Campus News

Today, Calhoun Community College and Athens State University welcomed Fine Arts students for their first official move-in day at the brand-new Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) residence hall apartments in downtown Decatur. This historic milestone marks the institutions’ commitment to providing accessible education to the community through their ever-growing partnership.

According to Kim Parker, Calhoun’s Dean of Fine Arts, the three-story, 43,474-square-foot building features 49 ADA-compliant apartments, which are evenly split between Calhoun and Athens State. A variety of living options are available for students, including 11 studios, 19 one-bedroom, and 19 two-bedroom units, accommodating a total of 68 beds.

Each apartment is equipped with modern amenities such as a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and high-speed internet with Wi-Fi access. The building includes a post office, leasing office, and computer study labs on all three floors. Residents can enjoy common areas throughout the facility, as well as access to a fenced courtyard for outdoor gatherings. Security measures include keyless entry access cards and video surveillance at all exterior entrances and exits. Additionally, a 250-mph-rated storm shelter is located on the first floor for resident safety during inclement weather.

Dr. Jimmy Hodges, President of Calhoun Community College, expressed his enthusiasm about the new residence hall apartments: “This residence hall is a game-changer not only for the ACA from a recruiting standpoint but most importantly for our students who will occupy these apartments,” he said. “This is a significant step forward in providing a full college experience, as the ACA is within walking distance of the residence halls. Calhoun and Athens State offer elite courses in Fine Arts, and we’ve added top-notch living facilities, which our students have asked for, and we are so grateful to say we have delivered.”

“This upcoming academic year feels different,” commented Parker. “Here at the ACA, we feel like we are finally accomplishing the goals set for this academic facility during its early stages, which was to provide a local Arts School experience for students. I couldn’t be any happier to see all of the faces as they move into their new apartment homes. We have so many opportunities and free resources available at Calhoun for our students, ranging from on-campus food pantries, clothing closets, and emergency financial assistance, should they fall on hard times. We even have clubs and organizations to help them remain engaged and involved,” added Parker.

The ACA residence hall apartments are a first-of-its-kind project, a joint effort between Calhoun, Athens State, and Alabama Senator Arthur Orr. It was developed primarily for students seeking art degrees through Calhoun or Athens State at the ACA. Orr envisioned the living space, and the two institutions worked together to turn this vision into a residence hall proposal. Senator Orr submitted the proposal to Governor Ivey in January 2020, and upon review, Governor Ivey approved $15 million in funding through the Public School and College Authority (PSCA) Bond issue, which was established to help fund construction, safety improvements, and technology upgrades to Alabama’s public schools. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the facility’s completion on June 4.

To learn more about the Alabama Center for the Arts and the degree programs offered, visit alabamacenterforthearts.org.