With the threat of an increase in interest rates, it appears to be a
good time for borrowers to lock on interest rates for a long time. TTUN
is the latest to do so, issuing $1.2 billion
worth of century bonds, that is bonds with a 100-year maturity, at a
coupon rate of 4.45 percent. At the same time, TTUN issued $800 million
of 30-year maturity bonds at 3.5 percent. Other Big Ten universities,
including the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University,
Rutgers University, and THE Ohio State University have issued century
bonds in recent years.