I. UCONN 2000: THE UPDATE
II. ACTIVITIES COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY:

• PLANNING, DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
• CONSTRUCTION
• CONNECTICUT CONTRACTOR SUMMARY
• FINANCE
• PRIVATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE REPORT

III. CURRENT PROJECT STATUS – PHASE I (as of October 2003)
IV. CURRENT PROJECT STATUS – PHASE II (as of October 2003)
V. CURRENT PROJECTS FUND SOURCES: PHASE I (as of October 2003)
VI. CURRENT PROJECTS FUND SOURCES: PHASE II (as of October 2003)
CHARTS:

Total and Endowment Gifts for the University of Connecticut

Asset Growth: The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc.

UCONN 2000: THE UPDATE

This is the seventeenth in a series of semi-annual reports to the Governor and the General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of Sections 10a-109 through 10a-109y of the Connecticut General Statutes, originally An Act to Enhance the Infrastructure of the University of Connecticut, now known as UCONN 2000. These reports have been issued each October and April since passage of UCONN 2000 on June 7, 1995. The law also required four-year a progress report, which was filed on January 15, 1999.

Spurred by the contribution that UCONN 2000 has made to the transformation of the University, student applications are up sharply in number, strength, and diversity. The average SAT score for this year’s entering freshman class at Storrs was 1167, up 18 points from the previous fall and up 139 points since UCONN 2000 was signed into law in 1995. In Fall 2003, 68 high school valedictorians and salutatorians joined the 394 who have enrolled at UConn between 1995 and 2002. Minority students comprised 17% of the entering class. U.S. News and World Report now ranks UConn in the top 25 public universities in the nation, up six spots from last year. And our athletic program continues to bring pride and excitement to the UConn community in Storrs, at Rentschler Field, and across Connecticut.

21st Century UConn, the successor program to UCONN 2000, will play a major role in continuing this progress. As has been evident throughout UCONN 2000, the University will administer the building program at a high caliber level, and optimize productivity and outcomes through careful assessment of needs, cost-effective planning, and successful implementation of the program.

		ABOVE:An architectural detail of the renovation of the Center for Undergraduate Education, a learning center that will house the Institute for Teaching and Learning, computer labs, academic advising and counseling programs and other faculty and student academic support services.
		BELOW: Construction is in progress on the new School of Pharmacy/Biology building. The building will include 120,000 square feet of space for teaching and research for the Pharmacy program and 80,000 square feet of research space for the Biology program. Also included is a 26,000 square foot animal care facility to support faculty research.
ABOVE: The new Information Technologies Engineering Building houses an extensive learning center, specialty training facilities and some of the most innovative research labs in the country for advancing cutting-edge engineering technology. The 5-level facility is home to UConn’s electrical and computer engineering and computer science and engineering departments.

 

UCONN 2000: ACTIVITIES COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY

• PLANNING, DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
  • The University has begun an update of its 1998 Master Plan. In view of the campus’ extensive physical changes resulting from the UCONN 2000 investment and the forthcoming 21st Century UConn initiative, it is necessary to update the plan so that the University can manage its capital resources most effectively. The plan will update the existing condition baseline to reflect the current physical plant, assess current and projected space needs relative to available facilities, assess the overall parking and transportation system including its financial and operational aspects, and refine the campus’ physical composition to advance improvements already in place. The planning effort includes activities on the West Hartford and Torrington campuses. The consultant for the Master Plan revision is JJR of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
  • The Law School Library has experienced an on-going series of leaks since opening in 1996. The project’s construction, which predates UCONN 2000, was managed by the Department of Public Works. Corrections undertaken did not resolve the situation, so the University hired its own consultants (Hoffman Architects of New Haven, and Simpson Gumpertz and Heger, Inc. of Boston) to investigate and propose solutions to the problems. The University is working with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Works, and original project architects and firms involved with its construction to address the issue.
  • Design activities are complete for the Cogeneration/Central Chilled Water Facility that will produce electricity for the Storrs campus, and secondary waste heat that will provide heating, hot water and/or cooling for the Storrs campus. The bid process was undertaken as a prerequisite to determine the feasibility and advisability of moving to cogeneration. Independent analysis projected the potential for significant energy cost-savings, and data from the bid process informed a cost/benefit analysis that led the Board of Trustees to endorse proceeding with the project. A contract award has been given to Select Energy. The project will be financed through Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation using a capital lease structure with an interest rate of 4.3%. Savings generated by the facility will pay the debt and debt service. Construction has just started on the building and chilled water portion of the project.
  • The University continues standardizing building systems and system components within its overall building and renovation program, (e.g., electrical circuitry, panel boxes, etc.). This process will reduce the number of replacement parts UConn needs to inventory, speed repairs, improve the level of maintenance, and lower overall costs.
  • At the September 23, 2003 University Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved the project list for the Phase III of the UCONN 2000 Program, also known as 21st Century UConn. Also, at this meeting, the Board approved a Supplemental Indenture to serve as the amendment to the General Obligation Master Indenture of the UCONN 2000 program. The two approved resolutions have been forwarded to the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for submission to the State Bond Commission. The project list adopted by the Board is the same list that appears in the law. The list of projects and the State Debt Service Commitment is included in this report as Exhibit “A.”
  • The architectural selection process has begun for the Torrey Renovation Completion and Biology Expansion project, which will include research labs and office spaces for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology programs as well as the Physiology and Neurobiology Departments. Also included will be classroom facilities. The new building will be constructed on the site of the Torrey Life Sciences building.
• CONSTRUCTION
  • Construction is underway for the new School of Pharmacy/Biology building. This building will include 120,000 square feet of space for teaching and research for the Pharmacy program and 80,000 square feet of research space for the Biology program. Also included in the project is a consolidated 26,000 square foot animal care facility to support the research programs in this area of the Storrs campus. The architect for this construction project is Davis, Brody, Bond of New York City. Gilbane of Glastonbury is the construction manager for this project, to be completed in July 2005.

ABOVE: Husky Village, a new centralized complex to house some of the University’s fraternities and sororities, is located near the Towers dorms.BELOW: Charter Oak Apartments and Suites, located north of the Northwest Quad dorms, provide 504 beds of apartment style housing and 468 beds of suite style housing.		ABOVE and BELOW: Construction is nearing completion of the first phase on the Student Union Building major renovations and additions. The work will expand the range and quality of student activities available in the campus core. The facility will also provide new space for each of the campus’ cultural centers.

ABOVE: Construction of the addition to the William Benton Museum of Art is scheduled for completion in December 2003.		ABOVE: Construction on renovations and an addition to the Neag School of Education’s Gentry building is underway. The project includes complete renovation of the building’s interior, exterior improvements to the façade and roof, and a 20,000 square foot addition to the building.

• ABOVE and BELOW: Construction is underway on renovations to the former School of Business as well as a 20,000 square foot addition. This project will transform the facility into a new Center for Undergraduate Education that will provide a centralized location for academic support for students and instructional support for faculty members and graduate students.		ABOVE: Jason Mitchell, a graduate student, demonstrates a tri-color laser experiment in the new high-tech Information Technologies Engineering facility for Governor John G. Rowland during his recent visit to campus. BELOW: Construction is complete on the Waterbury Downtown campus project, which relocated the Waterbury regional campus from its Hillside location to East Main Street. Existing academic programs and additional Bachelor of Business and MBA programs are offered in the new facilities.

• Students study and chat in the Waterbury Downtown campus

• Construction of the Benton Museum addition is scheduled for completion in December 2003. This $3.2 million project is funded through a combination of UCONN 2000 funds and private gifts. Arbonies King Vlock of Stony Creek is the architect for the project. Gilbane of Glastonbury is the construction manager for the project.
• Construction on renovations and an addition to the Neag School of Education’s Gentry Building is underway. The project scope includes a complete renovation of the building’s interior, exterior improvements of the faade and roof, and a 20,000 square foot addition to the building. The architect for the project is Svigals Associates of New Haven. Gilbane of Glastonbury is the construction manager on the project. It is anticipated that construction on the project will be complete in March 2004.
• Construction is underway on renovations to the former School of Business as well as a 20,000 square foot addition. This project will transform the facility into a new Center for Undergraduate Education that will provide a centralized location for academic support for students and instructional support for faculty members and graduate students. The facility will house the First Year Experience program, Career Services, the Institute for Teaching & Learning, the Study Abroad program, the Urban Semester program, the Center for Community Outreach, the Instructional Research Center, the Honors Program, and the Learning Research Center. The architect for the project is Svigals Associates of New Haven. The construction manager for the project is Gilbane of Glastonbury, Connecticut. It is anticipated that construction will be completed in December 2003.
• Construction is underway on the Student Union building that includes major renovations and additions to the current facility designed to expand the range and quality of activities in the campus core for students. Included are a food court, 500-seat theatre, student activity meeting space, a ballroom, and a central post office for all student mail. The facility also will provide new space for each of the campus’ cultural centers. Implementation of the Student Union building project will be phased over several years. The architect for the project is Cannon Associates of Boston. Konover Construction of West Hartford is the project’s construction manager. The first phase of the project, which includes the theatre, is scheduled for completion in January 2004. Immediately thereafter the second phase of the construction will begin.
• Construction is complete on the 504 beds of apartment style housing and 468 beds of suite style housing known as Charter Oak Apartments and Suites. These facilities are located north of the Northwest Quad Dorms. The floor plans are similar to those at Hilltop Apartments and the Hilltop Suites. The project was funded by special obligation bonds, to be repaid by the University from room fee revenue. The project was completed in August, in time for the start of the Fall 2003 semester. The design-build firm was JPI of Irving, Texas.
• In August 2003 a centralized complex to house some of the University’s fraternities and sororities was completed. The complex is called Husky Village and provides housing for 300 students. Capstone Builders led the design/build team. The project budget of $12 million was funded through special obligation bonds, to be repaid by revenue from the rent paid by fraternity and sorority members.
• Construction is complete on a new central dining facility at the Towers Dorms Complex to replace four small dining facilities and provide dining for Husky Village. The project was completed in August 2003, in time for the start of the fall semester. Funding came from a combination of UCONN 2000 and Dining Services operating funds. The construction manager was FIP of Cheshire.
• Construction is complete on work at the Law School that provided for the phased renovations of facilities including the old Library Building. The architect for this project was Allan Dehar Associates of New Haven. Dimeo Construction of New Haven was the construction manager.
• Construction is complete on the Waterbury Downtown Campus project, which relocated the Waterbury regional campus from its Hillside location to East Main Street. Existing academic programs and additional Bachelor of Business and MBA programs are offered in the new facilities. The architect for the project was Jeter Cook & Jepson of Hartford. Although this project was not part of UCONN 2000 funding, legislation provided that the University of Connecticut, under the authority set forth in UCONN 2000, manage the project. O&G Industries of Torrington was the construction manager for the project. The new campus was open for the Fall 2003 semester.
• Installation of new exterior signage has been completed at the main campus and the Health Center. The Law School and regional campuses will have new signs by December 2003. The purpose of this project is to incorporate signage that will provide a unified look and better directional information to visitors at all of the University’s campuses.
• Various renovations and deferred maintenance projects have been completed or are in the construction or design phase at the Avery Point campus. These projects are located in various facilities with different contractors.
• Renovations and installation of sprinklers in the Towers, Grad and East campus North (Holcomb, Whitney & Sprague) dormitories were completed in time for the start of the Fall 2003 semester. Completion of these projects leaves the West Campus complex as the only group of dorms without sprinklers. The installation of sprinklers in the West Campus complex will be completed in the Summer of 2004. The completed projects were funded by a combination of special obligation bonds to be repaid by the University and UCONN 2000 funds. The construction manager for these projects was Whiting Turner of New Haven.
• A new pedestrian walkway from Babbidge Library to South campus is under construction. This project is an integral component of the Master Plan to make the central core of the campus pedestrian-fr iendly and move traffic to the perimeter. O&G Industries of Torrington is the construction manager. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2003.

UCONN 2000: SET-ASIDE CONTRACTOR SUMMARY

• Public Act 99-241 called for, among other things, information regarding use of Connecticut-owned businesses on UCONN 2000 program projects, including those owned by women and minorities (“set-aside” contractors). Since Fiscal Year 1996, construction and related contracts for the UCONN 2000 program totaled $792.2 million. Twenty-four percent of this total, or $183.4 million, has gone to “set-aside” general contractors, contracted architects and engineers, and subcontractors. In this period, Connecticut businesses have accounted for $701.3 million or 89% of the total contracted dollars. Small business participation has amounted to $107.3 million and minority-and women-owned participation has accounted for $48.3 million.

UCONN 2000: FINANCE

• Debt Service Commitment Bond Issues Completed

Section 10a-109 of the Connecticut General Statutes empowers the University to issue General Obligation Bonds secured by the State’s Debt Service Commitment (sometimes referred to as “Debt Service Commitment Bonds” or “DSC Bonds”). These Bonds are issued pursuant to the General Obligation Master Indenture of Trust, dated as of November 1, 1995, between the University of Connecticut, as Issuer, and Fleet National Bank of Connecticut as Trustee (now U.S. Bank N.A.). The University’s Board of Trustees on November 10, 1995 and the State Bond Commission approved the Master Indenture of Trust on December 21, 1995. UConn’s Board of Trustees and the Governor approve the subsequent Supplemental Indentures for each bond issue. The University and Office of the State Treasurer, working in conjunction, manage the Debt Service Commitment Bond sale process. University General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bonds issues to date are summarized below:

The eight series of UCONN General Obligation DSC bonds issued total $814,637,146.50 in face value. Project funding to date totals $812,000,000 available for UCONN 2000 project spending. The remaining balance, together with accrued interest and net original issue premium, funded the costs of issuance.

On March 26, 2003 The University issued $96,210,000 face amount of the University of Connecticut Debt Service Commitment Bonds 2003 Series A, at a very favorable true interest cost of 3.97%, the lowest in the history of the program, with a 10.5 Years Average Life and with very favorable call redemption terms of 2013 @ Par. The 2014 through 2023 maturities carried MBIA bond insurance.

• UConn 2000 General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Projects

To date, fifty projects totaling $912 million have been authorized to receive General Obligation Debt Service Commitment bond proceed funding, as follows:

UCONN2000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SECURED
BY THE DEBT SERVICE COMMITMENT OF THE STATE

As of October 1, 2003, General Obligation Debt Service Commitment bonds have been issued to fund $812,000,000 of the above projects with $100,000,000, representing Fiscal Year 2004 authorizations effective July 1, 2003, expected to be issued during early winter 2004.

As of October 1, 2003 the General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bond Proceeds Construction Account remaining balance available to pay for Projects was only $1,459,588.09.

• University’s Financial Statements
  As the issuer of the UCONN 2000 program debt, the University now incorporates UCONN 2000 debt into its financial statements. As a result of recent changes in the Government Accounting Standards Board rules, the University’s General Obligation and Special Obligation bonds are shown as liabilities on the University’s financial statements. The financed UCONN 2000 projects and any unspent bond proceeds are shown as assets. The State’s commitment to pay the debt service for the University’s General Obligation Bonds is also shown as an asset on the University’s financial statements.
• Trustee Banks
  The proceeds of the sale by the University of any Bonds are part of the Trust Estate established under the General Obligation Master Indenture of Trust with the Trustee Bank as security for bondholders. Consequently the Trustee Bank holds all of the bond proceeds, with this exception: the State Treasurer’s Office may hold and invest the University’s General Obligation Bonds Debt Service Commitment funded Cost of Issuance account. The Special Obligation Master Indenture has similar Trust Estate provisions and the Trustee Bank holds all the Special Obligation bond proceeds received at issuance including the cost of issuance account.Prior to June 1998, all University General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bond proceeds were deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer and treated like State bond proceeds, including payments made to vendors through the Office of the State Comptroller. Subsequently, the Office of the Attorney General opined that the University, and not the State, issues UCONN 2000 bonds. Accordingly, upon advice of bond counsel and in conformity with the Master Indenture of Trust, Debt Service Commitment Bond construction fund proceeds were deposited to the Trustee Bank and disbursed as directed by the University pursuant to the Indenture. Per the State’s preference, the University General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bond proceeds for cost of issuance are still treated like State bond proceeds and deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer, and disbursed through the Office of the State Comptroller.The Indentures of Trust provide that the University is authorized and directed to order each disbursement from the Construction Account held by the Trustee upon a certification filed with the Trustee bank, and in the case of the Debt Service Commitment bonds, also the State Treasurer. The Indentures provide that such certification shall be signed by an Authorized Officer of the University and include certain disbursement information. Once the Authorized Officer certification filings are made, the University can directly disburse payments.
• University Special Obligation Revenue Bonds Secured by Pledged Revenues
  UCONN 2000 also authorizes the University to issue Special Obligation Revenue bonds. Unlike the University’s General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bonds that are paid from the State’s General Fund, debt on the Special Obligation Bonds is paid from certain Pledged Revenues of the University as defined in the particular bond series indenture.A Special Capital Reserve Fund may be established for University Special Obligation bond issues only if the Board of Trustees determines that the Special Obligation bond issue is self-sufficient as defined in the Act. The self-sufficiency finding by the University must be submitted to and confirmed as not unreasonable or arbitrary by the State Treasurer prior to issuance of the bonds. Once approved, the Special Capital Reserve Fund is funded at issuance by the University to meet the minimum capital reserve requirement. However, subject to notification by the University on or before December 1, annually, if this amount falls below the required minimum capital reserve, there is deemed to be appropriated from the state General Fund sums necessary to restore each such Special Capital Reserve Fund to the required minimum capital reserve.
• Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bond Issues
  Student Fee Revenue Bonds have been issued pursuant to the Special Obligation Indenture of Trust, dated as of January 1, 1997, between the University as Issuer and U.S. Bank N.A. as successor to State Street Bank & Trust as Trustee (“the Special Obligation Master Indenture”). The Board of Trustees approved the Master Indenture on November 8, 1996.UConn’s Board of Trustees and the Governor approve the subsequent Supplemental Indentures for each Special Obligation bond issue. The University and Office of the State Treasurer, working in conjunction, manage the Special Obligation Bond sale process. University Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds issues to date are summarized below:

On February 4, 1998, the University issued $33,560,000 of University of Connecticut Student Fee Revenue Bonds 1998 Series A (“SFR 1998-A Bonds”) with a final maturity of November 15, 2027. The Special Obligation First Supplemental Indenture was also dated January 1, 1997 and authorized the issuance of bonds up to a principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000 for construction of the South Campus Residence and Dining Hall, plus amounts necessary to fund a Special Capital Reserve Fund (“SCRF”) and provide for costs of issuance. The University managed the issuance and sale of these bonds and realized a favorable true interest cost over the term. Debt service for these bonds is paid from the student Infrastructure Maintenance Fee instituted in 1997 and other Pledged Revenues as further defined in the Indenture of Trust. Such Pledged Revenues also help support future operation and maintenance costs for facilities built or expanded through UCONN 2000.

On June 1, 2000, the University issued $89,570,000 of the University of Connecticut Student Fee Revenue Bonds 2000 Series A (“SFR 2000-A”) pursuant to the Special Obligation Master Indenture, and the Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 2000. Bond proceeds funded $87,000,000 of construction for the Hilltop Dormitory, Hilltop Student Rental Apartments, and Parking Garage South and also provided for capitalized interest and costs of issuance. The $89,570,000 SFR 2000 Bonds were defeased in substance on February 27, 2002, as further described below, and are no longer reflected as outstanding debt on the University’s financial statements.

On February 14, 2002, the University issued $75,430,000 of the University of Connecticut Student Fee Revenue Bonds 2002 Series A pursuant to the Special Obligation Master Indenture and the Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2001. Bond proceeds funded $72,180,000 of construction for the Alumni Quadrant Renovations, Shippee/Buckley Renovations, East Campus North Renovations, Towers Renovations (including Greek Housing), and North Campus Renovations (including North Campus Student Suites and Apartments).

On February 27, 2002, the University issued $96,130,000 of the University of Connecticut Student Fee Revenue Bonds 2002 Refunding Series A pursuant to the Special Obligation Master Indenture and the Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2002. Bond proceeds were used to take advantage of favorable market conditions to advance refund and defease in substance all of the $89,570,000 of Student Fee Revenue Bonds 2000 Series A bonds outstanding. Proceeds were deposited with the Trustee bank in an irrevocable escrow fund sufficient to satisfy future debt service and call premiums on the prior issue.

• UCONN2000 Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Projects
  To date, nine projects have been authorized to receive the University’s Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue bond proceed funding. Some of these projects were also supported by General Obligation or other funding, as follows:

  UCONN2000 SPECIAL OBLIGATION STUDENT FEE
  REVENUE BOND PROCEEDS FUNDED PROJECTS

  Projects Special Obligation Authorized and Issued
  Alumni Quadrant Renovations	$ 7,000,000
  East Campus North Renovations	1,000,000
  Hilltop Dormitory New	21,000,000
  Hilltop Student Rental Apartments	42,000,000
  North Campus Renovation (including North Campus Student Suites and Apartments)	45,000,000
  Parking Garage-South	24,000,000
  Shippee/Buckley Renovations	5,000,000
  South Campus Complex	30,000,000
  Towers Renovations (including Greek Housing)	14,180,000
  Totals	$189,180,000

  ---

• Credit Ratings
  Since the inception of UCONN 2000, the University’s bond issues have experienced a favorable credit rating history, including several credit rating upgrades. For example, as of October 1, 2003 Moody’s assigned a “Aa3” rating to both the University’s General Obligation Bonds secured by the State’s Debt Service Commitment and the University’s Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds. It is a strong vote of confidence in the University that both these ratings are ranked the same as the State’s General Obligation Bond “Aa3” credit rating.The capital markets have recognized the tangible benefits to the State’s economy of meeting the infrastructure and educational goals of the program, as well as the University’s success in implementing them. A high quality credit rating not only provides the State and the University with less expensive access to the capital markets but also supports the State’s quality reputation among investors. A University milestone occurred in 2002 with the achievement of the high-grade “double A” credit-rating category from Moody’s Investors Service for both its General Obligation and Special Obligation bonds.As of October 1, 2003, the UCONN 2000 General Obligation Debt Service Commitment bonds were rated “AA” by Standard & Poor’s; “Aa3” by Moody’s Investors Service; and “AA-” by Fitch Investors Service. Also the University’s Special Obligation Bonds not secured by SCRF were rated “AA-” by Standard & Poor’s and “Aa3” Moody’s Investors Service. Fitch Investors Service does not rate the Special Obligation bonds not secured by SCRF. The Special Obligation Bonds Series 1998-A carry a Special Capital Reserve Fund and are rated “AA” by Standard & Poor’s “Aa3” by Moody’s, and “AA-” by Fitch. In addition to the underlying credit ratings, “AAA” rated municipal bond insurance secures certain maturities of several of the above bond issues.

  February 1996: the first issue of the University’s General Obligation Bonds secured by the State’s Debt Service Commitment carried underlying ratings of “A1” by Moody’s Investors Service, “AA-” by Standard & Poor’s and “AA-” by Fitch.

  February 1998: the first issue of UCONN 2000 Special Obligation bonds depended upon the State’s SCRF credit rating. An underlying “stand alone” credit rating was not available for this nascent program. At the time of issuance, the State SCRF enhancement allowed the bonds to obtain an “AA-” rating from Standard & Poor’s, “AA-” from Fitch Investors Service, and “A-1” from Moody’s Investors Service. The bonds were subsequently covered by municipal bond insurance and upgraded to an “AAA” at Fitch and Standard & Poor’s and “Aaa” at Moody’s Investors Service.

  October 1998: Standard & Poor’s upgraded the UCONN 2000 General Obligation DSC Bonds and the UCONN SFR 1998-A (SCRF) bonds to “AA” from “AA-“.

  March 2000: Moody’s upgraded UCONN 2000 General Obligation DSC Bonds to “Aa3” from “A1”.

  June 2000: the University achieved a milestone with its first underlying Special Obligation Bond “stand alone” credit rating of “AA-” (S&P), and an “A1” (Moody’s).

  February 2001: Moody’s upgraded UCONN 2000 General Obligation DSC Bonds to “Aa2” from “Aa3”. In April 2001, the General Obligation DSC 2001 Series A bonds were sold without any bond insurance security enhancement on any maturity, another successful first-time accomplishment for the UCONN 2000 bond program. Moody’s upgraded UConn’s SFR 1998-A Bonds, which are secured by the State SCRF, at this time to “Aa3” from “A1”.

  January 2002: UConn’s 2000 Special Obligation Bonds (Non-SCRF) were upgraded to “Aa3” from “A1” by Moody’s. This graduated UConn’s Special Obligation bonds to Moody’s “high-grade” bond category and impacted the underlying credit on all outstanding Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds. (The $33.6 million Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds Series 1998-A bonds which are secured by the State’s SCRF already carried the “Aa3” rating.) This high rating was assigned a stable outlook and represented a positive judgment by the capital markets regarding UConn’s financial strength, real and potential growth as an institution, and management.

  August 2002: Reflecting the outlook changes for the State’s General Obligation Bonds, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s both moved their outlook from “stable” to “negative” for UConn’s General Obligation DSC Bonds while retaining their respective credit rating levels at “Aa2” and “AA”. Fitch took no action. In a sign of confidence for the University’s management and growth potential, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s kept UConn’s Special Obligation Bond ratings levels and stable outlook unchanged.

  March 2003: During tougher economic times the rating agencies confirmed the University’s General Obligation DSC bond ratings as follows: Fitch “AA-“; S&P “AA”; and Moody’s “Aa2”. Moody’s also confirmed UConn’s Special Obligation and Foundation bond ratings at “Aa3”. Holding the credit ratings was a good sign, in light of Moody’s February 2003 move of the State General Obligation bonds, and consequently the University’s DSC and SCRF security bonds, to Watch list for possible downgrade.

  July 2003: On July 2, 2003, citing State budget problems, Moody’s downgraded the University’s General Obligation DSC bond ratings to “Aa3” from “Aa2” consistent with its action on the State General Obligation bond rating. The good news was that Moody’s also confirmed UConn’s Special Obligation (“non-SCRF) bond ratings at “Aa3”. Moody’s also briefly downgraded the University’s 1998 Special Obligation Bonds secured by the State’s SCRF to “A-1” following a general downgrade of any bonds backed by the State’s SCRF, but then upgraded the University’s 1998 Special Obligation Bonds back to “Aa-3” on July 14, 2003.

• Debt Service
  The State General Fund pays the debt service on the University’s General Obligation Debt Service Commitment Bonds. The University pays the debt service on the Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds from its own resources. For all the UCONN 2000 General Obligation Debt Service Commitment securities issued since the program’s inception in 1996 to October 31, 2003, debt service totals $814.6 million of principal and $413.7 million of interest (including capital appreciation bonds). As of October 31, 2003 there will be $669.2 million of principal outstanding, and $282.2 million of interest remaining (including capital appreciation bonds.) For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 the Debt Service Commitment paid for the University’s General Obligation Bonds amounted to $66 million (representing $37.7 million of principal and $28.3 million of interest).UCONN 2000 Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue securities debt service amounts to $205.1 million of principal and $187.5 million of interest over the course of the maturity spectrum, net of pre-refunded and defeased bonds. As of October 31, 2003 there will be $197.5 million of principal and $161.2 million of interest remaining (including capital appreciation bonds). All other things equal, the Special Obligation bonds incur proportional ly more interest expense because they are generally issued for terms of up to thirty years compared to twenty years for the Debt Service Commitment bonds. For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2003 the University paid from its own resources Special Obligation Bond debt service of $13.2 million (representing $3.7 million of principal and $9.5 million of interest).
• UCONN 2000 Bond Proceed Investments
  The investment of Tax-exempt bond proceeds is heavily regulated by the Internal Revenue Service, the relevant Indentures of Trust with bondholders, Connecticut law, and other regulatory mechanisms. In addition to meeting those requirements, the University’s general investment policy is to balance an appropriate risk-return level, heavily weighted towards safety of assets, with estimated cash flow needs and liquidity requirements. The University is also mindful that the rating agencies, bond buyers, and bond insurers often weigh the quality of an issuer’s investment portfolio.Bond Proceeds form part of the Trust Estate established with the Trustee Bank as security for bondholders. To date, the University has directed the Trustee Bank to invest any Debt Service Commitment construction fund proceeds in the State Treasurer’s Short Term Investment Fund (“STIF”) which is “AAA” rated and offers daily liquidity and historically attractive risk-adjusted yields. The State Treasurer’s Office wishes to hold and invest the University’s General Obligation Bonds Debt Service Commitment funded Cost of Issuance account, a much smaller account.Similarly, the University has directed the Trustee Bank to invest all the Special Obligation new money bond proceeds in dedicated STIF accounts, with the exception of the 1998 Special Obligation Special Capital Reserve Fund which is invested in longer term “AAA” rated federal agencies’ fixed income Investment Obligations as defined in the Special Obligation Indenture of Trust.

  The Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Refunding Series 2002-A proceeds, other than the cost of issuance and debt service accounts that are invested in STIF, are held by the Trustee Bank in an irrevocable escrow fund, which is invested in U.S. Treasury State and Local Government Securities (“SLGS”) and cash pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

• UCONN 2000 Bond Proceed Investment Earnings
  The Debt Service Commitment bond proceeds investment earnings are retained by the State Treasurer’s Office and do not flow to the University or to the Trustee Bank.Fiscal Year End June 30, 2003 UCONN 2000 Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Bonds investment earnings amounted to approximately $0.9 million (cash basis). The Student Fee Revenue Bonds investment earnings are part of the Pledged Revenues and are directly retained by the Trustee Bank to pay debt service on the bonds, and may also be used to flow to other Trustee bond accounts, if necessary, pursuant to the Indenture of Trust.The investment earnings on the Special Obligation Student Fee Revenue Series 2002-A Escrow Account flow to the irrevocable escrow and are used by the Trustee Bank to meet debt service payments on the defeased bonds.
• Future UCONN 2000 Debt Issuance
  The University anticipates offering a Debt Service Commitment Bond issue during the winter of 2004 to fund an expected $100 million of UCONN 2000 Projects. The passage of 21st Century UConn allows for $1.3 billion of additional securities backed by the State’s Debt Service Commitment, phasing in during fiscal year 2005. Generally, the University plans on issuing a series of new money Debt Service Commitment bonds about every twelve months.Additionally, the University could issue Special Obligation Revenue bonds for certain projects that have a financial self-sufficien cy capacity, and/or if aggregate pledged revenues are sufficient to meet requirements of the Special Obligation Indenture. Market conditions and other factors might also lead to issuance of either General Obligation or Special Obligation refunding bonds in the future. Finally, the law also enables the University to enter into tax-exempt lease financing. The Heating Plant/Co-generati on facility currently under development is an example of this type of financing option.

PRIVATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Progress toward Campaign UConn’s $300 million goal continues and as of September 30, 2003 more than $257 million (85.7% of the goal) has been achieved. The Campaign is the largest ever undertaken by a public research university in New England and seeks to raise $75 million for merit and need-based scholarships, $75 million for faculty support, and $150 million for program support.

Since Campaign UConn began in 1998 through June 30, 2003, a total of 340 new endowments have been established in support of students, faculty, and programs. Thanks to donor generosity, these gifts of endowment are having a lasting impact on Connecticut’s flagship university.

At the close of fiscal year 2003, nearly $50 million ($49.7 million) in new gifts and commitments were recorded, an increase of $3.3 million, or 7%, over FY 02. The number of donors increased as well, with 38,483 contributing – an increase of 9% over FY 02. Alumni are playing a pivotal role in UConn’s success. The University is ranked 7th in the nation among public universities, with an annual giving rate among alumni of 24%, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Total assets in the UConn Foundation stood at $262 million, an increase of 7% over the prior year. Investment returns for the year were positive and added nearly $12M in revenues. The FY 03 return for the endowment pool was +5.2% vs. the composite benchmark of +3.2%.

A record-high $25 million in support was disbursed by the Foundation to the University; this compares to last year’s record high of $22 million. The primary uses of these funds by the University were for student scholarships ($8 million); faculty compensation, including endowed chairs ($6 million); and program enhancements and other uses ($11.1 million).

The first five years of the state matching endowment gift program had a profound effect in attracting major donors to support the University. However, the University continues to experience delays in receiving over $14 million in matching funds for endowment gifts received since calendar year 2000. This delay is having an unfortunately negative impact on our present and prospective donors, who have collectively contributed millions of dollars based on the expectation of the state match. Future private support, as well as the fulfillment of existing donor pledges, may be in jeopardy if the state fails to match gifts in a timely manner; therefore, restoration of state matching funds is a high priority for the University.

Significant Commitments
The UConn Foundation received $372,090 from the Estate of Sylvia Lazar to support the Louis and Sylvia Lazar Endowment Fund. The fund provides merit scholarships for full-time students enrolled in the School of Fine Arts.

The John W. Kluge Foundation committed $275,000 to the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights. The biannual prize is awarded by University’s Thomas J. Dodd Research Center to a leader or group who has made a significant effort to advance the cause of international justice and global human rights.

A. David ’61 and Brenda Maxen Roth ’61 committed $200,000 and Pelton’s Pharmacy committed $50,000 to the School of Pharmacy Endowment for the 21st Century, which provides financial support for faculty, scholarships, and programmatic enhancements at the School of Pharmacy.

The UConn Foundation received $81,789 from the Estate of Robert S. Dennison to support the Robert S. and Naomi C. Dennison Fund for Acquisition at the William Benton Museum of Art, Connecticut’s State Art Museum. The fund is used to purchase works of art created before 1950 for the Museum’s permanent collection and to cover other expenses that may be related to preserving the works of art for future generations.

The UConn Foundation received $61,681 from the Estate of Alice K. Norian to support the Norian Armenian Studies Programs that include a lecture and student-faculty exchange program.

PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE REPORT

The attachments referred to below cover the period of April 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003 and are issued pursuant to the requirements of subsection (f) of section (7) of Public Act 02-3, an Act Concerning 21st Century UCONN, by providing the following information:

1. The names and addresses of contractors and subcontractors performing repair, addition, alteration and new construction on the university’s campuses in the previous six months.Attachment A (Download or open as an Excel spreadsheet) provides the list in alphabetical order. This is the third report, which is being filed in conjunction with the October 2003 Report Number Seventeen to provide a consolidated report for UCONN 2000 activities. There is no sub grouping of contractors or subcontractors, as the nature of their business makes each interchangeable with the other as business opportunities become available.
2. The extent to which the listed contractors and subcontractors have been in compliance with the provisions of part III of Chapter 557 and provisions of Chapter 558 [of the Connecticut General Statutes having to do with the payment of prevailing wage rates].This information is in Attachment B (Download or open as an Excel spreadsheet) which is based on information from the State of Connecticut Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards Division, Contract Compliance Unit and represents a combined sharing of information by the University of Connecticut and the Department of Labor.
3. Any actions taken by the University to cooperate with the Labor Department in the enforcement of said provisions [in item (2)].Attachment C lists support initiatives by the University.Attachment D is the Debarment list issued by the Department of Labor

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS: PHASE I (As of October 2003)

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS: PHASE II (As of October 2003)

CURRENT PROJECT FUND SOURCES: PHASE I (As of October 2003)

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS: PHASE II (As of October 2003)

CHARTS