*Atlanta, GA – The Board of Trustees of Clark Atlanta University (CAU) has unveiled plans to construct three new campus facilities simultaneously to address housing and student experience on campus.
Following an extensive and inclusive process of student engagement, the university’s administration has proposed the construction of a new freshman residence hall, a second dining hall, and a cutting-edge student success center, all aimed at fostering academic and personal growth.
The focal point of this undertaking is a state-of-the-art residence hall designed to house up to 400 students. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first residence hall to be constructed and owned by Clark Atlanta University since the creation of Brawley Hall for the 1996 Olympic Games.
In addition to the new residence hall, CAU will expand its dining options by adding a second dining hall adjacent to the Bumstead/Ware site. This facility will offer a modern and diverse range of culinary choices, catering to the evolving tastes of the university’s dynamic student body.
Further enhancing the student experience, a brand-new student success center will be erected directly across SNCC Way. This center is expected to be a hub for academic and personal development, streamlining resources and programs to support student success. Its primary focus will be on fostering collaborative efforts and accelerating initiatives aimed at enhancing student persistence and completion.
To ensure the successful realization of these projects, Clark Atlanta University has devised a strategic financial plan that combines debt financing with contributions from a food service vendor. This approach is designed to meet the growing demand for on-campus student housing and facilitate the smooth implementation of these facilities.
In recent years, housing has been a concern at Clark Atlanta University with there not being enough housing and parents and students frustrated with the conditions students were living in. In reporting by 11 Alive last school year, parents arrived on campus without housing causing some students to stay in hotels. Just recently, there was flooding in campus dormitories that displaced 24 students to other on-campus housing.
In a press release from the college, President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., expressed his enthusiasm for this historic decision, emphasizing, “Today’s decision by Clark Atlanta University’s Board is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our scholars’ success. It is a direct response to the increasing enrollment and the need for on-campus student housing.”
A date for construction has not been set for the construction of these projects.
A big accomplishment for CAU!!
Kudos to President French and the CAU Board of trustees. This will be great for students and the university as a whole. Keep up the good work.