BOSTON (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 4, 2001--Standard&Poor's today assigned its triple-'A' rating to the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority's $135 million revenue bonds, series DD, issued for Harvard University. In addition, Standard&Poor's affirmed its triple-'A' and 'A-1'-plus ratings on the outstanding debt issued for Harvard. The triple-'A' rating reflects: -- The university's overwhelming financial resources, provided by an $18.3 billion endowment valued on June 30, 2001; -- Strong management of admissions, investments, and operations; and -- Impressive demand for Harvard's academic programs. The series DD bonds will be GOs of the university. Bond proceeds will be used to refund the university's outstanding series W bonds. As of June 30, 2001, Harvard's endowment was an estimated
