Columbus State University, 2007-2008 Academic Catalog, About CSU

Columbus State University opened its doors almost 50 years ago in an old hosiery mill. CSU moved to its current main campus just off I-185 in 1963 and has grown so dramatically, the university now features three 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; and in Oxford, England, where CSU is one of only a few American universities with its own house near Oxford University.

Most classes are still taught on main campus, where improvements are continually being made. One of the campus' jewels is the 96,000-square-foot Center for Commerce and Technology, housing the D. Abbott Turner College of Business, TSYS Department of Computer Science and the university's Computer Information & Networking Services department. The building 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.

The Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center also is an impressive recent addition to campus. The Lumpkin Center is home to CSU's men's and women's basketball teams, the Department of Physical Education and Leisure Management, CSU's commencements and various classes.

In June 2005, CSU opened the doors to 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 new buildings, a recently renovated intramural field, a student center, classrooms, laboratories, offices, auditoriums, a fitness center, cafeterias and other gathering areas, students have a wide variety of choices for study and comfort.

Computer labs across campus, including one open 24 hours a day in the Health and Safety Center, provide student access to e-mail, important information from the university, 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.

Student housing at CSU is in new apartment-style housing adjacent to campus, as well as sophisticated, loft-like apartments in downtown Columbus on CSU's River Park 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 just opened for the departments of art and theatre, featuring two theatres and new gallery space.

CSU is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, just off I-185. 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.