Developing an ambitious 1,800-bed on-campus housing and dining project

Project Highlights

  • Identified and quantified $2.5M in expenses savings to-date
  • Developed a pathway for housing master planning through the development of an updated proforma that includes scenario testing, savings identified from zero-based budgeting work, and proposed rate increase strategy
  • Identified dining optimization opportunities and developed a structure for UNL teams to implement the recommendations

Client:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Solutions:
Housing, dining management advisory services

Our approach:

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) established clear decision-making criteria and conducted a comprehensive operational analysis that examined staffing levels and structures, policies and procedures, financial and operating performance, expense drivers, revenue-enhancement opportunities, marketing and value propositions, student survey and focus group insights, peer benchmarking, program and service utilization, and existing campus partnerships. The team developed a holistic financial model to evaluate the impacts of operational changes, debt coverage ratios, and net operating income. B&D also facilitated the creation of a shared definition of the residential experience—including Greek housing—to ensure that all stakeholders working within or around residential life were aligned around common goals, enabling stronger collaboration and greater operational efficiency to enhance the student experience. To support financial stewardship, the team implemented a zero-based budgeting approach, ensuring that every expense was justified and aligned with delivering a high-quality residential experience, ultimately allowing resources to be allocated effectively and efficiently.