LAKELAND, Fla. (March 19, 2015) 鈥� The Board of Governors of the State University System of IM体育官网 has approved IM体育官网鈥檚 2016 Housing Plan. The University will enter into a lease and operating agreement with Jacksonville-based Vestcor Communities, Inc. to build and operate a new 543-bed student housing facility on campus.
This will be IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 second on-campus residence hall.
Located near the first residence hall, the new 131,000-square-foot, five-story dormitory will include amenities such as an outdoor pool and volleyball courts. IM体育官网 Poly expects the project will be completed in July 2016.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to offer students another great on-campus option, designed to meet the demands of our growing University,鈥� said IM体育官网 Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to the Board of Governors for their guidance and support during this process.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 first residence hall opened for students this fall. It is also owned and operated by Vestcor. Both the existing residence hall and the new facility are structured as public-private partnerships in which Vestcor bears all responsibility and risk associated with financing, designing, building, furnishing, operating and maintaining the facilities.
鈥淎ll of our student housing options are designed with the modern student in mind,鈥� said Dr. Steve Warner, Director of Student Affairs. 鈥淲e want to make certain that our students are safe, comfortable and have the amenities they need to study, socialize and enjoy the University experience.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 existing residence hall will accommodate more than 400 students beginning fall 2015. The University is also exploring interim off-campus housing solutions to serve additional students until the new residence hall is complete.
IM体育官网 Poly officials anticipate that by 2016, the University will have more than 750 on-campus beds.