Management’s Discussion and Analysis

from the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Introduction and Background

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) provides an overview of the financial position and activities of the University of Florida (the University) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto. This overview is required by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 35, Basic Financial Statements – and Management’s Discussion and Analysis – for Public Colleges and Universities, as amended by GASB Statements Nos. 37 and 38. The MD&A, financial statements, and notes thereto, are the responsibility of University management. The MD&A contains financial activity of the University for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2016.

Financial Highlights

The University’s assets totaled $3.7 billion at June 30, 2017. This balance reflects a $146.6 million, or 4.1%, increase from the 2015-16 fiscal year. The increase in assets resulted primarily from an increase in depreciable capital assets placed in service as well as an increase in total investments. While total assets increased, liabilities also increased by $259.1 million, or 19.9%, totaling $1.6 billion at June 30, 2017, primarily as a result of the increase in net pension liability and postemployment benefits payable. The University’s net position increased by $62.3 million, or 2.6%, resulting in a year-end balance of $2.4 billion. Net position represents the residual interest in the University’s assets and deferred outflows of resources after deducting liabilities and deferred inflows of resources.

The University’s operating revenues totaled $1.9 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year, representing a 4.9% increase over the 2015-16 fiscal year. Major components of operating revenues are Student Tuition and Fees and Grants and Contracts. Student Tuition and Fees, Net of Scholarship Allowances, increased $20.9 million, or 5.1%. Grants and Contracts revenue increased by $64.7 million, or 5.3%.

Operating expenses totaled $2.9 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year, representing a $158.8 million, or 5.8%, increase compared to the 2015-16 fiscal year. The largest category contributing to this increase was Employee Compensation and Benefits.

Net nonoperating revenues and expenses in the 2016-17 fiscal year increased $53.2 million primarily due to an increase in State Noncapital Appropriations, Investment Income, and Net Increase in the Fair Value of Investments.

The University had significant construction activity during the year. Several major construction projects were completed during the year including the Stephen O’Connell Center Renovation and Addition, Chemistry/Chemical Biology Building, and Newell Hall Renovation for a total of $142.1 million capitalized.

Overview of Financial Statements

Pursuant to GASB Statement No. 35, the University’s financial report includes three basic financial statements: the Statement of Net Position; the Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position; and the Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements and notes thereto encompass the University and its component units.

The Statement of Net Position reflects the assets, deferred outflows of resources, liabilities, and deferred inflows of resources of the University, using the accrual basis of accounting, and presents the financial position of the University at a specified time. Net position, the difference between total assets and deferred outflows of resources and total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources, is one indicator of the University’s current financial condition. The changes in net position that occur over time indicate improvement or deterioration in the University’s financial condition.

The Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position presents the University’s revenue and expense activity, categorized as operating and nonoperating. Revenues and expenses are recognized when earned or incurred, regardless of when cash is received or paid. GASB Statement No. 35 categorizes revenues and expenses as either operating or nonoperating. Operating revenues generally result from exchange transactions where each of the parties to the transaction either gives or receives something of equal or similar value.

The majority of the University’s expenses are operating expenses as defined by GASB Statement No. 35. GASB gives financial reporting entities the choice of reporting operating expenses in the functional or the natural classifications. The University has chosen to report the expenses in their natural classification on the Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position and has displayed the functional classification in the Operating Expenses table and in the notes to the financial statements.

Certain revenue sources that the University relies on to provide funding for operations, including State Noncapital Appropriations, certain gifts and grants, and investment income, are defined by GASB as nonoperating. Nonoperating expenses include capital financing costs and other costs related to capital assets.

Other Revenues is composed of State Capital Appropriations and Capital Grants, Contracts, and Donations.

The Statement of Cash Flows provides information about the University’s financial results by reporting the major sources and uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents. This statement assists in evaluating the University’s ability to generate net cash flows, its ability to meet its financial obligations as they come due, and its need for external financing. Cash flows from operating activities reflect the net cash used by the operating activities of the University. Cash flows from capital and related financing activities include activities of the capital funds and related long-term debt. Cash flows from investing activities reflect the net source and use of cash related to the purchases and sales of investments and income earned on those investments. Cash flows from noncapital financing activities include those activities not covered in the other sections.

The University’s basic financial statements include discretely presented component units categorized as follows:

Direct-Support Organizations – These are separate, not-forprofit corporations organized and operated exclusively to assist the University in achieving excellence by providing supplemental resources from private gifts, bequests, and valuable education support services.

Health Science Center Affiliates – These are the several corporations closely affiliated with the University of Florida J. Hillis Miller Health Science Center, including the Faculty Practice Plans.

Shands Hospital and Others – This includes Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that is contractually obligated to manage, operate, maintain, and insure the hospital facilities in support of the programs of the Health Science Center at the University of Florida. In addition, this category includes the University of Florida Self-Insurance Program and the University of Florida Healthcare Education Insurance Company.

Statement of Net Position

The following table summarizes the University’s assets, deferred outflows of resources, liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and net position at June 30:

Condensed Statement of Net Position (in millions)
2017 2016
Assets:
Current Assets $ 1,543.1 $ 1,441.4
Capital Assets, Net 1,892.2 1,864.0
Other Noncurrent Assets 302.5 285.8
Total Assets 3,737.8 3,591.2
Deferred Outflows of Resources 269.1 140.8
Total Assets and Deferred Outflows of Resources 4,006.9 3,732.0
Liabilities:
Current Liabilities 409.4 403.5
Noncurrent Liabilities 1,151.6 898.4
Total Liabilities 1,561.0 1,301.9
Deferred Inflows of Resources 7.3 53.8
Total Liabilities and Deferred Inflows of Resources 1,568.3 1,355.7
Net Position:
Net Investment in Capital Assets 1,729.1 1,674.4
Restricted 548.1 575.4
Unrestricted 161.4 126.5
Total Net Position $ 2,438.6 $ 2,376.3

The increase in assets resulted primarily from an increase in depreciable capital assets as well as total investments, which increased by $104.4 million and $82.9 million, respectively. The increase in depreciable capital assets was partially offset by a decrease in construction in progress of $76.1 million as the Stephen O’Connell Center Renovation and Addition along with the Chemistry/Chemical Biology Building were finished and placed into service in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Investments grew as a result of the University’s increase in investment income and the fair value of investments, as driven by market performance. Due From State increased $33.4 million due to expanded authority from the Department of Education for the NEXUS Engineering Addition and Norman Hall Remodeling projects.

The large increase in noncurrent liabilities is primarily due to an increase of $211.7 million in the long-term portion of Net Pension Liability. GASB Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, requires employers participating in cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plans to report the employers’ proportionate share of the net pension liabilities of the defined benefit pension plans. The change in the Net Pension Liability is driven by the market performance for the plan assets as of the measurement date for the plan liabilities.

The reported deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources are also required under GASB Statement No. 68.

Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position

The following table summarizes the University’s activity for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Condensed Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position (in millions)
2016-17 2015-16
Operating Revenues $ 1,897.7 $ 1,808.3
Operating Expenses (2,890.8) (2,732.0)
Operating Loss (993.1) (923.7)
Net Nonoperating Revenues 972.5 919.3
(Loss) Before Other Revenues (20.6) (4.4)
Other Revenues 82.9 60.7
Increase in Net Position 62.3 56.3
Net Position, Beginning of Year 2,376.3 2,320.0
Net Postion, End of Year $ 2,438.6 $ 2,376.3

The University’s net position increased by $62.3 million for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Operating Revenues

The following table summarizes the operating revenues by source that were used to fund operating activities during the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Operating Revenues (in millions)
2016-17 2015-16
Grants and Contracts $ 1,275.8 $ 1,211.1
Student Tuition and Fees, Net of Scholarship Allowances 431.7 410.8
Sales and Services of Auxiliary Enterprises 131.4 126.0
Sales and Services of Educational Departments 55.3 55.6
Other 3.5 4.8
Total Operating Revenues $ 1,897.7 $ 1,808.3

Increases in operating revenues during the 2016-17 fiscal year resulted from increases in awards of Nongovernmental Grants and Contracts and Federal Grants and Contracts, which increased by $36.3 million and $24.9 million, respectively. In addition, Student Tuition and Fees, Net of Scholarship Allowances increased by $20.9 million due to increased enrollment, particularly for out-of-state residents.

Operating Expenses

The following table summarizes the operating expenses for each method of classification for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Operating Expenses (in millions)
Natural Classification 2016-17 2015-16
Employee Compensation and Benefits $ 2,022.3 $ 1,882.7
Services and Supplies 552.2 546.0
Depreciation 137.5 132.5
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Waivers* 106.9 100.2
Utilities and Communications 71.9 70.6
Total Operating Expenses $ 2,890.8 $ 2,732.0
Functional Classification 2016-17 2015-16
Instruction $ 715.5 $ 674.9
Public Service 647.9 583.5
Research 635.2 619.9
Academic Support 204.6 187.6
Institutional Support 152.9 161.8
Depreciation 137.5 132.5
Auxiliary Operations 126.6 112.0
Operation and Maintenance of Plant 121.6 120.6
Scholarhsips, Fellowships and Waivers* 106.9 100.2
Student Services 42.1 39.0
Total Operating Expenses $ 2,890.8 $ 2,732.0
*Net of Scholarship Allowances of $155.8 million in the 2016-17 fiscal year and $147.1 million in the 2015-16 fiscal year..

Operating expenses increased primarily due to a $139.6 million increase in Employee Compensation and Benefits which was driven by increases in Pension Expense, an increase in the number of employees working at the University, and increases to pay rates and Fringe Benefit Pool rates for various University personnel.

Nonoperating Revenues and Expenses

The following table summarizes the University’s nonoperating revenues and expenses for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Nonoperating Revenues (Expenses) (in millions)
2016-17 2015-16
Noncapital State Appropriations $ 712.1 $ 674.1
Federal and State Student Financial Aid 117.0 115.9
Noncapital Grants, Contracts, and Gifts 116.7 136.9
Investment Income, Net of Expenses 33.8 19.5
Net increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Investments 21.1 (15.9)
Loss on Disposal of Capital Assets (16.5) (2.1)
Interest on Capital Asset-Related Debt (7.1) (7.6)
Other Net Nonoperating Expenses (4.6) (1.5)
Net Nonoperating Revenues $ 972.5 $ 919.3

The increase in Net Nonoperating Revenues of $53.2 million resulted primarily from an increase in State Noncapital Appropriations, Investment Income, and Net Increase in the Fair Value of Investments. The increase in State Noncapital Appropriations is attributable to additional Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding provided by the State for maintenance and site improvements to University property. The increase in Investment Income and the Net Increase in the Fair Value of Investments are driven by the market performance of the University’s investments during the year, as compared to performance during the previous year.

Other Revenues

The following table summarizes the University’s other revenues for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Other Revenues (in millions)
2016-17 2015-16
State Capital Appropriations $ 59.5 $ 33.1
Capital Grants, Contracts, and Donations 23.4 27.6
Total Other Revenues $ 82.9 $ 60.7

Increased PECO funding for the NEXUS Engineering Addition and the Norman Hall Remodeling resulted in an increase in State Capital Appropriations and, accordingly, Total Other Revenues.

Statement of Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flows for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 fiscal years:

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (in millions)
2016-17 2015-16
Cash Provided (Used) by:
Operating Activties $ (741.0) $ (727.1)
Noncapital Financing Activities 935.2 914.5
Capital and Related Financing Activities (159.8) (138.8)
Investing Activties (28.0) (50.5)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 6.4 (1.9))
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 0.4 2.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year $ 6.8 $ 0.4

Major sources of funds came from Grants and Contracts ($1,277.0 million), State Noncapital Appropriations ($712.1 million), Student Tuition and Fees, Net ($432.5 million), Sales and Services of Auxiliary Enterprises ($130.4 million), and Federal and State Financial Aid ($117.0 million). Major uses of funds were for Payments to Employees ($1,929.3 million), Payments to Suppliers for Goods and Services ($612.1 million), and the Purchase or Construction of Capital Assets ($179.2 million).

Capital Assets, Capital Expenses and Commitments, and Debt Administration

Capital Assets

At June 30, 2017, the University had approximately $4.0 billion in capital assets, less accumulated depreciation of $2.1 billion, for net capital assets of $1.9 billion. Depreciation charges for the current fiscal year totaled $137.5 million. The following table summarizes the University’s capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation, at June 30:

Total Capital Assets, Net (in millions)
2017 2016
Land $ 12.5 $ 12.5
Buildings 1,515.9 1,412.8
Infrastructure and Other Improvements 48.3 49.9
Furniture and Equipment 194.6 192.8
Library Resources 47.9 50.1
Property Under Capital Lease and Leasehold Improvements 14.8 11.4
Other Capital Assets 4.8 5.0
Construction in Progress 53.4 129.5
Total Capital Assets (Nondepreciable and Depreciable, Net) $ 1,892.2 $ 1,864.0
Additional information about the University's capital assets is presented in Note 7 to the finanical statements.

Total Capital Assets increased in the 2016-17 fiscal year as the Stephen O’Connell Center Renovation and Addition, Chemistry/Chemical Biology Building, and Newall Hall Renovation were all completed and placed in service during the year. These additions are reflected in the increased basis in Buildings and the decrease in Construction in Progress.

Capital Expenses And Commitments

Major capital expenses on the University’s largest ongoing projects include NEXUS Engineering Addition and Innovation Hub, Phase II for $2.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

The University’s construction commitments at June 30, 2017, are as follows:

Capital Commitments (in millions)
Amount
Total Commitments $ 222.6
Completed to Date 53.4
Balance Committed $ 169.2
Additional information about the University's construction commitments is presented in Note 14 to the finanical statements.
Debt Administration

At June 30, 2017, the University had $163.1 million in outstanding capital asset-related debt, representing a decrease of $12.8 million, or 7.3%, from the prior fiscal year. The following table summarizes the outstanding capital assetrelated debt by type of debt at June 30:

Capital Asset-Related Debt (in millions)
2017 2016
Capital Improvement Debt $ 147.4 $ 158.1
Loans and Notes 10.1 10.7
Installment Purchase Agreements 3.1 4.4
Capital Leases 2.5 2.7
Total Capital Asset-Related Debt $ 163.1 $ 175.9
Additional information about the University's capital asset-related debt is presented in Note 11 to the finanical statements.

Economic Factors That Will Affect the Future

The University’s economic condition is closely tied to that of the state of Florida. The forecast suggests overall stability for the Florida economy, with modest yet uneven growth in all of the key economic indicators – personal income, employment, housing starts, light vehicle registrations, and tourism. With job growth and increased reasons for optimism in the labor market, the State’s unemployment rate continues to improve. The State’s unemployment rate in July 2017 was lower than the nation as a whole at 4.1%. Housing starts, light vehicle registrations, and tourism are all on an upward growth trend and the forecast expects this trend to continue.

The modest economic conditions are reflected in the University’s $58.0 million increase in State Appropriations for the coming fiscal year. The State budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year includes, for the University, $7.4 million in additional performance funding allocation, and $17.3 million in additional funding for the preeminence initiative enabling the University to hire new faculty. Furthermore, the budget includes $13.3 million in funding for the State’s newly established World Class Faculty Scholar Program and $13.9 million in funding for the State’s newly established University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program.

The 2017-18 fiscal year budget reflects the sustained commitment of the Legislature and the Governor to support the University of Florida after becoming one of the nation’s top ten public research universities.

Requests for Information

Questions concerning information provided in the MD&A, financial statements and notes thereto, and other required supplementary information, or for requests for additional financial information should be addressed to Alan M. West, Assistant Vice President and University Controller, P.O. Box 113200, Gainesville, Florida 32611.