[6] In 2005, the company worked with Arizona State University (ASU) on the Vista del Sol community, to pioneer the American Campus Equity program, an ownership model for on-campus student housing.

[11] ASU's Manzanita Hall, became ACC's first redevelopment, reconfiguring the dilapidated 1960s high rise into a modern layout that promotes academic performance, collaboration and community.

[17] In 2020, ACC collaborated with Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Lysol, to set a formalized approach to cleanliness and disinfection at its student housing communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tenants reported instances of unauthorized entries into their units, breaching rental laws, and disputed rules, such as pet bans and relocation notices.

Despite efforts to address grievances and amend lease provisions, ongoing tensions persist between residents and ACC, underscoring challenges in maintaining a living environment.

[36] In December 2014, an incident occurred when University of Missouri student Jack Lipp fell from a balcony during a party due to a defective railing, resulting in his death.

[37][38] In a settlement reached in 2018, U.S. District Judge John Ross resolved a federal class action lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing practices from American Campus Communities.

[42] In early 2023, the University Area Commission in Columbus, Ohio, rejected a proposed 8-story student apartment complex on Lane Avenue and High Street, following public opposition.

Its corporate practice of locking students into year-long leases with exorbitant fees to sublease, make it clear that ACC is only or a specific economic demographic.

For instance, residents of Hub Ann Arbor have reported issues such as malfunctioning elevators, inadequate heating and cooling systems, and subpar maintenance responses.

These problems contribute to a negative living experience, further exacerbating the financial burden on students who often pay premium prices for what they expect to be high-quality accommodations.