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Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-Campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects

Tracks
Business & Financial Services
Monday, January 12, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Junior 1

Overview

Junior Ballroom 1


Details

This session will provide a data-informed comparison of the key cost drivers that differentiate on-campus student housing projects from off-campus private developments, with a focus on how these differences impact student affordability in California. CSU campuses often face higher per-bed costs than comparable private projects, due to a range of factors including program standards, delivery models, regulatory requirements, and/or financing approaches. Through side-by-side project data and cost breakdowns, this session will examine the specific decisions and policies that contribute to cost differences — and explore how CSU campuses can approach their own projects differently without compromising on quality, mission, or long-term control. Panelists representing development, construction, design, and advisory perspectives will present concrete examples and comparisons, and offer practical insights into how campuses can manage scope, cost, and financing more effectively. The session aims to support more affordable housing delivery by identifying areas where campuses may have more flexibility than they realize and by offering strategies that have been successful in the private sector.


Speaker

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Matt Bohannon
Vice President
Brailsford & Dunlavey

Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects

Biography

Serving as B&D’s Southern California vice president, Mr. Bohannon brings a passion for quality-of-life facilities that empowers clients to create successful projects. His interest in these facilities began while he was a resident advisor and chair of a student union board, and since joining B&D in 2004, Mr. Bohannon has planned more than $2.75B in completed or under construction projects. Leveraging his architectural education with deep market and financial analysis expertise, he is recognized as a trusted advisor who partners with clients to implement projects which maximize benefits to their institutions. Mr. Bohannon’s knowledge of housing, student unions, recreation centers, public-private partnerships, and program management has earned him several industry awards, including recent recognition by Engineering News-Record as one of its California “Top 20 Under 40” honorees for 2017.
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David Cramp
Director & Market Leader for Education
Swinerton

Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects

Biography

With decades of experience in the construction industry, David Cramp leads the successful delivery of projects for Swinerton’s education clients. As a Director and Education Market Leader at Swinerton, David specializes in integrated project delivery methods—including design-build, CMAR, and lease-leaseback—for both public and private clients and across various education project typologies. David has led the construction of major student housing projects for CSU, UC, and community college clients, and earlier in his career he played significant roles on large-scale commercial multi-family residential projects. David supports his higher education clients and project teams through every phase of preconstruction and construction, ensuring each project is equipped with the right resources: staffing, estimating, scheduling, quality, and safety. David is committed to advancing industry-leading best practices and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration among all stakeholders. Over the past five years, David has led award-winning education projects totaling over $1.5 billion in construction value, and brings strategic leadership, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to client success on every project.
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Sam Jung
Vice President
Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions

Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-Campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects

Abstract

This session will provide a data-informed comparison of the key cost drivers that differentiate on-campus student housing projects from off-campus private developments, with a focus on how these differences impact student affordability in California. CSU campuses often face higher per-bed costs than comparable private projects, due to a range of factors including program standards, delivery models, regulatory requirements, and/or financing approaches.

Through side-by-side project data and cost breakdowns, this session will examine the specific decisions and policies that contribute to cost differences — and explore how CSU campuses can approach their own projects differently without compromising on quality, mission, or long-term control. Panelists representing development, construction, design, and advisory perspectives will present concrete examples and comparisons, and offer practical insights into how campuses can manage scope, cost, and financing more effectively. The session aims to support more affordable housing delivery by identifying areas where campuses may have more flexibility than they realize and by offering strategies that have been successful in the private sector.

Biography

Sam Jung is Vice President at Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, where he leads the end-to-end development of campus real estate projects through public-private partnerships (P3s). From initial bid to financial close, he ensures that each project is financially viable, strategically aligned, and delivers long-term value for institutional partners. His work spans student housing, workforce housing, academic facilities, and mixed-use developments, with a focus on integrating institutional priorities with private-sector execution. Before joining Balfour Beatty, Sam was a leader in Brailsford & Dunlavey, where he guided over $500 million in higher education P3 transactions. He advised universities on evaluating delivery models, optimizing real estate assets, and structuring complex deals that balance access to capital, risk transfer, and lifecycle cost management. His expertise includes demand and market analysis, feasibility testing, deal structuring, and financial modeling. Sam has worked with public universities, systems, and flagship institutions across the U.S., helping them navigate shifting demographics, constrained budgets, and growing campus infrastructure needs. His experience uniquely positions him to align institutional vision with real estate strategy—leveraging P3s as a tool to expand capacity, modernize facilities, and strengthen long-term financial sustainability
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Gilbert Rocca
Managing Principal
AC Martin

Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects

Biography

Gil is the Managing Principal of AC Martin’s multifamily residential, student housing, commercial, industrial, and hospitality studios. He has over 30 years of experience in various project types and complexities, ranging from affordable housing and mixed-use to higher education and civic projects. Gil's extensive student housing experience includes projects both on and off campus designed for the school and private developer clients.. Gil has earned a reputation for bringing practical solutions to complex projects while cultivating lasting relationships. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.
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