Facilities
The Alabama State University campus is located just a short walk from Alabama’s Capitol, the state government complex, and downtown Montgomery. This location makes the downtown business district, the Montgomery Civic Center, museums, art galleries, theater, medical centers, the state archives and historical sites readily accessible to students. Across the street from the campus is the beautiful municipal Oak Park, which has the world’s first full-color, single-lens digital planetarium. Alabama State University is easily accessible from almost any point near Montgomery.
BUILDINGS
The campus buildings are set in a landscape design that rivals the most beautiful urban campuses in the South. All student residence halls and other buildings are air-conditioned.
The replacement cost of land, buildings and equipment is estimated at $310,374,915. The following is a listing and brief description of the functions of the major existing campus facilities.
TULLIBODY FINE ARTS CENTER (1984) is a 52,000-square-foot, two- story brick structure that forms the second phase of the Fine Arts Center. It is a comprehensive facility that houses fine arts classrooms, offices, galleries, studios and laboratories. The Leila M. Barlow Theatre boasts a 300-seat auditorium for drama projects. A scaled replica of Tullibody Hall is located in the atrium of the facility as a monument to the university’s early history.
TULLIBODY HALL (1974) is a two-story, brick structure with a four-story tower that forms Phase I of the Fine Arts Center. With its approximate space of 41,000 square feet, it houses the School of Music, with facilities for band, choir, classrooms, faculty offices, practice rooms, listening library, and a recital hall with seating for approximately 200 persons.
KILBY HALL (1920) was remodeled in 1985. This one-story, brick structure has more than 8,000 square feet of space. It serves as the headquarters for Cooperative Education and the campus radio station, WVAS.
ZELIA STEPHENS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (1971) is a split- level, multi-purpose learning center for children from preschool through grade three. The 14,000 square-foot center is designed to provide opportunity for observation and laboratory experiences for early childhood and elementary education majors. The facility incorporates a full range of physical learning resources in classroom areas which have second-level observation decks for class viewing or teacher observation. The classrooms center on a common, multipurpose room with terraced seating perimeters. The facility also includes a nursery, kindergarten, art room and open classrooms for first, second and third grades.
UNIVERSITY HOUSE (1970) is a two-story, brick-veneer structure that contains the university president’s residence and facilities to accommodate guests and numerous social functions of the university. This house has a living space of more than 5,000 square feet.
WILLETTA MCGINTY APARTMENTS (1983) are self-contained residence buildings with complete facilities. Four free-standing buildings are interconnected by breezeways and sheltered walks. Each building, with 3,872 square feet of living area, contains four separate apartments, which house two residents each. The residences were designed to prepare honor students for life beyond the campus.
THE LEVI WATKINS LEARNING CENTER (1978; renovated in 2011) provides library facilities, resources and services to its faculty, students, staff and academic community through a centrally located, newly renovated and enlarged Levi Watkins Learning Center (LWLC), a “Cultural Learning Place.” The LWLC encompasses more than one hundred fifty thousand square feet of space housing multimedia learning resources to support teaching, research, scholarship and cultural activities at Alabama State University and its global communities. The five-story structure faces the academic mall of the campus and includes the main Library and Learning Resources departments, the Curriculum Materials Center which serves the teacher education program, the Archives and Special Collections, the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture, and the Media Center. A connecting wing of the Levi Watkins Learning Center includes the departments of Accounting and Finance, Business Administration and Computer Information Systems, faculty offices, classrooms, support laboratories, and the offices of the Small Business Development Center.
COUNCILL TRENHOLM HALL (1967) is a four-story, brick building consisting of approximately 60,000 square feet of academic space, with laboratory, classroom, and research facilities for biology, chemistry, computer science, physics and general science. Space is also provided for faculty offices and related staff facilities.
WILLIAM HOOPER COUNCILL HALL (1956) is an approximately 63,000 square foot, three-story brick structure that houses classrooms, the offices of central administration (the president, academic affairs, fiscal affairs, administrative services, planning and institutional advancement, and personnel services), and the Graduate School.
WILLIAM BURNS PATERSON HALL (1928) was renovated in 1997. This three-story brick building is one of the oldest structures on the campus. The more than 57,000 square foot building houses classrooms, faculty offices, academic support laboratories, the offices of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Air Force ROTC and the Department of Advancement Studies.
EDWARD G. MCGEHEE HALL (1968) is a three-story structure of reinforced concrete and brick. The 41,700-square-foot building houses classrooms, faculty offices, the offices of the Department of Languages and Literatures, the Testing Center, and administrative offices for Student Affairs and services.
GEORGE N. CARD HALL (1962) was named after George N. Card, president of ASU from 1873 to 1878. It is a four-story brick building measuring more than 35,000 square feet, which houses 192 students.
FRED SHUTTLESWORTH DINING HALL (2007), is an exciting new place to eat and socialize, and is conveniently located among the academic and residential facilities on campus. The dining hall is a renovation from a previous basketball arena with an expansion that encompasses 39,000 gross square feet with a capacity of 1,200 diners. Through a food court arrangement, the dining hall serves a full range of meals; from salads and sandwiches to full dinners. Private dining rooms are available for faculty and executive use.
ASU ACADOME (1992) is an ultramodern, multipurpose facility that serves a variety of functions. The 220,500 square foot structure is the major center for physical education instruction, entertainment activities, conferences, meetings, conventions and cultural events. Housed in the facility are an arena, classrooms, and offices for Acadome staff, banquet/reception/conference areas, and offices for faculty and athletics personnel. It is also headquarters for the ASU basketball Hornets and Lady Hornets.
CHARLES JOHNSON DUNN TOWER (1994) is an 11-story, brick and stucco building that provides apartment-type housing for 480 students. The 114,419 square foot building has a large laundry room in the basement and telephone and cable connections in each room.
MARTIN L. KING, JR. HALL (1990) is five-story dormitory that houses 212 students. The 64,500-square-foot building has study rooms and food preparation areas on each floor and a large recreation and social area in the basement.
BESSIE W. BENSON HALL (1972) is a five-story dormitory designed for 204 residents. It has more than 44,000 square feet of living space.
BIBB GRAVES HALL (1928) was renovated in 2008. This 37,640 square foot structure is one of ASU’s most recognized buildings. This three-story campus landmark is reserved for junior and senior female students. Each two-bedroom suite is furnished with beds, desks, wardrobes, a couch, television stand and a private bathroom with its own shower. It offers its residents a computer lab, study rooms, laundry facilities on all three floors, a visitors’ lounge and a meeting room, with all new furniture and finishes. Wireless and hard wired Internet access is available. It is one of the oldest buildings and one of the most sought- after addresses on campus.
BESSIE E. ESTELL HALL (1990) is a five-story dormitory that houses 212 students. This 64,000-square-foot building has study rooms and food preparation areas on each floor and a large recreation and social area in the basement.
WILLEASE R. SIMPSON HALL (1966) is a four-and-one-half story brick building providing housing for full-time students, with 101 rooms, lounge, administrative storage and utility areas in a total area of approximately 42,000 square feet. A separate ground-floor entrance provides access to the health center and the infirmary.
PEYTON FINLEY APARTMENTS (1983) are a cluster of four two-story, modern brick buildings that house 64 students. Each building provides a living area of approximately 3,870 square feet.
CYNTHIA D. ALEXANDER APARTMENTS (1966) consisting of two, two- story brick- veneer buildings, provide 12 apartments for residential life staff and faculty members.
HORNET STADIUM (1942) has a football practice field and a track.
GEORGE H. LOCKHART GYMNASIUM (1939) with extensive renovations completed in January 2002. It is now a 47,553-square-foot brick complex where physical education activities and intramural sports are held. It also houses offices for faculty and staff who manage the activities. The gymnasium includes a 25-meter pool suitable for swimming meets. It contains an elevator and mechanical rooms for its auxiliary systems. Bleachers and a new physical fitness area have also been constructed.
JOHN W. BEVERLY HALL (1939), a renovated three-story, brick building, houses lecture rooms, classrooms, faculty offices. Also located in this 24,480-square-foot building are the departments of social work, and sociology and criminal justice.
JOHN W. ABERCROMBIE HALL (1947) was renovated in 2008. The 40,000 square-foot, 130-bedroom facility features suite-style living accommodations on all three floors. Each suite has two bedrooms, which include beds, study desks, rocking chairs, wardrobes a couch and a television stand. In addition, Abercrombie Hall features laundry facilities and study rooms on each floor, as well as a computer lab and visitors lounge.
GEORGE W. TRENHOLM HALL (1947) housed the main University Library, with special laboratories for classes in library education until the spring of 1978. The 33,800-square-foot structure now houses the offices of the dean of University College, the Department of Humanities, the Department of History and Political Science, and the Thelma M. Glass Auditorium.
OLEAN BLACK UNDERWOOD TENNIS CENTER (1994) is a 12-court, lighted complex with tournament capabilities. This facility has a clubhouse which provides office spaces, men’s and women’s dressing rooms with lockers and showers, and a classroom for on-site teaching.
COMMUNICATIONS ANNEX is a 26,000-square-foot complex divided into several suites that are used to facilitate academic activities in the department of communications. These facilities are fenced and have adequate parking for employees and visitors.
THE ACADEMIC MALL (1965) is a T-shaped lawn in the heart of the campus that runs along the perimeter of major academic buildings and the University Center. At the center of the mall stands the Equinox, erected in 1974 as a university centennial project. One of the few pieces of massive outdoor sculpture in Montgomery, it is a tribute to the contributions of African-Americans in our nation’s development.
JOHN L. BUSKEY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (2001) is an 80,000- square- foot, three- story complex houses the Health Sciences programs consisting of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Health Information Management, Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Counseling, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Maternal and Child Health and the Center to Advance Rehabilitative Health and Education (CARE). The building houses three computer laboratories that complement the needs of the health sciences program. In addition, there is a Gait Analysis Laboratory, a Cardio-Pulmonary Laboratory and a Bod Pod Laboratory that support faculty research. Finally, the complex has a state-of-the-art, 209-seat auditorium and lounges for faculty and students. The Prosthetics and Orthotics program is housed in an extended site building on Forest Avenue.
PHYSICAL PLANT (refurbished in 2000) houses the employees and supervisory personnel of the Physical Plant. It is a one-level structure consisting of 18,324 square feet, with office space, meeting rooms, storage, equipment areas, and shops for skills and/or trades, e.g., air conditioning, plumbing, locksmith, electrical, carpentry, etc. It is fenced and has a parking garage for two buses, a gas pump, and adequate parking for work vehicles, employees and visitors.
OLD BEL AIRE ESTATES: The University has acquired property, west of the center of campus that runs north and south along the west side of Hall Street. The area comprises approximately 55-60 acres.
ROBERT CLINTON HATCH HALL (2007) is shared by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and Alabama State University. The building consists of 50,000 square feet. The facility incorporates state-of-the-art forensic science laboratories, a mock courtroom, instrumentation laboratory and a criminal logistics laboratory for instruction in techniques for examining evidentiary material.
LIFE SCIENCE BUILDING (2009) is an 85,000 square foot, five-floor facility that includes a 2,000-square-foot teaching seminar room, well-equipped research laboratories, walk-in cold rooms and dark rooms. The building houses the university’s biological science programs, including the doctoral program in microbiology for the department of biological sciences. It features state-of-the-art molecular biology teaching laboratories and multimedia classrooms furnished with the latest instructional software.
RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY HALL (2009) is named for ASU alumnus and civil rights icon Ralph David Abernathy, the 134,000-square-foot Ralph David Abernathy Hall is home to the College of Education. The building is the university’s second largest facility and features simulated classrooms, research and development laboratories, a 545-seat auditorium and stately rotunda designated as a “great teacher’s memorial hall.” An outdoor courtyard provides students and faculty with a beautiful space to relax, socialize or study.
HOUSTON MARKHAM JR. FOOTBALL COMPLEX (2011) is 33,165 square feet, costing more than $7 million. This state-of-the-art facility boasts its own 5,000-square-foot weight room, 650-square-foot multi-purpose area, 1,575-square-foot team room, 1,870-square-foot locker room, 1,512-square-foot Training room and a 1,110-square-foot academic lab. Architectural features include a 1,290-square-foot, two-story atrium and a balcony overlooking the football practice field, smart boards in the team room and energy-saving devices, such as HVAC controls.
WHEELER-WATKINS BASEBALL COMPLEX (2011) is a $3.9 million baseball complex that has brought baseball back to ASU’s campus for the first time since 1996. It features an intramural soccer/football field, a press box, bathrooms, dugouts, a concession stand, parking, lighting and seating.
HORNET STADIUM (2012) opened for the Turkey Day Classic in November of 2012. Visible from Interstate-85, the new stadium boasts 26,500 seats, 20 skyboxes, 200 loge seats, 750 club seats, two party terraces and general admission berm seating. The new facility is located adjacent to the north Hall Street entranceway and runs at a slight angle alongside I-85. The main entrance into the stadium faces Hall Street is linked to a campus- wide pedestrian corridor. This state-of-the-art, on-campus stadium hosts Alabama State football on campus for the first time since 1973. The facility is designed to accommodate other major events such as concerts and festivals as well as smaller events such as receptions and meetings. Retail space, a restaurant and administration offices are some of the amenities that allow this stadium to be used 365 days a year.
RESIDENTIAL FACILITY I (2011) is located on the east side of the campus, this four-story, contemporary co-ed residence hall provides living spaces for 250 residents. The hall has single and double bedrooms for upper-class male and female students. This building features suite-style accommodations with bathrooms. Additionally, each floor features study rooms and food preparation areas.
RESIDENTIAL FACILITY II (2011) is also located on the east side of the campus, this four- story, contemporary co-ed residence hall provides living spaces for 250 residents. The hall has single and double bedrooms for upper class male and female students. This building features suite-style accommodations with bathrooms. Additionally, each floor features study rooms and food preparation areas.
GARRICK HARDY STUDENT SERVICE CENTER (2012) is a hub for all major student activities. Designed as a one-stop shop for recreation and for transacting important student business, the new 81,000-square-foot facility is sure to make campus life more fun – and more convenient. Amenities for the new Student Services Center include a food court, Movie Theater, and cyber café, TV lounge, multipurpose lounge, recreation room, ballroom, locker rooms, bookstore and casual study lounge. For the convenience of students, it houses the admissions office, financial aid office, housing office, student accounts, records and registration, student ID station, post office, police security station and student life offices.
BARBARA WILLIAMS SOFTBALL COMPLEX (2012) has allowed softball competition onto the ASU campus for the first time. The complex was named for a celebrated pioneer in ASU women’s athletics. The $1.6 million softball complex was dedicated in April 2012. The complex is a sleek modern facility with more than 200 seats and recessed dugouts.
WHEELER-WATKINS BASEBALL COMPLEX (2011) The Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex was opened in dedicated in February 2012. The new complex, which opened in March 2011, is named in honor of two former head baseball coaches, Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins. The $3.9 million baseball complex was completed in the spring of 2011 and brought baseball back to ASU's campus for the first time since 1996.
BRUNSWICK BOWLING LANES Brunswick Bowling Lanes is the home facility of the Alabama State Bowling program.
ROBERT TRENT JONES - CAPITOL HILL RTJ-Capitol Hill is the home facility of the Alabama State Golf program. Located in Prattville, approximately 13 miles north of Alabama's state capital, Capitol Hill features three 18-hole championship courses.
ASU SOCCER COMPLEX (2012) Located on the east side of ASU campus and in the shadows of The New ASU Stadium, the complex has a natural grass facility.
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING/POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Campus Police Department is a full-service agency that is open 24 hours a day and is located at 1452 Carter Hill Road. Full safety and Police services are always available. To report a crime or request service, please call 334-229-4400.
GROWTH
Growth in size and facilities is part of the story of any dynamic institution and Alabama State University is no exception. In 1962, the student body numbered about 1,600 and the university’s 52-acre campus encompassed only 12 permanent buildings. Since then, the student population has increased to approximately 5,600. The campus has also grown, covering about 146 acres with 63 permanent buildings. The buildings are set in a landscape design that rivals the most beautiful urban campuses in the South. The replacement value of land, buildings and equipment is estimated at $310,374,915.
OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
The mission of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) is to provide vision and leadership to advance the University's mission through planning, assessment, policy development, decision-making support, and data collection and analysis to maintain compliance with external constituents and to facilitate continuous improvement of Alabama State University. The goals of the office is to ensure institutional integrity, to provide all instructional and non-instructional units with assistance in policy and procedural development that leads to improving daily operations, and maintaining compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and all specialized accrediting agencies. The units reporting to OIE include the Testing Center, the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), the Office of Institutional Research, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
OFFICE OF Institutional Research
Institutional Research has the primary mission of conducting research within the university to provide information which supports institutional planning, policy formation and decision-making. The unit plays a very important role in the university’s program evaluation and outcomes assessment activities. In this regard, it may conduct surveys of graduates and former students; and it may conduct needs assessment studies designed to guide the development of new programs. This unit works closely with management information systems and academic computing in the design of data files to serve faculty, staff and student information needs. By virtue of its responsibilities for data and information about the university, Institutional Research is assigned responsibilities that need not be considered university research. The following are illustrative.
The Office of Institutional Research is responsible for the university’s responses to national statistical surveys, such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) of the National Center for Education Statistics. Similarly, data forms must also be completed for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). The Office of Institutional Research also provides the continuing point of contact for ACHE on matters relating to institutional data. Institutional Research staff may be asked to serve on agency committees where a central concerned 462
Testing Center
The Testing Center, serves the needs of the entire university with respect to standardized test administration, computer-generated test development, and test scoring and reporting. Testing dates for local, state and national examinations are announced at the beginning of each academic year. Students are urged to obtain a schedule from the Testing Center for information concerning tests they may require. Computerized academic evaluation support is provided by the Testing Center to faculty and staff in their efforts to maintain the highest levels of quality and effectiveness in all curricular programs. In addition, the Testing Center provides survey and related assistance in accordance with the university’s planning, management, and evaluation systems.