The District Board of Trustees of Okaloosa-Walton College approved a capital improvement plan for the college through 2013 that includes a possible new facility for all OWC Student Services functions on the Niceville Campus and a potential new classroom building on the OWC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus, among other items.

The college’s five-year plan includes projects for which the college may request state funding and is one of the first steps necessary to plan for future construction projects at the college.

As an item of discussion, OWC trustees heard a report from Dr. Bob Richburg, OWC president, on the state budget and how a projected state revenue shortfall will potentially impact the college. Richburg noted that the college administration is in the process of detailing how OWC would cope with a projected 4 percent reduction of approximately $1 million in available funding for the college’s $28.4 million operational budget.

Richburg noted that approximately 74 percent of the OWC operations budget is for personnel and about 24 percent is current expenses. He explained to trustees that the college is working on a plan that will have the least impact on students, programs and employees, noting that OWC would not limit enrollment as had been announced by some state universities.

"We have an open door and that door will remain open," noted Richburg, stating that the college is encouraging and can accommodate increased student enrollment even with a budget shortfall.