The University of Missouri System's debt load has more than doubled in the past five years, and the borrowing spree doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. The UM System's debt total of about $1.4 billion is up from $650 million in 2007. The total, which requires an annual payment on principal and interest of $76 million, does not include projects recently approved by the UM Board of Curators. Nikki Krawitz, UM's vice president for finance and administration, said the debt has grown because the university has been taking advantage of historically low interest rates and the fixed-rate Build America Bonds offered through the federal stimulus plan. A UM System analysis suggests the university has $300 million in additional bond capacity at its current Aa1 credit rating.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/jul/27/um-takes-on-higher-debt-load/
