That dream will soon be reality.

In May of this year, construction began on a seven-building, $29-million housing complex. When classes begin in August 2004, there will be beds for 568 full-time students in the Waterfield Campus Student Housing.

These will not be typical college dormitories. In fact, the word “dorm” isn’t even used to describe the facilities.

The students will live in one-, two- or four-bedroom apartments. The furnished apartments have a living room that includes a sofa, side chair, coffee and end tables, and an entertainment stand. The kitchens come with a stove, microwave, refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, garbage disposal and dining table with chairs. The bedrooms come with an extra long full-size bed, a study desk and chair, a stackable dresser and a closet. The bedrooms will be individually keyed for added privacy. The apartments also will have high-speed Internet and cable television service. And the list of amenities goes on: the project includes a community center, which will have a social lounge with a big-screen TV, a 24-hour laundry facility, a fitness center, a basketball court, a computer learning center/cyber lounge area, and on-site community assistance, management and maintenance staff.

The students will have to supply their own linens, cooking utensils and housekeeping products.

The apartments can be leased on either a 10- or 12-month plan, with the rent ranging from $379 per person per month for a four-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment and up to $600 a month for a one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment. Applications are being accepted now, and as of the end of October, more than 40 prospective students already had sent in the non-refundable $20 filing fee and a $150 refundable security deposit.

The project is professionally managed by American Campus Communities.

For more information, call 260-481-4180 or E-mail: info@IPFW

http:///www.studenthousing.com