Campus & Facilities
Columbus State University’s humble origins belied its 21st Century promise. Opening its doors in 1958 in a renovated hosiery mill, Columbus College moved about four years later to its current main campus just off I-185, and has grown so dramatically, the university now features four locations: the main campus of 150 beautifully landscaped acres in the middle of Columbus; more than a dozen buildings in the historic district downtown, an area we call CSU RiverPark; in England, where CSU is one of only a few American universities with its own house near Oxford University; and our newest classroom center, at West Point, Ga.
Most classes are still taught on main campus, where improvements are continually being made. In late 2010, a 96,000-square foot, $28 million Student Recreation Center was to be completed, offering state-of-the-art fitness potential and many other uses. A year earlier, the 37,700-square foot Schuster Student Success Center opened near the primary main campus entrance, symbolically focusing visitors on a top priority: student success academically and beyond the classroom.
Adjacent to the new center at the main campus entrance is another CSU jewel, the 96,000-square foot Center for Commerce and Technology, which houses our D. Abbott Turner College of Business and Computer Science, and the University Information and Technology Services department. The building, completed in 2002, features wiring for 1,500 computers; lounge areas on all floors for students to socialize; and auditoriums outfitted with the latest technology, including-rear-screen projectors; audio-visual control panels for professors and power, voice, and data ports at each seat for students. Another world-class facility built since 2000 is the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center, home to CSU's men's and women's basketball teams, commencements and various classes.
In June 2005, CSU opened the Cunningham Center, a multi-use, technologically sophisticated facility with a focus on economic development and leadership development. The 67,500-square-foot building houses a conference center, the CSU Institute for Leadership Development; the Cunningham Sales Institute; a technology incubator; and the Center for Quality Teaching and Learning.
With these buildings, a recently renovated intramural field, a new soccer complex, a student center, classrooms, laboratories, offices, auditoriums, cafeterias and other gathering areas, students have a wide variety of choices for study and comfort.
Campus computer labs, including some open 24 hours a day, offer student access to e-mail, word processing, online research, and instructional technology. The Simon Schwob Memorial Library, open more than 90 hours a week, provides online access to more than 100 databases and electronic full-text access to more than 500 journals.
Apartment-style housing is available on main campus, as well as in exciting downtown Columbus on CSU's RiverPark campus, next door to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, which houses CSU's Schwob School of Music. The collection of CSU offerings downtown has helped to revitalize the area while creating a unique campus. State-of-the-art riverside facilities serve the departments of art and theatre, featuring two theatres and new gallery space.
CSU is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. The main campus is minutes away from a commuter airport and several shopping areas. The city offers museums; an outstanding symphony; several minor league sports, concerts and other special events in the Columbus Civic Center; and hiking and biking along the Chattahoochee River and in 48 beautiful city parks. Historic attractions, Georgia's largest state park, mountains, and the Gulf and Atlantic seacoasts are all within convenient travel time from Columbus.
