UIC was presented with the first annual Award of Excellence for its South Campus project at the annual conference of the Association of University Real Estate Officials. The Award of Excellence recognizes an outstanding real estate project that had a significant impact on a university.

UIC's application stressed several innovative aspects of the South Campus project, according to Ellen Hamilton, director of real estate for UIC, including:

• the impact of an 80-acre expansion on a campus totaling 221 acres;
• urban renewal;
• multiple financing strategies; and
• the utilization of a master developer in dual roles as manager and at-risk residential developer.

AUREO was founded in 1983 to advance the common interests of colleges and universities relating to real estate administration, including management, leasing, investment, development, acquisition, and disposition. AUREO now includes more than 180 member institutions from the United States and Canada.