Join this dynamic discussion on the current landscape and future outlook for campus infrastructure and capital investment in higher education. The session will delve into the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the market, including how institutions are navigating financial constraints, evolving campus needs, and the demand for sustainable, resilient infrastructure. Explore innovative financing structures, partnership models, and strategies that are driving successful project delivery and long-term value creation for colleges and universities.

This panel of experts will discuss lessons learned from recent project cancellations, and provide actionable insights for the industry to refine its approach to procurement and enhance a project’s chances of success. Key discussions will include integrating ESG principles into the investment process and achieving a “win-win” outcome for both financial and societal benefit.

Separate registration is required. Stay tuned for more information!

Whether it’s for housing, infrastructure, or any other mission critical function, implementing your first P3 can be a challenging and often confusing process. Unfortunately, there is no voice-activated AI option for helping higher-ed institutions navigate through the evaluation of the opportunity and the procurement of a development partner. Through a diverse panel of campus leaders and P3 partners (advisory, development and design) this panel detail various procurement methods and selection criteria that will lead to a successful implementation and long-term relationship. This interactive discussion will include real-life campus scenarios that will help you understand the advantages and potential risks to consider as your institution prepare for this important commitment. 

Many small, mid-sized, and specialty institutions are under-resourced, requiring creative revenue generation strategies. Land and underutilized facilities are often one of universities' most valuable assets, but require thoughtful plans as these institutions are also often closely connected to their communities. Focused on smaller institutions and those targeting underrepresented students (HBCUs, HBIs, etc.) this session explores strategies to leverage land and other assets to advance the mission of the institution, support it financially, or provide community benefit. Attendees will be able to apply lessons learned from other institutions to their edge- and off- campus assets as they consider potential partnerships for real estate development at underutilized land and facilities, considering the overall impact to their missional objectives. Importantly, speakers will discuss pitfalls to avoid.

Tens of millions of dollars are being unlocked from campus parking systems through long-term lease and concession agreements.

This panel will outline how universities can meet their sustainability goals (such as alternative energy and carbon neutrality), which often have significant costs, by unlocking the value their existing parking assets. The discussion will include the types of energy and sustainability solutions (e.g. solar, storage, geothermal, etc.) can be utilized by universities and how a parking monetization can assist universities with a transition to net zero decarbonization and not only help provide the funding, but also be responsible for the delivery and maintenance of these technologies. The panel will uncover what a monetization P3 looks like with a distinct approach, utilizing an all-tax-exempt debt structure without the complications of an equity investor, lessons learned spanning procurement through implementation, benefits beyond the initial capital infusion which include supporting not only sustainability goals, but also social goals, such as how the parking system serves students, faculty, staff, and visitors).

Universities are facing the need to modernize or rebuild their aging stadiums, arenas, and performance venues and now recognize the importance and value in providing an elevated experience for their students, alumni and fans.  This frequently includes the addition of a mix of uses adjacent to the facility to provide a vibrant guest experience that additionally provides an opportunity for the University to better engage the communities in which they are located and for further advancing other strategic priorities.  These compelling districts also provide opportunities to enter into agreements with the public sector that will allow for public investment and additionally provide opportunities for the introduction of private capital as well.

Each of the panelists is embarking on transformative projects for their university and will discuss the similarities, but more importantly the differences in not only the nature of the project, but the approach to delivering the project – each of which is reflective of the unique culture and traditions of some of the most iconic institutions in the nation.

P3s can capture value not available in traditional delivery models.  We will feature different perspectives from the key project partners and the institution, appealing to owners, designers, developers, and contractors. The panel will equip campus constituents with specific strategies as they develop their P3 framework.

We will share information from a recent, multi-phase, multi-site P3 delivered in one of the most challenging construction markets in decades. Attendees will be more informed on how to help their institutions consider implementing this strategic approach to adding student housing while keeping debt off their balance sheets. Key members will give candid feedback on how this alternative delivery method creates efficiencies in the schedule and demonstrate speed to delivery.

Campus Energy P3’s do not all need to look alike (and probably shouldn’t). This panel is focused on structuring need focused campus energy P3s and will include a discussion about the various models including: privatization and upfront payments, greenfield focused initiatives and hybrid structures. The conversation will include a discussion of three unique energy P3s with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Appalachian State University. All three of these institutions and projects have unique needs and transaction structures.

This panel will focus on the operations and maintenance (O&M) component of higher education P3s.  The discussion will cover the benefits of transferring O&M responsibilities to the private sector, the associated risks, and how to best manage those risks.  The panelists will also explore strategies that higher education institutions and their private partners can employ to ensure that the transferred O&M services are aligned with the owner’s objectives, appropriately scoped to take into consideration any labor issues, and performed to contractually specified standards throughout the term.

Pennsylvania State University executed the largest hospitality public-private partnership in history for their two on-campus university-owned and operated hotels. Combined, the hotels represent 523 keys, four restaurants, and nearly 80,000 square feet of meeting space. The agreement between the university and the private partner (“Scholar” Hotel Group) required Scholar to make significant reinvestment into both properties, including a gut-renovation of the Nittany Lion Inn which is reopening August 2024. The panel will explore lessons learned and best practices from the transaction and include representatives from the university, Scholar, and the university’s advisor (RJA).

Taking place during our evening reception, colleges and universities from around the country will host tables to share information with conference attendees about their most pressing campus needs and ideas. This is an opportunity for colleges and universities to build a network of seasons professionals, and for the industry to connect with future project opportunities.

Dive into the journey of CenTrio's first year in this transformative 50-year partnership with Eastern Michigan University. Discover the intricacies of taking over campus energy management—how we seamlessly integrated existing university employees into the CenTrio organization, are approaching capital project planning in collaboration with the University, and are underway with an ambitious Energy Conservation Measures Program. In this session we will also explore how the $115 million investment is modernizing campus infrastructure, enhancing student and faculty programs, and driving sustainability and operational excellence, while setting the stage for future advancements. 

As a University on the Rise, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) proactively entered into the state’s first Public-Private Partnership (P3) to address its growing on-campus student housing needs. This initiative was driven by unprecedented growth in enrollment and retention rates. The fast-paced process of concurrently deploying a multitude of development activities along a record-setting timeline will culminate in the delivery of 3,000 self-supporting beds within three years. Through this partnership, the UT System and UTK have set a P3 roadmap for future projects across the state of Tennessee. Join this distinguished panel to learn how this pioneering effort underscores UTK's commitment of supporting the Volunteer Experience by providing top-tier facilities for its students while setting a benchmark for future public-private collaborations in higher education.

Dr. Farajian will give brief overview of the Bureau’s expanded lending authority provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL expanded the capacity of the Bureau to lend to transit-oriented development real estate projects, including at public universities and colleges.

Does your institution need new student or staff housing? Are you thinking about converting your fleet of campus buses to electric and you need the charging infrastructure to manage this fleet? Is your school adding a new science or technology building? Join representatives from the developer community, academia, and the Federal government as they share and discuss innovative and creative solutions for solving the infrastructure challenges of higher education.

Due to legacy funding disparities and limited access to capital, HBCUs have struggled to provide adequate facilities, which are critical for the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff.  This panel examines cutting-edge approaches to university financing including opportunities at the Federal level to improve access to credit, public-private partnerships and other innovative solutions. Expert panelists will discuss how these models and initiatives can help address funding gaps while increasing access and affordability for students.

Procurement processes seek to maximize market interest from industry experts and secure competitive engagement terms that will serve as the foundation for productive partnerships. The approach to solicit market interest varies significantly and these differences have a direct impact on private market interest, the accuracy of proposals, and competitiveness of key terms. Our panel will discuss how institutions can yield the greatest value through their procurement processes and lessons learned across a variety of asset types.

Join esteemed leaders in a thought-provoking panel discussion as they explore creative and practical financing strategies for public-private partnerships (P3s) and showcase exemplary projects that have successfully harnessed different financing structures. Hear examples of projects delivered using traditional debt and equity, tax-exempt financing, availability payments structures and concessionaire agreements and what ingredients led to those successful outcomes. Learn how understanding the unique challenges posed by the current capital market environment, geopolitical dynamics, and local market data play a pivotal role in driving successful P3 initiatives. Be inspired by real-world examples and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate and capitalize on the ever-evolving landscape of P3 financing.