NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Feb. 23, 2004--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said it assigned its 'AAA' rating to the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority's $160 million revenue bonds, series M, issued for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'AAA' and 'A-1+' ratings on the outstanding debt issued for MIT. The outlook is stable. The ratings reflect the institute's unconditional general obligation pledge, supported by overwhelming demand, excellent student quality, and increasingly competitive admissions; preeminent research program; impressive financial resources; conservative management practices; and high, but still manageable, debt levels. "The stable outlook reflects the expectation that strong demand and financial performance will continue, supported by the maintenance of MIT's research base and
