Student Housing
One of the most challenging issues facing America’s colleges and universities today is the growing demand for student housing. In recent years, colleges and universities across the country have wanted to make substantial improvements to their campuses, in part by adding enhanced housing and amenities, in an effort to attract students in today’s highly competitive recruiting environment. Solving the problems of aging, outdated dormitories and addressing neglected expansion needs is now a top priority for many institutions. This is especially true given the availability of low borrowing costs, the projected growth in enrollment and the need to keep pace with necessary technological infrastructure. As a practical matter, these institutions are under constant pressure to optimize operational results and pursue their primary mission of providing students the highest quality education possible rather than use valuable resources to develop, own and manage housing facilities. As a result, many institutions are turning to the same privatization model that they have already successfully used for their bookstores and food service operations as a means of providing these services in a cost effective, yet first rate manner. Privatization offers several alternatives to traditional student housing financing.
Some of Morgan Keegan’s student housing clients include:
- Oklahoma State University
- Southwest Texas State University
- Memphis College of Art (Tennessee)
- University of Louisville (Kentucky)
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority
