NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) May 4, 2000--Standard&Poor's today assigned its triple-'A' rating to Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority's $125 million revenue bonds, series W, issued for Harvard University. The bonds are scheduled to sell May 9, 2000. In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its triple-'A' rating and short-term 'A-1'-plus rating on Harvard's outstanding bonds. The triple-'A' rating reflects: -- Overwhelming financial resources provided by a $14.5 billion endowment valued on Jan. 31, 2000; -- Strong management of admissions, investments, and operations; and -- Impressive demand for Harvard's academic programs. The short-term 'A-1'-plus rating reflects Harvard's ability to cover its short-term debt and demand bonds with an estimated $4.24 billion of cash and investments available on
