The college assumed oversight of the facility July 1 when the management contract with University Cinemas ended. The cinema, which closed in June, will resume programming in time for students' return fall quarter rather than early July as initially planned, said Chuck McWeeny, dean of the College of Fine Arts.

The college plans to maintain the Athena as a working theater with an art film focus. Ruth Bradley, director of the Athens Center for Film and Video, will manage the theater. She also directs the Athens International Film + Video Festival, which is hosted at the Athena each May.