By Jeff Murphy,
December 15, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO – The ŷƵ has received a long-term rating
of “A+” by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings for the fourth consecutive year
regarding its Missouri Health & Educational facilities Authority’s series 3013C, 2018A
and 2018B educational facilities bonds. While the rating reflects UCM’s dedication
to sound financial operations, the rating outlook reflects financial pressures facing
the university.
“We assessed UCM’s enterprise profile as strong characterized by a historically respectable
demand profile with improving selectivity and, while pressured in fall 2020, relatively
stable matriculation, offset by several years of declining enrollment due primarily
to weakening demographics,” S&P noted in its rationale for the ratings. “We assessed
its (UCM) financial profile as very strong, with positive operations over the past
two years, good available resources for the rating compared with operating expenses
and debt, and a reasonable debt burden. We believe these combined credit factors lead
to an indicative stand-along credit profile of ‘a+’ and a long-term rating of ‘A+’.”
S&P Global Ratings provide a forward-looking opinion about a borrower’s credit worthiness
and ability to repay debt using a letter-grade system. “AAA” is the very best rating
that can be given for a borrower’s ability to replay long-term bonds. A long-term
credit issue rating of “A” means that the organization being rated is more susceptible
to adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations
in higher-rated categories, but the borrower’s ability to meet its financial commitments
is still strong.
At the end of Fiscal Year 2020, UCM’s total debt outstanding equaled approximately
$77.9 million, including $59.9 million in revenue bonds for projects that include
construction of The Crossing – South at Holden, the university’s first student living-retail
complex, and a $15.6 million energy savings capital lease issued in April 2009 for
deferred maintenance to buildings on the main campus.
"To maintain an "A+" rating for a fourth consecutive year, especially given the challenges
presented by the pandemic, says a great deal about the campus-wide commitment to good
stewardship of our limited financial resources. While we continue to focus on student
success and academic excellence, it is vital that the institution remains financially
sustainable. This rating reflects this sustainability as well as our ability to secure
financing for potential future projects that will benefit our students," said Bill
Hawley, vice president for finance and administration at UCM.
Although S&P is giving the university a positive rating on its revenue bonds, it also
looks to the future taking into consideration other factors which can affect the institution’s
financial outlook. This includes a challenging state funding environment and a declining
pool of Missouri high school students in which UCM must recruit in competition against
other colleges and universities, which has led to declining enrollment since 2016.
Such factors contributed to a “negative” outlook rating.