Issuing bonds is a legitimate source of raising capital. Yes, it can be troublesome using debt to pay off short-term operating expenses, but I don’t see anything wrong with a University having low-interest debt on their balance sheet.
It is an unprecedented situation the many schools are dealing with but all are already likely issuing bonds / IOUs and tapping all the ‘political goodwill’ they have with States’ legislative branches for extra budget moneys to fund academic side of operations. On campus vs on-line instruction? Housing, dorms, parking, registration, tuition, books (do they use those anymore? lol), etc. Extra security/policing, testing, space usage, staff working from home?,
all are throwing big wrenches in academic side. Probably 5 to 10 times in financial costs vs sports.
Bonds issued impacts credit ratings and the interest rate for future bonds. Also, there are some statutory bond limits for non-capital expenditures of public entities which may be needed for the Universities’ survival themselves - now and in the future 2021 and following. This virus may be around forever if other flus and pneumonias are any indication.
Yes deaths and hospitalization rates are declining and the peak was in April, despite all the massive overhyping of the fake news media. But the virus is still alive and spreading, as predicted.
All the social distancing and masks and self quarantine has slowed the spread but did not and cannot stop or kill the spread. It has likely lengthened the epidemic for years. Bonds are very risky I would think for big investors though ratings could be good for awhile. But the downside perception in the bond markets could be amplified by the election uncertainty as well. The FED has been ‘printing money’ like there’s no tomorrow- lets hope the FED is wrong on that.
Final point might be that the economic recovery is amazing currently but there is a very ominous aspect to the damage done by the long term shuttering of so many businesses. Many will not reopen or survive even if they try. 30% of NY city restaurants are never reopening, for example.
Mall outlets and shop spaces with no tenants. There is a potential real estate mtg default tsunami coming as millions and millions of loans have been allowed to go past due. The ocean has mysteriously receded but will the water return as a ripple or tidal wave?