyms and football and track field are used for physical education classes.
• The Pearsall networking infrastructure, consisting of 3 office computers, the 12 student computers, and multiple servers maintained directly by SWTJC; it is part of SWTJC’s Wide Area Network (WAN).

The facility has two part-time employees who support course delivery of interactive video courses and provides student support. The facility has three offices for instructor use.

The Pearsall ISD provides maintenance services for this instructional facility.

Hondo

In Fall 2011, SWTJC began offering courses in the South Texas Regional Training Center, a 2,800 square-foot facility constructed by the City of Hondo.  An office lease agreement was entered into between the City of Hondo and Southwest Texas Junior College on July 1, 2011. This SWTJC instructional facility is located 46 miles west of San Antonio, Texas and 42 miles east of Uvalde. It serves approximately 100 students each academic year.

This facility provides the following:

• Four classrooms, three of which are equipped for interactive video conferencing courses. One of the classrooms has 16 computers.
• Three offices:  one faculty office, one office for full-time administrative assistant, and one office for student support services use.
• A staff/faculty lounge.
• The Hondo networking infrastructure, consisting of 4 office computers, the 16 student computers, and multiple servers maintained directly by SWTJC staff; it is part of SWTJC’s Wide Area Network (WAN).

Southwest Texas Junior College employs no maintenance personnel for building and grounds maintenance. Maintenance is provided by the City of Hondo.

Castroville
 
In Spring 2015, SWTJC will begin offering a number of courses at the Medina Valley Higher Educational Facility, located in the city of Castroville, and built by the Medina Valley ISD. This site is located 65 miles east of Uvalde and has the capacity to serve approximately 200 students in its 9,742 square-feet. The College entered into an agreement with the Medina Valley ISD to share this facility to serve Dual Credit students and community constituencies.

This Facility provides the following:

• Four classrooms, all equipped for interactive video conferencing courses
• One Computer Lab with 18 computers
• One Science Lab
• A Study Center with 12 computers
• Two Faculty Offices
• Reception Area
• The Castroville networking infrastructure, consisting of 2 office computers, 30 student computers, and multiple servers, maintained by SWTJC; it is part of SWTJC’s Wide Area Network (WAN).

Facility maintenance will be provided by Medina Valley ISD.

COURSE OFFERINGS AT OTHER LOCATIONS

SWTJC uses classrooms in many other locations to offer college courses across its service area.  All classrooms in high schools used by SWTJC are required to meet Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) standards in regard to safety and adequacy. All classrooms in prison units must meet Texas Department of Criminal Justice standards in regard to safety and adequacy.

• Brackettville High School - 2 classrooms
• Carrizo Springs High School – 5 classrooms
• Castroville Medina Valley High School – 4 classrooms
• Cotulla High School – 1 classroom
• Crystal City High School – 6 classrooms
• Del Rio High School – 1 classroom
• Del Rio CASA – 1 classroom (Ceramics studio)
• Del Rio FSB – 1 classroom (Freshman School Building-Gymnasium)
• D’Hanis High School – 2 classrooms
• Dilley High School – 4 classrooms
• Dilley Briscoe Prison – 8 classrooms
• Eagle Pass CC Winn High School – 20 classrooms
• Eagle Pass High School – 8 classrooms
• Hondo High School – 2 classrooms
• Hondo Middle School– 1 classroom
• Knippa High School – 8 classrooms
• La Pryor High School – 2 classrooms
• Leakey High School – 1 classroom
• Natalia High School – 3 classrooms
• Nueces Canyon High School – 1 classroom
• Pearsall (facility and high school) – 7 classrooms
• Rocksprings High School – 2 classrooms
• Sabinal High School – 1 classroom
• Utopia High School – 1 classroom
• Uvalde High School – 9 classrooms

Physical Facility Planning

The SWTJC institutional effectiveness process incorporates a planning process to create strategic objectives that are designed to be achievable within a five-year planning cycle.  Included in our planning process are foundation objectives that are unending by nature and subject to continuous improvement.  The last two planning structures that have been created are SWTJC Strategic Plan 2006-2010 and SWTJC Strategic Plan 2011-2015. 
 
The three phases of the 1989 20-yr Physical Plant Master Plan were completed in 2007.  SWTJC planning committee completed the process of updating the Physical Facilities Master Plan in November 2014, extending the plan to the year 2024.  This plan is currently divided into two phases: In Progress, and Future Projects.  As this is a working document, the future projects portion will also be separated into phases according to priorities.  The committee used the existing objectives in our strategic planning process to focus on the future needs of SWTJC. 

To aid with forecasting the need for additional classroom space, SWTJC uses a locally-generated report, the Class Utilization Worksheet.  The report lists room usage in each location where SWTJC owns the facilities in which college classes are offered and the percentage of classroom space being utilized. 

Energy efficiency is a priority for Southwest Texas Junior College, as stated in Strategic Planning Cycle 2006-2010, strategic objective S5-4. The SWTJC Board entered into an agreement with Schneider Electric to identify and implement energy efficiency solutions. Schneider Electric measured energy use on all campuses to identify potential savings and dysfunctions. Once dysfunctions were identified, Schneider Electric installed low-consumption equipment and systems. The project included a variety of air-conditioning replacements and upgrades, lighting retrofits, and other energy-saving improvements. Schneider Electric and SWTJC have committed to continuously analyze energy efficiency and to realize savings through maintenance, supervision and monitoring.

In addition, students are surveyed regarding SWTJC’s maintenance and physical facilities.  The Student Satisfaction of Services Survey 2014 reveals that students are satisfied with the cleanliness and appearance of classrooms and grounds.  In the fall 2010 survey:  96% were satisfied with the cleanliness and appearance of campus grounds, and 92% were satisfied with the cleanliness and appearance of classrooms.  Students responding in the Graduating Student Survey – 5 Year Survey reveal that they are satisfied with SWTJC campuses’ appearance and housing.  In 2013-2014, of the students responding, 99% were satisfied with the number of computers available for student use; 98% were satisfied with campus appearance; 90% were satisfied with campus housing, and 96% were satisfied with the library.

New Construction and Renovations

The Strategic Plan 2011-2015 Goal 2 (Facilities and Equipment) F2-8, states the need for the College to “provide sufficient facilities and equipment to support the College’s programs and services.” To meet this goal, numerous buildings have been constructed or remodeled recently to better serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and other mission-related activities.

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS 2009-2014

• Construct Del Rio Administration Building
• Construct Del Rio Academic/Library Building
• Relocate Del Rio portable Buildings
• Additional landscaping and irrigation system Del Rio Campus
• Purchase of additional 10 acres of land for future growth Del Rio
• Install and configure technology hardware in Medina Valley Higher Ed Center
• Install and configure technology hardware at Hondo facility
• Update and remodel both buildings at Crystal City Instructional Facility
• Purchase one half city block for future expansion
• Remodel Kirchner Day Care Facility Uvalde Campus
• Remodel Fly Building Uvalde Campus
• Remodel 2nd floor of Richarz Administration Building Uvalde Campus
• Remodel Ballroom Matthews Student Center Uvalde Campus
• Construct bleachers at rodeo arena Uvalde Campus
• Construct new bathrooms at rodeo arena Uvalde Campus
• Construct new concession stand at rodeo arena Uvalde Campus
• Electrical upgrade for Matthews Student Center (customized transformer)
• Update exterior lighting fixtures at MSC Uvalde Campus
• Schneider Energy Consumption Plan at all comprehensive campuses (lighting, HVAC, auto control systems upgrade)
• Construct new stairs and walkway to ABE Building Eagle Pass
• Purchase 18 acres SE of main Eagle Pass Campus for future growth
• Installation of Wi-Fi network at all campuses

IN-PROGRESS PROJECTS 2015

• Complete electrical infrastructure upgrade by AEP Uvalde Campus (three phases)
• Installation of industrial ventilation system in existing welding shop Uvalde Campus
• Upgrade welding shop electrical system Uvalde Campus
• Install security cameras in technical program labs, IT Department, and other strategic locations Uvalde Campus
• Upgrade and remodel all rooms at Hubbard Hall Uvalde Campus (four phases)
• Install gig man circuit and complete IT upgrade Pearsall facility
• Remodel two existing buildings at EP Technical Center
• Construct addition to one building at EP Technical Center
• Construct one new building at EP Technical Center
• Construction of 34,000 square foot classroom/library building with snack bar/grill Eagle Pass Campus
• Replace HVAC units on old academic building Del Rio Campus
• Remodel portable buildings at Del Rio Campus for use as 1) testing center 2) snack bar grill 3) activities center
• Continue other deferred maintenance projects at all campuses

FUTURE PROJECTS 2015+

• Remodel old administration Building to make more classroom space Del Rio Campus
• Remodel old classroom building to increase size of Student Success Center Del Rio Campus
• Exterior and roof repairs to Rio Grande College building Del Rio Campus
• Construction of new 34,000 square foot classroom/library building on Eagle Pass Campus
• Build new ADA ramps for Building E Eagle Pass Campus
• Upgrade and expand parking area at ABE Building in Eagle Pass
• Construct building(s) for Sul Ross Rio Grande College on newly acquired 18 acres in Eagle Pass- leaving previous building for SWTJC use.
• Remodel former RGC building to accommodate enrollment growth of SWTJC in eagle Pass (see above)
• Construction of new Library building on conveyed property at Crystal City Campus
• Build technical programs building on already acquired property one block north of existing campus in Crystal City.
• Convert existing warehouse into another welding shop to accommodate increased enrollment Uvalde Campus
• Construction of new metal building to serve as warehouse (see above).
• Construct new building for Wildlife Management Program
• Construction of cross- country running track on 60+ available acres at Uvalde Campus
• Construction of various outdoor recreational facilities (including volleyball court, basketball courts, disc golf, etc.) at Uvalde Campus
• Addition of elevator at library Uvalde Campus
• Arena/horse stalls upgrade Uvalde Campus
• Complete remodel of Garner Residence Hall Uvalde Campus
• Move athletic field to make room for new construction Uvalde Campus
• Northeast parking lot lighting upgrade Uvalde Campus
• Remodel all restrooms in Matthews Student Center Uvalde Campus
• Redesign/renovate snack bar/grill area in Matthews Student Center Uvalde Campus
• Build new ADA Ramp at Tate Building Uvalde Campus
• Demolish Wagner Building (old and prone to flooding and replace with new building at different location Uvalde Campus
• Hire consultant to help develop a water usage plan for the Uvalde Campus. The college has two wells and city water available, however Phase V water restrictions currently in place are producing budgetary issues. Several options are available that would help, but further study is needed.
• Develop landscaping plan for all campuses that would put emphasis on using drought resistant plants, trees and grass. Also rainwater collection and environmental friendly programs will be put in place as a part of the plan. Student input and cooperation will be encouraged.

Evidence

SWTJC Campus Facilities Maps
SWTJC School Dude Work Order System
Ferrell/Brown & Associates, Inc. Home Page
Ferrell/Brown & Associates, Inc. Deferred Maintenance Issue
SWTJC Deferred Maintenance (DM) Plan 2014
SWTJC Technological Assets
SWTJC Campus Network Maps
SWTJC Strategic Plan 2011-2015
SWTJC Information Technology System
SWTJC Information Technology Enterprise Resource Planning
SWTJC Information Technology Projects Information
SWTJC School Dude Work Order
SWTJC Planning Process
SWTJC Strategic Plan 2006-2010
SWTJC Strategic Plan 2011-2015
SWTJC 1989 20 Year Physical Plant Master Plan
SWTJC Physical Facilities Long Range Planning Committee Roster
SWTJC Physical Facilities Master Plan 2014-2024
SWTJC Classroom Utilization Rate
SWTJC Strategic Plan 2006-2010
Schneider Electric
SWTJC Graduating Student Survey – 5 Year Survey