UK plans dorm partnership with Tenn. company

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The University of Kentucky is preparing to vote on a deal that could transform dorm life at the school.

The Board of Trustees will discuss a proposal on Tuesday that calls for UK to partner with Education Realty Trust, a Memphis, Tenn.-based company that builds and manages student housing, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

The proposal calls for EdR to build and manage a 600-bed, $26 million dorm under a 50-year lease. The board is also expected to take a preliminary step in a broader agreement with the company that would lead to replacing nearly 6,000 dorm beds and adding 3,000.

UK officials say the deal with EdR is the only affordably way that new dorms with modern technology can be built in a short amount of time - which is essential for student recruitment and success.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com