"Along with creating a more beautiful campus, part of our overall master plan includes improving access and sight lines," said Joyce Topshe, Wesleyan’s assistant vice president for facilities. "This project accomplishes all of that and gives students a comfortable, accommodating place to live."

Construction has been going on since late August and all signs point to the project being finished on time.

"It is going extremely well. The foundation is being poured and the steel wall is going up," said Topshe.

The site plan was approved at a planning and zoning meeting in July and will bring housing at the university to the high 90’s percentage wise compared to population. The added housing, which consists of two buildings, will not increase student population, according to Robert Schmidt, project manager for PMG, who designed the dorm.

"Today we have 200 more students than beds," said Topshe. "Students would like to live on campus and this will allow them to be on campus. We also prefer it that way so they can have the full residence experience."

The dorm was part of the Master Plan that was submitted to the city in December of last year and will connect the entire campus.

"It’s going to look lovely. One of the big issues is the wall on Vine Street, because it was a barrier between the campus and the athletic facilities," said Topshe. "This project will connect the athletic facilities to the rest of the campus."

The complex is scheduled for completion in August 2005. Construction and design is by Konover Construction/ Herbert S. Newman Partners Architects.

To contact Szymon Twarog, call (860)347-3331 Ext. 220 or email stwarog@middletownpress.com.