Assignment -

Recently, Fantastic University undertook a building project which required $6.5 million of capital. The university had endowment funds of more than $15 million and a triple A bond rating. After careful consideration, the Board and Management decided to finance the project through operations rather than using the endowment or borrowing the funds. As an investment analyst, critique this decision. Evaluate the pro's and con's and determine if this was the best decision given the circumstances. Is there any information missing which makes this decision difficult? As a result of this decision, what other tactical decisions might need to be made in terms of future staffing, raises, other capital projects? (A 3-5 page analysis should be sufficient to answer this question.)

This is a real case.  You should investigate the interest rate climate at the time and derive any external information available for a not-for-profit company.