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, 2018, and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.

The University is a component unit of the State of Florida and one of only 17 universities in the country to have the distinction of land, sea and space grant status. As the State’s flagship university, it is the only Florida institution to belong to the prestigious Association of American Universities. In addition, the University is one of only six in the country with colleges of law, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary medicine on one central campus, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees available via distance and online learning. The University of Florida is highly accessibility to students, with more than 100 undergraduate degrees and more than 250 graduate degrees offered by the University and with an affordable tuition that allows nearly two-thirds of the University’s graduates to leave with no student loan debt.

The University of Florida spans 2,000 acres and has a student population of over 55,000, making it an integral part of Gainesville, a town of approximately 140,000 residents and University’s host city. The University of Florida has adopted a strategic development plan which seeks to shape the University and the surrounding community’s future over the next 40 to 50 years. The plan was developed with an exploration of key issues within the university community and the City of Gainesville, and will further the University’s goals of maintaining its status as a preeminent university and a leading research institution.

The financial reporting entity for the financial statements includes the University and its component units. Note 1 to the financial statements provides detailed information on the financial reporting entity and discretely presented component units.

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, 2018, and June 30, 2017.

Financial Highlights

The University continues to maintain and protect its strong financial position, with assets of $4.0 billion at June 30, 2018, reflecting a $240.7 million, or 6.4%, increase from the 2016-17 fiscal year. The increase in assets had two main drivers. First, there was an increase in nondepreciable capital assets of $35.1 million, primarily due to additional work in progress, as the University continues to invest in updated facilities, including modern research laboratories and classrooms, in support of the University’s strategic plan.

The primary investment objective of the University is to place the highest priority on the safety of the University’s principal and liquidity. Secondary to this responsible financial stewardship is the optimization of investment income. The University succeeded in both objectives, maximizing the use of available funds in a prudent manner that led to an increase in total investments of $168.6 million, which was the second main driver to the increase in total assets.

While total assets increased, liabilities also increased by $786.9 million, or 50.4%, totaling $2.3 billion at June 30, 2018, due to the increase in other postemployment benefits payable (OPEB) that resulted from the University’s implementation of GASB Statement No. 75, “Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions.” This statement required a change in the recognition and disclosure requirements for reporting the amount of the University’s OPEB liability.

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 implementation of GASB Statement No. 75 required an adjustment to decrease beginning net position by $840.3 million, contributing to the decrease in the University’s net position of $682.7 million, or 28.0%, resulting in a year-end balance of $1.8 billion.

The University of Florida has a strong and diverse revenue base. Operating revenues, which are revenues generated by the University in fulfilling its instruction, research, and public service missions, totaled $1.9 billion for the 2017-18 fiscal year, representing a 2.2% increase over the 2016-17 fiscal year. Major components of operating revenues are Student Tuition and Fees and Grants and Contracts. Student Tuition and Fees increased by $16.4 million and Scholarship Allowances increased by $52.2 million as the State of Florida increased the funding for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, a scholarship program based on high school achievement, to assist Florida students in obtaining an affordable education. As a result of the increase in Scholarship Allowances, which supports the University’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value, Student Tuition and Fees, net, decreased 8.3%.

As a major research university, growth in grants and contracts revenue is essential to the University’s success in fulfilling its mission. The increase in revenues of $75.1 million, or 5.9%, reflects the continued success of the University’s faculty in securing competitive research funding. As the University embarks on the Faculty 500 initiative – an unprecedented hiring effort in higher education – the addition of this new talent will enhance innovation, teaching and research, providing graduate and undergraduate students an opportunity to work with these top scholars and researchers as part of their educational experience.

Operating expenses totaled $3.1 billion for the 2017-18 fiscal year, representing a $168.1 million, or 5.8%, increase compared to the 2016-17 fiscal year. The largest category contributing to this increase was Employee Compensation and Benefits, underlining the University’s commitment toward recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty and staff to enable preeminence.

State Appropriations, Investment Income, Net, and Noncapital Grants, Contracts, and Gifts are all considered nonoperating revenues as they are not generated by the University’s primary, ongoing operations. Net nonoperating revenues and expenses in the 2017-18 fiscal year increased $175.2 million primarily due to increases in State Noncapital Appropriations ($54.0 million), reflecting the continued support of the State of Florida to the University’s mission, and Federal and State Student Financial Aid ($91.2 million) due to the additional funding provided by the State for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

The University had significant construction activity during the year with a total of $99.4 million capitalized. Several major construction projects were completed during the year including:

    • Innovation Hub, Phase II ($16.3 million), an expansion that doubles the size of Innovation Hub, which serves as an incubator to up-and coming companies, making more room for startups to fuel innovation.
    • Basic Science Building Ground Floor Renovation ($4.2 million), including updates to the UF Cancer Research Teaching Lab, to become a state-of-the-art cancer research laboratory designed to allow varied collaborative and private spaces while maximizing space.
    • UF Surplus Warehouse ($2.7 million), a new space to house UF’s Surplus Property Operations, that reuses, refurbishes and recycles surplus property received from University departments in support of the University’s sustainability initiatives.
    • Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Honey Bee Lab ($2.6 million), to provide a space for outreach programs, researchers and students as well as an opportunity for the public to learn about beekeeping.

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 are 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-for-profit 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)
2018 2017
Assets:
Current Assets $ 1,723.1 $ 1,543.1
Capital Assets, Net 1,947.5 1,892.2
Other Noncurrent Assets 307.9 302.5
Total Assets 3,978.5 3,737.8
Deferred Outflows of Resources 314.8 269.1
Total Assets and Deferred Outflows of Resources 4,293.3 4,006.9
Liabilities:
Current Liabilities 425.6 409.4
Noncurrent Liabilities 1,922.3 1,151.6
Total Liabilities 2,347.9 1,561.0
Deferred Inflows of Resources 189.5 7.3
Total Liabilities and Deferred Inflows of Resources 2,537.4 1,568.3
Net Position:
Net Investment in Capital Assets 1,800.3 1,729.1
Restricted 206.9 548.1
Unrestricted (251.3) 161.4
Total Net Position $ 1,755.9 $ 2,438.6

The increase in assets resulted primarily from an increase in depreciable and nondepreciable capital assets as well as total investments, which increased by $55.3 million and $168.6 million, respectively. The increase in capital assets demonstrates the continued growth of the University, as well as the importance placed on providing modern facilities to enhance research and education. Investments grew as a result of the University’s increase in investment income, driven by market performance, as well as broader investment of additional revenues from grants, contracts, and donations.

Due from State increased $12.3 million due to expanded authority from the Department of Education in support of three major projects:

    • Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence, an 84,000 square foot state-of-the-art research and educational facility
    • The School of Music Building, to provide a new location with needed modernization for students. In addition, the prominent location will allow community members to attend performances, ensuring the college is more engaged in the Gainesville community in alignment with the University’s strategic development plan
    • Norman Hall Remodeling, an overhaul of the building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, to update the building’s infrastructure, add student-centered features, and increase research capacity

The large increase in noncurrent liabilities is primarily due to an increase of $736.5 million in the noncurrent portion of Other Postemployment Benefits Payable (OPEB) due to the implementation of GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other than Pensions.

The increase in noncurrent liabilities is also due to an increase of $47.0 million in the noncurrent 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 in part 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 Statements No. 68 and No. 75.

Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position

The following table summarizes the University’s activity for the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Condensed Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position (in millions)
2017-18 2016-17
Operating Revenues $ 1,939.3 $ 1,897.7
Operating Expenses (3,058.9) (2,890.8)
Operating Loss (1,119.6) (993.1)
Net Nonoperating Revenues 1,147.7 972.5
Income (Loss) Before Other Revenues 28.1 (20.6)
Other Revenues 129.5 82.9
Increase in Net Position 157.6 62.3
Net Position, Beginning of Year 2,438.6 2,376.3
Adjustments to Beginning Net Position (840.3) -
Net Position, Beginning of Year, as Restated 1,598.3 2,376.3
Net Postion, End of Year $ 1,755.9 $ 2,438.6

The University continues to maintain and grow a diverse revenue stream, which serves to protect the University fromover-reliance on one source of revenues. Despite increases in revenues, the University’s net position decreased by $682.7 million for the 2017-18 fiscal year due to the adjustment to beginning net position of $840.3 million from the implementation of GASB Statement No. 75.

Operating Revenues

The following table summarizes the operating revenues by source that were used to fund operating activities during the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Operating Revenues (in millions)
2017-18 2016-17
Grants and Contracts $ 1,350.9 $ 1,275.8
Student Tuition and Fees, Net of Scholarship Allowances 395.9 431.7
Sales and Services of Auxiliary Enterprises 130.0 131.4
Sales and Services of Educational Departments 57.2 55.3
Other 5.3 3.5
Total Operating Revenues $ 1,939.3 $ 1,897.7

Increases in operating revenues during the 2017-18 fiscal year resulted from increases in awards of Nongovernmental Grants and Contracts and Federal Grants and Contracts, which increased by $46.1 million and $27.0 million, respectively. The University was awarded a record amount of research funding in fiscal year 2017-18, surpassing the previous record set in fiscal year 2015-16. This significant increase was largely due to increased funding from the federal government as the University secured increased funding from most of the federal agencies. The record amount of awards despite an increasingly competitive funding environment continues to demonstrate the University’s success in creating and fostering links between researchers and funding opportunities, as well as the growing prestige and reputation of the University’s research capabilities in the eyes of collaborators and funding agencies.

In addition, Student Tuition and Fees increased, despite no increase in tuition rates, as the University remains in high demand for students. Scholarship Allowances also increased due to the State of Florida’s continued and increased commitment to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, of which the University’s students received an additional $68.4 million over the prior year, leading to a decrease in Student Tuition and Fees, Net of Scholarship Allowances of $35.8 million.

Operating Expenses

The following table summarizes the operating expenses for each method of classification for the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Operating Expenses (in millions)
Natural Classification 2017-18 2016-17
Employee Compensation and Benefits $ 2,150.2 $ 2,022.3
Services and Supplies 552.2 552.2
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Waivers* 144.6 106.9
Depreciation 138.3 137.5
Utilities and Communications 73.6 71.9
Total Operating Expenses $ 3,058.9 $ 2,890.8
Functional Classification 2017-18 2016-17
Instruction $ 734.6 $ 715.5
Public Service 714.1 647.9
Research 676.6 635.2
Academic Support 185.9 204.6
Institutional Support 175.1 152.9
Scholarhsips, Fellowships and Waivers* 144.6 106.9
Depreciation 138.3 137.5
Operation and Maintenance of Plant 128.4 121.6
Auxiliary Operations 116.8 126.6
Student Services 44.5 42.1
Total Operating Expenses $ 3,058.9 $ 2,890.8
*Net of Scholarship Allowances of $208.0 million in the 2017-18 fiscal year and $155.8 million in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Operating expenses increased primarily due to a $127.9 million increase in Employee Compensation and Benefits, which was driven by increases in pension expense, the number of employees working at the University, and pay rates. This increase is in direct alignment with the Faculty 500 hiring initiative and the University’s strategic plan, which includes attracting and retaining talented faculty and staff with a competitive compensation package.

Nonoperating Revenues and Expenses

The following table summarizes the University’s nonoperating revenues and expenses for the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Nonoperating Revenues (Expenses) (in millions)
2017-18 2016-17
State Noncapital Appropriations $ 766.1 $ 712.1
Federal and State Student Financial Aid 208.2 117.0
Noncapital Grants, Contracts, and Gifts 126.4 >116.7
Investment Income, Net of Expenses 55.2 33.8
Net Increase in Fair Value of Investments 0.9 21.1
Loss on Disposal of Capital Assets (1.2) (16.5)
Interest on Capital Asset-Related Debt (6.8) (7.1)
Other Net Nonoperating Expenses (1.1) (4.6)
Net Nonoperating Revenues $ 1,147.7 $ 972.5

The increase in Net Nonoperating Revenues of $175.2 million resulted primarily from increases in Federal and State Student Financial Aid and State Noncapital Appropriations. The increase in State Noncapital Appropriations continues to demonstrate the State of Florida’s significant investment in the University of Florida and is attributable to additional preeminence funding, as well as additional funding from the State’s newly established World Class Faculty Scholar ($13.3 million) and University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence ($13.9 million) programs. The increase in Federal and State Student Financial Aid is due to the additional funding provided by the State for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Other Revenues

The following table summarizes the University’s other revenues for the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Other Revenues (in millions)
2017-18 2016-17
State Capital Appropriations $ 57.8 $ 59.5
Capital Grants, Contracts, and Donations 71.7 23.4
Total Other Revenues $ 129.5 $ 82.9

The increase of $46.6 million in Other Revenues is primarily related to monies received from Duke Energy to satisfy contractual obligations.

Statement of Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flows for the 2017-18 and 2016-17 fiscal years:

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (in millions)
2017-18 2016-17
Cash Provided (Used) by:
Operating Activties $ (874.3) $ (741.0)
Noncapital Financing Activities 1,091.5 935.2
Capital and Related Financing Activities (104.9) (159.8)
Investing Activties (112.8) (28.0)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents (0.5) 6.4
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 6.8 0.4
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year $ 6.3 $ 6.8

Major sources of funds came from Grants and Contracts ($1,350.2 million), State Noncapital Appropriations ($766.1 million), Student Tuition and Fees, Net ($389.4 million), Federal and State Financial Aid ($208.2 million), and Sales and Services of Auxiliary Enterprises ($128.1 million). Major uses of funds were for Payments to Employees ($2,044.8 million), Payments to Suppliers for Goods and Services ($619.4 million), and the Purchase or Construction of Capital Assets ($200.2 million).

Capital Assets, Capital Expenses and Commitments, and Debt Administration

Capital Assets

At June 30, 2018, the University had approximately $4.1 billion in capital assets, less accumulated depreciation of $2.2 billion, for net capital assets of $1.9 billion. Depreciation charges for the current fiscal year totaled $138.3 million. The following table summarizes the University’s capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation, at June 30:

Total Capital Assets, Net (in millions)
2018 2017
Land $ 12.5 $ 12.5
Buildings 1,522.3 1,515.9
Infrastructure and Other Improvements 51.5 48.3
Furniture and Equipment 204.4 194.6
Library Resources 49.2 47.9
Property Under Capital Lease and Leasehold Improvements 14.4 14.8
Other Capital Assets 36.1 4.8
Construction in Progress 57.1 53.4
Total Capital Assets (Nondepreciable and Depreciable, Net) $ 1,947.5 $ 1,892.2
Additional information about the University's capital assets is presented in Note 9 to the finanical statements.

Total Capital Assets increased in the 2017-18 fiscal year as important construction projects to advance the University’s mission, including the Innovation Hub, Basic Science Building Ground Floor Renovation, and UF Surplus Warehouse were, all completed and placed in service during the year. These additions are reflected in the increased basis in Buildings.

Capital Expenses And Commitments

Major capital expenses were incurred during the fiscal year on the University’s largest ongoing projects, including the Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering and Norman Hall Rehabilitation for $9.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively, both of which are expected to transform the learning and research environments of the associated Colleges of Engineering and Education.

The University’s construction commitments at June 30, 2018, are as follows:

Capital Commitments (in millions)
Amount
Total Commitments $ 355.8
Completed to Date 57.1
Balance Committed $ 298.7
Additional information about the University's construction commitments is presented in Note 16 to the finanical statements.
Debt Administration

The University is mindful of its financial stewardship responsibility and manages resources effectively, including the prudent use of debt to finance capital projects. At June 30, 2018, the University had $147.2 million in outstanding capital asset-related debt, representing a decrease of $15.9 million, or 9.7%, from the prior fiscal year. The following table summarizes the outstanding capital asset-related debt by type of debt at June 30:

Capital Asset-Related Debt (in millions)
2018 2017
Capital Improvement Debt $ 138.1 $ 147.4
Loans and Notes 5.2 10.1
Installment Purchase Agreements 1.6 3.1
Capital Leases 2.3 2.5
Total Capital Asset-Related Debt $ 147.2 $ 163.1
Additional information about the University's capital asset-related debt is presented in Note 13 to the finanical statements.

Economic Factors That Will Affect the Future

The University of Florida remains financially sound and positioned to grow alongside the State of Florida’s economy, one of the strongest in the nation. The forecast suggests overall stability for the Florida economy, with 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, with a 3.8% rate in July 2018 that was lower than the nation as a whole.

Moody’s Investors Service’s 2018 annual report on higher education revised the sector outlook from stable in 2017 to negative in 2018, citing a projected decline in revenue growth in the sector, particularly research funding and state appropriations, coupled with uncertainty at the federal level and projected growth in expenses to sustain competitive investments in labor, programs, facilities and technology. Despite the challenges for higher education as a whole, the University itself has received a stable Aa2 rating from Moody’s based on the University’s very low debt burden, consistently positive operating performance, and well-diversified revenue streams. This rating not only reflects the University’s financial strength and reputation as a leading provider of higher education in the State, but will allow the University to obtain competitive debt financing to support its mission and realize its strategic plan.

The promising economic conditions and strong State support are reflected in the University’s $20.5 million increase in State Appropriations for the coming fiscal year. The State budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year includes, for the University, $2.6 million in additional performance funding allocation and $6.2 million in additional funding for the preeminence initiative. Furthermore, the budget includes $3.5 million in funding for the World Class Faculty Scholar Program and $2.8 million in funding for the University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program. This additional funding will be used toward the University’s goal of adding 500 new faculty by the 2019-20 fiscal year.

The 2018-19 fiscal year budget clearly 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, in its goal of becoming a premier university that the state, nation, and world look to for leadership.

Requests for Information

Questions concerning information provided in the MD&A, financial statements and notes thereto, and other required supplementary information, or 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.