The team that has successfully turned around what had been several negative trends. In 1996, the university's debt was downgraded to `A+' from 'AA-', but since that time the implementation of a university-wide plan by management has helped to improve enrollment and demand trends, restore the hospital to profitability after deep losses, merge 16 colleges into eleven, and grow its levels of federal support. Howard is one of two Federally chartered universities and has received ongoing direct appropriations from the Federal Government every year since 1866. These appropriations total $214.5 million for fiscal 1999 ($185 million for general university rating on the District of Columbia's bonds, issued for Howard University, reflects: Substantial levels of federal support (53% of unrestricted 1998
