Backed by over 135 years of experience, Johnson Controls takes pride in maintaining a comprehensive understanding of our customers’ challenges and opportunities amidst perpetual transformation in every industry, including our own. We’ve learned there is no better way to fully appreciate our customers’ unique perspective than going straight to the source.

Johnson Controls collaborated with University Business to do just that, garnering valuable insights on how higher education institutions are managing emerging infrastructure and sustainability expectations while battling declining enrollment, skyrocketing costs, unpredictable regulations and more challenges that have peaked simultaneously within the last two years.

Our survey uncovered that higher education institutions are ready to take steps toward decarbonization – 83% of leaders surveyed said that their institution had already taken steps to reduce its energy consumption and/or carbon footprint within the past five years. However, with costs an industry-wide obstacle and many institutions relying primarily on traditional funding methods, 95% of respondents reported that modernizing, renovating and updating their campus facilities and energy infrastructure systems will be at least somewhat challenging long term.

For colleges and universities with tightened margins, funding and procurement models are available that allow for time-sensitive campus improvements while preserving much-needed capital and mitigating risk. And higher education leaders are open to the possibilities – 55% would consider using a performance contract to fund future projects and 42% would consider a public-private partnership (P3), compared to just 25% and 21%, respectively, who currently leverage those models.

Download the full survey results below to learn more on how innovative business models help build healthy campuses, including examples from University of North Dakota and Merced College.