e424b5
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is
not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, nor are they soliciting offers to buy these
securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-157979
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated August 16, 2010
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated March 16, 2009)
10,000,000 Shares
American Campus Communities, Inc.
Common Stock
We are selling 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ACC. On
August 13, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange was $28.53 per share.
To assist us in continuing to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal
income tax purposes, our charter imposes certain restrictions on ownership of our common stock.
See Description of Capital Stock in the accompanying prospectus.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-5
of this prospectus supplement, as well as the Risk Factors incorporated by reference from our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
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Per Share |
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Total |
Public offering price |
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$ |
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$ |
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Underwriting discount |
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$ |
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$ |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to ACC |
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$ |
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$ |
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The underwriters may also purchase up to 1,500,000 additional shares of our common stock from
us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of
this prospectus supplement to cover any overallotments.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
We expect that the shares of common stock offered hereby will be ready for delivery in New
York, New York on or about August , 2010.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch KeyBanc Capital Markets Deutsche Bank Securities J.P. Morgan
The date of this prospectus supplement is August , 2010.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
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S-ii |
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S-1 |
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S-5 |
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S-7 |
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S-8 |
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S-9 |
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S-14 |
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S-14 |
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Prospectus
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus required
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. We have not, and the
underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional
information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely
on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information
included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus
and any such free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a publicly-traded company and file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the
SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of
these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition,
you may read and copy our SEC filings at the office of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005. Our website address is www.americancampus.com. However,
information on our website will not be considered a part of this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein or therein.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus and the information we file later with the SEC prior to the completion
of this offering will automatically update and supersede this information.
We previously filed the following documents with the SEC (File No. 001-32265) and such filings
are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009; |
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Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30,
2010; |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 24, 2010, April 27, 2010,
May 7, 2010, May 20, 2010, June 7, 2010 and August 2, 2010; and |
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the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form
8-A filed with the SEC on August 4, 2004. |
All documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, before the offering of securities
described in this prospectus supplement is terminated are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement from the date of the filing of the documents, except for information
furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information furnished to the SEC
which is not deemed filed and not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. Information we subsequently file with the SEC that is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement will automatically update and may replace information in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and information filed with the SEC
previously.
You may request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost by writing or telephoning
Investor Relations at the following address and telephone number:
American Campus Communities, Inc.
805 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78746
(512) 732-1000
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes
the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more
general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. To the extent the information
contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the
accompanying prospectus or documents previously filed with the SEC, the information in this
prospectus supplement will supersede such information.
S-ii
SUMMARY
This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that may be important
to you in deciding whether to invest in our common stock. To understand this offering fully, you
should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the
documents incorporated by reference. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise
requires, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the overallotment option
granted to the underwriters is not exercised.
All references to we, our, us and ACC in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus mean American Campus Communities, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries,
except where it is made clear that the term means only the parent company.
The Company
We are a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered equity REIT with expertise in
the acquisition, design, financing, development, construction management, leasing and management of
student housing properties. Through our controlling interest in American Campus Communities
Operating Partnership LP, or our Operating Partnership, we are one of the largest owners, managers
and developers of high quality student housing properties in the United States in terms of beds
owned and under management. As of June 30, 2010, our property portfolio contained 86 student
housing properties with approximately 53,300 beds and approximately 17,300 apartment units. As of
June 30, 2010, our property portfolio consisted of 79 owned off-campus properties that are in close
proximity to colleges and universities, three American Campus Equity (ACE®) properties
operated under ground/facility leases with two university systems and four on-campus participating
properties operated under ground/facility leases with the related university systems. As of June
30, 2010, we also owned a 10% non-controlling interest in two joint ventures that owned an
aggregate of 18 student housing properties (including two properties with two phases each) with
approximately 9,800 beds in approximately 2,900 units. Our communities contain modern housing
units and are supported by a resident assistant system and other student-oriented programming, with
many offering resort-style amenities.
We also provide construction management and development services, primarily for student
housing properties owned by colleges and universities, charitable foundations and others. As of
June 30, 2010, we provided third-party management and leasing services for 33 properties (five of
which we served as the third-party developer and construction manager) that represented
approximately 24,700 beds in approximately 9,400 units. Third-party management and leasing
services are typically provided pursuant to multi-year management contracts that have initial terms
that range from one to five years. As of June 30, 2010, our total owned, joint venture and
third-party managed portfolio was comprised of 137 properties with approximately 87,800 beds in
approximately 29,600 units.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we own approximately 97.7% of our Operating
Partnership and certain subsidiary partnerships.
Our executive offices are located at 805 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78746,
and our telephone number is
(512) 732-1000.
S-1
Recent Developments
Pending Acquisition of Joint Venture Portfolio
On June 1, 2010, we entered into the following agreements with respect to two of our existing
joint ventures:
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An Agreement for Assignment of LLC Interests, or the Fund II Agreement, pursuant to
which we agreed to acquire the 90% interest not currently owned by us in four
subsidiaries of GMH/GF II Student Housing Associates II, LLC. This will result in our
owning 100% of the interests in three properties currently owned by the joint venture,
including one property containing two phases that is currently treated as two separate
properties but will be treated as one property subsequent to the acquisition. Two
properties owned by the joint venture are not included in the transaction and will
remain owned by the joint venture. |
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An Agreement for Assignment of LLC Interests, or the Fund III Agreement, pursuant to
which we agreed to acquire the 90% interest not currently owned by us in ACC/GF III
Student Housing Associates III, LLC. This will result in our owning 100% of the
interests in 11 properties currently owned by the joint venture, including one property
containing two phases that is currently treated as two separate properties but will be
treated as one property subsequent to the acquisition. |
The aggregate consideration for these acquisitions is approximately $89.1 million in cash,
which includes a credit for estimated cash on hand, and the assumption of approximately $227.0
million in mortgage debt, which represents the additional 90% share of the total mortgage debt of
the joint ventures of $252.2 million.
The agreements contain customary representations and warranties, and customary covenants and
agreements, including covenants regarding our efforts to obtain the consents of the holders of such
mortgage debt to the transactions. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by these
agreements are subject to a number of conditions, including the receipt of these lender consents
and, in the case of the Fund II Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Fund
III Agreement. The agreements may be terminated in certain circumstances specified therein, and
will terminate automatically if, in the case of the Fund II Agreement, the closing of the
transactions contemplated thereby has not occurred on or before December 1, 2010 and, in the case
of the Fund III Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby has not occurred on
or before October 1, 2010. There can be no assurance these conditions will be satisfied or waived,
if permitted. Therefore, there can be no assurance with respect to the timing of the closing of
these transactions or whether these transactions will be completed on the current terms or at all.
Dividend Declaration
On August 4, 2010, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3375 per
share of common stock, to be paid on August 26, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of
business on August 16, 2010. As the record date for payment of this dividend will occur prior to
the closing of this offering, this dividend will not be paid to stockholders who acquire shares of
common stock in this offering.
S-2
Leasing Update
The following table
sets forth 2010/2011 leasing status for our wholly-owned properties as of
August 13, 2010:
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Current Year |
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Prior Year |
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% of |
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% of |
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Final Fall |
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Rentable |
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Rentable |
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Rentable |
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2009 |
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Leases(1) |
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Beds |
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Leases(1) |
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Beds |
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Beds(2) |
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Design Beds |
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Occupancy(3) |
Legacy Properties |
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23,924 |
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97.3 |
% |
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23,411 |
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95.2 |
% |
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24,593 |
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24,828 |
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96.2 |
% |
GMH Properties (acquired June 2008) |
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20,822 |
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98.5 |
% |
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19,959 |
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94.8 |
%(4) |
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21,140 |
(4) |
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21,375 |
(4) |
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95.5 |
%(4) |
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Total Same Store Wholly-owned Properties |
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44,746 |
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97.8 |
% |
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43,370 |
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95.0 |
%(4) |
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45,733 |
(4) |
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46,203 |
(4) |
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95.9 |
%(4) |
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New Wholly-owned Properties (5) |
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1,370 |
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93.3 |
% |
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822 |
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83.8 |
%(6) |
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1,468 |
(6) |
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1,495 |
(6) |
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n/a |
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Total Wholly-owned Properties |
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46,116 |
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97.7 |
% |
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44,192 |
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94.8 |
%(4)(6) |
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47,201 |
(4)(6) |
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47,698 |
(4)(6) |
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95.9 |
%(4) |
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Joint Venture Portfolio to be Acquired |
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8,201 |
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96.9 |
% |
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7,981 |
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94.3 |
% |
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8,467 |
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8,534 |
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94.4 |
% |
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(1) |
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As of August 13, 2010 for current year and August 14, 2009 for prior year. |
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Rentable beds exclude beds needed for on-site staff. |
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(3) |
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As of September 30, 2009. |
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(4) |
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Rentable beds and design beds include 80 beds at one property that are currently being
converted from existing retail space and are anticipated to open in Fall 2010. These beds are
excluded for purposes of calculating the prior year percentage of rentable beds and the final
Fall 2009 occupancy. |
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(5) |
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Includes the following properties: University Heights, which was purchased from one of the
joint ventures in March 2010; Campus Trails, a property that incurred business interruption
due to significant damage resulting from a fire in April 2010; and Sanctuary Lofts, which was
purchased in July 2010. |
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(6) |
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Rentable beds and design beds include Sanctuary Lofts, a 487-bed property purchased in July
2010. These beds are excluded for purposes of calculating the prior year percentage of
rentable beds. |
S-3
The Offering
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Common stock offered
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10,000,000 shares (1) |
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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering
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62,939,589 shares (1)(2) |
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Fully diluted common stock to be outstanding after this offering
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64,686,124 shares (1)(2)(3) |
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Use of proceeds
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We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering without exercise of the
overallotment option will be approximately $ million after deducting the underwriting
discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net
proceeds to fund the acquisition of the 90% interest not currently owned by us in 14 of
the properties in the joint venture portfolio, to fund our development pipeline and
other opportunistic acquisitions, to repay debt, including the outstanding balance of
our revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes. Affiliates of
certain of the underwriters participating in this offering are lenders and/or agents
under our revolving credit facility and will receive a pro rata portion of the net
proceeds from this offering used to reduce amounts outstanding under our revolving
credit facility. See Use of Proceeds. |
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Risk factors
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See Risk Factors beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, as well as the
Risk Factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2009. |
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Transfer agent
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The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Shareowner Services. |
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New York Stock Exchange symbol
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ACC |
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(1) |
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Excludes 1,500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of the underwriters overallotment
option. |
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(2) |
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Excludes 1,717,588 shares available for future issuance under our 2010 incentive award plan. |
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(3) |
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Includes the following additional securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock: |
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1,232,777 common and preferred units of limited partnership interest in our Operating Partnership; and |
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513,758 unvested restricted stock awards granted to employees. |
S-4
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in our common stock involves certain risks. In consultation with your own
financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set
forth below as well as the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2009 and any subsequently filed periodic reports which are incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether
an investment in our common stock is suitable for you. If any of the risks contained in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus develop
into actual events, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and
prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the market price of our common stock could
decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
This offering is expected to be dilutive.
Giving effect to the issuance of common stock in this offering, the receipt of the expected
net proceeds and the use of those proceeds, we expect that this offering will have a dilutive
effect on our expected earnings per share, funds from operations (or FFO) per share and funds from
operations modified (or FFOM)
per share for the year ending December 31, 2010. The actual amount of dilution cannot be
determined at this time and will be based on numerous factors.
Volatility in capital and credit markets could materially and adversely impact us.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption, which has
made it more difficult to borrow money or raise equity capital. If current levels of market
disruption and volatility continue or worsen, we may not be able to obtain new debt financing or
refinance our maturing debt on favorable terms or at all. In addition, our future access to the
equity markets could be limited. Any such financing or refinancing issues could materially and
adversely affect us. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have also led to an increased
lack of consumer confidence and widespread reduction of business activity generally, which may
adversely impact us, including our ability to acquire and dispose of assets and continue our
development pipeline. The volatility in capital and credit markets may also have a material
adverse effect on the market value of our common stock.
Future sales or issuances of our common stock may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
The sale of substantial amounts of our common stock, whether directly by us or in the
secondary market, the perception that such sales could occur or the availability for future sale of
shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our
common stock could, in turn, materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock
and our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities.
In addition, we may issue capital stock or other equity securities senior to our common stock in
the future for a number of reasons, including to finance operations and business strategy, to
adjust our ratio of debt to equity, to satisfy obligations upon the exchange of units of the
Operating Partnership or the exercise of options or for other reasons.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to many factors,
including:
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actual or anticipated variations in our operating results, funds from operations,
cash flows or liquidity; |
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change in our earnings estimates or those of analysts; |
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changes in our dividend policy; |
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publication of research reports about us, the student housing industry or the real
estate industry generally; |
S-5
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increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our common stock to
demand a higher dividend yield; |
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changes in market valuations of similar companies; |
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adverse market reaction to the amount of our outstanding debt at any time, the
amount of our maturing debt in the near and medium term and our ability to refinance
such debt and the terms thereof or our plans to incur additional debt in the future; |
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additions or departures of key management personnel; |
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actions by institutional stockholders; |
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general market and economic conditions; |
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continuing high volatility in the capital and credit markets; |
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speculation in the press or investment community; and |
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the realization of any of the other risk factors included in, or incorporated by
reference to, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. |
Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. Those factors may cause the market
price of our common stock to decline, regardless of our financial performance and condition and
prospects. It is impossible to provide any assurance that the market price of our common stock
will not fall in the future, and it may be difficult for holders to resell shares of our common
stock at prices they find attractive, or at all.
S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate we will receive gross
proceeds from this offering of approximately $ million (or
approximately $ million if the underwriters overallotment option is exercised in full). After
deducting the underwriting discount and the estimated expenses of this offering payable by us, we
expect net proceeds from this offering of approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if
the underwriters overallotment option is exercised in full).
We intend to use the net proceeds to fund the acquisition of the 90% interest not currently
owned by us in 14 properties in the joint venture portfolio, to fund our development pipeline and
other opportunistic acquisitions, to repay debt, including the outstanding balance of our revolving
credit facility, and for general corporate purposes.
Our revolving credit facility bears interest at a variable rate, at our option, based upon a
base rate equal to the higher of the lenders prime rate and 0.50% per annum above the Federal
Funds Rate or one-, two- or three-month LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 2.0%, plus, in each case, a
spread based upon our total leverage. As of August 13, 2010, the balance outstanding on our
revolving credit facility totaled $54.8 million and bore interest at a weighted average rate of
5.0% per annum. This facility will mature in August 2012 and can be extended for one year at our
option (assuming no defaults thereunder).
Pending application of any portion of the net proceeds, we may invest it in interest-bearing
accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities as is consistent with our intention to
maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT. Such investments may include, for example,
obligations of the Government National Mortgage Association, other government and governmental
agency securities, certificates of deposit and interest-bearing bank deposits.
An affiliate of KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., one of the underwriters participating in this
offering, or KeyBanc, is acting as lender, administrative agent, swing line bank and lead arranger
under our revolving credit facility. An affiliate of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, one of the underwriters participating in this offering, or Merrill Lynch, is acting
as co-syndication agent under our revolving credit facility. Affiliates of each other underwriter
participating in this offering are also lenders under our revolving credit facility. Such
affiliates will receive a pro rata portion of the net proceeds from this offering used to reduce
amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility. See UnderwritingOther Relationships.
S-7
SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion supplements the discussion contained under the heading Federal
Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment in the accompanying prospectus and
supersedes such discussion to the extent inconsistent with such discussion.
Because the following discussion is a summary which, in conjunction with the discussion
contained under the heading Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your Investment
in the accompanying prospectus, is intended to address only material federal income tax
consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock which will
apply to all holders, it may not contain all the information which may be important to you. As you
review this discussion, you should keep in mind the following:
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the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax situation; |
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special rules not discussed below may apply to you if, for example, you are a
tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer, a non-U.S. holder, a trust, an estate, a
regulated investment company, a REIT, a financial institution, an insurance company, or
otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, or the Code; |
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this summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations; |
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this summary deals only with investors which hold shares of our common stock as
capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; and |
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this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. |
You are urged both to review the following discussion and to consult with your own tax advisor
to determine the effect of ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock on your tax
situation, including any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.
The information in this section is based on the current Code, current, temporary and proposed
Treasury regulations, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations
and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, including its practices and policies as endorsed in
private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service except with respect
to the taxpayer to which they are addressed, and existing court decisions. Future legislation,
regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions could change current law or
adversely affect existing interpretations of current law. Any change could apply retroactively.
We have not requested and do not plan to request any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service
concerning the matters discussed in the following discussion. It is possible the Internal Revenue
Service could challenge the statements in this discussion, which do not bind the Internal Revenue
Service or the courts, and a court could agree with the Internal Revenue Service.
Tax Legislation
On March 18, 2010, the President signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
Act of 2010 (the HIRE Act). The HIRE Act imposes a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate on
dividends and proceeds of sale in respect of shares of our common stock received by U.S. holders
(as defined under the heading Federal Income Tax Considerations and Consequences of Your
Investment in the accompanying prospectus) who own their shares of our common stock through
foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. holders if certain disclosure
requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. If payment of withholding
taxes is required, non-U.S. holders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction
of, U.S. withholding taxes with respect to such dividends and proceeds will be required to seek a
refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. We will not pay any
additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld. These new withholding rules are generally
effective for payments made after December 31, 2012.
On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law the Health Care and Education Reconciliation
Act of 2010 (the Reconciliation Act). The Reconciliation Act will require certain U.S. holders
who are individuals, estates or trusts to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividends
on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock, subject to
certain exceptions. This tax will apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
S-8
UNDERWRITING
Merrill Lynch, KeyBanc, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are
acting as joint book-running managers and as representatives of each of the underwriters named
below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the
underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock listed
opposite its name below.
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Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters
have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares of common stock sold under
the underwriting agreement if any of those shares of common stock are purchased, other than those
shares of common stock covered by the overallotment option described below. If an underwriter
defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting
underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock, subject to prior sale, when, as and
if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including
the validity of the shares of common stock, and other conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers certificates and legal opinions.
The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject
orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the underwriters propose
initially to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth
on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not
in excess of $ per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a
discount not in excess of $ per share to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the
public offering price and other selling terms may be changed.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before
expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of
their overallotment option described below.
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Per Share |
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Without Option |
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With Option |
Public offering price |
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$ |
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Underwriting discount |
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$ |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to ACC |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at
$250,000 and are payable by us.
S-9
Overallotment Option
We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional shares of
common stock at the public offering price appearing on the cover page of this prospectus
supplement, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover overallotments. The underwriters may
exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters
exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares of common stock approximately
proportionate to that underwriters initial amount reflected in the above table.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We and our executive officers and directors have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to
offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares
of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of
our common stock, including, without limitation, operating partnership units, enter into a
transaction that would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement
that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common
stock, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other
securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale,
pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without,
in each case, the prior written consent of the representatives, for the period from the date of
this prospectus supplement through and including the 60th day thereafter. In addition,
during this period, our executive officers and directors have agreed not to make any demand for, or
exercise any right with respect to, the registration of our common stock or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, and we have agreed, subject
to certain exceptions, not to file any registration statement relating to our common stock or
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, including, without
limitation, Operating Partnership units, without the prior written consent of the representatives.
The representatives in their joint discretion may release any of the securities subject to
lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
New York Stock Exchange Listing
Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ACC.
Price Stabilization and Short Positions
Until the distribution of our shares of common stock is completed, SEC rules may limit the
underwriters from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may
engage in transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock, such as bids or purchases to
peg, fix or maintain that price.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in
the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover
positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the
underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering.
Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters overallotment
option to purchase additional shares in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered
short position by either exercising their overallotment option or purchasing shares in the open
market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the
underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the
open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the underwriters
overallotment option. Naked short sales are sales in excess of their overallotment option. The
underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A
naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may
be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could
adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of
various bids for or purchase of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market
prior to the completion of this offering.
S-10
Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the
direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of
our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation
that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Other Relationships
An affiliate of KeyBanc is acting as lender, administrative agent, swing line bank and lead
arranger under our revolving credit facility. An affiliate of Merrill Lynch is acting as
co-syndication agent under our revolving credit facility. Affiliates of each other underwriter
participating in this offering are also lenders under our revolving credit facility. As of
August 13, 2010, approximately $54.8 million of borrowings were outstanding under this facility.
We intend to repay all of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility with a
portion of the net proceeds of this offering and, upon application of the net proceeds from this
offering, each lender will receive its proportionate share of the amount repaid.
The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage
in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us and
our affiliates. They have received or will continue to receive customary fees and commissions for
these transactions.
Electronic Distribution
In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may
distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by electronic means, such as
e-mail. Merrill Lynch may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its
Internet subscription customers. Merrill Lynch may allocate a limited number of shares of common
stock for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus supplement is available
on the Internet Website maintained by Merrill Lynch. Other than this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Merrill Lynch Website is not
part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the EEA
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA) which has implemented
the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) an offer to the public of any shares of
common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement may
not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant
Member State of any shares of common stock may be made at any time under the following exemptions
under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets
or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees
during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of
more than 43,000,000 and (3) an
annual net turnover of more than 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated
accounts;
(c) by the underwriters to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified
investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the
representatives for any such offer; or
(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of shares of common stock shall result in a requirement for the
publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus
Directive.
S-11
Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares of common stock within the EEA
should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters
to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we
or they authorize, the making of any offer of shares of common stock through any financial
intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of
shares of common stock contemplated in this prospectus supplement.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer to the public in relation to any
shares of common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any
means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of common stock to be
offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares of common stock, as the same
may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in
that Relevant Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and
includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who
acquires any shares of common stock under, the offer of shares of common stock contemplated by this
prospectus supplement will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with us and
each underwriter that:
(A) it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State
implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and
(B) in the case of any shares of common stock acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as
that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the shares of common stock
acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired
with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified
investors (as defined in the Prospectus Directive), or in circumstances in which the prior consent
of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where shares of common stock
have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified
investors, the offer of those shares of common stock to it is not treated under the Prospectus
Directive as having been made to such persons.
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is
directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are
qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience
in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order) and/or (ii) who are
high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling
within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as
relevant persons). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by
persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity
to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate is only available to,
and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any other material
relating to the shares of common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an issue prospectus
pursuant to Articles 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The shares of common stock
will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to the shares
of common stock, including, but not limited to, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of the SIX
Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss
Exchange. The shares of common stock are being offered in Switzerland by way of a private
placement, i.e. to a small number of selected investors only, without any public offer and only to
investors who do not purchase the shares of common stock with the intention to distribute them to
the public. The investors will be individually approached by us from time to time. This
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any other material relating to the
shares of common stock are personal and confidential and do not constitute an offer to any other
person. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used by those
investors to whom they have
S-12
been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor
indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without our express consent. It may
not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or
distributed to the public in (or from) Switzerland.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an Exempt Offer in
accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are intended for distribution only to
persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. They must not be
delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or
verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set
forth herein or therein and has no responsibility for the prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus. The shares of common stock to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus relate may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective
purchasers of the shares of common stock offered should conduct their own due diligence on the
shares of common stock. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
S-13
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, Dallas,
Texas, as our securities and tax counsel. Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York, will act
as counsel to the underwriters.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of American Campus Communities, Inc. and its
subsidiaries appearing in American Campus Communities, Inc.s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2009 and the effectiveness of American Campus Communities, Inc.s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports included therein, and
incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
S-14
PROSPECTUS
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES, INC.
We may offer and sell from time to time shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock,
debt securities and warrants. The preferred stock or warrants may be convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other of our securities. Our common
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol ACC.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or
agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. In addition, selling
securityholders may sell these securities, from time to time, on terms described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to the securities that we
may offer and sell from time to time. Prospectus supplements will be filed and other offering
material may be provided at later dates that will contain specific terms of each issuance of
securities.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other
regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities nor passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus and applicable prospectus supplement may be used either in the initial sale of
the securities or in resales by selling securityholders.
The date of this prospectus is March 16, 2009.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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i
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a public company and file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SECs public
reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these
documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public at the SECs web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our website
address is www.studenthousing.com.
This prospectus is only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with
the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and therefore omits some of the information contained in
the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules to the registration
statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or
schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document.
You may inspect or obtain a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and
schedules, as described in the previous paragraph.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and the
information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the
SEC (File No. 001-32265) under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 until this offering is completed:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008; and |
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The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form
8-A filed with the SEC on August 4, 2004. |
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning Investor
Relations, at the following address and telephone number:
American Campus Communities, Inc.
805 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78746
(512) 732-1000
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus or in the supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different
information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.
1
THE COMPANY
We are a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered equity real estate investment
trust, or REIT, with expertise in the acquisition, design, financing, development, construction
management, leasing and management of student housing properties. Through our controlling interest
in American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP, or our Operating Partnership, we are the
largest owner, manager and developer of high quality student housing properties in the United
States in terms of beds owned and under management. As of December 31, 2008, our property
portfolio contained 86 student housing properties with approximately 52,800 beds and approximately
17,200 apartment units, including 40 properties containing approximately 23,500 beds and
approximately 7,500 units added as a result of our acquisition on June 11, 2008 of the student
housing business of GMH Communities Trust (GMH). As of December 31, 2008, our property portfolio
consisted of 80 owned off-campus properties that are in close proximity to colleges and
universities, two American Campus Equity (ACE) properties operated under ground/facility leases
with a related university system and four on-campus participating properties operated under
ground/facility leases with the related university systems. As of December 31, 2008, we also owned
a minority interest in two joint ventures that owned an aggregate of 21 student housing properties
with approximately 12,100 beds in approximately 3,600 units. Our communities contain modern
housing units and are supported by a resident assistant system and other student-oriented
programming, with many offering resort-style amenities.
We also provide construction management and development services primarily for student housing
properties owned by colleges and universities, charitable foundations and others. As of December
31, 2008, we provided third-party management and leasing services for 34 properties (five of which
we served as the third-party developer and construction manager) that represented approximately
24,300 beds in approximately 8,900 units. Third-party management and leasing services are
typically provided pursuant to multi-year management contracts that have initial terms that range
from one to five years. As of December 31, 2008, our total owned and managed portfolio was
comprised of 141 properties with approximately 89,200 beds in approximately 29,700 units.
Our executive offices are located at 805 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78746,
and our telephone number is (512) 732-1000.
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made statements in this prospectus and any supplement that are forward-looking in
that they do not discuss historical fact, but instead note future expectations, projections,
intentions or other items relating to the future. These forward-looking statements include those
made in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In particular, statements
pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain
forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated growth in our
funds from operations and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties
and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend
on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to
realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as
described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the
use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, expects, may, will, should, seeks,
approximately, intends, plans, pro forma, estimates or anticipates or the negative of
these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking
statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others,
could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or
contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
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risks associated with the availability and terms of financing and the use of debt to
fund acquisitions and developments; failure to manage effectively our growth and
expansion into new markets or to integrate acquisitions successfully; |
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risks and uncertainties affecting property development and construction; |
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risks associated with downturns in the national and local economies, increases in
interest rates, and volatility in the securities markets; costs of compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act and other similar laws; potential liability for
uninsured losses and environmental contamination; risks associated with our potential
failure to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as
amended, and possible adverse changes in tax and environmental laws; and |
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other risks detailed in our other SEC reports or filings |
These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date
of this prospectus.
3
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate
purposes. Those purposes include the repayment or refinancing of debt, property acquisitions and
development in the ordinary course of business, working capital, investment in financing
transactions and capital expenditures.
We will describe in the supplement any proposed use of proceeds other than for general
corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
Authorized Shares. Our charter provides that we may issue up to 800,000,000 shares of our
common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value
per share. As of the date of this prospectus, 42,405,493 shares of common stock and no shares of
preferred stock are issued and outstanding.
Authority of Our Board of Directors Relating to Authorized Shares. Our charter authorizes our
board of directors to amend our charter to increase or decrease the total number of our authorized
shares, or the number of shares of any class or series of capital stock that we have authority to
issue, without stockholder approval. Our board of directors also has the authority, under our
charter and without stockholder approval, to classify any unissued shares of common or preferred
stock into one or more classes or series of stock and to reclassify any previously classified but
unissued shares of any series of our common or preferred stock. If, however, there are any laws or
stock exchange rules that require us to obtain stockholder approval in order for us to take these
actions, we will contact our stockholders to solicit that approval.
We believe that the power to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock and to
classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and then issue the classified
or reclassified shares provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future
financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that may arise in the future. These actions
can be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable
law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be
listed or traded. Although our board of directors has no present intention of doing so, we could
issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of
control that would involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be
favorable to them.
Terms and Conditions of Authorized Shares. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or
series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and our charter to set, subject to the
provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer of stock, the terms, preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. As a
result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred
stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
transaction or a change of control that would involve a premium price for holders of our common
stock or otherwise be favorable to them.
Stockholder Liability. Applicable Maryland law provides that our stockholders will not be
personally liable for our acts and obligations and that our funds and property will be the only
recourse for our acts and obligations.
Common Stock
All shares of our common stock are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to
the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the charter
regarding restrictions on transfer of stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to
receive distributions on such stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors out of
assets legally available for the payment of distributions, and declared by us, and to share ratably
in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known
debts and liabilities.
4
Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer of stock, as
described in more detail below under Restrictions on Transfer, each outstanding share of our
common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,
including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or
series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. There is
no cumulative voting in the election of our directors. Under Maryland law, the holders of a
plurality of the votes cast at a meeting at which directors are to be elected is sufficient to
elect a director unless a corporations charter or bylaws provide otherwise. Our bylaws provide
for such plurality voting in the election of directors.
Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund,
redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for any of our
securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of
stock, shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Preferred Stock
Under our charter, our board of directors may from time to time establish and issue one or
more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each
series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and our charter to set, subject to the
provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer of stock, the terms, preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each series. As of the
date hereof, no shares of preferred stock are outstanding and we have no present plans to issue any
preferred stock.
Restrictions on Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by
100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first
year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter
taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include
certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other
than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended
to assist us in complying with these requirements and continuing to qualify as a REIT. The
relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person
or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive
ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is
more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of our common stock or more than 9.8% by value of all
of our outstanding shares, including both common and preferred stock. We refer to this restriction
as the ownership limit. A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit by virtue
of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as set forth below, is referred to
as a purported beneficial transferee if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or
entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of our
stock, or is referred to as a purported record transferee if, had the violative transfer been
effective, the person or entity would have been solely a record owner of our stock.
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually
or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by
one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our stock (or the
acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our stock) by an
individual or entity, could, nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or
entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of our outstanding stock and thereby subject the
stock to the applicable ownership limit.
5
Our board of directors must waive the ownership limit with respect to a particular person if
it:
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determines that such ownership will not cause any individuals beneficial ownership
of shares of our stock to violate the ownership limit and that any exemption from the
ownership limit will not jeopardize our status as a REIT; and |
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determines that such stockholder does not and will not own, actually or
constructively, an interest in a tenant of ours (or a tenant of any entity whose
operations are attributed in whole or in part to us) that would cause us to own,
actually or constructively, more than a 9.8% interest (as set forth in Section
856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant or that any such ownership would not cause us
to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code. |
As a condition of our waiver, our board of directors may require the applicant to submit such
information as the board of directors may reasonably need to make the determinations regarding our
REIT status and additionally may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our
board of directors, and/or representations or undertakings from the applicant with respect to
preserving our REIT status.
In connection with the waiver of the ownership limit or at any other time, our board of
directors may increase the ownership limitation for some persons and decrease the ownership limit
for all other persons and entities; provided, however, that the decreased ownership limit will not
be effective for any person or entity whose percentage ownership in our stock is in excess of such
decreased ownership limit until such time as such person or entitys percentage of our stock equals
or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our stock in excess of
such percentage ownership of our common stock will be in violation of the ownership limit.
Additionally, the new ownership limit may not allow five or fewer stockholders to beneficially own
more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock.
Our charter provisions further prohibit:
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any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would
result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause
us to fail to qualify as a REIT; and |
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any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in
shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined
without reference to any rules of attribution). |
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership
of shares of our stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on
transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to us and provide us with
such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our
status as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our
board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or
to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
Pursuant to our charter, if any purported transfer of our stock or any other event would
otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits or such other limit as permitted by
our board of directors, then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect as
to that number of shares in excess of the ownership limit (rounded up to the nearest whole share).
That number of shares in excess of the ownership limit will be automatically transferred to, and
held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by us.
The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to
the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any
dividend or other distribution paid to the purported record transferee, prior to our discovery that
the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the
trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer to the trust
as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the
applicable ownership limit or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors, then our charter
provides that the transfer of the excess shares will be void.
6
Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our
designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the purported record
transferee for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not
involve a purchase of such shares of our stock at market price, the last reported sales price
reported on the NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the event which resulted
in the transfer of such shares of our stock to the trust); and (ii) the market price on the date
we, or our designee, accepts such offer. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee
has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a
sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the
trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported record transferee and any
dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such stock will be paid to the
charitable beneficiary.
If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of
the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the
trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or as otherwise permitted
by our board of directors. After that, the trustee must distribute to the purported record
transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the price paid by the purported record transferee
or owner for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not
involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the last reported sales price reported on the
NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date); and (ii) the sales proceeds (net
of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. The purported
beneficial transferee or purported record transferee has no rights in the shares held by the
trustee.
The trustee will be designated by us and will be unaffiliated with us and with any purported
record transferee or purported beneficial transferee. Prior to the sale of any excess shares by
the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other
distributions paid by us with respect to the excess shares, and may also exercise all voting rights
with respect to the excess shares.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the
trust, the trustee shall have the authority, at the trustees sole discretion:
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to rescind as void any vote cast by a purported record transferee prior to our
discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and |
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to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the
benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. |
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not
rescind and recast the vote.
Any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity
(including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner
must, on request, provide us with a completed questionnaire containing the information regarding
their ownership of such shares, as set forth in the applicable Treasury Regulations. In addition,
any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and
any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a
beneficial owner or constructive owner shall, on request, be required to disclose to us in writing
such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such stockholders
actual and constructive ownership of shares of our stock on our status as a REIT and to ensure
compliance with the ownership limit, or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors.
All certificates representing shares of our stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions
described above.
This ownership limit could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of us
that might involve a premium price for our stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our
stockholders.
7
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is BNY-Mellon Shareowner Services.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock.
We may issue warrants independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common
stock or attached to or separate from the offered securities. We will issue each series of
warrants under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company as warrant
agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not
act for or on behalf of warrant holders.
This summary of some of the provisions of the warrants is not complete. You should refer to
the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC as part of the offering of
any warrants. To obtain a copy of this document, see Where You Can Find More Information on page
1.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and J.P. Morgan Trust
Company, National Association, as trustee.
The following summary of some of the provisions of the indenture is not complete. You should
look at the indenture that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. To obtain a copy of the indenture or other documents that we file with the
SEC, see Where You Can Find More Information on page 1.
General
The debt securities will be direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank
equally with all other of our unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The indenture does not
limit the amount of debt securities that we can offer under it.
We may issue additional debt securities without your consent. We may issue debt securities in
one or more series. We are not required to issue all debt securities of one series at the same
time. Also, unless otherwise provided, we may open a series without the consent of the holders of
the debt securities of this series, for issuances of additional debt securities of this series.
The supplement will address the following terms of the debt securities:
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their title; |
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any limits on the principal amounts to be issued; |
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the dates on which the principal is payable; |
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the rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which they will bear interest, or the
method for determining rates; |
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the dates from which the interest will accrue and be payable, or the method of
determining those dates, and any record dates for the payments due; |
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any provisions for redemption, conversion or exchange, at our option or otherwise,
including the periods, prices and terms of redemption or conversion; |
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any sinking fund or similar provisions, whether mandatory or at the holders option,
along with the periods, prices and terms of redemption, purchase or repayment; |
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the amount or percentage payable if we accelerate their maturity, if other than the
principal amount; |
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any changes to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture; |
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the terms of subordination, if any; |
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whether the series may be reopened; and |
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any other terms consistent with the indenture. |
We may authorize and determine the terms of a series of debt securities by resolution of our
board of directors or one of its committees or through a supplemental indenture.
Form of Debt Securities
Unless the supplement otherwise provides, the debt securities will be issued in registered
form. We will issue debt securities only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of that
amount.
Unless the supplement otherwise provides, we will issue debt securities as one or more global
securities. This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder. We generally will
issue global securities in the total principal amount of the debt securities in a series. Debt
securities in global form will be deposited with or on behalf of a depositary. Debt securities in
global form may not be transferred except as a whole among the depositary, a nominee of or a
successor to the depositary and any nominee of that successor. Unless otherwise identified in the
supplement, the depositary will be The Depository Trust Company (DTC).
We may determine not to use global securities for any series. In that event, we will issue
debt securities in certificated form.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that some purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of securities in certificated form. Those laws and some conditions on transfer of global
securities may impair the ability to transfer interests in global securities.
Ownership of Global Securities
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, that
entity will be the sole holder of the debt securities represented by that instrument. Both we and
the trustee are only required to treat the depositary or its nominee as the legal owner of those
securities for all purposes under the indenture.
Unless otherwise specified in this prospectus or the supplement, no actual purchaser of debt
securities represented by a global security will be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated securities or will be considered the holder of those securities for any purpose under
the indenture. In addition, no actual purchaser will be able to transfer or exchange global
securities unless otherwise specified in this prospectus or the supplement. As a result, each
actual purchaser must rely on the procedures of the depositary to exercise any rights of a holder
under the indenture. Also, if an actual purchaser is not a participant in the depositary, the
actual purchaser must rely on the procedures of the participant through which it owns its interest
in the global security.
The Depository Trust Company
The following applies to the extent that DTC is the depositary, unless otherwise provided in
the supplement.
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Registered Owner. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities in the
name of Cede & Co., which is DTCs partnership nominee. The trustee will deposit the global
security with the depositary. The deposit with the depositary and its registration in the name of
Cede & Co. will not change the nature of the actual purchasers ownership interest in the debt
securities.
DTCs Organization. DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of that law, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code
and a clearing agency registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Direct
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and some other organizations who directly participate in DTC. Other entities may access DTCs
system by clearing transactions through or maintaining a custodial relationship with direct
participants. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
DTCs Activities. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with it. DTC also
facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and
pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
participants accounts. Doing so eliminates the need for physical movement of securities
certificates.
Participants Records. Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus or a supplement,
purchases of debt securities must be made by or through a direct participant, which will receive a
credit for the securities on the depositarys records. The purchasers interest is in turn to be
recorded on the participants records. Actual purchasers will not receive written confirmations
from the depositary of their purchase, but they generally receive confirmations along with periodic
statements of their holdings from the participants through which they entered into the transaction.
Transfers of interest in the global securities will be made on the books of the participants
on behalf of the actual purchasers. Certificates representing the interest of the actual
purchasers in the securities will not be issued unless the use of global securities is suspended.
The depositary has no knowledge of the actual purchasers of global securities. The
depositarys records only reflect the identity of the direct participants, who are responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Notices Among the Depositary, Participants and Actual Owners. Notices and other
communications by the depositary, its participants and the actual purchasers will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect.
Voting Procedures. Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will give consents for or vote the global
securities. The depositary generally mails an omnibus proxy to us just after the applicable record
date. That proxy assigns Cede & Co.s voting rights to the direct participants to whose accounts
the securities are credited at that time.
Payments. Principal and interest payments made by us will be delivered to the depositary.
DTCs practice is to credit direct participants accounts on the applicable payment date unless it
has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that date. Payments by participants to
actual purchasers will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for customers in bearer form or registered in street name. Those payments
will be the responsibility of that participant, not the depositary, the trustee or us, subject to
any legal requirements in effect at that time.
We are responsible for payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, to the trustee, who
is responsible to pay it to the depositary. The depositary is responsible for disbursing those
payments to direct participants. The participants are responsible for disbursing payment to the
actual purchasers.
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Transfer or Exchange of Debt Securities
You may transfer or exchange debt securities other than global securities without service
charge at the corporate trust office of the trustee. You may also surrender debt securities other
than global securities for conversion or registration of transfer without service charge at the
corporate trust office of the trustee. You must execute a proper form of transfer and pay any
taxes or other governmental charges resulting from that action.
Transfer Agent
If we designate a transfer agent in addition to the trustee in a supplement, we may at any
time rescind this designation or approve a change in the location through which the transfer agent
acts. We will, however, be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for a
series of debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for a series of
debt securities.
Covenants
The following is a summary of some of the covenants we have made in the indenture.
Existence. Except in connection with permitted mergers, consolidations or sales of assets, we
agreed to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep our corporate existence,
rights and franchises in full force and effect. We are not, however, required to preserve any
right or franchise if we determine that its preservation is no longer desirable in the conduct of
our business and that the loss is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of
debt securities.
Maintenance of Properties. We agreed to maintain and keep in good condition all of our
material properties used or useful in the conduct of our business. This does not, however,
preclude us from disposing of our properties in the ordinary course of business.
Insurance. We agreed to maintain with insurers of recognized responsibility insurance
concerning our properties against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such
amounts as is customary for the same or similar businesses.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We agreed to pay or discharge before they become delinquent
all taxes and other governmental charges levied or imposed on us and all lawful claims for labor,
materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our property. We are not,
however, required to pay or discharge any such charge whose amount, applicability or validity is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Provision of Financial Information. We agreed, whether or not we are subject to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to prepare the annual reports, quarterly reports and
other documents that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 15 days of each of the respective required
filing dates and to:
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transmit by mail to all holders of debt securities, as their names and addresses
appear in the security register, copies of such annual reports, quarterly reports and
other documents; |
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file with the trustee copies of such annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents; and |
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promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and
delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder. |
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Events of default under the indenture for any series of debt securities include the following:
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failure for 30 days to pay interest on any debt securities of that series; |
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failure to pay principal or premium, if any, of any debt securities of that series; |
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default in the performance or breach of any of our covenants contained in the
indenture, other than a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of a
series of debt securities other than that series, which continues for 60 days after
written notice as provided in the indenture; |
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default under any other of our debt instruments with an aggregate principal amount
outstanding of at least $10,000,000; |
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entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or
decrees against us in an aggregate amount, excluding amounts covered by insurance, over
$10,000,000 and these judgments, orders or decrees remain undischarged for a period of
30 consecutive days; or |
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specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment
of a receiver, liquidator or trustee. |
If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee and the holders of not less than 25%
of the series may declare the principal amount of all of the debt securities of that series to be
immediately due and payable.
The rights of holders of a series to commence an action for any remedy is subject to a number
of conditions, including the requirement that the holders of 25% of that series request that the
trustee take action and offer a reasonable indemnity to the trustee against its liabilities
incurred in doing so. This provision will not, however, prevent any holder from instituting suit
for the enforcement of payment.
Subject to provisions in the indenture relating to the trustees duties in case of default,
the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at
the request or direction of any holder unless the holder has offered to the trustee reasonable
security or indemnity. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that is in conflict
with any law or the indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that may be
unduly prejudicial to holders.
Modification of the Indenture
We must obtain the consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all
outstanding debt securities affected by a change to the indenture. The consent of holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of each series of outstanding debt securities is required to
waive compliance by us with some of the covenants in the indenture. We must obtain the consent of
each holder affected by a change to extend the maturity; reduce the principal, redemption premium
or interest rate; change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment; limit the
right to sue for payment; reduce the level of consents needed to approve a change to the indenture;
or modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of some
past defaults or covenants, except to increase the required level of consents needed to approve a
change to the indenture.
Defeasance
We may defease the debt securities of a series, which means that we would satisfy our duties
under that series before maturity. We may do so by depositing with the trustee, in trust for the
benefit of the holders, sufficient funds to pay the entire indebtedness on that series, including
principal, premium, if any, and interest. Some other conditions must be met before we may do so.
We must also deliver an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of that series will have
no federal income tax consequences as a result of that deposit.
Conversion
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock or
debt securities of another series. The supplement will describe the terms of any conversion
rights. To protect our status as a REIT, debt securities are not convertible if, as a result of a
conversion, any person would then be deemed to own, directly or indirectly, more than 9.8% of our
shares of capital stock.
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Subordination
The terms and conditions of any subordination of subordinated debt securities to other of our
indebtedness will be described in the supplement. The terms will include a description of the
indebtedness ranking senior to the subordinated debt securities, the restrictions on payments to
the holders of subordinated debt securities while a default exists with respect to senior
indebtedness, any restrictions on payments to the holders of the subordinated debt securities
following an event of default and provisions requiring holders of the subordinated debt securities
to remit payments to holders of senior indebtedness.
Because of the subordination, if we become insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities
may recover less, ratably, than other of our creditors, including holders of senior indebtedness.
Limitations on Incurrence of Debt
The indenture imposes the following limitations on our ability to incur debt if provided with
respect to any series of debt securities.
We will not incur debt if as a result the aggregate principal amount of all our outstanding
debt would exceed 65% of the sum of our total assets as of the end of the last fiscal quarter and
the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of
any securities offering proceeds we receive, to the extent that the proceeds were not used to
acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce debt, since the end of that
quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of this additional
debt.
We will not incur debt secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest of
any kind (Lien) on any of our properties if as a result the aggregate principal amount of all of
our outstanding debt that is secured by any Lien on our property would exceed 55% of the sum of our
total assets as of the end of our last fiscal quarter and the purchase price of any real estate
assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds
received, to the extent that the proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages
receivable or used to reduce debt, since the end of that quarter, including those proceeds obtained
in connection with the incurrence of this additional debt.
We will not at any time own unencumbered assets equal to less than 150% of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of unsecured debt.
We will not incur debt if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as
defined in the indenture) to the Annual Service Charge (as defined in the indenture) for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which this additional debt is
to be incurred will have been less than 1.5:1, on a pro forma basis and calculated as described in
the indenture.
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets
We cannot consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets
to, or merge with or into, any other corporation unless:
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we will be the surviving entity; or |
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the successor corporation, if other than us, expressly assumes all of our
obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, and immediately after that
transaction no default under the indenture will occur and be continuing. |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer securities directly or through underwriters, dealers or agents. The supplement
will identify those underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe the plan of distribution,
including commissions to be paid. If we do not name a firm in the supplement, the firm may not
directly or indirectly participate in any underwriting of those securities, although it may
participate in the distribution of securities under circumstances entitling it to a dealers
allowance or agents commission.
An underwriting agreement will entitle the underwriters to indemnification against specified
civil liabilities under the federal securities laws and other laws. The underwriters obligations
to purchase securities will be subject to specified conditions and generally will require them to
purchase all of the securities if any are purchased.
Unless otherwise noted in the supplement, the securities will be offered by the underwriters,
if any, when, as and if issued by us, delivered to and accepted by the underwriters and subject to
their right to reject orders in whole or in part.
We may sell securities to dealers, as principals. Those dealers then may resell the
securities to the public at varying prices set by those dealers from time to time.
We may also offer securities through agents. Agents generally act on a best efforts basis
during their appointment, meaning that they are not obligated to purchase securities.
Dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification as underwriters by us against some
liabilities under the federal securities laws and other laws.
We or the underwriters or the agent may solicit offers by institutions approved by us to
purchase securities under contracts providing for further payment. Permitted institutions include
commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational
and charitable institutions and others. Certain conditions apply to those purchases.
An underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering
transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short
position. Stabilizing transactions permit bidders to purchase the underlying security so long as
the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve
purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short
positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when
the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short
positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would
otherwise be. The underwriters may engage in any activities on any exchange or other market in
which the securities may be traded. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue those
activities at any time.
The supplement or pricing supplement, as applicable, will set forth the anticipated delivery
date of the securities being sold at that time.
Selling securityholders may use this prospectus in connection with resales of the securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the selling securityholders and the terms of the
securities. Selling securityholders may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the
securities they resell and any profits on the sales may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. The selling securityholders will receive all the proceeds
from the sale of the securities. We will not receive any proceeds from sales by selling
securityholders.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the last five fiscal years are presented
below. We computed our ratios of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges.
For these purposes, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges to income from continuing
operations before income taxes. Fixed charges consist of interests costs, the interest portion of
rental expense, other than on capital leases, estimated to represent the interest factor in this
rental expense and the amortization of debt discounts and issue costs.
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Year ended December 31, |
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2008 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2004 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
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0.72 |
(1) |
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0.83 |
(1) |
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1.01 |
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1.02 |
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0.78 |
(1)(2) |
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Our earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges and the amount of the deficiency (in
thousands) was $16,312, $6,150 and $3,976 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2004, respectively. |
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We commenced operations as a fully integrated real estate investment trust effective with the
completion of our initial public offering on August 17, 2004. We were formed to succeed
certain businesses of our predecessors, which were not a legal entity but rather a combination
of real estate entities under common ownership and voting control collectively doing business
as American Campus Communities, L.L.C. and Affiliated Student Housing Properties. |
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT
The following discussion summarizes our taxation and the material Federal income tax
consequences associated with an investment in our securities. The tax treatment of security
holders will vary depending upon the holders particular situation, and this discussion addresses
only holders that hold securities as a capital asset and does not deal with all aspects of taxation
that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal investment or tax
circumstances. This section also does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant
to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the Federal income tax laws apply,
including:
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dealers in securities or currencies; |
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for
their securities holdings; |
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banks and other financial institutions; |
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tax-exempt organizations (except to the limited extent discussed in Taxation of
Tax-Exempt Stockholders); |
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certain insurance companies; |
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persons liable for the alternative minimum tax; |
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persons that hold securities as a hedge against interest rate or currency risks or
as part of a straddle or conversion transaction; |
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non-U.S. individuals and foreign corporations (except to the limited extent
discussed in Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders); and |
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holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
The statements in this section are based on the Code, its legislative history, current and
proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions. This summary describes
the provisions of these sources of law only as they are currently in effect. All of these sources
of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply retroactively. We cannot assure
you that new laws, interpretations of law or court decisions, any of which may take effect
retroactively, will not cause any statement in this section to be inaccurate.
This section is not a substitute for careful tax planning. We urge you to consult your tax
advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to you of ownership of our securities and of our
election to be taxed as a REIT. Specifically, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the
federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences to you regarding the purchase, ownership
and sale of our securities. You should also consult with your tax advisor regarding the impact of
potential changes in the applicable tax laws.
Taxation of Our Company
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of Code, commencing with
our taxable year ended December 31, 2004.
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP has provided us an opinion that we have been organized and,
for the taxable year ended 2004 through the taxable year ended December 31, 2008, we have operated
in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and
our current manner of organization and proposed method of operation should enable us to continue to
satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for 2009. You
should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding upon the Internal Revenue
Service or any court. In providing its opinion, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
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is relying, as to certain factual matters, upon the statements and representations contained
in certificates provided to Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP by us.
Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our continuing satisfaction of the requirements
of the Code relating to qualification for REIT status. Some of these requirements depend upon
actual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership, asset composition,
source of income and record keeping. Accordingly, while we intend to continue to qualify to be
taxed as a REIT, the actual results of our operations for any particular year might not satisfy
these requirements. Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP will not monitor our compliance with the
requirements for REIT qualification on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given
that the actual results of our operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy such
requirements. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT. See
Failure to Qualify as a REIT below.
The sections of the Code relating to qualification and operation as a REIT, and the federal
income taxation of a REIT and its stockholders, are highly technical and complex. The following
discussion sets forth only the material aspects of those sections. This summary is qualified in
its entirety by the applicable Code provisions and the related rules and regulations.
As a REIT, we generally are not subject to federal income tax on the taxable income that we
distribute to our stockholders. The benefit of that tax treatment is that it avoids the double
taxation, or taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels, that generally results from
owning shares in a corporation. Our distributions, however, will generally not be eligible for (i)
the lower rate of tax applicable to dividends received by an individual from a C corporation (as
defined below) or (ii) the corporate dividends received deduction. Further, we will be subject to
federal tax in the following circumstances:
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First, we will have to pay tax at regular corporate rates on any undistributed real
estate investment trust taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. |
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Second, under certain circumstances, we may have to pay the alternative minimum tax
on items of tax preference. |
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Third, if we have (a) net income from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure
property, as defined in the Code, which is held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business or (b) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure
property, we will have to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on that income. |
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Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions, as defined in the
Code, we will have to pay a 100% tax on that income. Prohibited transactions are, in
general, certain sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure
property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. We
do not intend to engage in prohibited transactions. We cannot assure you, however,
that we will only make sales that satisfy the requirements of the safe harbors or that
the IRS will not successfully assert that one or more of such sales are prohibited
transactions. |
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Fifth, if we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross
income test, as discussed below under Requirements for Qualification, but we have
nonetheless maintained our qualification as a REIT because we have satisfied other
requirements necessary to maintain REIT qualification, we will have to pay a 100% tax
on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of (i) 75% of
our gross income over the amount of gross income that is qualifying income for purposes
of the 75% test, and (ii) 95% of our gross income over the amount of gross income that
is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction
intended to reflect our profitability. |
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Sixth, if we fail, in more than a de minimis fashion, to satisfy one or more of the
asset tests under the REIT provisions of the Code for any quarter of a taxable year,
but nonetheless continue to qualify as a REIT because we qualify under certain relief
provisions, we will likely be required to |
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pay a tax of the greater of $50,000 or a tax computed at the highest corporate rate
on the amount of net income generated by the assets causing the failure from the
date of failure until the assets are disposed of or we otherwise return to
compliance with the asset test. |
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Seventh, if we fail to satisfy one or more of the requirements for REIT
qualification under the REIT provisions of the Code (other than the income tests or the
asset tests), we nevertheless may avoid termination of our REIT election in such year
if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements. |
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Eighth, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum
of (1) 85% of our real estate investment trust ordinary income for that year, (2) 95%
of our real estate investment trust capital gain net income for that year and (3) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would have to pay a 4% excise tax
on the excess of that required dividend over the amounts actually distributed. |
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Ninth, if we acquire any appreciated asset from a C corporation in certain
transactions in which we must adopt the basis of the asset or any other property in the
hands of the C corporation as our basis of the asset in our hands, and we recognize
gain on the disposition of that asset during the 10-year period beginning on the date
on which we acquired that asset, then we will have to pay tax on the built-in gain at
the highest regular corporate rate. In general, a C corporation means a corporation
that has to pay full corporate-level tax. |
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Tenth, if we receive non-arms length income from one of our taxable REIT
subsidiaries (as defined under Requirements for Qualification), we will be subject
to a 100% tax on the amount of our non-arms-length income. |
Requirements for Qualification
To qualify as a REIT, we must elect to be treated as a REIT, and we must meet various (a)
organizational requirements, (b) gross income tests, (c) asset tests, and (d) annual dividend
requirements.
Organizational Requirements
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
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that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
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the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by
transferable certificates of beneficial interest; |
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that would otherwise be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856
through 859 of the Code; |
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that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company to which certain
provisions of the Code apply; |
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the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; |
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during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the
outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer
individuals, as defined in the Code to also include certain entities; and |
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which meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income
and assets. |
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The Code provides that the conditions described in the first through fourth bullet points
above must be met during the entire taxable year and that the condition described in the fifth
bullet point above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a
proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months.
We expect that we will satisfy the conditions described in the first through the seventh
bullet points of the preceding paragraph. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions
regarding the ownership and transfer of our capital stock. These restrictions are intended to
assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in the fifth and
sixth bullet points of the preceding paragraph. The ownership and transfer restrictions pertaining
to the stock are described earlier in this prospectus under the heading Description of Capital
StockRestrictions on Transfer.
For purposes of determining share ownership under the sixth bullet point, an individual
generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation, or
a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes. An
individual, however, generally does not include a trust that is a qualified employee pension or
profit sharing trust under the federal income tax laws, and beneficiaries of such a trust will be
treated as holding our shares in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes
of the sixth bullet point.
A corporation that is a qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a corporation separate
from its parent REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of a
qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and
credit of the REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, all of the capital stock of
which is owned by the REIT that does not join with the REIT in making a taxable REIT subsidiary
election. Thus, in applying the requirements described herein, any qualified REIT subsidiary
that we own will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and
credit of such subsidiary will be treated as our assets, liabilities, and items of income,
deduction, and credit.
An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a limited liability company, that has a single
owner, generally is not treated as an entity separate from its owner for federal income tax
purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners is generally treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a
partnership, the REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership
and as earning its allocable share of the gross income of the partnership for purposes of the
applicable REIT qualification tests.
If, as in our case, a REIT is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that
the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate capital share of the assets of the partnership and
will be deemed to be entitled to the income of the partnership attributable to that capital share.
In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of the partnership will retain the same
character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying
the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets,
liabilities and items of income of American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP, or our
Operating Partnership, which is our principal asset, will be treated as our assets, liabilities
and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this section. In
addition, actions taken by our Operating Partnership or any other entity that is either a
disregarded entity (including a qualified REIT subsidiary) or partnership in which we own an
interest, either directly or through one or more tiers of disregarded entities (including qualified
REIT subsidiaries) or partnerships such as our Operating Partnership, can affect our ability to
satisfy the REIT income and assets tests and the determination of whether we have net income from
prohibited transactions. Accordingly, for purposes of this discussion, when we discuss our
actions, income or assets we intend that to include the actions, income or assets of our Operating
Partnership or any entity that is either a disregarded entity (including a qualified REIT
subsidiary) or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which we maintain an interest
through multiple tiers of disregarded entities (including qualified REIT subsidiaries) or
partnerships.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
A taxable REIT subsidiary, or a TRS is any corporation in which a REIT directly or
indirectly owns stock, provided that the REIT and that corporation make a joint election to treat
that corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The election can be revoked at any time as long as
the REIT and the TRS revoke such election jointly. In addition, if a TRS holds directly or
indirectly, more than 35% of the securities of any other corporation (by vote
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or by value), then that other corporation is also treated as a TRS. A corporation can be a
TRS with respect to more than one REIT. We have made a TRS election for American Campus
Communities Services, Inc., our taxable REIT subsidiary (the Services Company). Additionally, we
have made a TRS election with respect to College Park Management TRS, Inc. and GMH Communities
Services, Inc.
A TRS is subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (maximum rate of 35%), and
may also be subject to state and local taxation. Any dividends paid or deemed paid by any one of
our taxable REIT subsidiaries will also be subject to tax, either (i) to us if we do not pay the
dividends received to our stockholders as dividends, or (ii) to our stockholders if we do pay out
the dividends received to our stockholders. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on
transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the parent REITs tenants that are not conducted
on an arms-length basis. We may hold more than 10% of the stock of a TRS without jeopardizing our
qualification as a REIT notwithstanding the rule described below under Asset Tests that
generally precludes ownership of more than 10% (by vote or value) of any issuers securities.
However, as noted below, in order for us to qualify as a REIT, the securities of all of the taxable
REIT subsidiaries in which we have invested either directly or indirectly may not represent more
than 25% of the total value of our assets. We expect that the aggregate value of all of our
interests in taxable REIT subsidiaries will represent less than 25% of the total value of our
assets, and will, to the extent necessary, limit the activities of the Services Company or take
other actions necessary to satisfy the 25% value limit. We cannot, however, assure that we will
always satisfy the 25% value limit or that the IRS will agree with the value we assign to the
Services Company and any other TRS in which we own an interest.
A TRS is not permitted to directly or indirectly operate or manage a lodging facility. A
lodging facility is defined as a hotel, motel or other establishment more than one-half of the
dwelling units in which are used on a transient basis. We believe that our Services Company will
not be considered to operate or manage a lodging facility. Although the Services Company is
expected to lease certain of our student housing properties on a short term basis during the summer
months and occasionally during other times of the year, we believe that such limited short term
leasing will not cause the Services Company to be considered to directly or indirectly operate or
manage a lodging facility. Our belief in this regard is based in part on Treasury Regulations
interpreting similar language applicable to other provisions of the Code. Treasury Regulations or
other guidance specifically adopted for purposes of the TRS provisions might take a different
approach, and, even absent such guidance, the IRS might take a contrary view. In such an event, we
might be forced to change our method of operating the Services Company, which could adversely
affect us, or could cause the Services Company to fail to qualify as a TRS, in which event we would
likely fail to qualify as a REIT, subject to certain relief provisions, as described above under
Taxation of Our Company.
We may engage in activities indirectly though a TRS as necessary or convenient to avoid
receiving the benefit of income or services that would jeopardize our REIT status if we engaged in
the activities directly. In particular, we would likely engage in activities through a TRS for
providing services that are non-customary and services to unrelated parties (such as our third
party development and management services) that might produce income that does not qualify under
the gross income tests described below. We might also hold certain properties in the Services
Company, such as our interest in certain of the leasehold properties if we determine that the
ownership structure of such properties may produce income that would not qualify for purposes of
the REIT income tests described below.
Gross Income Tests
We must satisfy two gross income tests annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of defined types of
income that we derive, directly or indirectly, from investments relating to real property or
mortgages on real property or qualified temporary investment income. Qualifying income for
purposes of that 75% gross income test generally includes:
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rents from real property; |
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interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property, or on interests in real
property; |
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dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, shares in other
REITs; |
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gain from the sale of real estate assets; and |
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income derived from the temporary investment of new capital that is attributable to
the issuance of our shares of beneficial interest or a public offering of our debt with
a maturity date of at least five years and that we receive during the one year period
beginning on the date on which we received such new capital. |
Second, in general, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of
income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, other types of interest
and dividends, gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities or any combination of
these.
Gross income from our sale of property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business is excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in both income
tests. The following paragraphs discuss the specific application of the gross income tests to us.
Rents from Real Property. Rent that we receive from our real property will qualify as rents
from real property, which is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests,
only if the following conditions are met:
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First, the rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of
any person. Participating rent, however, will qualify as rents from real property if
it is based on percentages of receipts or sales and the percentages: (a) are fixed at
the time the leases are entered into, (b) are not renegotiated during the term of the
leases in a manner that has the effect of basing rent on income or profits, and (c)
conform with normal business practice. |
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More generally, the rent will not qualify as rents from real property if,
considering the relevant lease and all of the surrounding circumstances, the
arrangement does not conform with normal business practice, but is in reality used
as a means of basing the rent on income or profits. We intend to set and accept
rents which are fixed dollar amounts, and not to any extent by reference to any
persons income or profits, in compliance with the rules above. |
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Second, we must not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the stock or the
assets or net profits of any lessee, referred to as a related party tenant, other than
a TRS. The constructive ownership rules generally provide that, if 10% or more in
value of our shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for any person, we are
considered as owning the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such person. |
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We do not own any stock or any assets or net profits of any lessee directly, except
that we may lease office or other space to one or more of our taxable REIT
subsidiaries. We believe that each of the leases will conform with normal business
practice, contain arms-length terms and that the rent payable under those leases
should be treated as rents from real property for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross
income tests. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not successfully
assert a contrary position or that a change in circumstances will not cause a
portion of the rent payable under the leases to fail to qualify as rents from real
property. If such failures were in sufficient amounts, we might not be able to
satisfy either of the 75% or 95% gross income tests and could lose our REIT status.
In addition, if the IRS successfully reapportions or reallocates items of income,
deduction, and credit among and between us and our TRS under the leases or any
intercompany transaction because it determines that doing so is necessary to prevent
the evasion of taxes or to clearly reflect income, we could be subject to a 100%
excise tax on those amounts. |
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Under an exception to the related-party tenant rule described in the preceding
paragraph, rent that we receive from a taxable REIT subsidiary will qualify as
rents from real property as long as (1) |
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at least 90% of the leased space in the property is leased to persons other than
taxable REIT subsidiaries and related party tenants, and (2) the amount paid by the
TRS to rent space at the property is substantially comparable to rents paid by other
tenants of the property for comparable space. If we receive rent from a TRS, we
will seek to comply with this exception. Whether rents paid by our TRS are
substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants is determined at the
time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such
modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, if a lease with a controlled TRS is modified and such
modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such
increase will not qualify as rents from real property. For purposes of this rule,
a controlled TRS is a TRS in which we own stock possessing more than 50% of the
voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such
TRS. |
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Third, the rent attributable to the personal property leased in connection with a
lease of real property must not be greater than 15% of the total rent received under
the lease. |
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The rent attributable to personal property under a lease is the amount that bears
the same ratio to total rent under the lease for the taxable year as the average of
the fair market values of the leased personal property at the beginning and at the
end of the taxable year bears to the average of the aggregate fair market values of
both the real and personal property covered by the lease at the beginning and at the
end of such taxable year (the personal property ratio). With respect to each of
our leases, we believe that the personal property ratio generally is less than 15%.
Where that is not, or may in the future not be, the case, we believe that any income
attributable to personal property should not jeopardize our ability to qualify as a
REIT. |
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Fourth, we cannot furnish or render noncustomary services to the tenants of our
properties, or manage or operate our properties, other than through an independent
contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive or receive any
income. However, we need not provide services through an independent contractor, but
instead may provide services directly to our tenants, if the services are usually or
customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are
not considered to be provided for the tenants convenience. In addition, we may
provide a minimal amount of noncustomary services to the tenants of a property, other
than through an independent contractor, as long as our income from the services does
not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. Finally, we may own up to 100%
of the stock of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries, which may provide noncustomary
services to our tenants without tainting our rents from the related properties. |
We do not intend to perform any services other than customary ones for our lessees, other than
services provided through independent contractors or taxable REIT subsidiaries. If a portion of
the rent we receive from a property does not qualify as rents from real property because the rent
attributable to personal property exceeds 15% of the total rent for a taxable year, the portion of
the rent attributable to personal property will not be qualifying income for purposes of either the
75% or 95% gross income test. If rent attributable to personal property, plus any other income
that is nonqualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, during a taxable year
exceeds 5% of our gross income during the year, we could lose our REIT status. By contrast, in the
following circumstances, none of the rent from a lease of property would qualify as rents from
real property if: (1) the rent is considered based on the income or profits of the lessee; (2) the
lessee is a related party tenant or fails to qualify for the exception to the related-party tenant
rule for qualifying taxable REIT subsidiaries; or (3) we furnish noncustomary services to the
tenants of the property, or manage or operate the property, other than through a qualifying
independent contractor or a TRS and our income from the services exceeds 1% of our income from the
related property.
Tenants may be required to pay, besides base rent, reimbursements for certain amounts we are
obligated to pay to third parties (such as utility and telephone companies), penalties for
nonpayment or late payment of rent, lease application or administrative fees. We believe that
these and other similar payments should qualify as rents from real property.
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Interest. The term interest generally does not include any amount received or accrued,
directly or indirectly, if the determination of the amount depends in whole or in part on the
income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be
excluded from the term interest solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages
of receipts or sales. Furthermore, in the case of a shared appreciation mortgage, any additional
interest received on a sale of the secured property will be treated as gain from the sale of the
secured property.
Prohibited Transactions. A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any sale
or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. There is a safe harbor from
such treatment, but such safe harbor only applies to properties that the REIT has held for at least
two years (four years for properties sold on or before July 30, 2008), among other requirements.
Prior to our merger with GMH, GMH engaged in sales of property and transactions expected to be
treated as sales of property for federal income tax purposes, including the sale of its military
housing division, the contribution of certain of its properties to a joint venture with an
affiliate of Fidelity Real Estate Growth Fund III, L.P. and a related cash distribution from the
joint venture to GMH, and the sale of certain properties and its home office. Furthermore, we may
sell some of our properties. To the extent possible, we and GMH have attempted and we will
continue to attempt to comply with the terms of the safe harbor provisions. However, not all of
the properties are expected to qualify for the safe harbor. In the absence of the safe harbor,
whether a REIT holds an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or
business depends on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those
related to a particular asset. Considering all facts and circumstances, we believe that none of
these properties was held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of these
properties will not be in the ordinary course of business. However, the IRS may successfully take
a contrary position and characterize some or all of these sales and deemed sales of property as
prohibited transactions.
Foreclosure Property. We will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on certain
income from foreclosure property. We do not own any foreclosure properties and do not expect to
own any foreclosure properties in the future. This would only change in the future if we were to
make loans to third parties secured by real property.
Hedging Transactions. From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect
to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into
interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase such items, and futures and forward
contracts. Income from certain hedging transactions, clearly identified as such, is not included
in our gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Since the financial
markets continually introduce new and innovative instruments related to risk-sharing or trading, it
is not entirely clear which such instruments will generate income and which will be considered
qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging or
similar transactions so as not to jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Failure to Satisfy Gross Income Tests
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the gross income tests for any taxable year, we
nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for that year if we qualify for relief under certain provisions
of the federal income tax laws. Those relief provisions generally will be available if:
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our failure to meet the income tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect; and |
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we file a description of each item of our gross income in accordance with applicable
Treasury Regulations. |
We cannot with certainty predict whether any failure to meet these tests will qualify for the
relief provisions. As discussed above in Taxation of Our Company, even if the relief
provisions apply, we would incur a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of the
amounts by which we fail the 75% and 95% gross income tests, multiplied by a fraction intended to
reflect our profitability.
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Asset Tests
To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we also must satisfy the following asset tests at the
end of each quarter of each taxable year:
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First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must consist of: (a) cash or
cash items, including certain receivables, (b) government securities, (c) interests in
real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and
leaseholds, (d) interests in mortgages on real property, (e) stock in other REITs; and
(f) investments in stock or debt instruments during the one year period following our
receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or offerings of debt with
at least a five year term; |
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Second, of our investments not included in the 75% asset class, the value of our
interest in any one issuers securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total
assets; |
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Third, we may not own more than 10% of the voting power or value of any one issuers
outstanding securities; |
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Fourth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the
securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries; and |
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Fifth, no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the
securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries and
other assets that are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. |
For purposes of the second and third asset tests, the term securities does not include stock
in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or TRS, mortgage loans
that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests in a partnership. For purposes of the 10%
value test, the term securities generally does not include debt securities issued by a
partnership to the extent of our interest as a partner of the partnership or if at least 75% of the
partnerships gross income (excluding income from prohibited transactions) is qualifying income for
purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, straight debt and certain other instruments
are not treated as securities for purposes of the 10% value test.
Failure to Satisfy the Asset Tests
We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will
manage our portfolio in order to comply at all times with such tests. If we fail to satisfy the
asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT status if:
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we satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter; and |
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the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements
arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly
caused by the acquisition of one or more non-qualifying assets. |
If we did not satisfy the condition described in the second item, above, we still could avoid
disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar
quarter in which it arose.
If we fail to satisfy one or more of the asset tests for any quarter of a taxable year, we
nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for such year if we qualify for relief under certain provisions
of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available for failures of the 5% asset test
and the 10% asset tests if (i) the failure is due to the ownership of assets that do not exceed the
lesser of 1% of our total assets or $10 million, and the failure is corrected within 6 months
following the quarter in which it was discovered, or (ii) the failure is due to ownership of assets
that exceed the amount in (i) above, the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful
neglect, we file a schedule with a description of each asset causing the failure in accordance with
Treasury Regulations, the failure is
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corrected within 6 months following the quarter in which it was discovered, and we pay a tax
consisting of the greater of $50,000 or a tax computed at the highest corporate rate on the amount
of net income generated by the assets causing the failure from the date of failure until the assets
are disposed of or we otherwise return to compliance with the asset test. We may not qualify for
the relief provisions in all circumstances.
Distribution Requirements
Each taxable year, we must distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends and deemed
distributions of retained capital gains, to our stockholders in an aggregate amount not less than:
the sum of (a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid
deduction or our net capital gain or loss, and (b) 90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from
foreclosure property, minus the sum of certain items of non-cash income.
We must pay such dividends in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following
taxable year if we declare the dividend before we timely file our federal income tax return for the
year and pay the dividend on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such
declaration.
To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gains or distribute at least
90%, but less than 100%, of our real estate investment trust taxable income, as adjusted, we will
have to pay tax on those amounts at regular ordinary and capital gains corporate tax rates.
Furthermore, if we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our
ordinary income for that year, (b) 95% of our capital gain net income for that year, and (c) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would have to pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax
on the excess of the required dividend over the amounts actually distributed.
We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gains we receive in a
taxable year. See Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders. If we so elect, we will be treated as
having distributed any such retained amount for purposes of the 4% excise tax described above. We
intend to make timely dividends sufficient to satisfy the annual dividend requirements and to avoid
corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between the
actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the inclusion of that income
and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT taxable income. For example, we may not
deduct recognized capital losses from our REIT taxable income. Further, it is possible that,
from time to time, we may be allocated a share of net capital gains attributable to the sale of
depreciated property that exceeds our allocable share of cash attributable to that sale. As a
result of the foregoing, we may have less cash than is necessary to distribute all of our taxable
income and thereby avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed
income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or issue additional common or preferred
shares or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends.
Under certain circumstances, we may be able to correct a failure to meet the distribution
requirements for a year by paying deficiency dividends to our stockholders in a later year. We
may include such deficiency dividends in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year.
Although we may be able to avoid income tax on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, we will
be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction we take for deficiency
dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
We must maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid paying
a penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to
disclose the actual ownership of the outstanding common stock. We have complied and intend to
continue to comply with these requirements.
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Accounting Period
In order to elect to be taxed as a REIT, we must use a calendar year accounting period. We
will use the calendar year as our accounting period for federal income tax purposes for each and
every year we intend to operate as a REIT.
Failure to Qualify as a REIT
If we failed to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provision applied, we
would have the following consequences. We would be subject to federal income tax and any
applicable alternative minimum tax at rates applicable to regular C corporations on our taxable
income, determined without reduction for amounts distributed to stockholders. We would not be
required to make any distributions to stockholders, and any dividends to stockholders would be
taxable as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (which
may be subject to tax at preferential rates to individual stockholders). Corporate stockholders
could be eligible for a dividends-received deduction if certain conditions are satisfied. Unless
we qualified for relief under specific statutory provisions, we would not be permitted to elect
taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we ceased to qualify
as a REIT. We might not be entitled to the statutory relief described in this paragraph in all
circumstances.
Relief From Certain Failures of the REIT Qualification Provisions
If we fail to satisfy one or more of the requirements for REIT qualification (other than the
income tests or the asset tests), we nevertheless may avoid termination of our REIT election in
such year if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements. We may not
qualify for this relief provision in all circumstances.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of securities
that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the U.S.; |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) created or organized under the laws of U.S., any State thereof or the
District of Columbia; |
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a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S.
and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of
the trust, or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
its source. |
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) is a beneficial owner of our shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership
generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A
beneficial owner that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership should consult their tax
advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of our stock.
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made by us out of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will constitute dividends
taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income. Individuals receiving qualified
dividends from domestic and certain qualifying foreign subchapter C corporations may be entitled
to lower rates on dividends (at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, currently at a maximum
rate of 15%) provided certain holding period requirements are met. However, individuals receiving
dividend distributions from us, a REIT, will generally not be eligible for the lower rates on
dividends except with respect to the portion of any distribution which (a) represents dividends
being passed through to us from
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a corporation in which we own shares (but only if such dividends would be eligible for the
lower rates on dividends if paid by the corporation to its individual stockholders), including
dividends from our TRS, (b) is equal to our REIT taxable income (taking into account the dividends
paid deduction available to us) less any taxes paid by us on these items during our previous
taxable year, or (c) are attributable to built-in gains realized and recognized by us from
disposition of properties acquired by us in non-recognition transaction, less any taxes paid by us
on these items during our previous taxable year. The lower rates will apply only to the extent we
designate a distribution as qualified dividend income in a written notice to you. Individual
taxable U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of these
provisions. Dividends of this kind will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction in
the case of taxable U.S. holders that are corporations. Dividends made by us that we properly
designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to taxable U.S. holders as gain from the sale
of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that they do not exceed our actual
net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which a taxable U.S.
holders has held its common stock. Thus, with certain limitations, capital gain dividends received
by an individual taxable U.S. holder may be eligible for preferential rates of taxation. Taxable
U.S. holders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital
gain dividends as ordinary income.
The 15% reduced maximum tax rate on qualified dividends and certain long-term capital gains,
as described above, was provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and
generally is effective for taxable years ending on or after May 6, 2003 through December 31, 2008.
On May 17, 2006, President Bush signed the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005, which
extended this reduction until December 31, 2010. Without future legislative changes, the maximum
long-term capital gains and dividend rate discussed above will increase in 2011.
To the extent that we pay dividends, not designated as capital gain dividends, in excess of
our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these dividends will be treated first as a
tax-free return of capital to each taxable U.S. holder. Thus, these dividends will reduce the
adjusted basis which the taxable U.S. holder has in our stock for tax purposes by the amount of the
dividend, but not below zero. Dividends in excess of a taxable U.S. holders adjusted basis in its
common stock will be taxable as capital gains, provided that the stock has been held as a capital
asset.
Dividends authorized by us in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a
stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us
and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided that we actually pay the
dividend in January of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own
income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, all or a portion of our net long-term capital
gains and pay the tax on such gains. If we make such an election, we will designate amounts as
undistributed capital gains in respect of your shares or beneficial interests by written notice to
you which we will mail out to you with our annual report or at any time within 60 days after
December 31 of any year. When we make such an election, taxable U.S. holders holding common stock
at the close of our taxable year will be required to include, in computing their long-term capital
gains for the taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, the amount that we
designate in a written notice mailed to our stockholders. We may not designate amounts in excess
of our undistributed net capital gain for the taxable year. Each taxable U.S. holder required to
include the designated amount in determining the holders long-term capital gains will be deemed to
have paid, in the taxable year of the inclusion, the tax paid by us in respect of the undistributed
net capital gains. Taxable U.S. holders to whom these rules apply will be allowed a credit or a
refund, as the case may be, for the tax they are deemed to have paid. Taxable U.S. holders will
increase their basis in their stock by the difference between the amount of the includible gains
and the tax deemed paid by the stockholder in respect of these gains.
Dividends made by us and gain arising from a taxable U.S. holders sale or exchange of our
stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, taxable U.S. holders generally
will not be able to apply any passive losses against that income or gain.
When a taxable U.S. holder sells or otherwise disposes of our securities, the holder will
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between
(a) the amount of cash and the fair
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market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition, and (b) the holders
adjusted basis in the security for tax purposes. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if
the U.S. holder has held the security as a capital asset. The gain or loss will be long-term gain
or loss if the U.S. holder has held the security for more than one year. Long-term capital gains
of an individual taxable U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates. The highest
marginal individual income tax rate is currently 35%. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital
gains applicable to individuals is 15% for sales and exchanges of assets held for more than one
year and occurring after May 6, 2003 through December 31, 2010. The maximum tax rate on long-term
capital gains from the sale or exchange of section 1250 property (i.e., generally, depreciable
real property) is 25% to the extent the gain would have been treated as ordinary income if the
property were section 1245 property (i.e., generally, depreciable personal property). We
generally may designate whether a distribution we designate as capital gain dividends (and any
retained capital gain that we are deemed to distribute) is taxable to non-corporate holders at a
15% or 25% rate. The characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may affect the
deductibility of capital losses. A non-corporate taxpayer may deduct capital losses not offset by
capital gains against its ordinary income only up to a maximum of $3,000 annually. A non-corporate
taxpayer may carry unused capital losses forward indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax
on its net capital gains at corporate ordinary-income rates. A corporate taxpayer may deduct
capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses carried back three years and
forward five years. In general, any loss recognized by a taxable U.S. holder when the holder sells
or otherwise disposes of our securities that the holder has held for six months or less, after
applying certain holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent
of dividends received by the holder from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital
gains.
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding
We will report to our holders of our debt securities and stock and to the Internal Revenue
Service the amount of interest or dividends we pay during each calendar year and the amount of tax
we withhold, if any. A holder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% with respect
to interest or dividends unless the holder:
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is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required,
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provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from
backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the
backup withholding rules. |
A holder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be
subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Any amount paid as backup
withholding will be creditable against the holders income tax liability. In addition, we may be
required to withhold a portion of capital gain dividends to any holders who fail to certify their
non-foreign status to us. For a discussion of the backup withholding rules as applied to non-U.S.
holders, see Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders
Amounts distributed as dividends by a REIT generally do not constitute unrelated business
taxable income when received by a tax-exempt entity. Provided that a tax-exempt holder is not one
of the types of entity described in the next paragraph and has not held its stock as debt financed
property within the meaning of the Code, and the stock is not otherwise used in a trade or
business, the dividend income from the stock will not be unrelated business taxable income to a
tax-exempt stockholder. Similarly, income from the sale of stock will not constitute unrelated
business taxable income unless the tax-exempt holder has held the stock as debt financed property
within the meaning of the Code or has used the stock in a trade or business.
Income from an investment in our securities will constitute unrelated business taxable income
for tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations,
supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from
federal income taxation under the applicable subsections of Section 501(c) of the Code, unless the
organization is able to properly deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes
so as to offset the income generated by its securities. Prospective investors of
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the types described in the preceding sentence should consult their own tax advisors concerning
these set aside and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a pension-held
REIT will be treated as unrelated business taxable income to any trust which:
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is described in Section 401(a) of the Code; |
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is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code; and |
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holds more than 10% (by value) of the equity interests in the REIT. |
Tax-exempt pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus funds that are described in Section 401(a)
of the Code are referred to below as qualified trusts. A REIT is a pension-held REIT if:
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it would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the
Code provides that stock owned by qualified trusts will be treated, for purposes of the
not closely held requirement, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust (rather than
by the trust itself); and |
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either (a) at least one qualified trust holds more than 25% by value of the
interests in the REIT or (b) one or more qualified trusts, each of which owns more than
10% by value of the interests in the REIT, hold in the aggregate more than 50% by value
of the interests in the REIT. |
The percentage of any REIT dividend treated as unrelated business taxable income to a
qualifying trust is equal to the ratio of (a) the gross income of the REIT from unrelated trades or
businesses, determined as though the REIT were a qualified trust, less direct expenses related to
this gross income, to (b) the total gross income of the REIT, less direct expenses related to the
total gross income. A de minimis exception applies where this percentage is less than 5% for any
year. We do not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT, but this cannot be guaranteed.
The rules described above in Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders concerning the inclusion of
our designated undistributed net capital gains in the income of our stockholders will apply to
tax-exempt entities. Thus, tax-exempt entities will be allowed a credit or refund of the tax
deemed paid by these entities in respect of the includible gains.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign
corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign stockholders are complex. This section is
only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisors to
determine the impact of federal, state, and local income tax laws on ownership of common stock,
including any reporting requirements.
Ordinary Dividends. Dividends, other than dividends that are treated as attributable to gain
from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests, as discussed below, and other than
dividends designated by us as capital gain dividends, will be treated as ordinary income to the
extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. A withholding
tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the dividend will ordinarily apply to dividends of this
kind to non-U.S. holders, unless an applicable income tax treaty reduces that tax. However, if
income from an investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S.
holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business or is attributable to a permanent establishment that
the non-U.S. holder maintains in the U.S. (if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty
as a condition for subjecting the non-U.S. holder to U.S. taxation on a net income basis), tax at
graduated rates will generally apply to the non-U.S. holder in the same manner as U.S. holders are
taxed with respect to dividends, and the 30% branch profits tax may also apply if the stockholder
is a foreign corporation. We expect to withhold U.S. tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of
any dividends, other than dividends treated as attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S.
real property interests and capital gain dividends, paid to a non-U.S. holder, unless (a) a lower
treaty rate applies and the required
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form evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate (ordinarily, IRS Form W-8 BEN) is filed with
us or the appropriate withholding agent or (b) the non-U.S. holders files an IRS Form W-8 ECI or a
successor form with us or the appropriate withholding agent claiming that the dividends are
effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Dividends to a non-U.S. holder that are designated by us at the time of dividend as capital
gain dividends which are not attributable to or treated as attributable to the disposition by us of
a U.S. real property interest generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, except
as described below.
Return of Capital. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits, which are not treated as attributable to the gain from our disposition of a U.S. real
property interest, will not be taxable to a non-U.S. holder to the extent that they do not exceed
the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. holders stock. Distributions of this kind will instead reduce
the adjusted basis of the stock. To the extent that distributions of this kind exceed the adjusted
basis of a non-U.S. holders common stock, they will give rise to tax liability if the non-U.S.
holder otherwise would have to pay tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of its common
stock, as described below. If it cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether
the distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, withholding
will apply to the distribution at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. holder
may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if it is subsequently determined that the
distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current accumulated earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends. For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, dividends that are
attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to
a non-U.S. holder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980,
as amended. Under this statute, these dividends are taxed to a non-U.S. holder as if the gain were
effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, non-U.S. holders will be taxed on the dividends
at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative
minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-U.S. holders that are
individuals. The above rules relating to distributions attributable to gains from our sales or
exchanges of U.S. real property interests (or such gains that are retained and deemed to be
distributed) will not apply with respect to a non-U.S. holder that does not own more than 5% of our
common stock at any time during the taxable year, provided our common stock is regularly traded
on an established securities market in the U.S. We are required by applicable Treasury Regulations
under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended, to withhold 35% of any
distribution that we could designate as a capital gains dividend. However, if we designate as a
capital gain dividend a distribution made before the day we actually effect the designation, then
although the distribution may be taxable to a non-U.S. holder, withholding does not apply to the
distribution under this statute. Rather, we must effect the 35% withholding from distributions
made on and after the date of the designation, until the distributions so withheld equal the amount
of the prior distribution designated as a capital gain dividend. The non-U.S. holder may credit
the amount withheld against its U.S. tax liability.
Sale of Common Stock. Gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon a sale or exchange of our
common stock generally will not be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act if
we are a domestically controlled REIT, defined generally as a REIT, less than 50% in value of
whose stock is and was held directly or indirectly by foreign persons at all times during a
specified testing period. We believe that we will be a domestically controlled REIT, and,
therefore, that taxation under this statute generally should not apply to the sale of our common
stock, however, because our stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given that the we will
qualify as a domestically controlled REIT at any time in the future. Gain to which this statute
does not apply will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if investment in the common stock is treated as
effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders U.S. trade or business or is attributable to a
permanent establishment that the non-U.S. holder maintains in the U.S. (if that is required by an
applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the non-U.S. holders to U.S. taxation on
a net income basis). In this case, the same treatment will apply to the non-U.S. holders as to
U.S. holders with respect to the gain. In addition, gain to which the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act does not apply will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if the non-U.S. holder is a
nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable
year to which the gain is attributable. In this case, a 30% tax will apply to the nonresident
alien individuals capital gains. A similar rule will apply to capital gain dividends to which
this statute does not apply.
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If we were not a domestically controlled REIT, tax under the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act would apply to a non-U.S. holders sale of common stock only if the selling
non-U.S. holders owned more than 5% of the class of common stock sold at any time during a
specified period. This period is generally the shorter of the period that the non-U.S. holder
owned the common stock sold or the five-year period ending on the date when the stockholder
disposed of the common stock. If tax under this statute applies to the gain on the sale of common
stock, the same treatment would apply to the non-U.S. holder as to U.S. holders with respect to the
gain, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in
the case of nonresident alien individuals.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a non-U.S. holder, you are generally exempt from backup withholding and information
reporting requirements with respect to:
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dividend payments; |
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the payment of the proceeds from the sale of common stock effected at a U.S. office
of a broker, as long as the income associated with these payments is otherwise exempt
from U.S. federal income tax; and |
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payments made by a payor or broker if the payor or broker does not have actual
knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person and you have furnished to the
payor or broker: (a) a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or an acceptable
substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are a
non-U.S. person, or (b) other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the
payments as made to a non-U.S. person in accordance with U.S. Treasury Regulations, or
(c) you otherwise establish an exemption. |
Payment of the proceeds from the sale of common stock effected at a foreign office of a broker
generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale of
common stock that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information
reporting and backup withholding if:
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the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the U.S.; |
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the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a U.S.
address; or |
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the sale has some other specified connection with the U.S. as provided in U.S.
Treasury Regulations, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person and
the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
In addition, a sale of common stock will be subject to information reporting if it is effected
at a foreign office of a broker that is:
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a U.S. person; |
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a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes; |
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the
conduct of a U.S. trade or business for a specified three-year period; or |
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a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: (a) one or more of its
partners are U.S. persons, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations, who in the
aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or
(b) such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, |
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unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person and
the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has
actual knowledge that you are a U.S. person. You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by filing a
refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service.
Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Our Operating Partnership
The following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax considerations applicable to
our direct or indirect investment in our Operating Partnership and any subsidiary partnerships or
limited liability companies we form or acquire, each individually referred to as a Partnership and,
collectively, as Partnerships. The following discussion does not cover state or local tax laws or
any federal tax laws other than income tax laws.
Classification as Partnerships
We are entitled to include in our income our distributive share of each Partnerships income
and to deduct our distributive share of each Partnerships losses only if such Partnership is
classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership, rather than as a corporation or an
association taxable as a corporation. An organization with at least two owners or partners will be
classified as a partnership, rather than as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes if it:
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is treated as a partnership under the Treasury Regulations relating to entity
classification (the check-the-box regulations); and |
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is not a publicly traded partnership. |
Under the check-the-box regulations, an unincorporated business entity with at least two
owners or partners may elect to be classified either as a corporation or as a partnership. If such
an entity does not make an election, it generally will be treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes.
We intend that each partnership we own an interest in will be classified as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes (or else a disregarded entity where there are not at least two separate
beneficial owners).
A publicly traded partnership is a partnership whose interests are traded on an established
securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or a substantial equivalent). A
publicly traded partnership is generally treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes,
but will not be so treated for any taxable year for which at least 90% of the partnerships gross
income consists of specified passive income, including real property rents, gains from the sale or
other disposition of real property, interest, and dividends (the 90% passive income exception).
Treasury Regulations provide limited safe harbors from treatment as a publicly traded partnership.
Pursuant to one of those safe harbors, known as the private placement exclusion, interests in a
partnership will not be treated as readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial
equivalent thereof if (1) all interests in the partnership were issued in a transaction or
transactions that were not required to be registered under the Securities Act, and (2) the
partnership does not have more than 100 partners at any time during the partnerships taxable year.
For the determination of the number of partners in a partnership, a person owning an interest in a
partnership, grantor trust, or S corporation that owns an interest in the partnership is treated as
a partner in the partnership only if (1) substantially all of the value of the owners interest in
the entity is attributable to the entitys direct or indirect interest in the partnership, and (2)
a principal purpose of the use of the entity is to permit the partnership to satisfy the
100-partner limitation.
We expect that each partnership we own an interest in will qualify for the private placement
exclusion, one of the other safe harbors from treatment as a publicly traded partnership, and/or
will satisfy the 90% passive income exception.
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Income Taxation of the Partnerships and Their Partners
We own approximately 97% of the interests in our Operating Partnership and certain subsidiary
partnerships. Entities that we own 100% of the interests in (directly or through other disregarded
entities) will be treated as disregarded entities. In addition we may hold interests in
partnerships or limited liability companies that are not disregarded entities (a Partnership or
collectively, the Partnerships).
Partners, Not the Partnerships, Subject to Tax. A Partnership is not a taxable entity for
federal income tax purposes. We will therefore take into account our allocable share of each
Partnerships income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits for each taxable year of the
Partnership ending with or within our taxable year, even if we receive no distribution from the
Partnership for that year or a distribution less than our share of taxable income. Similarly, even
if we receive a distribution, it may not be taxable if the distribution does not exceed our
adjusted tax basis in our interest in the Partnership.
Partnership Allocations. Although a partnership agreement generally will determine the
allocation of income and losses among partners, allocations will be disregarded for tax purposes if
they do not comply with the provisions of the federal income tax laws governing partnership
allocations. If an allocation is not recognized for federal income tax purposes, the item subject
to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in the
Partnership, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances
relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Each Partnerships
allocations of taxable income, gain, and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of the
federal income tax laws governing partnership allocations.
Sale of a Partnerships Property. Generally, any gain realized by a Partnership on the sale
of property held for more than one year will be long-term capital gain, except for any portion of
the gain treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture. Conversely, our share of any
Partnership gain from the sale of inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers
in the ordinary course of the Partnerships trade or business will be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction subject to a 100% tax to us. Income from a prohibited transaction may have
an adverse effect on our ability to satisfy the gross income tests for REIT status. See
Requirements for Qualification. We do not presently intend to acquire or hold, or to allow any
Partnership to acquire or hold, any property that is likely to be treated as inventory or property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our, or the Partnerships, trade or
business.
State and Local Taxes
We and/or our securityholders may be subject to taxation by various states and localities,
including those in which we or a holder transacts business, owns property or resides. The state
and local tax treatment may differ from the federal income tax treatment described above.
Consequently, holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local
tax laws upon an investment in our securities.
Taxation of Debt Securities
Stated Interest and Market Discount. Holders of debt securities will be required to include
stated interest on the debt securities in gross income for federal income tax purposes in
accordance with their methods of accounting for tax purposes. Purchasers of debt securities should
be aware that the holding and disposition of debt securities may be affected by the market discount
provisions of the Code. These rules generally provide that if a holder of a debt security
purchases it at a market discount and thereafter recognizes gain on a disposition of the debt
security, including a gift or payment on maturity, the lesser of the gain or appreciation, in the
case of a gift, and the portion of the market discount that accrued while the debt security was
held by the holder will be treated as ordinary interest income at the time of the disposition. For
this purpose, a purchase at a market discount includes a purchase after original issuance at a
price below the debt securitys stated principal amount. The market discount rules also provide
that a holder who acquires a debt security at a market discount and who does not elect to include
the market discount in income on a current basis may be required to defer a portion of any interest
expense that may otherwise be deductible on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or
carry the debt security until the holder disposes of the debt security in a taxable transaction.
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A holder of a debt security acquired at a market discount may elect to include the market
discount in income as the discount on the debt security accrues, either on a straight line basis,
or, if elected, on a constant interest rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made,
applies to all market discount obligations acquired by the holder on or after the first day of the
first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or the Internal Revenue Service. If a holder of a debt security
elects to include market discount in income in accordance with the preceding sentence, the
foregoing rules with respect to the recognition of ordinary income on a sale or particular other
dispositions of such debt security and the deferral of interest deductions on indebtedness related
to such debt security would not apply.
Amortizable Bond Premium. Generally, if the tax basis of a debt security held as a capital
asset exceeds the amount payable at maturity of the debt security, the excess may constitute
amortizable bond premium that the holder may elect to amortize under the constant interest rate
method and deduct the amortized premium over the period from the holders acquisition date to the
debt securitys maturity date. A holder who elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the tax
basis in the related debt security by the amount of the aggregate deductions allowable for
amortizable bond premium.
The amortizable bond premium deduction is treated as an offset to interest income on the
related security for federal income tax purposes. Each prospective purchaser is urged to consult
its tax advisor as to the consequences of the treatment of this premium as an offset to interest
income for federal income tax purposes.
Disposition. In general, a holder of a debt security will recognize gain or loss upon the
sale, exchange, redemption, payment upon maturity or other taxable disposition of the debt
security. The gain or loss is measured by the difference between (a) the amount of cash and the
fair market value of property received and (b) the holders tax basis in the debt security as
increased by any market discount previously included in income by the holder and decreased by any
amortizable bond premium deducted over the term of the debt security. However, the amount of cash
and the fair market value of other property received excludes cash or other property attributable
to the payment of accrued interest not previously included in income, which amount will be taxable
as ordinary income. Subject to the market discount and amortizable bond premium rules described
above, any gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss, provided the debt
security was a capital asset in the hands of the holder and had been held for more than one year.
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POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
The following is a discussion of certain of our investment, financing and other policies.
These policies have been adopted by its board of directors and, in general, may be amended or
revised from time to time by our board of directors without a vote of our stockholders.
Investment Policies
Investment in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate
We conduct all of our investment activities through our Operating Partnership and our
affiliates. Our investment objectives are to provide quarterly cash distributions and achieve
long-term capital appreciation through increases in our value. We have not established a specific
policy regarding the relative priority of these investment objectives.
We intend to pursue our investment objectives primarily through the ownership by our Operating
Partnership of the properties and other acquired properties and assets. We currently intend to
invest primarily in developments of student housing and acquisitions of existing improved
properties or properties in need of redevelopment and acquisitions of land which we believe has
development potential for student housing. Future investment or development activities will not be
limited to any geographic area, product type or to a specified percentage of our assets. While we
may diversify in terms of property locations, size and market, we do not have any limit on the
amount or percentage of our assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic
area. We intend to engage in such future investment or development activities in a manner that is
consistent with the maintenance of our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In
addition, we may purchase or lease income-producing commercial and other types of properties for
long-term investment, expand and improve the properties we presently own or other acquired
properties, or sell such properties, in whole or in part, when circumstances warrant.
We may also participate with third parties in property ownership, through joint ventures or
other types of co-ownership. These types of investments may permit us to own interests in larger
assets without unduly restricting our diversification and, therefore, provide us with flexibility
in structuring our portfolio. We do not currently expect, however, to enter into a joint venture
or other partnership arrangement to make an investment that would not otherwise meet our investment
policies.
Equity investments in acquired properties may be subject to existing mortgage financing and
other indebtedness or to new indebtedness, which may be in acquired properties incurred in
connection with acquiring or refinancing these investments. Debt service on such financing or
indebtedness will have a priority over any distributions with respect to our common stock. We may
in the future acquire some, all or substantially all of the securities or assets of other REITs or
similar entities where that investment would be consistent with our investment policies. Subject
to the limitations imposed by such other REITs on the ownership of their stock and to the
requirement that we satisfy the asset tests to qualify as a REIT under the Code, there are no
limitations on the amount or percentage of our total assets that may be invested in any one issuer.
However, we do not anticipate investing in other issuers of securities for the purpose of
exercising control or acquiring any investments primarily for sale in the ordinary course of
business or holding any investments with a view to making short-term profits from their sale. In
any event, we do not intend that our investments in securities will require us to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we intend to divest
securities before any registration would be required.
Investments in Real Estate Mortgages
While our current portfolio consists of, and our business objectives emphasize, equity
investments in real estate, we may, at the discretion of our board of directors, invest in
mortgages and other types of real estate interests consistent with our qualification as a REIT. We
do not presently intend to invest in mortgages or deeds of trust, but may invest in participating
or convertible mortgages if we conclude that we may benefit from the gross revenues or any
appreciation in value of the property. Investments in real estate mortgages run the risk that one
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borrowers may default under certain mortgages and that the collateral securing certain
mortgages may not be sufficient to enable us to recoup our full investment.
Securities of or Interests in Persons Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Other Issuers
Subject to the percentage of ownership limitations and gross income tests necessary for REIT
qualification, we may invest in securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate
activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over
such entities.
Dispositions
We may dispose of any property if, based upon managements periodic review of our portfolio,
our board of directors determines that such action would be in the best interest of stockholders.
For example, we may seek to enter into tax-efficient joint ventures in our stabilized properties
with third-party investors to raise low-cost equity capital that we can reinvest in properties with
higher growth potential.
Financing Policies
Our long-term targeted ratio of our consolidated total indebtedness-to-total market
capitalization is 50% (excluding indebtedness encumbering our on-campus participating properties or
properties that we subsequently develop or acquire that have similar ownership structures). Since
this ratio is based, in part, upon market values of equity, it will fluctuate with changes in the
price of our common stock. Our charter and bylaws do not limit the amount or percentage of
indebtedness that we may incur. Our board of directors may from time to time modify the debt
policy in light of then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital,
market values of our properties, general conditions in the market for debt and equity securities,
fluctuations in the market price of our common stock, growth and acquisition opportunities and
other factors. Accordingly, we may increase or decrease our ratio of debt-to-total market
capitalization beyond the limits described above. If these policies were changed, we could become
more highly leveraged, resulting in an increased risk of default on our obligations and a related
increase in debt service requirements that could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
Conflict of Interest Policies
We have adopted certain policies that are designed to eliminate or minimize certain potential
conflicts of interest. In addition, our board of directors is subject to certain provisions of
Maryland law, which are also designed to eliminate or minimize conflicts.
However, there can be no assurance that these policies or provisions of law will always be
successful in eliminating the influence of such conflicts, and if they are not successful,
decisions could be made that might fail to reflect fully the interests of all stockholders.
Interested Director and Officer Transactions
Pursuant to Maryland law, a contract or other transaction between us and a director or between
us and any other corporation or other entity in which any of our directors is a director or has a
material financial interest is not void or voidable solely on the grounds of such common
directorship or interest. The common directorship or interest, the presence of such director at
the meeting at which the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified or the
counting of the directors vote in favor thereof will not render the transaction void or voidable
if:
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the material facts relating to the common directorship or interest and as to the
transaction are disclosed to our board of directors or a committee of the board, and
the board or committee authorizes, approves or ratifies the transaction or contract by
the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors, even if the
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the material facts relating to the common directorship or interest and as to the
transaction are disclosed to stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the transaction
is authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders
entitled to vote; or |
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the transaction or contract is fair and reasonable to us at the time it is
authorized, ratified or approved. |
Furthermore, under Maryland law (where our Operating Partnership is formed), we, as the sole
member of the general partner, has a fiduciary duty to our Operating Partnership and, consequently,
such transactions also are subject to the duties of care and loyalty. We have adopted a policy
that requires that all contracts and transactions between us, our Operating Partnership or any of
our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of our directors or executive officers or any entity in
which such director or executive officer is a director or has a material financial interest, on the
other hand, must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors.
Where appropriate in the judgment of the disinterested directors, our board of directors may obtain
a fairness opinion or engage independent counsel to represent the interests of nonaffiliated
security holders, although our board of directors will have no obligation to do so.
Business Opportunities
Pursuant to Maryland law, each director is obligated to offer to us any business opportunity
(with certain limited exceptions) that comes to him or her and that we reasonably could be expected
to have an interest in pursuing.
Policies with Respect to Other Activities
We have authority to offer common stock, preferred stock or options to purchase stock in
exchange for property and to repurchase or otherwise acquire our common stock or other securities
in the open market or otherwise, and may engage in such activities in the future. We may issue
preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors
without the need for stockholder approval. We have not engaged in trading, underwriting or agency
distribution or sale of securities of other issuers other than our Operating Partnership and do not
intend to do so. At all times, we intend to make investments in such a manner as to qualify as a
REIT, unless because of circumstances or changes in the Code, or the Treasury Regulations, our
board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interest to qualify as a REIT. We
have not made any loans to third parties, although we may in the future make loans to third
parties, including, without limitation, to joint ventures in which we participate. We intend to
make investments in such a way that we will not be treated as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise noted in a supplement, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, Dallas, Texas, will
pass on the legality of the securities offered through this prospectus.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of American Campus Communities, Inc. and its
subsidiaries appearing in American Campus Communities, Inc.s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2008 and the effectiveness of American Campus Communities, Inc.s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein
by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
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10,000,000 Shares
American Campus Communities, Inc.
Common Stock
BofA Merrill Lynch
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Deutsche Bank Securities
J.P. Morgan
August , 2010