By Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman of JLL Americas and founder of the firm’s Public Institutions group Higher education is in the midst of a financial crisis. As a result, new ideas are flourishing to address the challenges. As cost reduction solutions and potential new revenue streams are explored, more university administrators are taking a closer look at their real estate portfolios, present and future. Visionary and progressive university leaders are viewing real estate as a means to protect campus boundaries, provide community services and support innovation by attracting top students, faculty and administrators. Updating and building new facilities remains key…