UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨ |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Campus Crest Communities, Inc. |
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
December 7, 2015
Dear Stockholder,
You are cordially invited to
attend the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders of Campus Crest Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation
(“Campus Crest”), which will be held at our corporate headquarters at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte,
North Carolina 28211, on January 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, unless adjourned or postponed to a
later date (the “Annual Meeting”). The board of directors of Campus Crest (the “Board of Directors”)
is using the enclosed proxy statement to solicit proxies to be voted at our Annual Meeting. Campus Crest is sending these
materials to its stockholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock with respect to the
proposed Merger (as hereinafter defined) and the other matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.
As Campus Crest previously announced,
on October 16, 2015, Campus Crest, HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”),
HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger
Sub”), and CCGSR, Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger that provides for the
acquisition of Campus Crest by Parent (such agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, the “Merger
Agreement”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, Campus Crest will merge with and
into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”).
Parent is an affiliate of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, LLC. If the Merger is completed, you, as a holder of common
stock of Campus Crest Communities, Inc., will be entitled to receive, in exchange for each share of Campus Crest common stock
that you own, (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be
up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain funds held in
escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture (the
“Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”) as
more fully described in the enclosed proxy statement. If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been
released from escrow prior to the effective time of the Merger, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form
of one non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR
representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow.
The Board of Directors unanimously determined
that the Merger, the terms of the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable,
fair to, and in the best interests of, Campus Crest and our stockholders and approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked
to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement and to vote on other Merger-related and Annual Meeting matters. The Board of
Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
The Merger and the Merger Agreement must
be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled
to vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting. The proxy statement accompanying this letter
provides you with more specific information about the Annual Meeting, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement. We encourage you to read carefully the enclosed proxy statement, including the exhibits.
You may also obtain more information about Campus Crest from us or from documents we have filed or may file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Your vote is very important regardless
of the number of shares of common stock that you own. If you fail to vote by proxy or in person, or fail to instruct your broker
on how to vote, it will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement. Therefore, whether
or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we request that you authorize your proxy by either completing and returning the enclosed
proxy card in the postage-paid envelope as promptly as possible or submitting your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or
Internet. The enclosed proxy card contains instructions regarding voting. If you are a stockholder of record or the holder of a
valid proxy and attend the Annual Meeting, you may continue to have your shares voted as instructed in the proxy, or you may withdraw
your proxy at the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person.
If
you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares of common stock, please contact Innisfree
M&A Incorporated, our proxy solicitor, by calling toll-free at (888) 750-5834, and banks and brokers may call collect at (212)
750-5833.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank
you for your continued support.
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Sincerely, |
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David Coles |
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Interim Chief Executive Officer |
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Campus Crest Communities, Inc. |
The enclosed proxy statement is
dated December 7, 2015 and, together with the enclosed proxy card, is first being mailed to our stockholders on or about
December 9, 2015.

2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
December 7, 2015
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
To the Stockholders of Campus Crest Communities, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend
the annual meeting of stockholders of Campus Crest Communities, Inc. (“Campus Crest”) to be held on January 26,
2016 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211 unless
adjourned or postponed to a later date (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting is being held for the following
purposes:
| 1. | to approve the merger of Campus Crest with and into HSRE Quad Merger
Sub, LLC, an affiliate of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, LLC
(the “Merger”), pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 16, 2015 (as may be amended
from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Campus Crest, HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, HSRE Quad Merger
Sub, LLC and CCGSR, Inc.; |
| 2. | to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may become payable to Campus Crest’s named executive
officers in connection with the Merger (the “Merger-Related Compensation Proposal”); |
| 3. | to approve any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient
votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement (the “Adjournment Proposal”); |
| 4. | to elect eight (8) directors to hold office until our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been
duly elected and qualified, or, if earlier, until the closing of the Merger; |
| 5. | to ratify the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015; |
| 6. | to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers; |
| 7. | to consider on an advisory (non-binding) basis a stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections
at Campus Crest; and |
| 8. | to transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more
fully described in the attached proxy statement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Exhibit A to the proxy statement,
and you are encouraged to read it in its entirety.
The board of directors of Campus Crest
(the “Board of Directors”) has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and has declared the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Campus Crest and our stockholders. The Board
of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
The
Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees named in Proposal
4; the Board of Directors makes no recommendation regarding the non-binding
stockholder proposal in Proposal 7; and the Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the other proposals
listed above and described in more detail in the proxy statement.
All holders of record of shares of Campus
Crest common stock as of the record date, which was the close of business on December 1, 2015, are entitled to receive notice of
and attend the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting and are entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting or any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting. If you hold your stock in the name of a brokerage firm, bank
or other nominee, only that entity can vote your shares. Please give instructions as to how you wish your shares to be voted to
the person responsible for your account.
Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to
vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting. If you fail to vote in person or by proxy,
it will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement. Approval of the election
of the director nominees in Proposal 4 requires a plurality of the votes cast. Approval for each of the other proposals requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on each such proposal. If you fail to vote in person or by
proxy, such failure will have no effect on either of these proposals.
The result of the vote on the Merger-Related
Compensation Proposal is non-binding and advisory, and as a result, will not be binding on us, our Board of Directors or our compensation
committee. Therefore, if the Merger and the Merger Agreement are approved by our stockholders and the Merger is consummated, this
compensation, including amounts that we may be contractually obligated to pay, could still be payable to our named executive officers
regardless of whether our stockholders approve the Merger-Related Compensation Proposal.
Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting
in person, we request that you authorize your proxy to vote your shares by either marking, signing, dating and promptly returning
the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope or submitting your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet.
If you vote by Internet or telephone, your vote must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 25,
2016, the day before the Annual Meeting. Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by delivery of a properly executed,
later-dated proxy card, by submitting your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet at a later date than your previously
authorized proxy, by submitting a written revocation of your proxy to our corporate secretary at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Under Maryland law, because the shares of
Campus Crest common stock were listed on the New York Stock Exchange at the close of business on the record date, you do not have
any appraisal rights, dissenters’ rights or similar rights of an objecting stockholder in connection with the Merger.
We encourage you to read the accompanying
proxy statement in its entirety and to submit a proxy or voting instructions so that your shares of Campus Crest common stock will
be represented and voted even if you do not attend the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions or need assistance in submitting
a proxy or voting instructions, please call our proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at (888) 750-5834, and
banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 750-5833.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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David Coles |
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Interim Chief Executive Officer |
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Campus Crest Communities, Inc. |
Charlotte, North Carolina
December 7, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibits:
Exhibit A—Agreement and Plan of Merger
Exhibit B—Opinion of Financial Advisor
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information
from this proxy statement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire
proxy statement, including the attached exhibits, including but not limited to the Merger Agreement which is attached as Exhibit
A (together, the “Proxy Statement”), and the other documents to which we have referred you.
The Merger and the Merger Agreement
(pages 30 and 82)
Subject to the terms and conditions of that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 16, 2015 and attached hereto as Exhibit A (such agreement, as it may be
amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Campus Crest Communities, Inc. (“Campus Crest”),
HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland
limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and CCGSR, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Campus Crest will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent,
and the separate existence of Campus Crest will cease (the “Merger”). Parent is an affiliate of Harrison Street Real
Estate Capital, LLC. The Merger will become effective at such time as the articles of merger (the “Articles of Merger”)
are filed with, and accepted by, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, or at such subsequent date and time
as Campus Crest and Merger Sub shall agree and specify in the Articles of Merger. We sometimes use the term “Merger effective
time” in this Proxy Statement to refer to the time the Merger becomes effective.
In connection with the consummation of
the Merger, the stockholders of Campus Crest will automatically become entitled to the right to receive, in exchange for each
share of Campus Crest common stock, (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) a pro rata share
(currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions
from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint
venture (the “Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger
Consideration”). If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been released from escrow prior to the
effective time of the Merger, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one non-transferable
contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the right
to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow.
Following the consummation of the Merger,
the surviving entity of the Merger will enter into a separate merger agreement with one of its wholly owned subsidiaries and Campus
Crest Communities Operating Partnership, LP (the “Operating Partnership”) (such agreement, the “Operating Partnership
Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which such wholly owned subsidiary and the Operating Partnership will merge (the “Operating
Partnership Merger”). Upon the consummation of the Operating Partnership Merger, in accordance with the Operating Partnership
Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement, each then-outstanding limited
partnership unit in the Operating Partnership will be converted into the right to receive an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.
The
Parties to the Merger (page 22)
Campus Crest Parties
Campus Crest, a Maryland corporation formed
in March 2010, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on owning and
managing a high-quality student housing portfolio located close to college campuses. Campus Crest currently owns limited partnership
interests in, and all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in the sole general partner of, the Operating Partnership,
which is a Delaware limited partnership formed in March 2010. Campus Crest holds substantially all of its assets, and conducts
substantially all of its business, through the Operating Partnership. As of October 19, 2015, Campus Crest, through its affiliates,
had ownership interests in 79 student housing properties with over 42,000 beds across North America. Campus Crest is traded on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CCG.”
CCGSR, Inc. (“CCGSR”) is a newly
formed Delaware corporation created solely for the purpose of representing the stockholders of Campus Crest pursuant to the Merger
Agreement if the CVRs are issued at the closing of the Merger as part of the Contingent Consideration. CCGSR has not carried on
any activities to date other than activities incidental to its formation and activities undertaken in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The address of Campus Crest is 2100 Rexford
Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211. The telephone number of Campus Crest is (704) 496-2500.
HSRE Parties
Parent
is a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (“HSRE”). Merger Sub is a newly formed Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Parent. Parent and Merger Sub are collectively referred to as the “HSRE Parties.” The HSRE Parties were created
solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub has
carried on any activities to date other than activities incidental to their formation and activities undertaken in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The HSRE Parties are affiliates of HSRE, a real estate private equity firm
founded in 2005 that directly and through its affiliates, has approximately $8 billion in assets under management through commingled
funds and public securities products. The commingled funds focus exclusively on the Education, Healthcare and Storage segments
of the US & European real estate markets. Since inception, HSRE has acquired or developed over $10 billion of real estate
throughout 480 properties in 40 states including over 63,000 student housing beds, more than 14,000 senior housing units, over
5.9 million square feet of medical office space, and more than 92,000 self-storage units.
The address of the HSRE Parties and HSRE
is 71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3575, Chicago, IL 60606. The telephone number of the HSRE Parties and HSRE is (312) 920-0500.
The
Annual Meeting (page 23)
We are furnishing this Proxy Statement to
our stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for exercise at the annual meeting of stockholders
of Campus Crest (the “Annual Meeting”). This Proxy Statement provides Campus Crest stockholders with information about
the Annual Meeting and should be read carefully in its entirety.
Date, Time and Purpose of
the Annual Meeting (page 23)
The Annual Meeting will be held on
January 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28211, unless adjourned or postponed to a later date. At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote
upon seven separate proposals:
| · | Proposal 1: to approve the merger of Campus Crest with
and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement; |
| · | Proposal 2: to approve on an advisory (non-binding)
basis the compensation that may become payable to Campus Crest’s named executive officers in connection with the Merger (the
“Merger-Related Compensation Proposal”); |
| · | Proposal 3: to approve any adjournments of the Annual
Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the
Merger and the Merger Agreement (the “Adjournment Proposal”); |
| · | Proposal 4: to elect eight (8) directors to hold office
until our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified, or, if earlier,
until the closing of the Merger; |
| · | Proposal 5: to ratify the selection by Campus Crest’s
audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2015; |
| · | Proposal 6: to approve on an advisory (non-binding)
basis the compensation of Campus Crest’s named executive officers; and |
| · | Proposal 7: to consider on an advisory (non-binding)
basis a stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest. |
Only the approval of Proposal 1 is required
for completion of the Merger.
Record Date; Notice and
Quorum (page 23)
You are entitled to receive notice
of and vote at the Annual Meeting if you owned shares of Campus Crest common stock as of the close of business on December
1, 2015, the record date for the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were
approximately 64,756,541 shares of Campus Crest common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, held by
approximately 39 holders of record. Stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will have one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting for each share of Campus Crest common stock that such stockholder owned as of the
close of business on the record date.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to
hold a valid meeting. Under our Bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the
votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. If you submit a properly executed proxy card or submit your
proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet, even if you abstain from voting, your shares of Campus Crest common stock
will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. Banks, brokerage firms and other
nominees who hold shares for the accounts of their clients may vote such shares either as directed by their clients or in their
own discretion on “routine” matters. When a broker does not receive instructions from a non-record owner on how to
vote shares with respect to a “non-routine” matter, a broker “non-vote” occurs. Broker “non-votes”
will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as votes cast “FOR”
or “AGAINST” any matter.
In the event that a quorum is not present
at the Annual Meeting or additional votes must be solicited in connection with the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement,
it is expected that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned without notice (other than by announcement at the meeting if the adjourned
meeting will be held on a date not more than 120 days after the original record date) to solicit additional proxies.
Required Vote (page
24)
It is very important that ALL of
our stockholders vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock, so please promptly authorize your proxy by either completing
and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope as promptly as possible or submitting your proxy or
voting instructions by telephone or Internet. As of the record date, there were approximately 64,756,541 shares of Campus
Crest common stock outstanding. The votes required to approve each proposal are as follows:
| · | Proposal 1 (Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement).
The approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date
for the Annual Meeting. Failure to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person), abstentions and “broker
non-votes” will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1. |
| · | Proposal 2 (Merger-Related Compensation Proposal). The approval,
on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the Merger-Related Compensation Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. As
a non-binding advisory vote, the result of this proposal will not be binding on us, our Board of Directors or our compensation
committee. |
| · | Proposal 3 (Adjournment Proposal). The approval of the Adjournment
Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. |
| · | Proposal 4 (Election of Directors). The election of a nominee
to the Board of Directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present or in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. |
| · | Proposal 5 (Ratification of the Selection by the Audit Committee
of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm). The ratification of the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee
of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
| · | Proposal 6 (Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote on Campus Crest
Executive Compensation). The approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named
executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
| · | Proposal 7 (Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal on Majority Voting
in Uncontested Director Elections). The approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of a stockholder proposal regarding majority
voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes
cast on the proposal. |
| · | Other Proposals: Approval of any other proposal to be voted
upon at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
Brokers
normally have discretion to vote on routine matters, such as ratification of auditors, but not on non-routine matters, which as
discussed below, includes the other six proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting. A “broker non-vote” occurs
when a broker does not have discretionary voting authority on a non-routine matter because the broker has not received instructions
from its client as to how to vote on a particular proposal. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a
broker, your broker has discretionary voting authority under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules to vote your shares
on the ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm even if the broker
does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on the approval
of the other six proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will
not be voted on these matters. Accordingly, it is particularly important
that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares. The failure by the holders of shares of Campus
Crest common stock to attend the Annual Meeting and vote or authorize a proxy to vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock
at the Annual Meeting will have the same effect as a vote “against” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger
Agreement, as will abstentions. If you properly sign, date and return a proxy card, but do not indicate how your shares of
Campus Crest common stock should be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as our Board of Directors
recommends (i.e., “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement and the other five
proposals recommended by our Board of Directors). Our Board of Directors makes no recommendation on the non-binding, advisory stockholder
proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest.
How to Authorize a Proxy
(page 26)
Stockholders may vote their shares of Campus
Crest common stock at the Annual Meeting in one of four ways: (i) by mail via the enclosed proxy card; (ii) by telephone
at the toll-free number provided on the enclosed proxy card; (iii) over the Internet, at the website provided on the enclosed
proxy card; or (iv) in person at the Annual Meeting. See and read carefully “The Annual Meeting” beginning on
page 23.
Proxies and Revocation
(page 27)
You may revoke your proxy at any time prior
to the vote at the Annual Meeting by delivering to Campus Crest’s Secretary a signed notice of revocation or submitting a
later-dated, signed proxy card or by submitting a proxy via Internet or by telephone at a later date (in which case only the later-dated
proxy will be counted and the earlier proxy will be revoked). You also may revoke your proxy by attending the Annual Meeting and
voting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, in and of itself, result in the revocation of a proxy or cause your
shares of Campus Crest common stock to be voted. If your shares are held in “street name” by a broker or other nominee,
you should instruct your broker how to vote your shares on each proposal in accordance with your voting instruction form. In addition,
if your shares are held in street name by a broker or other nominee, if you attend the Annual Meeting in person, you will not be
able to vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker or other nominee,
giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting.
Solicitation of Proxies
(page 28)
Our directors, officers and other employees
may solicit proxies in person, by telephone, electronically, by mail or other means, but they will not be specifically compensated
for these services. Brokers, banks and other persons will be reimbursed by us for expenses they incur in forwarding proxy material
to obtain voting instructions from beneficial stockholders. We have also hired Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the
solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $20,000 and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The total cost of solicitation
of proxies will be borne by us. For a description of the costs and expenses to us of soliciting proxies, see “The Annual
Meeting—Solicitation of Proxies” on page 28.
Exchange of Share Certificates
(page 28)
Stockholders should not send in their
share certificates, if any, with their proxies. A transmittal form with instructions for the surrender of certificates
representing shares of Campus Crest common stock will be mailed to stockholders if the Merger is completed.
Recommendations of the Board
of Directors (page 26)
Proposal 1 (Approval of the Merger and
the Merger Agreement). Our Board of Directors has determined that the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of Campus Crest and its stockholders, has unanimously
approved the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR”
the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Proposal 2 (Merger-Related Compensation
Proposal). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the non-binding, advisory Merger-Related
Compensation Proposal.
Proposal 3 (Adjournment Proposal).
Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” any adjournment of the Annual Meeting if necessary
to permit solicitation of further proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger
and the Merger Agreement.
Proposal 4 (Election of Directors).
Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees named
in Proposal 4.
Proposal 5 (Ratification of the Selection
by the Audit Committee of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you
vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as
Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015.
Proposal 6 (Advisory (Non-Binding)
Vote on Campus Crest Executive Compensation). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR”
the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers.
Proposal 7 (Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal
on Majority Voting in Uncontested Director Elections). Our Board of Directors makes no recommendation on the non-binding, advisory
stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest.
For additional information regarding
certain factors our Board of Directors considered in making its recommendation regarding the Merger and the Merger-related
proposals, please see “The Merger—Recommendations on Merger-Related Proposals and Reasons for the Merger”
beginning on page 57.
Opinion of Our Financial Advisor
(page 59)
In connection with the Merger, Campus Crest’s
Board of Directors received a written opinion, dated October 13, 2015, from Campus Crest’s financial advisor, Moelis &
Company LLC (“Moelis”), as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of such opinion, of the
consideration to be received in the Merger by holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than Parent and its affiliates).
The full text of Moelis’ written opinion dated October 13, 2015, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion is attached as Exhibit B to this Proxy
Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to read Moelis’ written opinion carefully and in its entirety.
Moelis’ opinion was provided for the use and benefit of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors (in its capacity as such)
in its evaluation of the Merger. Moelis’ opinion is limited solely to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received in the Merger by holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than Parent and its affiliates),
and does not address Campus Crest’s underlying business decision to effect the Merger or the relative merits of the Merger
as compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available with respect to Campus Crest and does
not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of Campus Crest as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to
the Merger or any other matter.
Financing
of the Merger (page 68)
In order to close the Merger, Parent will
require funds necessary to (i) pay the holders of Campus Crest common stock the amounts due to them under the Merger Agreement;
(ii) redeem or set aside sufficient funds for the redemption of Campus Crest’s 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock; (iii) assume, refinance or pay off existing indebtedness of Campus Crest as contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (iv) purchase
certain interests in the Operating Partnership, and certain joint venture properties; (v) pay certain limited partners of
the Operating Partnership an amount equal to the Merger Consideration; (vi) pay off the outstanding 4.75%
Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2018 issued by the Operating Partnership; and (vii) pay all fees and expenses related to the
Merger and the financing of the Merger.
In connection with the execution of the
Merger Agreement, Parent provided Campus Crest with executed copies of (i) equity commitment letters representing financing in
the aggregate amount of up to approximately $927 million to be provided by certain affiliates of Parent, and (ii) debt commitment
letters representing financing in the aggregate amount up to $750 million to be provided by (a) PNC Bank, National Association
(as administrative agent), along with certain other banks and financial institutions, and (b) Bank of America, N.A. (as administrative
agent), along with certain other banks and financial institutions. Additionally, our cash on hand may also be used by Parent to
finance a portion of the Merger.
The consummation of the Merger is not subject
to any financing conditions, although funding of the debt and equity financing is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in the applicable commitment letters under which such financings will be provided.
Interests of Our Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger (page 69)
Our directors and officers have certain
interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of our stockholders generally. These interests
may create potential conflicts of interest. These interests include the following:
| · | Immediately prior to the Merger effective time, each share of Campus
Crest’s restricted stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time, including restricted stock held by our
named executive officers and directors (but excluding 50,000 shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Aaron Halfacre, our President
and Chief Investment Officer, that will be forfeited prior to the Merger effective time to the extent not previously vested), will
vest in full, will be treated as outstanding shares of Campus Crest common stock and will be cancelled and converted into the right
to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, less any applicable withholding or other taxes. |
| · | Campus Crest maintains a deferred compensation plan under which certain
designated employees are entitled to defer a certain amount of their cash compensation. Under the terms of the plan, all accounts
will become fully vested as of the Merger effective time, and if a participant terminates employment within two years following
the Merger, the participant’s account will be distributed in a lump sum within sixty days following such termination (unless
subject to a six-month delay under Code Section 409A). |
| · | Mr. Aaron Halfacre and Mr. Scott Rochon, our Chief Accounting Officer,
have employment agreements with Campus Crest, pursuant to which each executive would be entitled to severance payments if the executive’s
employment is terminated under certain conditions in connection with the consummation of the Merger. In addition, the employment
agreements of Mr. Halfacre and Mr. Rochon provide for transaction bonuses that are payable to each executive upon the successful
closing of the Merger. |
Our Board of Directors was aware of these
interests and considered them, among other matters, in reaching its decision to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Regulatory
Matters (page 73)
We are unaware of any material U.S. federal,
state or foreign regulatory requirements or approvals that are required for the execution of the Merger Agreement or the consummation
of the Merger and the other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, other than the filing of the Articles of Merger with,
and the acceptance of such Articles of Merger for record by, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
Treatment of Common Stock and
Restricted Stock (page 83)
The
Merger Agreement provides that, at the Merger effective time, each issued and outstanding share of Campus Crest common stock
(other than shares of common stock (i) held by Campus Crest as treasury stock, (ii) owned by any direct or indirect wholly
owned Company Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined), or (iii)
that are issued or outstanding and owned directly or indirectly by Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Merger
effective time, which in each case will be automatically cancelled and retired and will cease to exist) will automatically be
converted into the right to receive an amount equal to (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) a
pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of
distributions from certain funds held in escrow (as described below) following Campus Crest’s disposition of its
interests in its former Montreal joint venture (the “Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash
Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been
released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one
non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR
representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from
escrow.
There are two separate escrow accounts.
One of the escrow accounts holds CAD3,408,750 (or approximately $0.033 per share of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$
exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) which was withheld from the net sale proceeds from the sale of the interests in the Montreal
joint venture in order to pay Canadian withholding tax that may be due on the sale. Campus Crest has filed a request with the Canada
Revenue Authority to issue a certificate certifying that the sale proceeds are not subject to such tax, and the tax escrow funds
will be (i) released from the escrow upon Campus Crest’s delivery of the certificate to the escrow agent, or (ii) reduced
by the amount of any such tax, and the balance released. In addition, CAD450,000 of the net proceeds (or approximately $0.004 per
share of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) from the sale was deposited in an
escrow account to secure certain indemnification obligations of Campus Crest arising out of the sale of the Montreal interests.
If there are no valid claims against the indemnification escrow, the indemnification escrow funds are due to be released on February
27, 2016. If either of these escrow amounts is released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, then the released funds
will be paid to Campus Crest stockholders together with the Cash Consideration. Although Campus Crest currently expects the entire
amount of the funds to be released from each of these escrows, there is no assurance that all or any part of the funds will be
released, or any certainty as to the timing of any release.
Except as set forth below, each share of
Campus Crest restricted stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time that is subject to vesting or other lapse
restrictions pursuant to Campus Crest’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan or any restricted stock award
agreement will automatically vest and become free of such restrictions immediately prior to the Merger effective time and will
be automatically converted in the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, less any applicable tax withholding.
Mr. Halfacre currently has restricted stock awards for 50,000 shares of Campus Crest stock that vest only if the closing price
of Campus Crest’s common stock exceeds specified dollar amounts between $9.00 per share and $13.00 per share.
Treatment of Preferred Stock
(page 84)
The Merger Agreement provides that, at the
Merger effective time, Campus Crest will either (i) cause each share of its 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
to be redeemed in accordance with the terms thereof, or (ii) set aside sufficient funds for the redemption of each such share in
trust for the benefit of the holders of such preferred stock in accordance with the terms thereof.
Dividends
(page 84)
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,
Campus Crest may not authorize, declare or pay dividends to holders of Campus Crest common stock during the term of the Merger
Agreement without the prior written consent of Parent, except for (i) the declaration and payment by Campus Crest of regular quarterly
dividends in accordance with past practice for the period up to the closing date of the Merger, (ii) the declaration and payment
of dividends or other distributions to Campus Crest or any (a) subsidiary of Campus Crest, or (b) joint venture (or subsidiaries
thereof) in which Campus Crest owns (directly or indirectly) less than fifty percent of the membership interest, but for which
Campus Crest or one of its subsidiaries directly or indirectly controls the day-to-day management (clause (a) and (b), collectively
the “Company Subsidiaries”), by any directly or indirectly wholly owned Company Subsidiary, and (iii) dividends or
other distributions by any Company Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by Campus Crest, in accordance
with the terms of the organizational documents of such Company Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries are permitted, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, to make (or increase)
dividends or distributions reasonably necessary for Campus Crest to maintain its status as a REIT and/or avoid or reduce the imposition
of any entity-level income or excise tax.
Treatment of Our Operating Partnership
Units (page 84)
The Merger Agreement provides that, following
the Merger effective time, the surviving entity in the Merger will enter into the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement with the
Operating Partnership and a wholly owned subsidiary of the surviving entity in the Merger pursuant to which such wholly owned subsidiary
and the Operating Partnership will merge. Upon the consummation of the Operating Partnership Merger, in accordance with the Operating
Partnership Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement, each then-outstanding
limited partnership unit in the Operating Partnership will be converted into the right to receive an amount equal to the Merger
Consideration.
This Proxy Statement does not constitute
any solicitation of consents in respect of the Operating Partnership Merger and does not constitute an offer to exchange, redeem
or convert any partnership units that you may own.
Acquisition
Proposals (page 90)
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement,
we are restricted in our ability to solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or take any action to facilitate any inquiries or
the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be likely to lead to, any takeover proposal (subject to
limited exceptions). With respect to any written, bona fide acquisition proposal received by us, Parent generally has an opportunity
to offer to modify the terms of the Merger Agreement in response to such proposal before our Board of Directors may withdraw or
modify its recommendation to stockholders in response to such takeover proposal or terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter
into a definitive agreement with respect to such takeover proposal. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under circumstances
relating to a takeover proposal, we may be required to pay a termination fee of $5 million to Parent.
Conditions
to the Merger (page 94)
The completion of the Merger is subject
to certain conditions, including, among others, the (i) receipt of the approval of the Merger and adoption of the Merger Agreement
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote
thereon as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting, (ii) approval from the applicable lenders of the
assumption, on substantially the same terms, by Parent or an affiliate thereof of not less than eighty-five percent (measured by
outstanding principal balance) of certain indebtedness of Campus Crest and its subsidiaries, (iii) the consummation of the purchase
of certain interests in the Operating Partnership, and the purchase of interests in certain joint venture properties, and (iv)
other customary closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be
satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or
prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
Termination of the Merger Agreement
(page 96)
The Merger Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger and other transactions contemplated thereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Merger effective time under certain,
specified circumstances hereinafter discussed.
Termination
Fee and Expenses Payable by Campus Crest (page 98)
Upon a termination of the Merger Agreement,
under certain circumstances, we will be required to pay Parent a termination fee of $5 million. In the event that Campus Crest
stockholder approval for the Merger is not received at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, Campus
Crest will also be required to reimburse Parent’s expenses in an amount up to $1 million, which reimbursement would reduce
any termination fee subsequently payable by Campus Crest on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Reverse
Termination Fee and Expenses Payable by Parent (page 99)
Upon
a termination of the Merger Agreement, under certain circumstances, Parent will be required to pay us a reverse termination fee
of $10 million. On November 5, 2015, Parent caused $10 million to be placed into an escrow account to fund the potential payment
to us of the reverse termination fee.
No Dissenters’ Rights
of Appraisal (page 155)
Campus Crest is organized as a corporation
under Maryland law. Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, because shares of Campus Crest common stock were listed on the
New York Stock Exchange on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, our common stockholders
who object to the Merger do not have any appraisal rights, dissenters’ rights or similar rights of an objecting stockholder
in connection with the Merger. However, our common stockholders can vote against the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Litigation Relating to the Merger
(page 73)
As of the date of this
Proxy Statement, eight separate lawsuits asserting putative class and, in certain cases, derivative claims have been filed
against Campus Crest, the members of our Board of Directors, HSRE, Parent, Merger Sub, and, in certain cases, David Coles,
our interim chief executive officer, Aaron Halfacre, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and CCGSR, generally
alleging breaches of fiduciary duties by our directors in connection with the Merger Agreement, including that the
individual defendants failed to take appropriate steps to maximize stockholder value and improperly favored themselves in
connection with the proposed transaction. The complaints also allege that some or all of the other parties aided and abetted
the directors' purported breaches of fiduciary duty. The complaints seek to permanently enjoin consummation of the
proposed Merger, or, to the extent already implemented, to rescind the Merger Agreement or grant rescissory damages, in
addition to various additional remedies. On November 9, 2015, plaintiffs in three of the cases requested that the Circuit
Court for Baltimore City consolidate seven of the separate actions. The defendants believe that all of the allegations
against them lack merit and intend to defend against the lawsuits vigorously. See "The Merger—Litigation Relating
to the Merger."
Material U.S. Federal Income
Tax Consequences (page 73)
The receipt of the Merger
Consideration for each share of your Campus Crest common stock pursuant to the Merger will be treated as a sale of your stock
in Campus Crest for an amount, per share, equal to the sum of: (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), and
(ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1,
2015) of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its
former Montreal joint venture (the “Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash Consideration, the
“Merger Consideration”). If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been released from escrow
prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one non-transferable
contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the right
to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow. The aggregate amount of this
consideration is expected to be up to $7.01 per share of Campus Crest common stock. Generally, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, you will recognize gain (or loss) to the extent the Merger Consideration per share of Campus Crest common stock is
greater than (or less than) your adjusted tax basis in that share. For such purposes, your basis in your Campus Crest common
stock will generally be equal to the price at which you purchased such stock less any distributions you received that
constituted a return of capital prior to the Merger. The amount of gain or loss you recognize, and the timing of such gain or
loss, depends on whether the Contingent Consideration is paid in cash or in CVRs at the Merger effective time as there is
uncertainty with respect to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the CVRs. In addition, under certain circumstances, we
may be required to withhold a portion of your Merger Consideration under applicable tax laws, and we intend to withhold a
portion of the Merger Consideration paid to non-U.S. stockholders to the extent required under the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act, which we refer to as “FIRPTA.” Tax matters can be complicated, and the tax consequences of the
Merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. We encourage you to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax
consequences of the Merger to you.
Delisting and Deregistration
of Shares of Campus Crest Common Stock (page 81)
If the Merger is completed, shares of Campus
Crest common stock will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL
MEETING AND THE MERGER
| Q: | Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement? |
| A: | Our Board of Directors is using this Proxy Statement to solicit proxies to be voted at our Annual Meeting. Campus Crest is
sending these materials to its stockholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock with respect
to the proposed Merger and the other matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. |
| Q: | What am I being asked to vote on at the Annual Meeting? |
You are being asked to (1) approve the Merger and
the Merger Agreement, (2) approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may become payable to Campus Crest’s
named executive officers in connection with the consummation of the Merger, (3) approve any adjournments of the Annual Meeting
for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger
and the Merger Agreement, (4) elect eight directors to hold office until our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and until their
successors have been duly elected and qualified, or, if earlier, until the closing of the Merger, (5) ratify the selection by Campus
Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ending December 31, 2015, (6) approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named
executive officers, and (7) consider, on a non-binding, advisory basis, a stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested
director elections at Campus Crest.
Your vote is very important. Not voting is the
same as a vote against the Merger and the Merger Agreement. We encourage you to vote as soon as possible.
| Q: | Are there any other matters to be addressed at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | At this time, Campus Crest does not know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting, but if other matters
are properly brought before such meeting or at any adjournment or postponement of such meeting, the persons named as proxies on
the enclosed proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such matters in accordance with their
discretion. |
| Q: | When and where is the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | The Annual Meeting will be held on January 26, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern Time, at our corporate headquarters at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, unless
adjourned or postponed to a later date. |
| Q: | Who can vote and attend the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | All holders of record of Campus Crest common stock as of the record date, which was the close of business on December 1, 2015,
are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting.
Campus Crest’s official stock ownership records will conclusively determine whether a stockholder is a “holder of record”
as of the record date. If you hold your shares of Campus Crest common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee and wish to
vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy,” executed in your favor, from the broker, bank
or other nominee (which may take several days). |
| Q: | How many votes do I have? |
| A: | Each Campus Crest stockholder is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting for each
share of Campus Crest common stock held of record as of the record date. As of the record date, there were 64,756,541 shares
of Campus Crest common stock outstanding and owned by
stockholders (excluding shares of Campus Crest common stock held in treasury by
Campus Crest), held by 39 holders of
record. |
| Q: | What is the proposed transaction that will be considered
at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement more thoroughly described in this Proxy Statement, if the
Merger Agreement is adopted by Campus Crest stockholders and the other conditions to closing under the Merger Agreement are
satisfied or waived, Campus Crest will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub being the surviving entity.
Accordingly, the separate existence of Campus Crest will cease and the stockholders of Campus Crest automatically become
entitled to the right to receive, in exchange for each share of Campus Crest common stock, (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash
Consideration”), and (ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange
rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition
of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture (the “Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash
Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been
released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one
non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR
representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow. |
Following the consummation of the Merger, the surviving
entity of the Merger will enter into a separate merger agreement with one of its wholly owned subsidiaries and the Operating Partnership,
pursuant to which such wholly owned subsidiary and the Operating Partnership will merge. Upon the consummation of the Operating
Partnership Merger, in accordance with the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Operating Partnership Merger Agreement, each then-outstanding limited partnership unit in the Operating Partnership will be converted
into the right to receive an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.
| | The Merger cannot be completed unless, among other things, the Merger Agreement is adopted by Campus Crest stockholders. Failing
to submit a proxy or vote in person at the Annual Meeting or abstaining from voting or failing to provide your bank, brokerage
firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the Merger
Agreement. The Campus Crest Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption
of the Merger Agreement. This Proxy Statement includes important information about the Merger and the Merger Agreement, a copy
of which is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. We encourage
you to read the Merger Agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the principal document governing the Merger. |
| Q: | What will happen to Campus Crest as a result of the
Merger? |
| A: | If the Merger is completed, Campus Crest will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger
Sub continuing as the surviving entity
and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. As a result of the Merger, Campus Crest will no longer be a publicly held company. Following
the Merger, Campus Crest common stock will be delisted from The New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act. |
| Q: | When is the Merger expected to be completed? |
| A: | We currently expect the Merger to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2016, subject to receipt of required approval
from Campus Crest’s stockholders and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions contained in the Merger
Agreement. However, there is no assurance that the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied or that the Merger will close on
the anticipated timeline or at all. |
| Q: | What happens if the
Merger is not completed? |
| A: | If the Merger is not completed, you will not receive any payment for your shares of Campus Crest
common stock. Instead, Campus Crest will remain a public company, and its common stock will continue to be registered under the
Exchange Act and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. If the Merger is not completed because Campus Crest stockholders do not
approve the Merger, Campus Crest will be required to reimburse Parent’s expenses in an amount up to $1,000,000, which reimbursement
would reduce any termination fee subsequently payable by Campus Crest (as further described below). |
Upon a termination of the Merger Agreement under specified
circumstances set forth therein, Campus Crest may be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $5,000,000. The Merger Agreement
also provides that upon a termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances set forth in the Merger Agreement, Parent
may be required to pay Campus Crest a reverse termination fee equal to $10,000,000. Subject to certain limitations set forth in
the Merger Agreement, either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by March 31, 2016, or May
31, 2016 if additional time is required to obtain necessary lender consents. See “THE MERGER AGREEMENT—Termination
Fees” beginning on page 98 for a description of the circumstances of when these payments would become payable.
| Q: | As a common stockholder,
what will I receive in the Merger? |
| A: | Each share of Campus Crest common stock you own at the Merger effective time will
automatically be cancelled and converted into the right to receive (i) $6.97 in cash, and (ii) a pro rata share (currently
estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain
funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture,
without interest, less any applicable tax withholding. If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been
released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of
one non-transferable
contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the
right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow. |
| A: | The CVRs are non-transferable contingent value rights that may be issued as part of the aggregate Merger Consideration to Campus
Crest stockholders if all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been released from escrow prior to the Merger effective
time. Each CVR gives the holder the right to a pro rata share of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following Campus
Crest’s disposition of its interest in its former Montreal joint venture on October 30, 2015. |
There are two separate escrow accounts. One of the
escrow accounts holds CAD3,408,750 (or approximately $0.033 per share of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$ exchange rate
as of December 1, 2015) which was withheld from the net sale proceeds from the sale of the interests in the Montreal joint venture
in order to pay Canadian withholding tax that may be due on the sale. Campus Crest has filed a request with the Canada Revenue
Authority to issue a certificate certifying that the sale proceeds are not subject to such tax, and the tax escrow funds will be
(i) released from the escrow upon Campus Crest’s delivery of the certificate to the escrow agent, or (ii) reduced by the
amount of any such tax, and the balance released. In addition, CAD450,000 of the net proceeds (or approximately $0.004 per share
of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) from the sale was deposited in an escrow
account to secure certain indemnification obligations of Campus Crest arising out of the sale of the Montreal interests. If there
are no valid claims against the indemnification escrow, the indemnification escrow funds are due to be released on February 27,
2016.
If either of these escrow amounts is released
from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, then the released funds will be paid to Campus Crest stockholders together
with the Cash Consideration. If the Merger effective time occurs before either of these funds are released from escrow, then
the CVRs will be issued to stockholders at the Merger effective time and the escrowed funds will be distributed to
stockholders in respect of their CVRs when and if the underlying funds are released from escrow. Although Campus Crest
currently expects the entire amount of the funds to be released from each of these escrows, there is no assurance that all or
any part of the funds will be released, or any certainty as to the timing of any release. In addition, the CVRs are not
freely transferable and, accordingly, will not be listed on any securities exchange. Also, the tax consequences regarding the
receipt of the CVRs are uncertain. See “The Merger — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences —
Consequences of the Receipt of CVRs to U.S. Holders of our Common Stock” on page 76.
You are advised to approve the Merger and the
Merger Agreement only if you are willing to assume the risk that these contingent events may not occur and that there may be
no cash consideration ultimately paid to you in excess of $6.97 per share of Campus Crest common stock.
| Q: | How does the Merger Consideration compare to the
market price of Campus Crest common stock? |
| A: | The Merger Consideration of $7.01 per share represents an approximate 23.4% premium over Campus Crest’s closing price
on October 16, 2015 (the closing price on the trading day of the announcement of the proposed Merger), and an approximate 8.1%,
29.3% and 31.9% premium over the volume weighted average prices of Campus Crest common stock over the 12-month, 3-month, and 1-month
periods ended October 16, 2015, respectively. |
| Q: | If the Merger is completed, when can I expect to receive the Merger Consideration for my
shares of Campus Crest common stock? |
| A: | If the Merger is completed, you will receive a letter of transmittal promptly following the Merger
closing date describing how you may exchange your shares of Campus Crest common stock for the Merger Consideration. After receiving
the proper documentation from you, the paying agent under the Merger Agreement will forward to you the portion of the Merger Consideration
to which you are entitled. |
| Q: | What are the anticipated
U.S. federal income tax consequences to me of the Merger? |
| A: | The receipt of the cash merger consideration and per share contingent consideration for
each share of your Campus Crest common stock pursuant to the Merger will be treated as a sale of your stock in Campus Crest
for an amount, per share, equal to the sum of: (i) $6.97 in cash; and (ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to
$0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain funds held in escrow
following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture. If all or a portion of the
Contingent Consideration has not been released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration
will instead be paid in the form of one CVR for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the
right to receive a pro rata
share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow. The aggregate amount of the
Merger Consideration is currently expected to be $7.01 per share of Campus Crest common stock. Generally, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, you will recognize gain (or loss) to the extent the Merger consideration per share of Campus Crest
common stock is greater than (or less than) your adjusted tax basis in that share. For such purposes, your basis in your
Campus Crest common stock will generally be equal to the price at which you purchased such stock less any distributions you
received that constituted a return of capital prior to the Merger. The amount of gain or loss you recognize, and the timing
of such gain or loss, depends on whether the Contingent Consideration is paid in cash at the Merger effective time or in
CVRs as there is substantial
uncertainty with respect to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the CVRs. In addition, under
certain circumstances, we may be required to withhold a portion of your Merger Consideration under applicable tax laws, and
we intend to withhold a portion of the Merger Consideration paid to non-U.S. stockholders to the extent required under the
Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which we refer to as “FIRPTA.” Please see “The Merger —
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page 73 for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of the
Merger. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the Merger to you will depend on
your particular tax situation. We encourage you to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Merger to
you. |
| Q: | Should I send in my
stock certificates now? |
| A: | No. If the Merger is completed, you will receive a separate letter of transmittal with instructions
for the surrender of your Campus Crest common stock share certificates. Please do not send in your stock certificates with your
proxy. |
| Q: | What constitutes a
quorum for the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Under our Bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority
of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. If you submit a properly executed proxy card or
submit your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet, even if you abstain from voting, your shares of Campus Crest
common stock will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. |
Banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who hold
shares for the accounts of their clients may vote such shares either as directed by their clients or in their own discretion on
“routine” matters. When a broker does not receive instructions from a non-record owner on how to vote shares with respect
to a “non-routine” matter, a broker “non-vote” occurs. Broker “non-votes” will be treated as
present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as votes cast “FOR”
or “AGAINST” any matter.
| Q: | What happens if I sell
my common stock before the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | The record date is earlier than both the date of the Annual Meeting and the closing of the Merger.
In order to receive the per-share Merger Consideration, you must hold your shares upon completion of the Merger. If you held shares
of Campus Crest common stock on the record date but transfer them prior to the Merger effective time, you will retain your right
to vote at the Annual Meeting, but not the right to receive the Merger Consideration for such shares. The right to receive such
consideration when the Merger becomes effective will pass to the person who owns the shares that you previously owned. |
| Q: | What will happen if
I abstain from voting or fail to vote? |
| A: | Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on
the record date for the Annual Meeting. Because the required vote for this proposal is based on the number of outstanding shares
of Campus Crest common stock that are entitled to be cast rather than on the number of votes actually cast, failure to vote shares
and abstentions will have the same effect as voting “against” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
|
The required vote for election of directors and the
other proposals presented at the Annual Meeting is based on the number of votes actually cast by holders of outstanding shares
of Campus Crest common stock that are entitled vote, rather than on the number of votes entitled to be cast, and because abstentions
are not treated as votes cast, failure to vote shares and abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors
or the other proposals at the Annual Meeting.
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held
of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary voting authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares on the ratification
of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm even if the broker does not receive
voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on the approval of the other six
proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted
on these matters. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote
their shares. The failure by the holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock to attend the Annual Meeting and vote or authorize
a proxy to vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock at the Annual Meeting will have the same effect as a vote “against”
the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, as will abstentions.
In order for your shares to be voted, you must either
return the enclosed proxy card, authorize your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet, or vote in person at the
Annual Meeting. If you properly sign, date and return a proxy card, but do not indicate how your shares of Campus Crest common
stock should be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as our Board of Directors recommends (i.e., ”FOR”
the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement and the other proposals recommended by our Board of Directors).
| Q: | Why is my vote important? |
| A: | If you do not submit a proxy or voting instructions or vote in person at the Annual Meeting,
it will be more difficult for us to obtain the necessary quorum to hold the Annual Meeting. In addition, because the proposal to
approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting,
failure to vote your shares will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement. |
| Q: | What is the position of the Board of Directors regarding the proposals being presented
at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Our Board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal
to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the non-binding, advisory, merger-related compensation
proposal, “FOR” the approval of any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional
proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR”
the election of each of the director nominees named in Proposal 4, “FOR” the ratification of the selection by
Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ending December 31, 2015 and “FOR” the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation
paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers. Our Board of Directors makes no recommendation on the non-binding, advisory
stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest. |
| Q: | What vote is required to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement and the other proposals
to be considered at the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote, in person or by
proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close
of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting. Failure to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy card, authorizing
your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet, or voting in person), abstentions and “broker non-votes”
will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1. |
Election of a nominee to the Board of Directors requires
the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present or in person or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each of the other proposals to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal.
| Q: | Why am I being asked to consider and cast a vote on the non-binding proposal to approve
the merger-related compensation? |
| A: | In July 2010, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules that require public companies
to seek a non-binding, advisory vote to approve certain compensation that may become payable to their named executive officers
in connection with merger transactions. |
| Q: | What will happen if stockholders do not approve the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve
the merger-related compensation? |
| A: | The vote to approve the non-binding, advisory Merger-Related Compensation Proposal is a vote
separate and apart from the vote to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement. Approval of this proposal is not a condition to
completion of the Merger. The vote on this proposal is a non-binding, advisory vote only, and it is not binding on us, our Board
of Directors or our compensation committee. Further, the underlying arrangements are contractual in nature and not, by their terms,
subject to stockholder approval. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding, advisory vote, if the Merger is completed,
our named executive officers will be eligible to receive the compensation that may become payable to them in connection with the
Merger, in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable to such compensation. |
| Q: | Do any of Campus Crest’s directors and executive officers have any interest in the
Merger that is different than mine? |
| A: | Yes. Our Board of Directors and executive officers have certain interests in the Merger that
may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of our stockholders, including the consideration that they would receive
with respect to their outstanding restricted stock in Campus Crest in connection with the Merger. Additionally, our executive officers
may become entitled to receive certain severance payments and benefits following the closing of the Merger. See “The Merger—Interests
of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” for additional information about possible interests that our directors
and executive officers may have in the Merger that are different than yours. |
| A: | Stockholders may vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock at the Annual Meeting in one
of four ways: (i) by mail via the enclosed proxy card, (ii) by telephone at the toll-free number provided on the enclosed
proxy card, (iii) over the Internet at the Web site provided on the enclosed proxy card or (iv) in person at the Annual
Meeting. |
| Q: | If my shares of Campus Crest common stock are held in “street name” by my broker or bank, will my broker
or bank vote my shares for me? |
| A: | If you own shares of Campus Crest common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”),
you must provide voting instructions in accordance with the instructions on the voting instruction card that your broker, bank
or other nominee provides to you, since brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary voting authority with respect
to non-routine matters, such as approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement, the Merger-Related Compensation proposal, the
Adjournment Proposal, election of directors and executive compensation proposals. Brokers normally do have discretion to vote on
routine matters, such as ratification of auditors. If you have not received such voting instructions or require further information
regarding such voting instructions, contact your broker, bank or other nominee who can give you directions on how to vote your
shares of Campus Crest common stock. If you hold your shares of Campus Crest common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee
and wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy,” executed in your favor, from the
broker, bank or other nominee (which may take several days). If you do not obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other
nominee, you can still attend the Annual Meeting, but you will not be able to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. |
| Q: | Do I need identification
to attend the Annual Meeting in person? |
| A: | Yes. Please bring proper identification. Anyone without proper identification will not be admitted
to the Annual Meeting. |
| Q: | If I am going to attend
the Annual Meeting, should I return my proxy card(s)? |
| A: | Yes. Returning your signed and dated proxy card(s) ensures that your shares of Campus Crest common
stock will be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the vote at the Annual
Meeting by filing with our Secretary a written revocation of your proxy or by delivering an authorized proxy bearing a later date
or by attending the meeting and voting in person. |
| Q: | Can I participate if
I am unable to attend the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we encourage you to complete, sign,
date and return your proxy card, or submit your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet. |
| Q: | How will my proxy be
voted? |
| A: | All shares of Campus Crest common stock held by stockholders entitled to vote and represented
by properly completed proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting as instructed
on the proxies. If you properly sign, date and return a proxy card, but do not indicate how your shares of Campus Crest common
stock should be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as our Board of Directors recommends, i.e., ”FOR”
the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the non-binding, advisory, merger-related
compensation proposal, “FOR” the approval of any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting
additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR”
the election of each of the director nominees named in Proposal 4, “FOR” the ratification of the selection by
Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ending December 31, 2015 and “FOR” the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation
paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers. |
| Q: | Can I revoke my proxy
or change my vote after I have delivered my proxy? |
| A: | Yes, you may revoke a previously authorized proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by filing
with our Secretary a written revocation of your proxy or by delivering an authorized proxy bearing a later date either over the
Internet, by mail or by telephone or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will
not, in itself, constitute revocation of a previously authorized proxy. |
If you hold your shares of common stock in “street
name” with a bank, broker firm, dealer, trust company or other nominee, only that nominee can exercise the right to vote
with respect to the shares of common stock that you beneficially own through such nominee and only upon receipt of your specific
instructions. Accordingly, you may change your voting instructions only by following the directions received from your bank, broker
firm, dealers, trust company or other nominee for changing your voting instructions.
| Q: | What rights do I have
if I oppose the Merger? |
| A: | If you are a Campus Crest common stockholder of record on the record date, you can vote against
the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement. You are not, however, entitled to appraisal rights, dissenters’
rights or similar rights of an objecting stockholder under Maryland law. See “No Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal”
for more information. |
| Q: | What will happen to
my shares of Campus Crest common stock after the Merger? |
| A: | Following the completion of the Merger, your shares of Campus Crest common stock will be cancelled
pursuant to the Merger Agreement in exchange for the right to receive the Merger Consideration for each share of Campus Crest common
stock you hold. Trading in shares of Campus Crest common stock on the New York Stock Exchange will cease. Price quotations for
shares of Campus Crest common stock will no longer be available and we will cease filing reports with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. |
| Q: | Have any stockholders
already agreed to approve the Merger? |
| A: | To our knowledge, there are no agreements between any stockholders who are entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting in which a stockholder has agreed to vote in favor of approval of the Merger. |
| Q: | Where can I find more
information about Campus Crest? |
| A: | Campus Crest files certain information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read
and copy this information at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference facilities. You may call the Securities
and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about these facilities. This information is also available on the Securities
and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at http://campuscrest.com. Except as provided in “Where
You Can Find More Information”, the information found on, or otherwise accessible through, these websites is not incorporated
into, and does not form a part of, this Proxy Statement or any other report or document Campus Crest files with or furnishes
to the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can also request copies of these documents from us. See “Where You Can Find
More Information.” |
| Q: | Who will solicit and
pay the cost of soliciting proxies? |
| A: | Campus Crest will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. Our Board
of Directors is soliciting your proxy on Campus Crest’s behalf. In addition to the use of mails, proxies may be solicited
by personal interview, telephone, facsimile, e-mail or otherwise, by the directors, officers and other employees of Campus Crest.
In addition, we have engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $20,000
and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. We will also request persons, firms and corporations holding shares of Campus Crest
common stock in their names or in the names of their nominees, that are beneficially owned by others, to send or cause to be sent
proxy materials to and obtain proxies from, such beneficial owners and will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses
in doing so. |
| Q: | What should
I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the Annual Meeting, including multiple
copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your Campus Crest
common stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account
in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares
are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please submit each separate proxy or voting instruction
card that you receive by following the instructions set forth in each separate proxy or voting instruction card. |
| Q: | Who can help answer my questions about the Annual
Meeting or the other proxy materials? |
| A: | If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting, the proxy materials or how to submit your proxy or the enclosed proxy card
or voting instructions, or if you need additional copies of this Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions,
you should contact: |
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road
Suite 400
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
(704) 496-2500
Attention: Investor Relations
You may also contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated,
our proxy solicitor, as follows:
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Stockholders may call toll-free: (888) 750-5834
Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833
If your broker holders your shares, you should also
contact your broker for additional information.
| Q: | Where can I find the
voting results of the Annual Meeting? |
| A: | We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final results
in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission following the Annual Meeting.
All reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission are publicly available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
website at www.sec.gov when filed. |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement and the documents
incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the
proposed Merger may be identified by the inclusion of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,”
“plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “goal” and variations of
such words and other similar expressions, and are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are
subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These statements, as they relate
to Campus Crest, Parent, Merger Sub, the management of any such company or the proposed Merger, involve risks and uncertainties
that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. Campus Crest intends that such forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Campus Crest’s actual results,
performance or achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many factors, including the following, could cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements:
| · | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could
give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; |
| · | the outcome of the legal proceedings that have been, or may be, instituted
against Campus Crest and others following announcement of our entering into the Merger Agreement; |
| · | the inability to complete the proposed Merger due to the failure to
satisfy the conditions to the Merger, including obtaining the approval of Campus Crest’s stockholders, certain required lender
consents and other closing conditions more fully described in the Merger Agreement and this Proxy Statement; |
| · | potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed
Merger; |
| · | the value of any CVRs which may be issued in connection with the Merger;
|
| · | legislative, regulatory and economic developments; |
| · | risks related to the disruption of management’s attention from
Campus Crest’s ongoing business operations due to the proposed Merger as well as risks that the proposed Merger disrupts
current plans and operations of Campus Crest; |
| · | the effect of the announcement of the proposed Merger on Campus Crest’s
relationships with colleges and universities, relationships with tenants, operating results and business generally; and |
| · | other risks and uncertainties described under “Item 1A. Risk
Factors” in the Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Campus Crest’s
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015 and in other
documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Campus Crest. |
Given these uncertainties, current and
prospective investors should be cautioned in their reliance on such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Campus
Crest disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revision to any of the forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments. A more comprehensive discussion of risks, uncertainties,
financial reporting restatements, and forward-looking statements may be seen in Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER
Campus Crest Parties
Campus Crest, a Maryland corporation formed
in March 2010, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on owning and
managing a high-quality student housing portfolio located close to college campuses. Campus Crest currently owns (i) limited partnership
interests in, and (ii) all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in the sole general of, the Operating Partnership, which
is a Delaware limited partnership formed in March 2010. Campus Crest holds substantially all of its assets, and conducts substantially
all of its business, through the Operating Partnership. As of October 19, 2015, Campus Crest, through its affiliates, had ownership
interests in 79 student housing properties with over 42,000 beds across North America. Campus Crest is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol “CCG.”
CCGSR, Inc. (“CCGSR”) is a newly
formed Delaware corporation created solely for the purpose of representing the stockholders of Campus Crest pursuant to the Merger
Agreement if the CVRs are issued at the closing of the Merger as part of the Contingent Consideration. CCGSR has not carried on
any activities to date other than activities incidental to its formation and activities undertaken in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The address of Campus Crest is 2100 Rexford
Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211. The telephone number of Campus Crest is (704) 496-2500.
HSRE Parties
HSRE
Quad Merger Parent, LLC (“Parent”) is a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of Harrison
Street Real Estate Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HSRE”). HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger
Sub”) is a newly formed Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Parent and Merger Sub
are collectively referred to as the “HSRE Parties.” The HSRE Parties were created solely for the purpose of engaging
in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub has carried on any activities to date other
than activities incidental to their formation and activities undertaken in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement. The HSRE Parties are affiliates of HSRE, a real estate private equity firm founded in September 2005 that directly
and through its affiliates, has approximately $8 billion in assets under management through commingled funds and public securities
products. The commingled funds focus exclusively on the Education, Healthcare and Storage segments of the US & European real
estate markets. Since inception, HSRE has acquired or developed over $10 billion of real estate throughout 480 properties
in 40 states including over 63,000 student housing beds, more than 14,000 senior housing units, over 5.9 million square feet of
medical office space, and more than 92,000 self-storage units.
The address of the HSRE Parties and HSRE
is 71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3575, Chicago, IL 60606. The telephone number of the HSRE Parties and HSRE is (312) 920-0500.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
We are furnishing this Proxy Statement to
our stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting in connection with
the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting which include, among other things, the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
consummation of the proposed Merger. This Proxy Statement provides our stockholders with the information they need to know to be
able to vote or instruct their vote to be cast at the Annual Meeting and should be read carefully in its entirety.
Date, Time and Purpose of the
Annual Meeting
This Proxy Statement is
being furnished to our stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors to be exercised
at the annual Meeting to be held on January 26,
2016
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at our
corporate headquarters at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, unless adjourned or postponed to a
later date. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is for you to consider and vote on the following matters:
| 1. | to approve the Merger of Campus Crest with and into Merger Sub, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement; |
| 2. | to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may become payable to Campus Crest’s named executive
officers in connection with the Merger; |
| 3. | to approve any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient
votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement; |
| 4. | to elect eight (8) directors to hold office until our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been
duly elected and qualified, or, if earlier, until the closing of the Merger; |
| 5. | to ratify the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015; |
| 6. | to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers; and |
| 7. | to consider on an advisory (non-binding) basis a stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections
at Campus Crest. |
We are not aware of any other business to
be acted upon at the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof. If, however, other matters are properly brought
before the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card
will vote on those matters in their discretion.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date
for the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Merger Agreement and for the Merger to occur. A copy of the Merger Agreement
is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement, which we encourage you to read carefully in its entirety.
Record Date, Notice and Quorum
The record date for the Annual Meeting
is December 1, 2015. You are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Annual Meeting if you owned shares of Campus Crest
common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the record
date, there were approximately 64,756,541 shares of Campus Crest common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting, held by approximately 39 holders of record. Stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will have one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting for each
share of Campus Crest common stock that you owned as of the close of business on the record date.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to
hold a valid meeting. Under our Bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the
votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. If you submit a properly executed proxy card or submit your
proxy or voting instructions by telephone or Internet, even if you abstain from voting, your shares of Campus Crest common stock
will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. Banks, brokerage firms and other
nominees who hold shares for the accounts of their clients may vote such shares either as directed by their clients or in their
own discretion on “routine” matters. When a broker does not receive instructions from a non-record owner on how to
vote shares with respect to a “non-routine” matter, a broker “non-vote” occurs. Broker “non-votes”
will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as votes cast “FOR”
or “AGAINST” any matter.
In the event that a quorum is not present
at the Annual Meeting or additional votes must be solicited in connection with the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement,
it is expected that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned without notice (other than by announcement at the meeting if the adjourned
meeting will be held on a date not more than 120 days after the original record date) to solicit additional proxies.
Required Vote
It is very important that ALL of our
stockholders vote their shares of Campus Crest common stock, so please promptly authorize your proxy by either completing and
returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope as promptly as possible or submitting your proxy or voting
instructions by telephone or Internet. As of the record date, there were approximately 64,756,541 shares of Campus Crest
common stock outstanding. The votes required to approve each proposal are as follows:
| · | Proposal 1 (Approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement).
The approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the close of business on the record date
for the Annual Meeting. Each holder of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is entitled to cast one vote on each
matter presented at the Annual Meeting for each share of Campus Crest common stock owned by such stockholder on the record date.
Because the required vote for this proposal is based on the number of votes our common stockholders are entitled to cast rather
than on the number of votes cast, failure to vote your shares of Campus Crest common stock (including failure to give voting
instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee) and abstentions will have the same effect as voting “against” the
proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement. Approval
of this proposal is a condition to the completion of the Merger.
In the event this proposal is not approved, the Merger cannot be completed. |
| · | Proposal 2 (Merger-Related Compensation Proposal). The approval,
on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the Merger-Related Compensation Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. If a stockholder fails to cast a vote on this proposal,
in person or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal. In addition, abstentions
are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. As
a non-binding advisory vote, the result of this proposal will not be binding on us, our Board of Directors or our compensation
committee. |
| · | Proposal 3 (Adjournment Proposal). The approval of the Adjournment
Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. If
a stockholder fails to cast a vote on this proposal, in person or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect
on the outcome of this proposal. In addition, abstentions are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the
outcome of this proposal. |
| · | Proposal 4 (Election of Directors). The election of a nominee
to the Board of Directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present or in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. If a stockholder fails to cast a vote on this proposal, in person
or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal. In addition, abstentions are
not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
| · | Proposal 5 (Ratification of the Selection by the Audit Committee
of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm). The ratification of the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee
of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. If a stockholder fails to cast a
vote on this proposal, in person or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal.
In addition, abstentions are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
| · | Proposal 6 (Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote on Campus Crest
Executive Compensation). The approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named
executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. If a stockholder
fails to cast a vote on this proposal, in person or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect on the outcome
of this proposal. In addition, abstentions are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this
proposal. |
| · | Proposal 7 (Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal on Majority Voting in
Uncontested Director Elections). The approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of a stockholder proposal regarding majority
voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes
cast on the proposal. If a stockholder fails to cast a vote on this
proposal, in person or by authorizing a proxy, such failure will not have any effect on the outcome of this proposal. In addition,
abstentions are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
| · | Other Proposals: Approval of any other proposal to be voted upon
at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. |
Brokers
normally have discretion to vote on routine matters, such as ratification of auditors, but not on non-routine matters, such as
approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement, the Merger-Related Compensation proposal, the Adjournment Proposal, election of
directors and executive compensation proposals. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker does not have discretionary
voting authority on a non-routine matter because the broker has not received instructions from its client as to how to vote on
a particular proposal. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary
voting authority under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules to vote your shares on the ratification of the selection
of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm even if the broker does not receive voting instructions
from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on the approval of the other six proposals to be considered
at the Annual Meeting, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted on these matters. Accordingly,
it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares. The failure by
the holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock to attend the Annual Meeting and vote or authorize a proxy to vote their shares
of Campus Crest common stock at the Annual Meeting will have the same effect as a vote “against” the proposal to approve
the Merger and the Merger Agreement, as will abstentions. If you properly sign, date and return a proxy card, but do not indicate
how your shares of Campus Crest common stock should be voted on a matter, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted as
our Board of Directors recommends (i.e., “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement
and the other proposals recommended by our Board of Directors).
As of the record date, our directors
and executive officers owned and are entitled to vote an aggregate of approximately 406,518 shares of Campus Crest common
stock, entitling them to exercise approximately 0.52% of the voting power of shares of Campus Crest common stock entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting. Our directors and executive officers have informed us that they intend to vote the shares of
Campus Crest common stock that they own in favor of the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, in favor of
the non-binding, advisory Merger-Related Compensation Proposal and in favor of the Adjournment Proposal.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the
Annual Meeting will be counted by the person appointed by us to act as inspector of election for the Annual Meeting. The inspector
of election will also determine whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.
Recommendations of the Board of Directors
Proposal 1 (Approval of the Merger and
the Merger Agreement). After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that the Merger, the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of Campus Crest and
its stockholders, has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and unanimously recommends that
our stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Proposal 2 (Merger-Related Compensation
Proposal). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the non-binding, advisory Merger-Related
Compensation Proposal.
Proposal 3 (Adjournment Proposal).
Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” any adjournment of the Annual Meeting if necessary
to permit solicitation of further proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger
and the Merger Agreement.
Proposal 4 (Election of Directors).
Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees named
in Proposal 4.
Proposal 5 (Ratification of the Selection
by the Audit Committee of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you
vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection by Campus Crest’s audit committee of Grant Thornton LLP as
Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015.
Proposal 6 (Advisory (Non-Binding)
Vote on Campus Crest Executive Compensation). Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR”
the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s named executive officers.
Proposal 7 (Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal
on Majority Voting in Uncontested Director Elections). Our Board of Directors makes no recommendation on the non-binding, advisory
stockholder proposal regarding majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest.
How to Authorize a Proxy
Holders of record of shares of Campus Crest
common stock may vote or cause their shares to be voted by proxy using one of the following methods:
| · | mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card by mail; |
| · | authorize your proxy or voting instructions by telephone or by Internet
by following the instructions included with your proxy card; or |
| · | appear and vote in person by ballot at the Annual Meeting. |
Regardless of whether you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, we request that you authorize a proxy to vote your shares of Campus Crest common stock as described above as
promptly as possible.
If you vote by Internet or telephone, your
vote must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 25,
2016, the day before the Annual Meeting.
If you own common stock through a broker,
bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you must provide voting instructions in accordance with the instructions
on the voting instruction card that your broker, bank or other nominee provides to you, as brokers, banks and other nominees do
not have discretionary voting authority with respect to any of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. You should instruct
your broker, bank or other nominee as to how to vote your shares of Campus Crest common stock following the directions contained
in such voting instruction card. If you have not received such voting instructions or require further information regarding such
voting instructions, contact your broker, bank or other nominee who can give you directions on how to vote your shares of Campus
Crest common stock. If you hold your shares of Campus Crest common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee and wish to vote
in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy,” executed in your favor, from the broker, bank or
other nominee (which may take several days).
Proxies and Revocation
If you authorize a proxy, your shares of
Campus Crest common stock will be voted at the Annual Meeting as you indicate on your proxy. If no instructions are indicated when
you authorize your proxy, your shares of Campus Crest common stock will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our
Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger
and the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the non-binding, advisory, merger-related compensation proposal, “FOR”
the approval of any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient
votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the election of each of the
director nominees named in Proposal 4, “FOR” the ratification of the selection by Campus Crest’s audit
committee of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December
31, 2015 and “FOR” the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation paid to Campus Crest’s
named executive officers. Our Board of Directors makes no recommendation on the non-binding, advisory stockholder proposal regarding
majority voting in uncontested director elections at Campus Crest.
You may revoke your proxy at any time, but
only before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting, in any of three ways:
| · | by delivering, prior to the date of the Annual Meeting, a written
revocation of your proxy dated after the date of the proxy that is being revoked to our Secretary at Campus Crest Communities, Inc.,
at 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211; |
| · | by delivering to our Secretary a later-dated, duly executed proxy
or by authorizing your proxy by telephone or by Internet at a date after the date of the previously authorized proxy relating to
the same shares of Campus Crest common stock; or |
| · | by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person by ballot. |
Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not,
in itself, constitute revocation of a previously granted proxy. If you own shares of Campus Crest common stock in “street
name,” you may revoke or change previously granted voting instructions by following the instructions provided by the broker,
bank or other nominee that is the registered owner of the shares.
We do not expect that any matters other
than the proposals set forth above will be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, such a matter is properly presented
at the Annual Meeting or any postponements or adjournments of the Annual Meeting, the persons appointed as proxies will have discretionary
authority to vote the shares represented by duly executed proxies.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the cost of solicitation of
proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to the use of mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, facsimile,
e-mail or otherwise, by our directors, officers and other employees without additional compensation for such activities. In addition,
we have engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $20,000 and reimbursement
of out-of-pocket expenses. We will also request persons, firms and corporations holding shares of Campus Crest common stock in
their names or in the names of their nominees, that are beneficially owned by others, to send or cause to be sent proxy materials
to and obtain proxies from such beneficial owners. We will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
Exchange of Stock Certificates
Our stockholders should not send stock certificates
with their proxies. Separate transmittal documents for the surrender of certificated and uncertificated shares of Campus Crest
common stock in exchange for Merger Consideration will be mailed to our stockholders as soon as practicable following completion
of the Merger. See “The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures” beginning on page 85.
Adjournments
Although it is not currently expected, subject
to approval of the adjournment proposal, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if
we believe it is reasonably likely that the Merger will not be approved at the Annual Meeting when convened on January 26,
2016, or when reconvened following any adjournment. Any adjournments may be made to a date not more than 120 days after the
original record date without notice (other than by an announcement at the Annual Meeting), by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the votes cast on the adjournment proposal, whether or not a quorum exists.
Postponements
At any time prior to convening the Annual
Meeting, our Board of Directors may postpone the Annual Meeting for any reason without the approval of our stockholders to a date
not more than 120 days after the original record date (subject to certain restrictions in the Merger Agreement).
PROPOSAL 1—PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
THE MERGER AND MERGER AGREEMENT
We are asking our stockholders to vote on
a proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
For detailed information regarding this
proposal, see the information about the Merger and the Merger Agreement throughout this Proxy Statement, including the information
set forth in the sections entitled “The Merger” and “The Merger Agreement.” A copy of the Merger Agreement
is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
Approval of the proposal to approve the
Merger and the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the record date for the Annual Meeting. Because the required vote for this
proposal is based on the number of votes our common stockholders are entitled to cast rather than on the number of votes actually
cast, failure to vote your shares (including failure to give voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee) and abstentions
will have the same effect as voting “against” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Approval of this proposal is a condition
to the completion of the Merger. In the event this proposal is not approved, the Merger cannot be completed.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
THE MERGER
General Description of the Merger
Subject to the terms and conditions of
the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, Campus Crest will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub
surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and the separate existence of Campus Crest will cease. In
connection with the consummation of the Merger, the stockholders of Campus Crest will automatically become entitled to the
right to receive, in exchange for each share of Campus Crest common stock, (i) $6.97 in cash (the “Cash
Consideration”), and (ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange
rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition
of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture (the “Contingent Consideration,” and together with the Cash
Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been
released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one
non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR
representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when they are released from escrow. The
Merger will become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger are duly filed with, and accepted by, the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland or at such subsequent date and time as Campus Crest and Merger Sub shall
agree and specify in the Articles of Merger. We sometimes use the term “Merger effective time” in this Proxy
Statement to refer to the time the Merger becomes effective.
Following the consummation of the Merger,
the surviving entity of the Merger will enter into a separate merger agreement with one of its wholly owned subsidiaries and the
Operating Partnership, pursuant to which such wholly owned subsidiary and the Operating Partnership will merge. Upon the consummation
of the Operating Partnership Merger, in accordance with the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and
conditions of the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement, each then-outstanding limited partnership unit in the Operating Partnership
will be converted into the right to receive an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.
Our Board of Directors has approved the
Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, and has declared the Merger, the
Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement advisable, fair to and in the best interests of
Campus Crest and its stockholders.
Background of the Merger
As part of its ongoing evaluation of Campus
Crest’s business, our Board has periodically considered potential opportunities to maximize shareholder value through a variety
of strategic alternatives, including potential business combinations, the
sale of the company, acquisitions of significant properties, and issuances of debt, equity and hybrid securities to fund our growth.
Our Board has also periodically evaluated Campus Crest’s performance and execution of its business plans.
Campus Crest historically has been vertically
integrated and self-managed, meaning that it has developed and constructed many of its residential apartment communities, and then
managed them. As of the beginning of 2014, Campus Crest had 11 student housing projects under construction that were due to be
ready for occupancy by the important fall 2014 semester start dates for its various college communities. Beginning in July 2014,
our Board became concerned about Campus Crest’s construction and development activities as it learned that a number of the
2014 construction projects were over budget and would not be completed on time, leading to cost-overruns, additional expenses to
provide temporary alternative accommodations to new residents, and significantly impacting occupancy, rental revenues and Campus
Crest’s return on investment. Many of these projects were financed with complicated joint venture financing pursuant to which
Campus Crest bore much of the construction risk and frequently guaranteed or was primarily liable on the underlying construction
indebtedness. Following a management and Board review of the construction and development activities in September 2014, the Board
agreed on a number of important initiatives in early October:
| · | Campus Crest would simplify its business model by discontinuing all construction and development activities
and focusing on organic growth, it would eliminate the construction and development department, and it would place most of
its remaining
undeveloped land up for sale. |
| · | Campus Crest would seek to finalize the acquisition of the
remaining interests in the Copper Beech portfolio of apartment communities, and simplify its balance sheet by reducing the number
of properties held in joint venture arrangements. |
| · | The Board would evaluate its executive leadership team. |
| · | The Board would strengthen its governance and recruit
additional Board members with industry and REIT experience. |
| · | The Board would engage a financial adviser and legal counsel to help the Board undertake a comprehensive
review of strategic alternatives. |
In early October 2014, Campus Crest exited
its construction and development activities, eliminated many of the positions in its construction and development department, and
the head of construction and development and the Chief Operating Officer tendered their resignations. At the same time, Campus
Crest accelerated negotiations with Dr. John R. McWhirter, the controlling equity owner of the Copper Beech entities, regarding
Campus Crest’s interest in acquiring the remainder of the ownership interests in the Copper Beech portfolio. Campus Crest
had originally entered into an agreement to acquire the Copper Beech portfolio in February 2013 in a purchase agreement which gave
Campus Crest the ability to acquire control of the portfolio over time.
In late October 2014, the Board engaged
the law firm of Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP (“Kilpatrick”) to advise the Board in its strategic review
process.
At its regular quarterly meeting in Charlotte
on October 27, 2014, the Board approved the negotiated terms of the Copper Beech purchase agreement for the remaining interests.
The new agreement with Dr. McWhirter and the McWhirter Family Limited Partnership (which we refer to as “MFLP”) provided
for the acquisition by Campus Crest of the remaining equity interests in 32 properties in the Copper Beech portfolio for $60.3
million cash, the assumption of approximately $140.6 million of indebtedness and the issuance of approximately 12.4 million units
in the Campus Crest operating partnership. Campus Crest would also agree to indemnify the partners of MFLP for certain taxes they
might incur if certain of the acquired properties were sold in transactions that caused the partners to incur significant taxes,
and agreed to nominate Dr. McWhirter to the Campus Crest Board of Directors at the next annual stockholders meeting and to allow
him after the closing of the transaction to attend meetings as an observer until such meeting.
At the October 27 meeting, the Board also
discussed the considerable operational challenges facing the company and the impact of underperforming properties on Campus Crest’s
financial results, and was briefed on the significant impairment charges Campus Crest would likely need to take for the third fiscal
quarter just ended as a consequence of the discontinuance of construction and development activities and related issues. The Board
also discussed, among other things, the state of the student housing market and Campus Crest’s prospects and the potential
alternatives available to Campus Crest. At the meeting, representatives of Moelis & Company LLC (“Moelis”), a leading
global independent investment bank, presented to the Board a general view on the performance of Campus Crest as compared to competitor
firms and other REITs, the capital markets and the company’s capital structure and capital needs, and broadly discussed a
process for considering a range of strategic alternatives. In executive session at the end of the October 27 meeting, and in further
meetings held in executive session on October 31, 2014 and November 2, 2014, the Board discussed the likely need to effect further
change in the executive leadership of Campus Crest.
On November 3, 2014, Campus Crest
executed an engagement letter with Moelis to act as exclusive financial advisor to the Board with respect to a potential
capital raising transaction, a sale transaction or a restructuring of the company. Later that day, the full Board met to
discuss the recent results and to review a draft of the proposed earnings release. That evening, co-founder and Chief
Executive Officer, Ted W. Rollins, and Chief Financial Officer, Donnie Bobbitt, tendered their resignations. On November 4,
2014, Campus Crest announced the resignations of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and the appointment
of Richard Kahlbaugh, the lead independent outside director, to serve in an Interim CEO capacity while the Board continued its
strategic review process. Campus Crest also announced the execution of the new Copper Beech agreement, and the commencement
of the Board’s strategic repositioning of Campus Crest. Campus Crest also announced its results for the third fiscal
quarter, noting that the company would take an impairment write-down of over $122 million, was planning to reduce its common
stock dividend, and was withdrawing its previous earnings guidance for the year.
On November 10 and 11, 2014, at the Board’s
direction, representatives of Moelis began to contact investors identified by management and Moelis, in consultation with the Board,
as potential investors in or purchasers of Campus Crest. Representatives of Moelis initially contacted four significant real property
investors (not including HSRE) considered to be potentially interested in acquiring Campus Crest or a significant number of Campus
Crest properties. Representatives of Moelis had preliminary conversations with each of them to determine their potential interest.
Although no immediate proposals were received, each of them expressed interest in participating in the strategic process and each
eventually signed confidentiality agreements. With Moelis’ assistance, Campus Crest began to populate an on-line data room
to allow interested parties who sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement to have access to confidential company information.
From November 2014 to January 2015, Campus
Crest actively marketed its undeveloped properties, ultimately culminating in a sale of substantially all of these properties in
January 2015.
On December 4, 2014, Clinton Group, Inc.,
a manager of an activist investor fund, issued a press release criticizing Campus Crest’s recent performance and announcing
that it was nominating candidates to fill four of the five seats on the Campus Crest Board of Directors. On December 5, 2014, Campus
Crest announced that it had retained Korn Ferry to conduct an executive search to identify highly qualified, REIT-experienced independent
directors for nomination for election to the Board of Directors at the company's 2015 Annual Meeting.
In mid-December 2014, at the direction
of the Board, representatives of Moelis and members of the Board contacted three additional potentially interested parties,
including one apartment property management company who expressed interest in having its leadership team take over senior
management of Campus Crest and having Campus Crest acquire that company’s portfolio of apartment communities. We
refer to that management company as “Party A.” Also in mid-December 2014, Campus Crest’s Interim CEO
Richard Kahlbaugh and its Chief Investment Officer Aaron Halfacre met with representatives of Party A over breakfast in
Philadelphia for a preliminary discussion regarding the nature of Party A’s interest and capabilities. The discussions
were high level and general in nature. Mr. Kahlbaugh requested that Party A put a proposal in writing if Party A continued to
have interest.
On December 18, 2014, the Board met to discuss
Campus Crest’s financial situation and hear a report from Moelis analyzing various scenarios impacting Campus Crest’s
dividend paying capability, loan covenant compliance, comparative market data and market expectations. The next day, Campus Crest
announced that the Board had approved a 45% reduction in the dividend payout on the Campus Crest common stock for the fourth quarter
of 2014.
On January 5, 2015, Mr. Kahlbaugh and Board
members Dan Simmons and Jim McCaughan met over lunch with principals of Party A. Party A described its interest in having Campus
Crest acquire Party A’s management company, the hiring of Party A’s management team to serve as the Campus Crest senior
executive team, and also a possible significant equity investment by an unnamed potential investor. The discussions were high level
and general in nature. Mr. Kahlbaugh expressed interest in talking further with Party A and told Party A to put its proposal in
writing if Party A had a sincere interest in continuing discussions so that he could share it with the Board.
On January 6, 2015, Mr. Kahlbaugh received
a letter from Party A outlining the general terms of its preliminary nonbinding proposal. Mr. Kahlbaugh again conveyed the Board’s
interest in continuing discussions, and asked Moelis to contact Party A’s financial advisor. Mr. Kahlbaugh also delivered
a proposed form of confidentiality agreement to Party A which would be required to be executed if Party A desired to review confidential
information and continue discussions. Party A objected to the standstill and related provisions of the confidentiality agreement
and refused to sign the confidentiality agreement with those terms, but indicated interest in continuing the discussions.
From January 9, 2015 to January 27, 2015,
Moelis continued to contact parties that it, the Board and management had identified as potentially interested parties with the
financial capacity and interest in acquiring or investing in Campus Crest. During this time, representatives of Moelis had conversations
with nine parties, six of whom later entered into confidentiality agreements with Campus Crest. HSRE was not among the parties
contacted at that time.
On January 12, 2015, the Board met to discuss
Campus Crest’s cash position and liquidity needs, and the status and impact of the pending Copper Beech transaction. The
Board approved the sale of six of the undeveloped parcels which Campus Crest had marketed for sale, and one additional property
which Campus Crest held in a joint venture with an affiliate of HSRE. At the meeting, Mr. Kahlbaugh also briefed the Board on his
meeting with Party A and the nonbinding proposal received from Party A. The Board expressed interest in continuing discussions
with Party A as part of the strategic review process. The Board also heard an update on Korn Ferry’s continued search for
three or four new candidates for possible nomination to the Board.
In mid-January, 2015, Mr. Kahlbaugh received
a letter of interest from a large private equity fund expressing interest in exploring a strategic transaction with Campus Crest
which could involve an infusion of an unspecified amount of capital in combination with the engagement of an experienced student
housing property management company to manage the Campus Crest properties. The fund was directed to contact representatives of
Moelis and have an opportunity to submit an indication of interest in the Board’s strategic review process. This party entered
into a confidentiality agreement and engaged in a limited due diligence review, but it declined to submit an indication of interest
in the strategic review process.
On January 16, 2015, Campus Crest received
a preliminary non-binding term sheet from Party A outlining in very general terms its proposal for Party A to bring its management
team and management company to Campus Crest for a purchase price of $8 million paid by Campus Crest, the execution of executive
employment agreements for Party A’s management team, an option to acquire certain other apartment communities being managed
by Party A on unspecified terms, and a possible strategic equity investment of up to $100 million by an unnamed third party investor
on terms to be agreed later. At the Board’s request, representatives of Moelis contacted Party A to better understand Party
A’s proposal, and remind Party A that it would be required to sign a confidentiality agreement if it wished to continue to
participate in the Board’s strategic review process with other potentially interested parties. Party A indicated that it
wanted to engage in exclusive discussions with Campus Crest, but refused to sign a confidentiality agreement. At the Board’s
direction, representatives of Moelis told Party A that they would be welcome to participate in the strategic review process but
Party A’s participation would need to be on the same terms as other participants.
On January 29, 2015, Campus Crest updated
its online data room with additional confidential non-public information to be made available to potentially interested parties
invited to participate in the strategic review process who executed confidentiality agreements. At the Board’s direction,
Moelis sent first round bid process letters to all parties who had been identified by the Board, Campus Crest management and Moelis
as potentially interested parties who were believed to have the financial capacity to acquire Campus Crest or make a significant
investment in Campus Crest. The bid instructions required interested participants to execute a form of confidentiality agreement
and submit a preliminary nonbinding indication of interest by February 20, 2015. The form of confidentiality agreement required
interested participants to maintain the confidentiality of information obtained in the process, and agree to a two-year standstill
provision which prohibited participants from seeking to acquire Campus Crest or otherwise seeking to control or influence the control
of Campus Crest except as a participant in the review process. The form confidentiality agreement also prohibited participants
from asking the Board to waive the standstill provisions, and from hiring Campus Crest employees identified in the due diligence
process.
On January 30, 2015, the Copper Beech transaction
closed on the terms previously disclosed.
From January 30 to February 10, 2015, representatives
of Moelis and the Campus Crest management team engaged in discussions and shared confidential information with multiple interested
parties.
On February 10, 2015, at its regular quarterly
meeting in Charlotte, the Board discussed the strategic review process. Dr. McWhirter attended the meeting as an observer as permitted
by the Copper Beech purchase agreement. Representatives of Moelis and management first provided an overview of the recent initiatives
undertaken by the company, including the recent dividend reduction, sales of various properties which had been held for development,
the closing of the Copper Beech transaction, and efforts to reduce general and administrative expenses. The Board discussed the
ongoing capital structure initiatives being explored by management, including the potential renegotiation or refinancing of Campus
Crest’s credit facilities and other efforts to reduce Campus Crest’s significant indebtedness. The Board also reviewed
comparative information which indicated that Campus Crest’s outstanding indebtedness compared unfavorably against its peer
firms on a number of measures, such as overall net leverage, its ratio of debt to total assets, and its interest and fixed charge
coverage ratios. Representatives of Moelis also provided an overview of the strategic review process underway. Representatives
of Moelis reported that Moelis had held preliminary discussions with 15 potential bidders, 11 of whom were sent confidentiality
agreements, and eight had signed confidentiality agreements and had been given access to the online data room. The other three
interested parties were still in negotiation over the terms of the confidentiality agreement. HSRE was not among the parties who
were initially contacted by Moelis. The Board also discussed with Moelis the potential for a significant equity raise by the company
to reduce debt, including the range of terms that would be expected from investors in an equity raise in the current environment
and its advantages and challenges, including the likely significant discount to current market price that any significant equity
investor would likely demand. Kilpatrick also provided a brief summary of the Board’s fiduciary duties and obligations in
assessing the various strategic alternatives.
On February 13, 2015, Clinton Group emailed
a draft of a press release and letter addressed to the Board, which Clinton Group indicated it intended to issue the following
week, that was highly critical of the Board’s oversight of the company and stated that Clinton Group was partnering with
Party A in connection with its proxy solicitation efforts to place four members on the Campus Crest Board. The correspondence also
encouraged the Board to pursue a transaction with Party A.
On February 15, 2015, the Board met again
to discuss the strategic review process and Clinton Group’s correspondence. At the meeting, the Board approved the formation
of a special Transaction Committee to be comprised of Mr. Kahlbaugh, Mr. Simmons and two other potential nominees to the Board
who the Board had identified in its search for new REIT-experienced board members and expected to appoint soon. The Board tasked
the Transaction Committee with reviewing, evaluating and making recommendations to the full Board regarding the potential strategic
alternatives available to Campus Crest to enhance realizable value for its stockholders. The Board also promoted Mr. Halfacre to
serve as President of Campus Crest while the Board continued its search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Kahlbaugh
was elected to continue as non-executive Chairman. Following an update from Moelis and members of the Campus Crest management team
on the ongoing strategic review process, the Board determined to make a public announcement of the strategic review process in
order to assure that the review process generated sufficient interest from all parties who might have an interest in acquiring
or investing in Campus Crest but had not previously been identified in the process.
Campus Crest issued a press release the
next day, February 16, 2015, announcing that the Board had authorized Campus Crest to explore a broad range of strategic, operational
and financial alternatives to further enhance shareholder value, and that the company had received multiple inquiries from a number
of qualified parties that expressed interest in discussing a potential transaction with Campus Crest. The Board also announced
that Moelis and Kilpatrick were assisting Campus Crest in a comprehensive and thorough analysis of all potential alternatives.
Later that day, Clinton Group released its press release and letter to the Board stating that it was partnering with Party A in
connection with its proxy solicitation efforts to place four members on the Campus Crest Board, and encouraging the Board to pursue
a transaction with Party A.
On February 17, 2015, Campus Crest responded
to the Clinton Group press release, noting in a press release that members of the Board and management had met with Clinton Group
and Party A and continued to encourage them to participate in the strategic review process on the same terms as other interested
parties. Later that day, members of the Campus Crest management team and representatives of Moelis conducted due diligence calls
with three interested parties who had been given access to the online data room and reassured potential parties that the Clinton
Group press release would not slow the review process down and reiterated the Board’s sincere interest in considering all
available strategic alternatives. Also on February 17, Campus Crest contacted HSRE to inquire as to whether HSRE would have any
interest in participating in the strategic review process, and requested that HSRE contact Moelis if it desired to participate
in the process.
On February 19, 2015, at the request of
the Board, representatives of Moelis met with Clinton Group to discuss Clinton Group’s concerns. Clinton Group expressed
support for the strategic review process if it resulted in a sale of the company on favorable terms, but expressed concern that
an alternative transaction, such as a minority equity investment, would be unnecessarily dilutive to stockholders. Clinton Group
proposed that the company acquire Party A’s management company and management team, and appoint three of Clinton Group’s
nominees to the Board to replace three current directors. Moelis relayed these proposals to the full Board. On February 20, 2015,
Clinton Group emailed a revised proposal to Moelis, which was relayed to the full Board, providing further details on its proposal
that Campus Crest acquire Party A’s management company, including that Campus Crest would have an option to acquire Party
A’s property portfolio on terms to be mutually agreed. On February 23, 2015, Clinton Group filed a preliminary proxy statement
describing its intention to solicit proxies in support of its Board nominees, and broadly criticizing the Board and Campus Crest
management.
From February 19 to 26, 2015, Moelis received
first-round indications of interest from seven different parties, including HSRE, proposing a range of potential proposals to acquire
Campus Crest, make a significant equity or debt investment, acquire certain properties, or seek to refinance part of Campus Crest’s
outstanding debt.
HSRE submitted its first preliminary non-binding
indication of interest on February 21, 2015, indicating its interest in acquiring 100% of the outstanding common stock of Campus
Crest at a proposed purchase price of $8.60 per share in cash for all shares and operating company interests other than those held
by its purchaser group, subject to due diligence and negotiation of definitive agreements. In its proposal, HSRE indicated that
an investment fund controlled by former Campus Crest CEO Ted W. Rollins and also MFLP and Dr. McWhirter were included as part of
the HSRE purchaser group, although the extent of the involvement of Mr. Rollins and Dr. McWhirter was not described. Although neither
Mr. Rollins nor Dr. McWhirter owned any significant number of shares of Campus Crest common stock, each did have a sizeable investment
in the Campus Crest operating partnership, with Mr. Rollins’ investment fund owning operating partnership units constituting
approximately 0.03% of the fully diluted Campus Crest equity interests, and Dr. McWhirter and his affiliates owning operating partnership
units constituting approximately 16.0% of the fully diluted Campus Crest equity interests. The financial advisor to HSRE in connection
with the Merger was Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (“Raymond James”), a leading investment bank, which was
one of the lead underwriters of Campus Crest’s initial public offering in 2010 and in its subsequent public offerings in
2012 and 2013, and also served as financial advisor to Campus Crest in connection with Campus Crest’s agreement to acquire
the Copper Beech portfolio in 2013. An affiliate of Raymond James is a lender under Campus Crest’s senior credit facility.
Campus Crest has worked with HSRE to jointly
develop student apartment communities since 2008, and has been a party to a number of active joint venture arrangements with HSRE
during that time. As of December 31, 2014, Campus Crest held 12 operating properties in various joint ventures with HSRE affiliates.
These joint venture arrangements have been described in great detail in Campus Crest’s periodic filings, including its Form
10-K for the 2014 fiscal year and its subsequent Forms 10-Q for the first, second and third fiscal quarters of 2015. In connection
with each joint venture with HSRE, a subsidiary of Campus Crest generally forms a joint venture with an affiliate of HSRE pursuant
to which Campus Crest is responsible for the day-to-day management of the business and affairs of the joint venture, subject to
HSRE’s right to consent to major decisions. Each party typically contributes a portion of the required equity investment,
and Campus Crest typically guarantees all or a portion of the construction financing for the underlying properties. In addition
to distributions to which Campus Crest is entitled as an investor in each joint venture, Campus Crest typically receives fees for
providing services to the properties held by the joint venture pursuant to development and construction agreements and property
management agreements. As part of the Board’s strategic repositioning and balance sheet simplification efforts announced
in November 2014, Campus Crest and HSRE have consummated a number of transactions in 2015 to unwind several of these joint ventures
through a combination of selling properties held by the joint ventures, purchasing or selling a party’s interest to the other
joint venture partner, or swapping properties or interests in the joint ventures for other interests. These 2015 transactions are
described in significant detail in Campus Crest’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
From February 23 to March 3, 2015, HSRE
and representatives of Moelis discussed the terms of the Campus Crest confidentiality agreement, including particularly the concerns
of Campus Crest as to the confidentiality of Campus Crest’s information in light of the several long-standing joint venture
relationships between the parties. Kilpatrick and HSRE’s legal counsel, DLA Piper, exchanged revised drafts of the confidentiality
agreement and discussed the provisions. Campus Crest was reluctant to provide certain information that might compromise its rights
under its various joint venture relationships with HSRE affiliates.
In late February 2015, management contacted
the lenders under Campus Crest’s senior credit facility in order to seek further waivers of certain material financial covenants
under the credit facility to allow time for the cost-cutting initiatives, property sales and dividend reduction to have a positive
impact on the balance sheet and financial covenants, and time for the Board to complete its strategic review process. Members of
the management team informed the Board that because of the complexity of the Copper Beech transaction and other matters, it was
unlikely that Campus Crest would be able to file its Form 10-K for the 2014 fiscal year on time. On February 25, 2015, the lenders
granted a waiver of certain financial covenants through the quarter ended September 30, 2015. At a meeting later that afternoon,
the Board reviewed a draft of the 2014 year-end earnings press release and approved the filing of a Form 12b-25 to report the expected
late filing of the Form 10-K.
The next day, February 26, 2015, the Board
met with representatives of Moelis and Kilpatrick to review the results of the first round of bids from the strategic review process.
Because HSRE’s proposal indicated that Dr. McWhirter was participating with HSRE in its proposal in some capacity, Dr. McWhirter
was not invited to attend the meeting or any subsequent meetings while he remained affiliated with any potential bidder. At the
meeting, Moelis summarized the process undertaken by the Board and Moelis in soliciting proposals from potentially interested parties,
reporting that of the 20 contacts made, 17 were sent a form confidentiality agreement to sign, 10 parties had signed confidentiality
agreements and commenced due diligence in the on-line data room, and seven parties had submitted an indication of interest outlining
a proposal – five outlining proposals for the acquisition of all of Campus Crest and two outlining minority equity investment
proposals. Moelis also summarized the various proposals received and discussed with the Board the relative strengths and weaknesses
of each proposal, including the HSRE proposal described above. Party A did not submit a proposal or enter into a confidentiality
agreement. The proposals to acquire all of Campus Crest included indicative purchase prices per share of $6.25, $7.25 to $7.75,
$8.25 to $8.75, $8.50 to $9.00, and HSRE’s proposal of $8.60 per share for the common stock and operating partnership units
not held by its purchaser group.
At the February 26, 2015, Board
meeting, representatives of Moelis also summarized the two investment proposals received, with each interested party
proposing to make a senior preferred equity investment in Campus Crest, one in the amount of $150 million from an investor we
refer to as “Party D,” and the other in the amount of $200 million from an investor we refer to as “Party
E,” with liquidation preferences, dividends at a rate of 10%, and board representation. The Board discussed the
investment proposals in detail with Moelis, noting that each of the investment proposals would be highly dilutive to current
shareholders. It was noted that neither of Campus Crest’s two primary publicly traded competitors had submitted a
proposal, and the Board directed Moelis to reach back out to each of them again to determine definitively whether either
might have interest in participating in the process. Prior to making contact with the primary publicly traded competitors
each competitor made public statements to the market to the effect that they were aware of the process and were not
interested in participating. Moelis shared these comments with the Board in subsequent discussions and materials. The Board
also discussed Campus Crest’s recent performance in the capital markets relative to its peers and the market in
general, and discussed key metrics impacting Campus Crest’s market value. The Board decided to move forward with the
three highest full-company proposals, and to invite the three leading bidders to participate in a second round of diligence
and discussions before asking for final proposals, while also continuing to engage with other interested parties. The leading
bidders included HSRE with a preliminary bid of $8.60 per share, another real property investment fund we refer to as
“Party B” with a preliminary bid of $8.50 to $9.00 per share, and a third real property investment fund we
refer to as “Party C” with a bid of $8.25 to $8.75 per share. Following the meeting, representatives of Moelis
contacted HSRE, Party B and Party C to invite those three for further discussions so that each could have the opportunity to
revise its proposal in the second round before a preferred bidder was selected.
Later on February 26, 2015, Campus Crest
released its earnings for fiscal 2014 and provided an update on its strategic review process. In addition to describing the closing
of the Copper Beech transaction, the discontinuance of the internal construction and development activities, the reduction of the
common stock dividend rate, the results of cost-cutting initiatives, and the sale of undeveloped properties, Campus Crest also
noted that the Board was conducting a broad review of multiple strategic alternatives which could include such potential outcomes
as a key investment in, or the acquisition of, Campus Crest.
The next day, February 27, 2015, Campus
Crest filed a Form 12b-25 announcing that its 2014 Form 10-K would be filed late, and Clinton Group issued a press release announcing
that it had sent an “open letter” to Campus Crest shareholders describing its partnership with Party A and proposing
that the Board allow Party A to take over management of Campus Crest rather than pursuing the strategic review process being undertaken
by the Board.
On March 8, 2015, DLA Piper and Kilpatrick
finalized negotiation of the HSRE confidentiality agreement and HSRE and Campus Crest executed the confidentiality agreement. HSRE
was then provided access to the on-line data room.
On March 13, 2015, Clinton Group filed with
the SEC a lengthy presentation that outlined its criticisms of the Board and described in detail its joint plan with Party A for
Party A to take over management of Campus Crest. Clinton Group notes, however, that its “nominees will not stand in the way
of a bona fide change of control transaction at a market clearing price.”
On March 14, 2015, the Board met to receive
an update on the strategic review process. Representatives of Moelis updated the Board on the various proposals previously received
and the status of those proposals. The Board was informed that Party B, which had very recently announced another large student
housing investment, had dropped out of the process after expressing some unspecified concerns about the quality of Campus Crest’s
housing portfolio and indicating that any follow up bid would be significantly below its initial indicative bid. In addition, Moelis
reported that another potentially interested party whose preliminary bid of $7.25 to $7.75 had not been one of the top three bids
but had asked to stay in consideration if other bids did not materialize, similarly dropped out of the process after indicating
that it would not increase its previous bid. Moelis also described several new inquiries from property management companies, which,
like Party A, managed relatively small portfolios of student housing properties, and which had expressed interest in merging their
portfolios with Campus Crest and taking over management of the combined portfolio, but which would not result in any material infusion
of capital. Moelis also described its continued engagement with Party D over the terms of its preferred equity investment proposal,
and also with the remaining interested parties to have them identify their sources of financing and finalize their bids. After
further discussion, the Board directed Moelis to continue discussions with the interested parties to explore the full range of
alternatives available.
On March 16, 2015, at a meeting of the Board’s
Audit Committee that was attended by all directors, the Board was informed by Campus Crest’s independent auditor that the
auditor had identified a number of significant deficiencies and several material weaknesses in Campus Crest’s internal controls,
and, as a result of the additional work that would be needed to finalize the auditor’s review of controls and other matters,
the Form 10-K for fiscal 2014 was unlikely to be ready to file by the extended March 17 deadline. Following the Audit Committee
meeting, the full Board met to discuss several proposed additions to the Board that had been identified in the Board’s search
for additional experienced directors, including Curtis McWilliams. The Board also learned that one other highly experienced nominee
with significant REIT experience had withdrawn his name from consideration. The Board determined to hold off appointing any new
directors for the time being, but asked Mr. McWilliams to attend Board meetings as a non-Board observer until the Board was prepared
to announce a full slate of director nominees. The Board agreed to pay Mr. McWilliams fees for his attendance at Board meetings,
and reimburse him for his travel expenses, in the same amounts that he would have been entitled to receive if he were a member
of the Board.
Also on March 16, 2015, Kilpatrick finalized
a proposed form of merger agreement for potentially interested parties to review and revise with suggested revisions with their
second round bid proposals, and, at the direction of the Board, Moelis sent the form to each of HSRE and Party C, together with
instructions for the second round of the process. The form merger agreement contemplated an all-cash merger of Campus Crest with
the purchaser and included customary no-shop and fiduciary out provisions, and a 30-day “go-shop” period following
the signing of the merger agreement, but did not specify the amount of termination fees that would be payable by Campus Crest under
certain circumstances. At the direction of the Board, Moelis also sent instructions for the second round of the process to Party
D without the proposed form of merger agreement, as Party D continued to express interest solely in a minority investment.
On March 18, 2015, Campus Crest issued a
press release providing an update on the expected timing of its filing of its Form 10-K for fiscal 2014, and indicated that it
had received notice from the NYSE informing the company that its failure to file the Form 10-K was a default under the NYSE’s
continued listing criteria.
On March 19, 2015, representatives of Moelis
and Campus Crest management held a due diligence conference call with HSRE, DLA Piper, HSRE’s financial advisor and Mr. Rollins.
On March 27, 2015, the Board met to discuss
the progress of the Form 10-K filing. Management reported that Campus Crest’s independent auditor had expressed new concerns
about the company’s ability to satisfy the financial covenants under its credit facilities over the next four quarters without
elimination of the common dividend and suspension of dividends on the Campus Crest preferred stock. Although management believed
that planned asset sales and other transactions over the course of that period would allow the company to stay in compliance with
the financial covenants, Campus Crest did not have definitive agreements in place for such transactions, with the result that the
auditor was unable to include them in its going concern analysis and indicated that its policies would prevent the auditor from
issuing a “clean” audit opinion without a pause in the payment of dividends. As a consequence, the Board determined
to suspend dividends for the remainder of the 2015 fiscal year unless subsequent events and transactions permitted it to do so.
Management also reported that the Form 10-K was nearing completion, and that the critical filing date was March 31, 2015, which
was the deadline in the financial reporting covenants of the company’s credit facilities.
On March 27, 2015, HSRE submitted its second
round non-binding indication of interest to acquire the common stock of Campus Crest, reducing its proposed purchase price per
share from $8.60 to $8.11 per share. HSRE included a proposed markup of the form merger agreement. HSRE’s offer was conditioned
on two significant conditions: first, the proposal was conditioned upon HSRE reaching agreement with all of the limited partners
in the Campus Crest operating partnership to agree to roll over their limited partnership interests into HSRE’s investment
vehicle; and second, the proposal was conditioned upon Campus Crest’s prior sale of its Montreal joint venture interests.
The proposal was further conditioned upon continued property-level due diligence, a full review of Campus Crest’s annual
audited financial statements when filed, and a thirty-day period of exclusive negotiations. Notably, the offer indicated that Dr.
McWhirter and MFLP were no longer part of the HSRE purchaser group. Mr. Rollins’ investment fund,
however, remained a member of the purchaser group.
On March 31, 2015, Campus Crest filed its
fiscal 2014 Form 10-K, disclosing that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2014 and in
prior periods, and that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2014, in each case due
to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.
The next morning, on April 1, 2015, Campus
Crest announced the suspension of dividends for 2015 unless it were to successfully consummate certain asset sales, raise additional
capital, refinance its existing credit facilities, and/or experience sufficient improvement in its operating results. Campus
Crest noted that it remained “extremely focused on pursuing Campus Crest's strategic repositioning, and strengthening our
financial and liquidity position,” and that suspending the dividend payment was “a prudent step as we enhance our balance
sheet and ensure compliance with the covenants in our financial agreements.”
On April 2, 2015, Clinton Group issued
another “open letter” to Campus Crest stockholders, criticizing the dividend cut and what it believed to be an
absence of “qualified student housing management,” and suggesting that these factors were causing the Campus
Crest common stock to trade at a significant discount to Campus Crest’s estimated NAV per share. Clinton Group again
proposed that Campus Crest pursue a transaction with Party A and hire its management team, or pursue a sale of Campus Crest,
which it indicated would yield a price of $8.50 to $9.50 per share. Clinton Group added: “While we believe that the
stock would be worth more than $10.00 a share in a year under a newly constituted Board of Directors, a refreshed executive
team with [the Party A] management team at the helm, the adoption of their operating strategy, and the re-instatement of the
dividend, we continue to pledge we will not stand in the way of a change of control transaction acceptable to our fellow
shareholders.”
On April 6, 2015, the Board met again to
discuss the strategic review process. At the meeting, Moelis updated the Board on the status of the various proposals received
in the second round of the review process. Moelis reported that, following significant due diligence and property visits, Party
C had submitted a revised, materially lower proposal, with a nonbinding offer priced at $6.60 to $6.80 per share. The Board discussed
that the revised proposal from HSRE, while lower than its initial bid but still favorable at $8.11 per share, had considerable
contingencies that made the Board question the reliability of the bid, including significant additional required due diligence
and the requirement that Campus Crest dispose of its Montreal joint venture interests on favorable terms, and also was contingent
on HSRE reaching agreement with all of the Campus Crest operating partnership unit holders to rollover their interests into the
HSRE fund formed to acquire Campus Crest. The Board also discussed that the HSRE bid appeared to underestimate Campus Crest’s
aggregate outstanding indebtedness, which suggested that the bid was likely to decrease with further due diligence. The Board discussed
the significant contingencies associated with the HSRE bid, and noted the significant history of dealings with HSRE which involved
a pattern of demanded price concessions as the negotiations progressed. The Board was reluctant to enter into exclusive negotiations
with HSRE at this point, given the significant uncertainty in the likelihood of reaching a definitive agreement and the fact that
granting exclusivity would prevent the Board from considering other potential alternatives, and directed Moelis to communicate
to HSRE the Board’s interest in continuing discussions as part of the strategic review process on a non-exclusive basis,
and that the Board would consider exclusive negotiations if HSRE were to eliminate the conditionality of its proposal and come
back with a more firm proposal. The Board was unsatisfied overall with the second round bids and chose not to move forward with
any party at the time, but directed Moelis to continue discussions with all interested parties and to continue to explore the full
range of alternatives. Representatives of Moelis contacted HSRE’s financial advisor shortly after the meeting and were informed
that HSRE was unwilling, without an exclusive negotiating period, to engage in the significant due diligence it would require in
order to proceed with substantive negotiations due to the significant expense it would incur without assurance of a transaction.
Representatives of Moelis relayed HSRE’s position to the Board.
On the morning of April 13, 2015, the
Board met again to discuss the strategic review process. At the meeting, Moelis updated the Board on the status of the
various proposals previously received, and also noted considerable interest being shown by a new potential investor regarding
a possible equity and debt investment, including the potential for a loan facility that would refinance the existing senior
bank facility. The Board directed Moelis to continue those discussions to determine if the investor would submit an
indication of interest with the details of its potential transaction structure, but in later discussions the investor
declined to make a proposal for unspecified reasons. The Board also discussed Moelis’ recent meetings with both HSRE
and Party E as Moelis attempted to get each party to improve its proposal and lessen the conditionality of its proposal.
Later on the evening of April 13, 2015 and
in several meetings on April 14, 2015, the Board reconvened to discuss the status of efforts to recruit additional Board members
with significant REIT experience and to hire a permanent CEO and CFO to strengthen the company’s management team, including
advanced discussions with an experienced apartment REIT executive regarding the CEO position, and also with Alvarez & Marsal,
a leading global professional services firm (“A&M”), regarding the potential for filling one or both positions
on an interim basis. The Board discussed the difficulties with recruiting board members and executives in light of the company’s
recent results, the ongoing strategic review process, and the pending proxy solicitation by Clinton Group. When the Board reconvened
on the evening of April 14, 2015, it learned that the apartment REIT executive had declined the CEO position. Following the meeting,
the Board moved forward to engage A&M to provide an Interim CEO and Interim CFO.
On April 19, 2015, Clinton Group contacted
Moelis to request a meeting to discuss Clinton Group’s ongoing proxy solicitation. On April 20, 2015, at the Board’s
request, Moelis met with Clinton Group to discuss Clinton Group’s proposed terms for settling the proxy solicitation. The
Board met later that day to discuss Clinton Group’s proposal, which would add three Clinton Group nominees to the Board and
require Campus Crest to hire the Party A management team if the strategic review process were not successfully concluded within
60 days. At the April 20 Board meeting, the Board discussed the background of several of Clinton Group’s nominees and the
Board’s difficulties in recruiting new well-qualified nominees, and communicated to Clinton Group the Board’s willingness
to appoint at least one of those nominees to the Board, plus other independent outside nominees if qualified. The Board refused,
however, to agree to a deadline for the strategic review process or to commit to consummating a transaction with Party A, but reiterated
its invitation for Party A to participate in the review process on the same terms as other interested bidders. The Board also received
a further update on the status of the strategic review process and other alternatives being considered. Discussions between Moelis
and Clinton Group continued over the next few days, and the Board met again on April 20, 2015, to discuss the progress of the discussions.
On April 26, 2015, Moelis updated the Board
by email to report on recent discussions with various parties, including one potential lender who was considering a proposal to
replace the company’s senior bank facilities on attractive terms, and further discussions with the company’s senior
lender group regarding covenant relief. Moelis also reported that discussions were continuing with other new and existing participants
in the review process, including one new potential interested party who was considering signing a confidentiality agreement and
participating in the process, and continued interest from Party E who had indicated it intended to submit a new proposal.
On April 27, 2015, Campus Crest
issued a press release announcing the engagement of A&M to staff the CEO and CFO positions on an interim basis, and to
update investors on the status of the ongoing strategic review process. Campus Crest stated that it was “continuing
with its comprehensive and thorough analysis to explore a broad range of strategic, operational and financial alternatives to
further enhance shareholder value,” and remained committed to maximizing shareholder value through a thorough and
robust review process.
On April 28, 2015, Campus Crest’s
independent auditor notified the company that upon the completion of the auditor’s review of Campus Crest’s financial
statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the auditor would
decline to stand for re-election as the independent auditor for Campus Crest.
In early May, discussions with Clinton Group
to settle its proxy solicitation accelerated as the Board desired to remove the distraction that the proxy solicitation was having
on the management team and the impact on the strategic review process. From May 1 to May 3, 2015, the Board met several times to
discuss revised settlement proposals from Clinton Group and to give direction to Moelis and Kilpatrick on terms that would be acceptable
to the Board. On May 3, 2015, Campus Crest and Clinton Group worked with Moelis, Kilpatrick and Clinton Group’s legal counsel
to finalize the terms of the settlement agreement. Under the final settlement terms, the Board agreed to appoint two Clinton Group
nominees, Raymond Mikulich and Randall Brown, each with significant real estate and REIT experience, and also to appoint Mr. McWilliams
to the Board. Although appointed by Clinton Group, Mr. Mikulich and Mr. Brown were not otherwise affiliated with Clinton Group
and the Board determined that they, along with Mr. McWilliams, were independent. The Board also adopted a written charter for the
Transaction Committee clarifying the authority of the Transaction Committee to:
| · | study, review, monitor and evaluate potential strategic transactions, |
| · | study, review, monitor and evaluate potential opportunities
to discharge, amend, repay or refinance existing indebtedness of the company and/or its subsidiaries, |
| · | seek fairness of process with respect to proposed strategic
transactions, |
| · | engage in a determination of whether the terms of any proposed
strategic transaction are fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the company’s shareholders, and |
| · | make recommendations to the Board with respect thereto. |
The Board also appointed Mr. McWilliams,
Mr. Mikulich and Mr. Kahlbaugh to constitute the Transaction Committee, with Mr. McWilliams serving as chair of the committee.
Campus Crest also agreed to engage in discussions with Party A as part of the strategic review process, conditioned upon Party
A’s execution of a confidentiality agreement.
The next day, on May 4, 2015, Campus Crest announced
the settlement of the Clinton Group proxy solicitation and filed the settlement agreement with the SEC. In its press release announcing
the settlement, Campus Crest stated that the Transaction Committee would oversee a comprehensive and thorough analysis to explore
a broad range of strategic, operational and financial alternatives to further enhance shareholder value. Later that day, Party
A executed a confidentiality agreement and was provided access to Campus Crest’s online data room and commenced its due diligence
review.
Between May 4 and May 15, 2015, various potentially
interested parties contacted Moelis and management to discuss the company’s recent results and the next steps in the review
process.
On May 15 and 18, 2015, the newly
reconstituted Transaction Committee met with representatives of Moelis to discuss the strategic review process, the actions
taken by Campus Crest since the start of the review process, the range of potential strategic alternatives that might be
available to the company, and the feedback provided to Moelis by the various interested parties who had participated in the
review process. The Transaction Committee also heard an update from Campus Crest management on the status of the
company’s outstanding indebtedness and financial condition, including the likely need for further bank waivers of
certain financial covenants after the current waivers expire with the reporting of the third quarter financial results in
November 2015. The Transaction Committee was concerned that further waivers might not be forthcoming on reasonable terms, or
at all, if the company did not make significant progress soon in its strategic review process, noting that the failure to
obtain such waivers could put the company in default under a significant portion of its outstanding indebtedness, and any
strategic alternative pursued by the Board would need to address the outstanding indebtedness. Among other concerns from
interested parties, Moelis reported that there had been doubt expressed by several of the bidders as to the
Board’s commitment to considering strategic alternatives, but that the resolution of the Clinton Group settlement
agreement and changes in the Transaction Committee composition had been perceived as indicating a renewed commitment to
considering strategic alternatives. In addition, although neither of Campus Crest’s publicly traded competitors in the
student housing REIT industry had responded to inquiries from Moelis to assess their interest in participating in the review
process, both of them had publicly stated on earnings conference calls their lack of interest in Campus Crest’s
properties. The Transaction Committee gave instructions to Moelis to contact on an expedited basis all parties who had
previously expressed interest and agreed on a timeline and process for considering any new proposals received. After
discussing that previous bidders had been reluctant to commit to the expense of extensive due diligence without Campus
Crest’s agreement to negotiate exclusively with a leading bidder, Moelis was instructed to communicate to bidders that
the Board was prepared to enter into exclusive negotiations with a leading bidder who submits a compelling proposal.
On May 18, 2015, the Board met again to discuss
the strategic review process. Dr. McWhirter joined the meeting as an observer after providing assurances that he was no longer
affiliated with HSRE or any other potential bidder. Kilpatrick provided an overview of the fiduciary duties and responsibilities
of the Board in conducting the strategic review process, reminded directors of the importance of candor, confidentiality and independence
in considering strategic alternatives, and asked each director and Dr. McWhirter individually to confirm the absence of any contractual
or other relationships or agreements with any parties participating in the strategic review process. All directors and Dr. McWhirter
confirmed the absence of any such relationships or agreements. Mr. McWilliams provided the Board with a description of the work
of the Transaction Committee since the May 4 meeting, including meetings with Moelis, a summary of the participants currently believed
to be considering proposals, and the proposed timing and structure of the process, with Moelis being directed to contact potentially
interested parties and requiring best and final proposals to be submitted by the week of June 8, 2015. He also reported that there
had been significant new interest received since the announcement of the Clinton Group settlement and the accompanying changes
in the composition of the Transaction Committee. The Board then approved the timing and structure proposed by the Transaction Committee,
and directed the Transaction Committee to report back on its progress.
From May 15 to June 11, 2015, at the direction
of the Board, representatives of Moelis contacted six potentially interested parties, including HSRE, who had previously communicated
interest or had made a proposal, and described the Transaction Committee’s review plan. Party B also contacted Moelis expressing
renewed interest in considering another proposal. During this time, interested parties spent considerable time reviewing materials
posted to the company’s on-line data room, and discussed with management and representatives of Moelis the company’s
recent financial results, the updated leasing status of Campus Crest’s apartment communities for the fall, the fiscal 2014
audit opinion which had identified a number material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in internal controls, and the recent
notification that the company’s independent auditor would not continue in that role. During this time, seven acquisition
proposals were received at purchase prices of between $5.75-$7.40 per share, and two investment proposals were also received. The
leading proposal again was from HSRE, who submitted a new non-binding indication of interest indicating interest in acquiring 100%
of the Campus Crest common stock for a price between $7.10 and $7.40 per share, conditioned upon Campus Crest’s prior sale
of its Montreal joint venture interests and further conditioned on all limited partners in the Campus Crest operating partnership
agreeing to roll over their limited partner interests into a newly formed HSRE investment vehicle, but expressing confidence that
an agreement with the limited partners could be reached in a timely manner. HSRE also indicated that it would require a 30-day
period of exclusivity, and included a revised markup of the form merger agreement to reflect its bid. The other leading bids received
were from Party A, now working together with another large investment fund which we refer to as “Party F” to propose
an indicative bid of $7.05 per share, Party B, with an indicative bid of $7.00-$7.25 per share, and one more real estate investment
fund, who we refer to as “Party G,” with an indicative bid of $6.40 per share.
The two minority investment proposals were submitted
by Party D and Party E, who had each made proposals previously. Party D’s new proposal was for a debt issuance of $125 to
$150 million consisting of a combination of exchangeable notes and subordinated notes, and requesting two Board seats. The Party
E proposal consisted of a proposed investment of $250 million in new capital in a combination of preferred equity and common stock
on undescribed terms, the sale of approximately $200 million of new student housing properties from Party E’s joint venture
partner to Campus Crest in return for an aggregate consideration to be determined, and the sale of that joint venture partner’s
management company to Campus Crest on unspecified terms, with the management company taking over management of the Campus Crest
portfolio of properties.
On June 11, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met with representatives of Moelis to discuss the various proposals received. The committee directed Moelis to move forward with
the four leading bidders by requesting that each bidder refine its proposal and remove as much of the conditionality of its proposal
as possible before the committee would select a leading bidder with whom it would negotiate exclusively. The Transaction Committee
discussed that the investment proposals from Party D and Party E were expensive and dilutive to shareholders and did not provide
a solution to the company’s financial covenant concerns, but viewed the proposals as possible partial solutions if the terms
could be improved and no viable bid for the whole company was submitted. As a consequence, the committee directed Moelis to continue
discussions with Party D and Party E to seek to improve their bids. Over the next two weeks, representatives of Moelis and management
held multiple meetings with each of the leading bidders and with Party D and Party E, and, at the direction of the Transaction
Committee, Moelis asked each bidder to submit its best and final offer. Party G submitted a revised proposal with a purchase price
of $7.00 per share, and Party A submitted a revised price of $6.65 per share. Party B declined to submit a revised proposal.
On June 23, 2015, HSRE submitted a revised non-binding
indication of interest with a $7.25 per share offer price for 100% of the company’s common stock, conditioned on Campus Crest’s
sale of its Montreal joint venture interests and reaching agreement with the limited partners of the Campus Crest operating partnership
to redeem their limited partnership interests for not more $140 million, including the acquisition of the interests of Dr. McWhirter
and MFLP in the four remaining properties held jointly by Campus Crest and MFLP, and also obtaining releases from the tax protection
agreement entered into between Campus Crest and MFLP in connection with the Copper Beech transaction. HSRE again sought a 30-day
exclusivity period as a condition to moving forward.
On June 24 and June 29, 2015, the Transaction
Committee met with Moelis to review final bids and develop a process for moving forward. With HSRE submitting the leading bid,
the committee directed Moelis to contact Party G, the bidder with the next highest bid, to see if it would improve its bid before
the committee selected a leading bidder. Party G declined to improve its proposal.
The Board met the next day on June 30, 2015,
to discuss the status of the review process with Moelis, Kilpatrick and the Transaction Committee. Because of his potential involvement
with the HSRE proposal, Dr. McWhirter was not invited to attend this meeting or any of the subsequent meetings of the Board, despite
his observer rights under the Copper Beech agreement. Mr. McWilliams and Moelis reported on the status of strategic review process,
and recommended that the Board approve entering into exclusive negotiations with HSRE as the leading bidder. Kilpatrick and Moelis
described the likely timing and expected process going forward if HSRE were to be selected as the leading bidder. Moelis also described
its preliminary financial analyses of the company, and the Board discussed the various potential alternatives to a sale of the
company. The Board also heard an update on the status of Campus Crest’s proposed disposition of its Montreal joint venture
interests, noting that each of the leading bidders in the strategic review process had stipulated that the disposition of the Montreal
interests and the related CAD 56 million loan guaranty be a condition precedent to a transaction. Management reported that the
sale negotiations with respect to the Montreal interests were progressing well, and that the parties expected to close on the sale
in early August if the buyer were able to secure financing for the purchase. Based on the recommendation of the Transaction Committee,
the Board authorized the entry into exclusive negotiations with HSRE for up to 30 days, provided that HSRE’s purchase price
remain in the range of $7.25 to $7.50 per share, and authorized the Transaction Committee to finalize the terms of an exclusivity
agreement with HSRE.
On July 2, 2015, HSRE submitted a revised non-binding
indication of interest lowering its offer price to $7.15 per share for 100% of the company’s common stock, and indicated
that it had reached an agreement in principle with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP to acquire all of the limited partnership interests held
by MFLP. On July 2, 2015, the Transaction Committee met again with Moelis to discuss the revised HSRE bid, which had fallen below
the threshold set by the Board as a condition to its approval of exclusive negotiations with HSRE. The committee directed Moelis
to convey its concern with the lower price and requesting HSRE to raise its bid back to at least $7.25 per share if it wished to
proceed on an exclusive basis. The Transaction Committee again discussed potential alternatives to a sale of the company, including
whether the piecemeal disposition of the company’s portfolio of properties or a third-party management structure would provide
a better return to shareholders. The committee concluded that a transaction on the terms proposed by HSRE presented the most favorable
outcome for shareholders, if the transaction could be consummated on the terms proposed.
On July 7, 2015, HSRE submitted a revised non-binding
indication of interest to acquire 100% of the company’s outstanding common stock for $7.25 per share. The revised proposal
included confirmation from Dr. McWhirter and MFLP that MFLP had reached an agreement in principal to sell its Campus Crest operating
partnership interests back to the company in connection with the closing of a merger with HSRE. The proposal was conditioned upon
Campus Crest’s sale of the Montreal joint venture interest and upon the closing of HSRE’s agreement with Dr. McWhirter
and MFLP, but was not subject to a financing contingency. It also required a 30-day exclusivity period as a condition to going
forward. Later that day, the Board met with the Transaction Committee, Moelis and Kilpatrick to discuss the revised proposal from
HSRE and to update the Board on the status of the review process. Representatives of Moelis reported on the status of the strategic
review process, summarized the revised HSRE proposal, and described an updated joint proposal from Party A and Party F. The Board
discussed with management the updated financial projections prepared by management and the company’s historic poor performance
over the past five years as compared to internal projections. The Board also discussed the current strategic proposals and alternatives
to proceeding with one of the proposals, including the impact of the review process on the company’s discussions with its
senior lenders regarding its credit facilities. The Board discussed the revised HSRE proposal in detail, and then authorized the
entry into exclusive negotiations with HSRE for up to 30 days, provided that HSRE’s purchase price remain at least $7.25
per share. Following the meeting, Kilpatrick provided HSRE’s financial adviser and counsel with a draft exclusivity agreement
which prohibited Campus Crest from soliciting inquiries or proposals regarding, continuing or entering into negotiations with respect
to, providing nonpublic information in connection with, or entering into any confidentiality agreement, term sheet, letter of intent
or other arrangement regarding, an acquisition of a material amount of assets or securities of, or other business combination or
consolidation with, Campus Crest, for a period of thirty days.
Over the next seven days, Campus Crest, HSRE
and their respective legal and financial advisors engaged in extended negotiations over the terms of the exclusivity agreement.
HSRE insisted that Campus Crest agree to reimburse HSRE for its transaction expenses if the parties failed to enter into a definitive
merger agreement because of a failure of the sale of the Montreal properties to close, and Campus Crest insisted on maintaining
the ability to continue discussions with its lenders over the potential refinancing of the company’s outstanding debt. Campus
Crest and HSRE executed the exclusivity agreement on July 14, 2015, with Campus Crest agreeing to an exclusivity period through
August 4, 2015, subject to HSRE’s option to extend that date by 10 days to August 14, 2015, if it were to provide confirmation
that it was not requesting a reduction in the $7.25 per share offer price. Campus Crest also agreed to pay for new property condition
reports and related environmental assessments for each of its properties on the condition that the reports be owned by Campus Crest
and be available for use by other bidders in the process if the exclusivity period were to expire. Following execution of the exclusivity
agreement, HSRE and DLA Piper immediately commenced an extensive due diligence investigation.
Between July 14 and July 16, executives and
other employees and advisors of HSRE met with representatives of Moelis and Campus Crest management for due diligence purposes.
On July 16, 2015, DLA Piper provided a
revised markup of the draft merger agreement. The draft merger agreement contemplated an all-cash merger of Campus Crest with
a newly formed HSRE acquisition vehicle and included customary no-shop and fiduciary out provisions, but it did not provide
for a “go-shop” period following the signing of the merger agreement and did not specify the amount of any
termination fees that would be payable by Campus Crest under certain circumstances. Also on July 16, 2015, Campus Crest
released its March 31 fiscal quarter financial results and held a conference call with the investor community. On the call,
Campus Crest management provided a brief update on the strategic review process, and made the following statement:
“Since December 2014, the Board of Directors of
Campus Crest has been conducting a comprehensive and thorough analysis of a broad range of strategic operational and financial
alternatives to enhance shareholder value. The Board engaged financial and legal advisors and formed a three-person transaction
committee of independent directors to help evaluate and make recommendations as to alternatives. In early May we added three new
independent directors with significant industry experience to our Board and reconstituted the transaction committee with two of
those new directors. We are pleased that our process has generated significant interest, including more than 30 inbound inquiries
resulting in more than two dozen parties signing nondisclosure agreements granting them access to an extensive online data room.
The Board has been busy evaluating the best course forward for Campus Crest and its shareholders. The transaction committee, working
closely with our outside financial and legal advisors, has evaluated a range of alternative proposals, including asset sales; raising
various forms of capital; refinancing indebtedness; partnering with an outside management team; and the potential sale of the company.
At this time, while the Board has not eliminated any of those alternatives, at the recommendation of the transaction committee
the Board is currently focused on pursuing the potential sale of the company as the alternative most favorable to shareholders.
The transaction committee is engaged in discussions with the leading potential purchaser, but we must stress that at this time
we have no binding agreement for any transaction, and those discussions are subject to continued due diligence and reaching mutual
agreement on many important terms. It is therefore entirely possible that those discussions will not result in an agreement for
the sale of the company. If we are able to reach mutually acceptable terms on a definitive agreement, such transaction would be
subject to a shareholder vote and other customary conditions. To allow time for these discussions to conclude, the Board has determined
to postpone the annual meeting that had been scheduled for July 30. Please look for a separate announcement as to the rescheduled
date in the near future.”
From July 16 to 30, 2015, Kilpatrick, Moelis,
management and the Transaction Committee discussed the issues raised in the DLA Piper markup of the merger agreement and Kilpatrick
prepared a responsive revised draft. The primary open issues identified in the initial draft included HSRE’s request that
the closing of the Merger be subject to receipt of consent from all of the company’s mortgage lenders and that the sale of
the Montreal joint venture interests be closed prior to the signing of the merger agreement, Campus Crest’s concerns with
the lack of details provided regarding HSRE’s acquisition financing, HSRE’s rejection of a go-shop provision that would
allow the Board to continue to solicit superior acquisition proposals, the size of the termination fee payable by the company if
the deal were not to close, and the interim operating covenants that would be imposed on Campus Crest between the signing of the
merger agreement and the closing of the Merger.
On July 30, 2015, Kilpatrick provided a revised
draft of the merger agreement to DLA Piper. The revised draft addressed the Transaction Committee’s concerns with the prior
draft, and requested that HSRE’s ultimate parent entity guaranty the purchaser’s obligations under the merger agreement
if the purchaser would be a newly formed acquisition vehicle dependent on debt financing to pay the merger consideration.
On August 3, 2015, management updated the Transaction
Committee regarding the status of the Montreal sale, noting that the purchaser’s financing had fallen through and it would
likely take an extended period of time to secure alternative financing, if it could do so at all. Management, Moelis and Kilpatrick
began exploring potential structures to exclude the Montreal property and CAD 56 million guaranty of the Montreal joint venture’s
debt from the overall merger with HSRE, including the use of a contingent value right, or CVR, structure to accomplish this, as
HSRE and several other leading bidders had made it clear that the disposition of the Montreal interests and the CAD 56 million
guaranty was a condition to its proposal.
On August 3, 2015, representatives of HSRE met
with the Campus Crest management team for due diligence purposes.
On August 4, 2015, Kilpatrick and DLA Piper
discussed by telephone the outstanding issues under the merger agreement. Later that day, HSRE confirmed that it was not requesting
a reduction in the $7.25 per share merger price, and exercised its option to extend the exclusivity period to August 14, 2015,
in accordance with the terms of the exclusivity agreement.
On August 7, 2015, HSRE and its advisors expressed
concerns about continued delays in the filing Campus Crest’s Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015,
and the company’s failure to provide draft financial statements for the second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, noting
that the delays were making it impossible for HSRE to complete its financial due diligence and finalize its financing. HSRE also
expressed concern about the delays in disposing of the Montreal interests, and concerns that the Montreal sale price proceeds might
not be as high as previously projected by Campus Crest.
On August 11, 2015, DLA Piper provided a revised
draft of the merger agreement, and discussed the revised draft with Kilpatrick the next day by telephone.
On August 14, 2015, the members of the
Transaction Committee met in person in Charlotte in connection with the Board’s regular quarterly meeting, and most of
the other directors joined the meeting in order to hear an update on the strategic review process. At the meeting, Moelis
provided an update on the discussions with HSRE, noting that HSRE had reported that its due diligence was going well but that
it had three primary concerns: (i) HSRE’s inability to convert its agreement in principle with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP
into a definitive agreement, (ii) the failure of the Montreal sale to close and concerns that the sale price would be less
than expected, and (iii) the continued delays in the company’s finalization of its first quarter Form 10-Q and delivery
of draft second quarter financials. The Transaction Committee discussed the Montreal sale situation and the difficulties the
buyer was having with its financing, noting that it no longer looked possible to close the Montreal sale by the end of
August, and that each of the leading bidders (including HSRE) had been reluctant to commit to a transaction until
Montreal was resolved satisfactorily. The committee also discussed the status of the other potential bidders who had
previously submitted proposals and other alternatives potentially available to the company should the HSRE bid fall through.
The committee discussed indications that the back-up bidders would likely remain interested if the HSRE bid were to fall
through, but noted considerable uncertainty as to how firm their pricing would be, and the considerable time that would be
required for another bidder to finalize a transaction. The committee then approved an extension of the exclusivity period
with HSRE until five business days after Campus Crest delivers to HSRE a draft of Campus Crest’s second quarter
financial statements. The committee also directed management and Moelis to continue to explore all alternatives for a
go-forward strategy in the event no transaction is reached. Later that afternoon, at its regular quarterly meeting, the Board
continued the discussion of the strategic review process. Management provided an update on the company’s cash flow
forecast, and discussed the company’s performance against the forecast, noting that the company was performing slightly
better against the forecast than projected. The Board also discussed the impacts of a dispute with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP
over various intra-company loan balances between entities that had transferred to Campus Crest in the Copper Beech
transaction and those that remained with MFLP, and the status of discussions with Dr. McWhirter to resolve these balances.
Kilpatrick also provided an update on the status of the negotiations with HSRE over the merger agreement and the status of
HSRE’s due diligence investigation.
From August 14 to August 21, 2015, Campus Crest
and HSRE and their respective advisors began discussing the possible use of a CVR structure to segregate the Montreal interests
and CAD 56 million guaranty from the merger transaction but preserve value for the Campus Crest shareholders from an eventual sale.
On August 17, 2015, Kilpatrick, DLA Piper and
tax advisors for Campus Crest and HSRE met to discuss various tax and REIT issues related to the structure of merger. Later that
day, Campus Crest delivered a draft of its second quarter financials to HSRE.
On August 21, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met to discuss the status of discussions with the company’s bank lending group in which Campus Crest had requested a waiver
to allow additional time to file the second quarter Form 10-Q. The committee was also briefed on the status of negotiations with
HSRE and on the Montreal disposition, and discussed the plan to utilize a CVR structure to segregate the Montreal property and
guaranty from the merger transaction. Management also reported that the intra-company loan issues with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP were
still unresolved, and HSRE had communicated that it expected the company to resolve the dispute. The committee directed Moelis
to communicate to HSRE the committee’s expectation that HSRE resolve that issue in its overall agreement with MFLP. Later
that day, Campus Crest, HSRE and their respective advisors held a lengthy conference call to discuss open issues under the merger
agreement.
On August 24, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met to discuss the negotiations with HSRE. At the meeting, Moelis reported that HSRE had reaffirmed that HSRE’s agreement
with MFLP regarding redemption of the partners’ operating partnership interests and release of the tax protection rights
must be a condition to HSRE’s obligation to close the merger. The committee discussed whether, in light of this new development,
it should agree to further extend the exclusivity period for HSRE beyond its current expiration date of midnight on the date of
the meeting. Management reported that completion of the Form 10-Q for the second quarter continued to be delayed was not expected
to be ready to be filed until September 15, and that HSRE was insisting on preserving exclusivity through the filing of the Form
10-Q. After considerable discussion, the Transaction Committee agreed to extend exclusivity to September 15, 2015, but reserved
the right to earlier terminate exclusivity after August 31, 2015, if the Board does not believe satisfactory progress was being
made on the merger agreement terms because those terms were not finalized by that date. Later that day, Campus Crest issued a press
release announcing the continued delay in the filing of the Form 10-Q for the second quarter beyond the extended SEC filing deadline,
and receipt of notification from the NYSE that the delayed filing would put the company in default under the NYSE’s continued
listing criteria.
On August 25, 2015, the parties held an all-hands
negotiation session at DLA Piper’s offices in Chicago. The parties discussed at length the issues regarding required lender
consents, HSRE’s financing of the transaction, termination fees and reverse termination fees payable by the parties, the
scope of the non-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement, and the possible structure of a CVR arrangement to address the
delay in the closing of the Montreal sale. Campus Crest insisted that HSRE guaranty payment of a substantial reverse termination
fee in the event the HSRE purchaser entity should fail to obtain financing to fund the merger consideration. The parties were generally
in agreement with the use of a CVR structure that would carve out the Montreal properties and Montreal debt guaranty from the merger
transaction. Under the CVR structure, if the Montreal interests were not sold prior to the Merger effective time, HSRE would deduct
sufficient funds from the cash merger consideration to discharge the Montreal debt guaranty and place the funds in escrow to be
available, along with the net proceeds, if any, from the sale of the Montreal interests, for pro rata distribution to the Campus
Crest common stockholders after the Merger effective time.
On August 28, 2015, Campus Crest concluded its
discussions with its bank lending group and received a waiver from the banks that provided Campus Crest with additional time, until
September 30, 2015, to finalize its second quarter financials and file its Form 10-Q. However, the waiver effectively prohibited
Campus Crest from requesting further draws on the credit facility and implemented a cash sweep provision which would apply unless
Campus Crest entered into a change of control transaction by September 30, 2015, and required Campus Crest to collateralize the
credit facility with equity in its subsidiaries if a change of control transaction was not entered into by November 15, 2015.
Later on August 28, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met again to discuss the HSRE negotiations. At the meeting, Moelis provided an update on the progress over the past week, and summarized
the most significant remaining open issues, including the relative size of termination and reverse termination fees payable by
the parties, and the lender consent closing condition. The committee was informed that HSRE would not guaranty the reverse termination
fee because of prohibitions contained in its fund documents, but that HSRE has proposed instead that the termination fee payable
by Campus Crest be reduced to 1% of the aggregate merger consideration, and that the HSRE purchaser affiliate be subject to a reverse
termination fee equal to 2% of the aggregate merger consideration. The committee discussed that the 2% reverse termination fee
would be significantly lower than similar fees payable in comparable transactions, and would consequently offer the company less
protection in the event HSRE’s financing were to fall through. At the same time, the committee noted that the 1% fee payable
by the company was also unusually low and thus favorable to Campus Crest because it would make it easier for an interested party
to make a superior proposal to acquire the company. The committee was willing to accept the 1% and 2% thresholds, but insisted
that the ultimate owners of HSRE agree to guaranty at least half of the 2% personally, a concept that was never ultimately agreed
to by HSRE.
On August 31, 2015, Kilpatrick provided a revised
draft of the merger agreement to DLA Piper containing the CVR structure among other changes. Representatives of Moelis and HSRE’s
financial adviser later held a conference call to discuss the open issues under the merger agreement. HSRE offered to place half
of the reverse termination fee into an escrow account to secure its payment, and offered to reduce the lender consent threshold
to 50% of the outstanding debt, but with a cap on the breakage costs that would be required to be absorbed by HSRE and with any
additional breakage costs reducing the merger consideration.
On September 4, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met to discuss the HSRE negotiations. HSRE had reported to management that the terms and availability of its debt financing had
been preliminarily agreed. Kilpatrick and Moelis provided an update on the status of negotiations regarding the draft merger agreement,
and described the recent discussions with HSRE on the termination fee and lender consent issues. Moelis reported that the HSRE
principals were not willing to personally guarantee any portion of the reverse termination fee, but would agree to place the full
2% reverse termination fee in escrow at the signing of the merger agreement. The committee discussed that since the reverse termination
fee was lower than desired, it would require that the threshold for “superior proposals” that the Board could terminate
the merger agreement to pursue should be lowered from 50% to 35% to allow the Board to consider a favorable minority investment
transaction proposal, since such a proposal appeared to be the most likely alternative for Campus Crest that could emerge following
announcement of a transaction that could be superior to the HSRE proposal. The Transaction Committee also discussed the feasibility
of setting the lender consent threshold at a reasonable threshold, such as 85%, with HSRE obtaining an “accordion”
feature in its financing to allow it to draw down additional funds if needed to fund higher debt defeasance costs in the event
some consents were not obtained, thus reducing the significant conditionality that the lender consent condition would otherwise
impose on the transaction. The committee also discussed the likely tradeoffs it might need to consider between the certainty of
close and the potential for a reduction in the aggregate merger consideration over the lender consent issue. The committee directed
Kilpatrick and Moelis to convey the committee’s agreement with a 2% reverse termination fee from HSRE, backed by a fully
funded escrow account, an 85% lender consent threshold with no reduction in merger consideration, a reduction in the threshold
for considering “superior proposals” from 50% to 35%, and a termination fee payable by Campus Crest in the amount of
1% of the aggregate merger consideration.
On September 5, 2015, DLA Piper provided a further
markup of the merger agreement. The revised agreement raised several new issues and closing conditions, including a requirement
that HSRE’s agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP close as a condition to the merger, and requiring the company to reimburse
HSRE for all of HSRE’s transaction expenses if the company’s shareholders failed to approve the merger agreement for
any reason. Although the draft accepted the 1% termination fee and fully escrowed 2% reverse termination fee, the revised draft
failed to resolve the considerable conditionality remaining with the lender consent condition, and reflected continued disagreement
on the definition of “material adverse change” used throughout the merger agreement.
On September 8, 2015, Kilpatrick and DLA Piper
held a conference call to discuss the merger agreement open issues, and on September 9, 2015, Kilpatrick provided DLA Piper with
a revised draft of the merger agreement which provided, among other things, that Campus Crest’s obligations to pay HSRE’s
transaction expenses be capped at $1 million in the event the Campus Crest shareholders should fail to approve the merger and the
merger agreement.
On September 10, 2015, Campus Crest, HSRE, DLA
Piper, Kilpatrick, Moelis and HSRE’s financial advisor held an all-hands drafting conference call to seek to resolve the
open issues on the merger agreement, but made only slight progress. Due to the continued unresolved issues in the merger agreement
and delays in the resolution of HSRE’s agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP, the Board postponed its meeting previously
scheduled for September 11 to consider approval of the transaction.
On September 11, 2015, HSRE
provided initial drafts of its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP, and initial drafts of its debt commitment letters. The
draft MFLP agreement provided, among other things, for an aggregate payment funded by HSRE of $140 million to Dr. McWhirter
and the MFLP limited partners contemporaneously with the closing of the Merger in return for (i) the redemption of their
units in the Campus Crest operating partnership, (ii) the sale of their interests in several properties that were jointly
owned with Campus Crest, and (iii) their release of Campus Crest’s obligations under their tax protection agreement
with Campus Crest. The MFLP agreement contained a number of conditions to the parties’ obligations to close
HSRE’s acquisition of the MFLP interests, which added further conditionality to HSRE’s proposed merger terms with
Campus Crest since HSRE insisted that the closing of the MFLP agreement be a condition to the closing of the Campus Crest
merger. The debt commitment letters also contained considerable conditionality with respect to the lenders’ obligations
to fund the debt needed to pay the merger consideration, including due diligence and loan syndication conditions.
On September 13, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met to discuss the status of the negotiations with HSRE, the continued unresolved issues with the merger agreement, and the significant
conditionality in the debt commitment letters and MFLP agreement. Moelis and Kilpatrick described the significant conditions, and
noted that it had become apparent that although HSRE had stated that it was working to remove as many of the debt closing conditions
as possible, HSRE’s financing was likely to retain several closing conditions that were more significant than typical for
similar transactions, since the financing was largely based on the Campus Crest real estate portfolio rather than the continuation
of Campus Crest as a going concern. Significant open issues with the HSRE transaction included (i) the conditionality of HSRE’s
financing commitments, (ii) the continued unresolved issues with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP regarding intra-company loans and HSRE’s
agreement with them to acquire their Campus Crest operating partnership interests, (iii) the material adverse change definition
in the merger agreement, and (iv) the lender consent condition. The committee also discussed that the exclusivity period with HSRE
was set to expire in two days on September 15. The committee was disinclined to agree to a further extension in the absence of
clear progress on the outstanding issues and improvements with the conditionality in HSRE’s debt commitments. The committee
directed Moelis to convey to HSRE the committee’s dissatisfaction with the lack of progress and need to lessen the contingencies
in its debt commitments. The Transaction Committee also noted that the exclusive discussions with HSRE had gone on too long, and
the company needed to either reach an agreement with HSRE quickly or seek an alternative solution. The committee determined to
hold a daily conference call with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management to stay as close as possible to the HSRE negotiations.
On September 14, 2015, DLA Piper provided a
further markup of the merger agreement, and Kilpatrick and DLA Piper held a conference call to discuss the continued open issues.
Kilpatrick conveyed that although the Transaction Committee understood that the closing of HSRE’s agreement with Dr. McWhirter
and MFLP was a condition to the closing of the Merger, that the committee would require that HSRE agree to use its best reasonable
efforts to consummate the MFLP transaction, including waiving, if necessary, certain closing conditions in the MFLP agreement.
Later that day, the Transaction Committee held its regular daily call with Moelis and Kilpatrick. Moelis and Kilpatrick provided
an update to the committee on developments since the prior day’s meeting, reporting that the same open issues on the merger
agreement remained open. Management reported that the second quarter Form 10-Q was being reviewed by Campus Crest’s new independent
auditor, and should be ready for filing soon.
On September 15, 2015, during the Transaction
Committee’s regular daily call with Moelis and Kilpatrick, Moelis reported that HSRE had delivered drafts of its equity commitment
letters, and Moelis and Kilpatrick reported that the commitments appeared to be reasonably acceptable. Kilpatrick provided an update
on the status of the merger agreement discussions, and reported that HSRE would consider waiving certain closing conditions in
the MFLP agreement if necessary to assure Campus Crest of the closing of the transaction. Management also provided an update on
the timing of the filing of the second quarter Form 10-Q, noting that the Form 10-Q was substantially complete and a draft would
be provided to HSRE later in the day. Management also reported that it had commenced discussions with Dr. McWhirter regarding the
settlement of the intra-company loan balances, but no agreement had been reached. The committee determined not to extend the exclusivity
period with HSRE, but agreed to continue discussions on a non-exclusive basis while considering other alternatives. The committee
discussed whether to affirmatively reach out to other potentially interested parties once exclusivity expired that evening, and
voiced concerns that such efforts might negatively impact HSRE’s ability to finalize its financing. The Transaction Committee
directed Moelis to refresh the list of potentially interested parties to be prepared to contact them in a few days while trying
to resolve the remaining open issues with HSRE.
Later on September 15, Kilpatrick and DLA Piper
held a series of conference calls with subject area experts from each firm to discuss and seek to resolve the merger agreement
open issues. That afternoon, the parties were able to resolve the last remaining outstanding questions regarding Campus Crest’s
REIT status, and Campus Crest reached agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP regarding the intra-company loans and related issues.
On September 16, 2015, Kilpatrick provided a
further revised draft of the merger agreement to DLA Piper. Later that day, the Transaction Committee held its regular daily call
with Moelis and Kilpatrick to hear an update on the status of the merger agreement negotiations. Management reported that the Form
10-Q draft was under review by Campus Crest’s new independent auditor and the filing would be delayed by several more days.
On September 17, 2015, on its regular daily
call with Moelis and Kilpatrick, the Transaction Committee discussed the outstanding merger agreement issues and received an update
from management on the efforts to sell the Montreal interests. Management reported that it remained in discussions with the company’s
joint venture partner to purchase its Montreal interests, and that the purchaser was making good progress identifying an alternative
financing source to fund the purchase. Although the committee felt that progress was being made on the HSRE merger transaction,
the continued delays in reaching final agreement with HSRE was concerning, and the committee and Moelis discussed contacting a
select group of potential interested bidders who were believed to have continued interest to let them know that there was a limited
window of opportunity to make a superior proposal. The committee discussed that, given the slow but meaningful progress being made
on the HSRE negotiations, it was unlikely that a competing proposal could be finalized and agreed to before the HSRE merger terms
were finalized, but the committee thought it prudent to consider seeking other proposals in the event that the HSRE transaction
did not get finalized.
On September 18 and 19, 2015, Management was
informed that the financing for the disposition of the Montreal interests appeared to be progressing well, with the new financing
source expected to approve financing terms in the next few days. In addition, HSRE notified management that it was making progress
in reaching agreement with its lenders to remove many of the closing conditions in its financing commitments. DLA Piper provided
a further markup of the merger agreement, but the lender consent closing condition, material adverse change definition, and conditionality
of HSRE’s debt financing commitments continued to be unresolved.
On September 20, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met again with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management to discuss the status of HSRE’s financing and other open issues. Management
reported that HSRE had informed management that many, but not all, of the most significant closing conditions had been eliminated,
but that HSRE had concerns about a few Campus Crest properties which were not performing well enough to support their debt service
and HSRE was considering requiring the company to carve the properties and their underlying debt out of the merger transaction.
Management also reported that the settlement agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP was nearly complete, and the Form 10-Q should
be ready to file within a few days.
On September 21, 2015, Kilpatrick provided additional
comments on the draft merger agreement to DLA Piper. Later that day, at the direction of the Transaction Committee, Moelis contacted
Party F to ascertain its interest in submitting a new joint proposal with Party A. The Transaction Committee directed Moelis to
only contact Party F at that time because Party F was perceived as being the bidder most likely to be in position to make a proposal
quickly if the HSRE transaction should not be finalized.
On September 22, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met for a further update on the HSRE negotiations and to hear the results of Moelis’ outreach to Party F. Representatives
of Moelis reported that Party F had indicated that it was planning to submit a new joint financing proposal with Party A. In discussion,
the committee noted that, unlike the prior proposal from Party A/Party F, the new proposal would be for an investment only, and
would not be a proposal to acquire all of Campus Crest. Management provided an update on the status of the Form 10-Q filing, noting
that the company expected to be ready to file the Form 10-Q as early as September 25, 2015. The committee directed Moelis to let
HSRE know that Campus Crest intended to file the Form 10-Q within the next few days, and that HSRE must resolve all outstanding
issues by September 25.
On September 23, 2015, the Transaction Committee
held its daily call with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management. Management reported that HSRE continued to be unable to resolve the
last outstanding issues in its discussions with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP, but that HSRE expected to receive its final debt financing
commitments on Monday September 28, 2015. Management also reported that the independent auditor was nearing the completion of its
review of the Form 10-Q, which should be finalized shortly. Later that evening, Kilpatrick provided a revised draft of the merger
agreement to DLA Piper proposing a resolution of the lender consent issue and other outstanding issues.
On September 24, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met again with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management. Moelis provided an update on HSRE’s financing commitments, reporting that
one of the lenders had given its final approval, and the other lender had given final approval on one portion and expected final
approval on the remaining portion by September 28, 2015. Kilpatrick provided an update on the status of the merger agreement negotiations,
noting that progress on the lender consent issue was being made and should be resolved soon. Management reported that the Form
10-Q was nearly final and was being reviewed by the Audit Committee, which was expected to approve it for filing on September 25
or 28. Moelis reported that its discussions with the financial adviser to the Party A/Party F bidding group were going well, that
the parties had been given new access to the on-line data room and refreshed financial information, and that the parties appeared
to be spending considerable time on due diligence.
On September 25, 2015, Campus Crest, HSRE, Moelis,
Kilpatrick, DLA Piper and HSRE’s financial advisor held an all-hands conference call to seek to resolve the open issues on
the merger agreement. On the call, HSRE explained that it would not be able to fund the reverse termination fee amount into escrow
until at least 10 business days after signing the merger agreement, due to its need to make a capital call to its investors to
fund the account. Later that day, Kilpatrick provided a revised draft of the merger agreement to DLA Piper, containing, among other
things, a covenant obligating HSRE to fund the reverse termination fee escrow within 21 days of signing the merger agreement, and,
if not so deposited within 21 days, suspending the non-solicitation provisions in the merger agreement until the funds are deposited
and permitting Campus Crest to terminate the merger agreement if the funds were not deposited within such time.
On September 26, 2015, DLA Piper provided a
revised draft of the merger agreement to Kilpatrick. Later that day, the Transaction Committee held its regular update call with
Moelis, Kilpatrick and management to discuss the HSRE negotiations and continued discussions with the Party A/Party F group.
On September 27, 2015, Campus Crest, HSRE, Moelis,
Kilpatrick, DLA Piper and HSRE’s financial advisor held another all-hands conference call to seek to resolve the remaining
open issues on the merger agreement. Later that day, the Transaction Committee held its regular update call with Moelis, Kilpatrick
and management. Moelis reported that HSRE had stated that is was not prepared to move forward immediately on the merger agreement
due to the several remaining outstanding issues, including the finalization of its financing commitments, the unresolved lender
consent issue, and the additional time needed to finalize its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP. Frustrated with the lack of
progress, the Transaction Committee directed Moelis and management to immediately reach out to a broader group of potentially interested
bidders who had previously expressed interest, including both potential acquisition proposals and potential minority investment
proposals as an alternative to the HSRE transaction. At the same time, the committee directed Moelis, management and Kilpatrick
to work diligently to seek to resolve the remaining open issues with HSRE, which the committee still believed presented the most
attractive alternative if the terms could be finalized. Later that day, management had numerous calls with HSRE to discuss due
diligence and the terms of the debt financing.
On September 28, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met early in the morning with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management to discuss Moelis’ outreach to other potentially interested
bidders. The committee discussed the scope of the canvassing that Moelis and management were engaged in to explore whether there
may be another viable alternative to the HSRE proposal, given the continued issues preventing the signing of a definitive agreement
with HSRE, while continuing to negotiate with HSRE to try to resolve the open issues. The committee again discussed that the HSRE
proposal remained the most attractive proposal, if it could be finalized, but that the committee needed to continue to explore
other possible proposals in case the HSRE proposal could not finalized. Management informed the committee that the second quarter
Form 10-Q would be finalized later in the day and would be filed before market open on September 29, 2015, and that the company
intended to issue a press release indicating that the discussions with the leading potential purchaser and other interested parties
were continuing. The committee reconvened later that evening. Moelis reported that one of the early round bidders, a large private
equity fund had reached out to Moelis to inquire as to whether the Board would be interested in receiving a new minority investment
proposal. Based on the prior direction from the Transaction Committee, Moelis encouraged the investor to make a proposal if interested,
but explained to the committee that the investor’s previous proposal had been at a very low indicative price and was not
expected to submit a viable proposal in the current round. The committee discussed with Moelis a broader list of additional potentially
interested parties to contact, and the committee directed Moelis to continue to reach out to those parties to express the company’s
interest in receiving reasonable alternative proposals. Management reported that the Montreal buyer’s financing had been
approved, and that the parties were planning to close the Montreal sale as early as October 15, 2015.
Immediately following the September 28 Transaction
Committee meeting, the full Board met to hear an update on the strategic review process and to discuss the status of the Form 10-Q
for the second quarter. The chair of the Audit Committee reported that the Form 10-Q would be ready for filing by the next morning.
The chair of the Transaction Committee reported on the status of the negotiations with HSRE and the renewed discuss with the Party
A/Party F group. Management provided an update on the status of the proposed Montreal sale, including the expectation that the
Montreal sale should close by mid-October. Moelis next described the steps it had been taking at the direction of the Transaction
Committee to reach out to other potentially interested bidders while at the same time continuing to seek to finalize terms with
HSRE. The Board discussed the range of potential alternatives, and the impact of the financial covenants under the company’s
senior bank credit facility on the viability of other alternatives, noting that the company’s current bank waivers expire
with the release of the September 30 financial statements, with the result that the company could be in default under the facility
if additional waivers were not obtained. Management noted that the lending group was increasingly concerned with the company’s
financial covenant profile, and that the company could not be assured that additional covenant relief waivers could be obtained
on reasonable terms, if at all. Under the current waivers, if Campus Crest did not enter into a sale transaction by September 30,
2015, a cash sweep mechanism would go into effect, and if no transaction were entered into by November 15, 2015, the company would
be required to pledge the stock of its subsidiaries to the banks. The Board discussed
that a minority investment into the company was unlikely to be sufficient to pay off all bank debt and would require significant
additional concessions from the lenders, and that there was no assurance that such concessions could be obtained on reasonable
terms, if at all.
Later in the evening on September 28, HSRE provided
revised drafts of its debt commitment letters. The revised letters reflected that most, but not all, of the significant closing
conditions were removed.
Early in the morning on September 29, 2015,
Campus Crest released its second quarter financial results and filed its Form 10-Q for the second quarter. In the press release,
Campus Crest provided an update on the Board’s strategic review process, noting that the Board continued to pursue a potential
sale of the company, and remained engaged in discussions with the leading potential purchaser which were ongoing and subject to
reaching mutual agreement on terms and conditions. The release also noted, however, that he Board had not eliminated any alternatives
and would continue to consider and discuss with interested parties a range of potential strategic alternatives.
Later on September 29, 2015, the Transaction
Committee held its daily call with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management. Management reported that the company, Dr. McWhirter and MFLP
had executed a settlement agreement resolving the intra-company loans and related issues, and that Dr. McWhirter and MFLP were
close to resolving their open issues with the proposed agreement with HSRE. Management also reported that the talks with HSRE continued
to progress, albeit slowly, and that HSRE indicated that it would be making a revised written proposal to the company the next
day. The committee discussed that it believed that HSRE would likely revise its offer price downward, and directed Moelis to continue
to reach out to potentially interested parties. Moelis reported on its conversations with several potential bidders. The committee
also discussed the proposed terms of the sale of the Montreal interests to the company’s joint venture partner, and the purchaser’s
request that Campus Crest agree to certain adjustments to the transaction terms in order to allow the purchaser to pursue a more
certain financing package and quicker close. The committee approved
the revised sale terms conditioned upon the closing of the Montreal sale occurring not later than October 31, 2015.
Late that evening, DLA
Piper provided to Kilpatrick a revised draft of the merger agreement, and discussed the revised agreement briefly with Kilpatrick.
On September 30, 2015, Kilpatrick provided a
further revised draft of the merger agreement to DLA Piper. Later that day the Transaction Committee held its regular daily call
with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management. Management provided an update on its various calls with HSRE that day, noting that HSRE
had reported that it had finalized its financing, but had continued concerns about several Campus Crest properties which it indicated
were too costly to pay off and too difficult to finance. HSRE indicated that it was planning to propose a price decrease in its
proposal to $7.05 per share, if the company were to resolve the issues with those properties at no exposure to HSRE, or to $6.75
per share if HSRE were to be responsible for resolving the issues with the indebtedness on those properties. Each proposal would
also be increased by the amount of net proceeds, if any, from the Montreal sale transaction, which was expected to add another
$0.12 to $0.13 per share, depending upon exchange rates, to the overall Merger consideration. HSRE also reported that it had still
not finalized its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP. HSRE indicated it would submit a revised written proposal the next day
identifying the substantial unanticipated costs that it had uncovered in due diligence and which it believed justified a purchase
price reduction. The Transaction Committee discussed the general
categories of purported concerns identified by HSRE, and determined to wait to see the written proposal from HSRE before responding
point-by-point to HSRE on the identified concerns. The committee also discussed the potential impact of the identified concerns
on the merger consideration and the range of concessions that might be reasonable under the circumstances, given the timing concerns
and absence of a superior proposal.
On October 1, 2015, during its regular daily
update call, the Transaction Committee discussed the status of the HSRE transaction, and the results of calls by Moelis and management
with other potentially interested bidders. Management reported that it would be speaking with the Party A/Party F group later that
day to discuss a possible investment proposal, and Moelis reported
on discussions with several other potential bidders that were considering making a proposal. The committee directed Moelis and
management to continue to explore all possible alternative proposals.
On October 2, 2015, DLA
Piper provided a revised draft of the merger agreement to Kilpatrick.
On October 3, 2015, Moelis received a written
proposal from the Party A/Party F group proposing a $100 million investment in the form of five-year, 9% subordinated notes and
non-cancellable warrants to acquire shares of common stock of Campus Crest constituting 19.9% of the outstanding common stock at
$6 per share. The proposal would also require Campus Crest to hire the Party A management team and acquire the Party A management
company for an unspecified price.
On October 4, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management to discuss the new proposal from Party A/Party F, and the status of the continued discussions
with HSRE. The committee discussed the details of the Party A/Party F proposal and the company valuation implied and return assumptions
underlying the proposal. The committee was concerned with the 5-year-no-call and 9% current pay features of the debt proposal,
the lack of any equity investment, the unlimited term on the warrants, and the failure of the proposal to provide a solution to
the company’s outstanding bank debt. The proposal would require the company’s bank lenders to accept a partial pay
down of principal and agree to significant additional waivers, which could not be assured. The committee also requested Moelis
to be prepared to deliver an opinion as to the fairness of any transaction to the Campus Crest common stockholders, and agreed
to amend Moelis’ engagement letter to provide for a fairness opinion and a separate fee therefor, which would be deducted
from the overall engagement fee. Moelis indicated that it was prepared to undertake the fairness analysis, and referred committee
members to its correspondence with the committee earlier that day describing any prior relationships that Moelis was aware of with
participants in the strategic review process. Of note, Moelis reported that it had not previously been engaged by HSRE for any
services, but that Moelis as a firm had provided certain financial advisory services in the past (unrelated to Campus Crest) for
Party F, including two pending assignments, although no members
of the Moelis team working on the Campus Crest strategic review process were members of the Moelis team providing financial advisory
services to Party F. Moelis also confirmed its belief that it was able to provide independent advice to the Board and the Transaction
Committee in connection with a transaction with HSRE.
On October 5, 2015, HSRE delivered a revised
proposal letter to Campus Crest detailing its concerns identified in its due diligence investigation and which it argued supported
a purchase price reduction to $7.05 per share if certain identified properties were
disposed of prior to the consummation of the transaction without cost to Campus Crest or HSRE, or to $6.75 per share if those properties
(and their related debt) were to remain in the transaction. HSRE separately outlined its continuing unresolved issues preventing
finalization of its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP. As previously communicated orally, the proposals excluded the expected
net proceeds from the Montreal sale, which if Montreal were sold at the expected price would result in an additional approximately $0.12
to $0.13 per share, depending on exchange rates, in purchase price to the Campus Crest shareholders.
Later on October 5, the Transaction Committee
held its regular daily update call to discuss the revised written proposal from HSRE. It was also reported that HSRE was finally
making progress with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP and that the outlook was favorable that the terms would be agreed shortly. Moelis reported
on its discussions with Party F regarding the Party A/Party F proposal. The committee discussed the revised HSRE proposal, and
directed Moelis to inform HSRE that the committee would not respond on the proposal until HSRE finalized its negotiations with
Dr. McWhirter and MFLP.
On October 6, 2015, Kilpatrick and DLA Piper
discussed by telephone the remaining open issues in the merger agreement. Later on October 6, the Transaction Committee held its
daily update call. At the meeting, Moelis reported that it held
an in-person meeting with a large team of executives and advisors from the Party A/Party F group to discuss their proposal in more
detail. The group articulated its plan to use a substantial portion of the $100 million investment to pay down senior debt which
it believed would be sufficient to obtain the cooperation of the bank syndicate, and would also plan to effect substantial property
dispositions to further reduce debt levels, among other plans. It also expressed a willingness to consider investing more funds
if needed. The proposal would also require Campus Crest to acquire the Party A management company for $5 million, and for the senior
management of Party A to receive executive employment agreements with Campus Crest. They also indicated willingness to consider
a payment-in-kind, or PIK, feature for a portion of their investment, and would also consider making an equity investment of an
unspecified size. They expressed confidence that they could move quickly to finalize the transaction terms and fund their investment.
The Transaction Committee discussed the Party A/Party F proposal in detail, including discussion as to a proper and fair comparison
of the Party A/Party F partial investment proposal against the HSRE whole-company proposal, and how to account for the significant
execution risks of the Party A/Party F partial solution to the full solution of the HSRE proposal. The committee also discussed
the continued negotiations with HSRE, including the point-by-point discussion with HSRE on HSRE’s claimed unanticipated cost
items. The committee discussed countering the HSRE proposal with a share price of $6.93 - $6.95 per share (plus Montreal net proceeds),
and directed Moelis to convey a proposal to finalize a transaction at that price if HSRE was prepared to announce a transaction
by Friday, October 9. The committee also directed Moelis to inform HSRE that after October 9 the committee would concentrate its
efforts on seeking an alternative solution. Similarly, the committee directed Moelis to communicate to the Party A/Party F team
that they needed to respond no later than October 8 with an improved proposal.
On October 7, 2015, the Transaction Committee
held its regular daily update call with Moelis, Kilpatrick and management. Moelis provided an update on continued discussions with
HSRE and with the Party A/Party F group. Moelis also reported on several lengthy follow-up calls with the financial advisors to
the Party A/Party F group, who indicated that the group would be receptive to a two-staged deal in which they would invest capital
up front in an amount sufficient to be of interest to the senior bank group, and then would invest further capital in an unspecified
amount subject to Campus Crest shareholder approval. Moelis reported that the Party A/Party F group seemed motivated to reach a
deal, and had been highly active in the on-line data room.
On October 8, 2015, DLA Piper provided a revised,
substantially final draft of the merger agreement and discussed the minor outstanding
points with Kilpatrick. Later that day, Moelis received a revised written proposal from the Party A/Party F group providing for
the same investment of $100 million in subordinated notes and warrants to acquire 19.9% of the company at $6 per share, but limiting
the warrant term to 5 years, providing for a PIK feature at a higher interest rate for a portion of the investment, and allowing
the debt to be pre-paid after two years with a sliding scale prepayment penalty. Under the proposal, the Party A/Party F group
would also commit to purchase $20 million of common stock subject to Campus Crest shareholder approval. As before, the proposal
would require installation of Party A’s management team as management of Campus Crest, and for Campus Crest to purchase Party
A’s management company.
On October 9, 2015, HSRE responded
to Moelis with a revised merger consideration proposal at $6.88 per share (plus an estimated $0.12 to $0.13 of Montreal net
sale proceeds), but substantially lowered the size of the basket that would be available
to make payments necessary to obtain required lender consents. The parties continued discussions through the weekend.
On October 10, 2015, the Transaction Committee
met to discuss the revised proposals from HSRE and the Party A/Party F group. At the meeting, Moelis summarized the revised HSRE
proposal and its conversations with HSRE. Moelis next described the revised proposal received from the Party A/Party F group, and
the committee engaged in considerable discussion over the value of the Party A/Party F proposal and the underlying business assumptions
that the group appeared to be making to support its investment.
The committee expressed concerns that these assumptions underestimated the likely cost structure for the company and the issues
that would need to be resolved in order for the proposal, which was predominantly a high-yield debt investment, to be a good value
for Campus Crest shareholders. The committee determined that the Party A/Party F proposal valued the company by the equivalent
of an estimated $1.00 to $1.50 per share less than the HSRE proposal, and would also require significant improvement in the company’s
operating results and debt negotiations with senior lenders in order to be close to being comparable to the HSRE proposal. The
committee also discussed that the HSRE proposal would allow Campus Crest to promptly proceed with its planned engagement of a third
party property management firm to manage Campus Crest’s housing communities, thereby allowing Campus Crest to begin realizing
the operational benefits and expected cost savings of the third party management proposal which were expected to help facilitate
an alternative investment transaction if the transaction with HSRE were to fail to close. The committee directed Moelis to communicate
to the Party A/Party F group that the proposal needed significant improvement to be competitive. The committee also directed Moelis
to communicate a counter proposal to HSRE indicating that the Transaction Committee would recommend that the full Board approve
a transaction at a $6.90 per share price (plus Montreal net proceeds), with restoration of the lender consent basket to the amount
previously agreed, provided that HSRE finalized its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP.
On Sunday, October 11, 2015, the
Transaction Committee met to discuss the status of the discussions with HSRE and the Party A/Party F group. Management
reported that HSRE appeared very motivated to finalize a transaction and that HSRE’s negotiations with Dr. McWhirter
and MFLP were reportedly concluded on substantially the same terms previously described, but it would likely take a few
days to get all 14 MFLP parties to sign. The committee directed Moelis to convey its revised proposal to HSRE as discussed
the evening before, and to contact the Party A/Party F group
to allow it one more opportunity to improve its proposal by at least 15% across the board to be comparable to the
alternatives being considered by the committee. The committee directed Moelis and management to continue pushing on both HSRE
and the Party A/Party F group until one or the other were finalized on acceptable terms.
Later that day, DLA Piper provided an updated
draft of the merger agreement to address potential currency exchange fluctuations between the date of the signing of the merger
agreement and the date, if ever, that HSRE were required to place Canadian
dollars in escrow to defease the Montreal guaranty, and further revisions to clarify the calculation of the net proceeds from the
Montreal sale. Kilpatrick and DLA Piper discussed by telephone the resolution of the remaining open issues in the merger agreement
other than the merger consideration.
On October 12, 2015, HSRE accepted
the Transaction Committee’s counter proposal of $6.90 per share (plus Montreal net proceeds) with the restored lender
consent basket, resolving the last outstanding issues with the HSRE merger terms, and reported that Dr. McWhirter and a
majority of the MFLP limited partners had executed a final agreement with HSRE, with the few remaining signatures expected
soon. At a Transaction Committee meeting later that afternoon, the committee discussed the timing and logistics of the steps
required to finalize the merger agreement, including the receipt of a fairness opinion from Moelis, the final
recommendation of the committee to the full Board, and full Board review and approval. At the meeting, Moelis also
provided an update on its continued discussions with the Party A/Party F group, reporting that the group had indicated
some willingness to improve its proposal, but was reluctant to provide specifics without a face-to-face meeting and
further discussions, and suggesting that it would be difficult to improve its pricing materially, particularly without a
specific counter proposal from the committee. The committee engaged in significant discussion over the terms of the Party
A/Party F proposal, and directed Moelis to communicate to the group that at least $50 million of the investment would need to
be in the form of equity at a price of at least $6 per share, and the return on the subordinated debt portion of the
investment would need to be considerably lower. The committee considered that it was unlikely that the Party A/Party F group
would improve its proposal significantly enough to be comparable to the HSRE proposal, and again discussed concerns and
uncertainty as to whether final terms could be negotiated and finalized with the Party A/Party F group without losing the
fully negotiated HSRE proposal. The committee also questioned whether the Party A/Party F proposal could generate comparable
value for Campus Crest shareholders over time as compared to the more certain return of the HSRE proposal. It was noted,
however, that the merger agreement with HSRE allowed the Board to terminate the merger agreement to pursue a superior
proposal with payment of a modest termination fee of 1%, including to pursue a 35% minority investment, which meant that if
the Party A/Party F group was serious in its willingness to improve its offer it would still have an opportunity to do so
after the merger agreement was signed.
At the meeting, representatives of Moelis made
a presentation regarding its financial analyses. After further discussion, the committee
reviewed draft resolutions for the approval of the merger with HSRE, and Moelis indicated that it was prepared to deliver an opinion
to the full Board as to the fairness of the merger consideration from a financial point of view to the common stockholders. The
committee then unanimously adopted resolutions approving the merger and recommending that that full Board approve the merger on
the terms described, conditioned on HSRE’s delivery of a fully executed agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP before Campus
Crest would sign the merger agreement.
Immediately following the October 12 Transaction
Committee meeting, the full Board met to discuss the HSRE and Party A/Party F proposals. On behalf of the Transaction Committee,
Mr. McWilliams provided an update on developments over the prior two weeks since the last Board meeting. At the request of the
Board, representatives of Moelis made a presentation to the Board describing the strategic review process, the various proposals
received, a summary of recent developments and its financial analyses and delivered to the Board an oral opinion, which was confirmed
by delivery of a written opinion, dated October 13, 2015, addressed to the Board to the effect that, as of the date of the opinion
and based upon and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the opinion, the consideration to be received in the
Merger by holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than HSRE and its affiliates) is fair, from a financial point of
view, to such holders. The Board discussed the Moelis presentation at length, and engaged in considerable discussion regarding
the review process and final terms of the HSRE proposal and the Party A/Party F proposal. Kilpatrick summarized in detail the material
terms of the final Merger Agreement and the draft board resolutions
distributed prior to the meeting and answered questions from directors. Mr. McWilliams stated that the Transaction Committee had
approved the merger transaction with HSRE, as described in the draft resolutions circulated prior to the meeting and adopted by
the Transaction Committee, and recommended that the full Board approve the same. The Board agreed to reconvene the next day to
hear an update on the HSRE agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP.
On October 12 and 13, 2015, HSRE provided updated
copies of its debt commitment letters, and Kilpatrick and DLA Piper discussed resolution of the final minor open issues in the
merger agreement, and exchanging successive revised drafts of the merger agreement.
On October 13, 2015, the full Board reconvened
to hear an update on the status of the HSRE transaction and on the continued discussions with the Party A/Party F group. Kilpatrick
first reviewed with the Board the duties of directors in connection with the transactions being considered by the Board. Next,
management reported that all signatures had been obtained on HSRE’s agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP except one signature,
that of an elderly widow of a former associate of Dr. McWhirter which was expected shortly. Moelis reported that the Party A/Party
F group continued to express interest in pursuing a transaction with Campus Crest, and a willingness to consider improving its
proposal, but that the Party A/Party F group declined to provide specifics at that time. The Board engaged in lengthy discussion
with Moelis and management regarding the terms of the Party A/Party F proposal and a comparison of the valuation of that proposal
as opposed to the HSRE terms. The Board also discussed the additional time it would take to reach agreement with the Party A/Party
F group over the terms, and the uncertainty that final terms could be reached on acceptable terms, if at all. The Board directed
Moelis to continue discussions with the Party A/Party F group and to seek further details and improved terms in the event the transaction
with HSRE did not go forward. The Board directed Moelis to immediately inform the Transaction Committee if Moelis should receive
a significantly improved proposal from the Party A/Party F group so that the Transaction Committee could analyze it and take appropriate
action. The Board discussed the provisions of the Merger Agreement
that would allow the Party A/Party F group to make a compelling superior proposal after the Merger Agreement was signed if it desired
to do so, noting that the termination fee of just under 1% of the equity value was a very low fee that would be unlikely to deter
an investor or buyer with serious interest. Moelis and Kilpatrick described the provisions contained in many, but not all, of the
confidentiality agreements signed by interested potential bidders in the strategic review process that purported to prohibit the
signatory from approaching the Board with an offer or requesting that the Board waive the standstill provisions of the agreement
in order to allow the potentially interested bidder to make a proposal. The Board directed Moelis to communicate, prior to the
execution of any merger agreement with HSRE, to all signatories to such confidentiality agreements to inform them that all signatories
were automatically released from such standstill provisions upon Campus Crest’s entry into an agreement with a third party
with respect to a change in control of Campus Crest.
At the October 13 Board meeting, after considerable
discussion, and taking into account the fairness opinion delivered by Moelis and the other factors described below in great detail
under the heading “—Recommendations and Reasons for the Merger”, including the Board’s belief that the
Merger is more favorable to the Campus Crest stockholders than other strategic alternatives available to Campus Crest, including
remaining an independent public company, the Board unanimously adopted resolutions which, among other things, approved the merger,
the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and resolved to recommend that the Campus
Crest common stockholders vote for the approval of the Merger and
the Merger Agreement. However, because of uncertainty surrounding the timing of HSRE finalizing its agreement with Dr. McWhirter
and MFLP, the Board conditioned its approval on HSRE obtaining all signatures on its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP within
24 hours, and if not obtained, then further Board approval would be required.
Over the next few
days, HSRE worked to obtain the last signature on its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP.
On October 15, 2015, the full Board met again
to review the HSRE transaction and any further discussions with the Party A/Party F group. The Board discussed the continued difficulties
for HSRE in obtaining the last required signature on its agreement with Dr. McWhirter and MFLP, and the Board’s unwillingness
to sign a merger agreement with HSRE that was conditioned on closing the MFLP agreement if that agreement was not in effect prior
to execution of the merger agreement. Moelis also provided a brief update on the status of discussions with the Party A/Party F
group regarding its proposed investment. Moelis reported that the Party A/Party F group continued to express interest but had not
provided definitive terms that could be responded to. The Board directed Moelis to continue to engage
with the Party A/Party F group to seek better terms in case the HSRE transaction did not move forward. The Board again unanimously
approved the HSRE terms and authorized management to execute the merger agreement, but, given the fluidity of the discussions and
possibility that the Party A/Party F group might improve its proposal, the Board conditioned approval on finalizing and executing
the Merger Agreement by midnight on the next night, and if not executed by that time, further Board action would be required.
On October 16, 2015, Moelis communicated with
all signatories to confidentiality agreements with Campus Crest from the strategic review process that the standstill provisions
of the confidentiality agreements would automatically expire upon any announcement of a change of control transaction. Later that
evening, the final signature on the MFLP agreement was obtained and Kilpatrick and DLA Piper quickly worked to put the Merger Agreement
in executable form and resolve all outstanding agreement and due
diligence issues. HSRE then provided fully executed copies of its debt and equity commitment letters and the fully executed MFLP
agreement, and then Campus Crest and HSRE each executed the Merger Agreement. Campus Crest and HSRE issued a joint press release
announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement later that evening.
On October 30, 2015, Campus
Crest completed the sale of its Montreal interests and was released from all obligations under its CAD 56 million guaranty of
the Montreal joint venture’s indebtedness. Upon the closing of the Montreal sale, Campus Crest received net
proceeds estimated at $0.12 per share, based on then-current exchange rates, less approximately
$0.045 per share, based on then-current exchange rates, held in escrow to satisfy potential Canadian tax withholdings and to
secure Campus Crest’s indemnification obligations under the sale agreement.
On November 5, 2015, HSRE deposited the sum
of $10 million into an escrow account to fund its obligations under the Merger Agreement
to pay a reverse termination fee under certain circumstances.
Recommendations on Merger-Related
Proposals and Reasons for the Merger
Proposal 1 (Approval of the Merger and the
Merger Agreement). After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that the Merger, the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of Campus Crest and
its stockholders, has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and unanimously recommends that
our stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Proposal 2 (Merger-Related Compensation Proposal).
Our Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” the non-binding, advisory Merger-Related Compensation
Proposal.
Proposal 3 (Adjournment Proposal). Our
Board of Directors also recommends that you vote “FOR” any adjournment of the Annual Meeting if necessary to
permit solicitation of further proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger
and the Merger Agreement.
In evaluating the Merger, our board of directors
consulted with Campus Crest’s senior management and outside legal and financial advisors and, in reaching its decision to
unanimously approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, carefully considered numerous
factors that our Board of Directors believed supported its decision, including the following material factors:
| · | our Board of Directors’ knowledge of the business, operations,
financial condition, earnings and prospects of Campus Crest, as well as its knowledge of the current and prospective environment
in which Campus Crest operates, including economic and market conditions; |
| · | the unanimous recommendation by the Transaction Committee of the Board
of Directors that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, be adopted
and approved by the Board of Directors and that the stockholders of Campus Crest approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger; |
| · | the belief that the Merger is more favorable to Campus Crest’s
stockholders than other strategic alternatives available to Campus Crest following a long and publicly announced process with multiple
interested parties, including remaining an independent public company; |
| · | the current and historical trading price for a share of Campus Crest
common stock and the fact that the Merger Consideration of $7.01 per share represents an approximate 23.4% premium over Campus
Crest’s closing price on October 16, 2015 (the closing price on the trading day of the announcement of the proposed Merger),
and an approximate 8.1%, 29.3% and 31.9% premium over the volume weighted average prices of Campus Crest common stock over the
12-month, 3-month, and 1-month periods ended October 16, 2015, respectively; |
| · | the substantial amount of indebtedness carried by Campus Crest, and
the continued need for Campus Crest to seek waivers of its financial covenants under its indebtedness in order to avoid default,
the most recent of which waivers were set to expire with the reporting of financial results for the quarter ended September 30,
2015; |
| · | general macroeconomic challenges and economic weakness that could
impede rent increases; |
| · | the likelihood that the Merger would be completed based on, among
other things, the lack of a financing condition; |
| · | Campus Crest’s long relationship with affiliates of HSRE as
joint venture partners in helping to finance the acquisition and development of more than twenty apartment communities operated
by Campus Crest over the last seven years, which meant that HSRE had a good understanding of our business; |
| · | the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, which were reviewed
by our Board of Directors with their legal advisors, and the fact that such terms were the product of arm’s-length negotiations
between the parties; |
| · | Campus Crest’s ability to terminate the Merger Agreement, under
certain circumstances, in order to enter into a definitive agreement providing for a superior proposal if our Board of Directors
determines, after consultation with advisors and after taking into account any changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement proposed
by Parent, that the superior proposal continues to be a superior proposal, subject to payment of a termination fee of $5 million,
which equates to less than 1% of the aggregate Merger Consideration; |
| · | the $10 million reverse termination fee payable to Campus Crest
if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, which amount was deposited into escrow on November 5, 2015;
|
| · | the opinion of Moelis, dated October 13, 2015, to our Board of Directors
as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the opinion, of the consideration to be received by holders
(other than Parent and its affiliates, including Merger Sub) of shares of Campus Crest common stock, as of the date of the opinion
and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions set forth in the opinion and as more
fully described below in the section entitled “Opinion of Our Financial Advisor;” |
| · | the fact that the Merger Consideration will provide Campus Crest stockholders
with immediate fair value, almost entirely in cash, for all of their shares of Campus Crest common stock; |
| · | the limited number of potential purchasers with the financial ability
to acquire us; and |
| · | the fact that the Merger would be subject to the approval of our stockholders,
and the fact that our stockholders would be free to reject the Merger by voting against the Merger for any reason, including if
a higher offer were to be made prior to the Annual Meeting (although we may be required to pay a termination fee under certain
circumstances if we subsequently were to enter into a definitive agreement relating to, or to consummate, an acquisition proposal).
|
Our Board of Directors also considered a variety
of risks and other potentially negative factors concerning the Merger and the Merger Agreement, including the following:
| · | the Merger would preclude our stockholders from having the opportunity
to participate in the future performance of our assets, future potential earnings growth, future potential appreciation of the
value of our common stock or future dividends that could be realized depending on our future performance; |
| · | the significant costs involved in connection with entering into and
completing the Merger, the substantial time and effort of management required to consummate the Merger and related disruptions
to the operation of our business; |
| · | the restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to the completion
of the Merger, which could delay or prevent us from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the
Merger; |
| · | the pending Merger or failure to complete the Merger may cause harm
to relationships with our employees, relationships with colleges and universities, relationships with tenants and other business
associates and may divert management and employee attention away from the day-to-day operation of our business; |
| · | our inability to solicit competing acquisition proposals and the possibility
that a termination fee of $5 million payable by us upon the termination of the Merger Agreement could discourage other potential
bidders from making a competing bid to acquire us; |
| · | the risks that, despite the absence of a financing condition, Parent
fails to have the funds available to pay the Merger Consideration; |
| · | the fact that our exclusive remedy, available if the Merger Agreement
is terminated in certain circumstances, would be limited to a reverse termination fee payable by Parent in the amount of $10 million,
which amount was placed in escrow on November 5, 2015; and |
| · | the fact that some of our directors and executive officers have interests
in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, our stockholders generally (see “—Interests of Our Directors
and Executive Officers in the Merger).” |
The above discussion of the factors considered
by our Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive and is not provided in any specific order or ranking, but does set forth
material factors considered by our Board of Directors. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its
evaluation of the Merger and the complexity of these matters, our Board of Directors did not consider it practicable to, and did
not attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative or specific weight or values to any of these factors, and individual
directors may have held varied views of the relative importance of the factors considered. Our Board of Directors viewed its position
and recommendation as being based on an overall review of the totality of the information available to it, including discussions
with Campus Crest’s management and legal and financial advisors, overall considered these factors to be favorable to, and
to support, its determination regarding the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and determined that, in the aggregate, the potential
benefits considered outweighed the potential risks or possible negative consequences of approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. This explanation of Campus Crest’s reasons for entering
into the Merger Agreement and other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and should be read in light
of the “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
For the reasons set forth above, our Board
of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement and has declared the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Campus Crest and its stockholders. Our Board of Directors unanimously
recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, “FOR”
the non-binding, advisory merger-related compensation proposal and “FOR” the proposal to approve any adjournments
of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting
to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Opinion of Our Financial Advisor
At a meeting of Campus Crest’s Board of
Directors on October 12, 2015, Moelis delivered to Campus Crest’s Board of Directors an oral opinion, which was confirmed
by delivery of a written opinion, dated October 13, 2015, addressed to Campus Crest’s Board of Directors to the effect that,
as of the date of the opinion and based upon and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the opinion, the consideration
to be received in the Merger by holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than Parent and its affiliates) is fair,
from a financial point of view, to such holders.
The full text of Moelis’ written opinion
dated October 13, 2015, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review
undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Exhibit B to this Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by
reference. You are urged to read Moelis’ written opinion carefully and in its entirety. Moelis’ opinion was provided
for the use and benefit of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors (in its capacity as such) in its evaluation of the Merger. Moelis’
opinion is limited solely to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received in the Merger by
the holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than Parent and its affiliates), and does not address Campus Crest’s
underlying business decision to effect the Merger or the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any alternative business
strategies or transactions that might be available with respect to Campus Crest and does not constitute advice or a recommendation
to any stockholder of Campus Crest as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to the Merger or any other matter.
Moelis’ opinion was approved by a Moelis fairness opinion committee.
In arriving at its opinion, Moelis, among other
things:
| · | reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Campus Crest, including certain publicly
available research analysts’ financial forecasts; |
| · | reviewed certain internal information relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of Campus
Crest furnished to Moelis by Campus Crest, including financial forecasts provided to or discussed with Moelis by the management
of Campus Crest; |
| · | conducted discussions with members of senior management and representatives of Campus Crest concerning the publicly available
and internal information described in the foregoing, as well as the business and prospects of Campus Crest generally; |
| · | conducted discussions with members of senior management and representatives of Campus Crest concerning the probability
and the estimated timing and amount of the payment of the Per Share Contingent Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement); |
| · | reviewed publicly available financial and stock market data of certain other companies in lines of business that Moelis deemed
relevant; |
| · | considered the results of efforts by or on behalf of Campus Crest, including by Moelis at Campus Crest’s direction, to
solicit indications of interest from third parties with respect to a possible acquisition of all or a portion of Campus Crest; |
| · | reviewed the financial terms of certain other transactions that Moelis deemed relevant; |
| · | reviewed a draft, dated October 13, 2015, of the Merger Agreement; |
| · | participated in certain discussions and negotiations among representatives of Campus Crest and HSRE and their respective advisors;
and |
| · | conducted such other financial studies and analyses and took into account such other information as Moelis deemed appropriate. |
Management of Campus Crest also advised Campus
Crest’s Board of Directors and Moelis in respect of certain significant operating and capital structure challenges that have
adversely affected Campus Crest and potential future developments (including potential near-term liquidity issues) that could adversely
affect Campus Crest, and Moelis took the foregoing into consideration.
In connection with its review, Moelis did not
assume any responsibility for independent verification of any of the information supplied to, discussed with or reviewed by Moelis
for the purpose of its opinion and has, with the consent of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, relied on such information
being complete and accurate in all material respects. In addition, with Campus Crest’s consent, Moelis did not make any independent
evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet, or otherwise) of Campus
Crest, nor was Moelis furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal. Moelis was furnished with a draft of an independent third-party
evaluation of Campus Crest’s assets that was commissioned by Campus Crest; however, Campus Crest did not deem this evaluation
relevant because it was undertaken at a “desktop” level without physical property inspection and Moelis did not take
such evaluation into account in its financial analyses. With respect to the financial forecasts and other information and data
relating to Campus Crest (including as to the probability and the estimated timing and amount of the payment of the Per Share Contingent
Consideration) referred to above, Moelis assumed, at the direction of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, that such financial
forecasts and other information and data was reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of Campus Crest as to the future performance of Campus Crest.
Moelis’ opinion was necessarily based
on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Moelis as of, the date
of the opinion. Moelis’ opinion did not address the fairness of the Merger or any aspect or implication of the Merger to,
or any other consideration of or relating to, the holders of any class of securities (including holders of Company OP Units (as
defined in the Merger Agreement)), creditors or other constituencies of Campus Crest, other than the fairness from a financial
point of view of the consideration to be received in the Merger by the holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock (other than
Parent and its affiliates). In addition, Moelis did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation
to be received by any officers, directors or employees of any parties to the Merger, or any class of such persons, relative to
the consideration to be received in the Merger or otherwise. At the direction of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, Moelis
was not asked to, nor did it, offer any opinion as to any terms of the Merger Agreement, the escrow agreement to be entered into
by Parent, Merger Sub, Campus Crest and CCGSR relating to the Montreal joint venture (the “Montreal Escrow Agreement”),
the contingent value rights agreement to be entered into by Parent and CCGSR (the “CVR Agreement”), the CVRs (including,
without limitation, the form or structure of the Per Share Contingent Consideration or the CVRs), the value of the Exchange Rate
or the Exchange Rate Adjusted Guaranty Amount (each as defined in the Merger Agreement) at any future date or any aspect or implication
of the Merger, except for the Merger consideration to the extent expressly specified in Moelis’ opinion. In rendering its
opinion, Moelis assumed, with the consent of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, that the sale of the properties owned by
Campus Crest’s former Montreal joint venture or Campus Crest’s former Montreal joint venture would be consummated on
the terms described to Moelis. The CVRs are subject to significant transfer restrictions and are not freely tradable, and Moelis
has not expressed any opinion as to the value of the CVRs when issued pursuant to the Merger or at any time thereafter or the price
or range of prices at which shares of Campus Crest common stock may be purchased or sold at any time. Moelis has not evaluated
the solvency or fair value of Campus Crest under any state, federal or other laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
matters. Moelis is not a tax, legal, regulatory or accounting expert and has assumed and relied upon, without independent verification,
the assessments of Campus Crest and its other advisors with respect to tax, legal, regulatory and accounting matters.
In rendering its opinion, Moelis also assumed,
at the direction of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, that the final executed form of the Merger Agreement would not differ
in any material respect from the draft that Moelis reviewed, that the terms of the Montreal Escrow Agreement and the CVR Agreement,
when executed, would not differ in any respect material to the analysis of Moelis or the opinion of Moelis from the terms described
to Moelis prior to the date of the opinion, that the terms of the sale of the properties owned by Camus Crest’s former Montreal
joint venture or Campus Crest’s former Montreal joint venture would not differ in any respect material to the analysis of
Moelis or the opinion of Moelis from the terms described to Moelis prior to the date of the opinion, that the amount of the Cash
Merger Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement) would be at least $6.90 and the amount of the Per Share Contingent Consideration
would be at least $0.13, that the Merger would be consummated in accordance with its terms and that the parties to the Merger Agreement
would comply with all the material terms of the Merger Agreement. Moelis also assumed, with the consent of Campus Crest’s
Board of Directors, that all governmental, regulatory, lender or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of
the Merger would be obtained without the imposition of any delay, limitation, restriction, divestiture or condition that would
have an adverse effect on Campus Crest or the Merger.
Except as described in this summary, Campus
Crest and its Board of Directors imposed no other instructions or limitations on Moelis with respect to the investigations made
or procedures followed by Moelis in rendering its opinion.
The following is a summary of the material financial
analyses presented by Moelis to Campus Crest’s Board of Directors at its meeting held on October 12, 2015 in connection with
its opinion.
Some of the summaries of financial analyses
below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand Moelis’ analyses, the tables must be
read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses. Considering
the data described below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies
and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Moelis’ analyses. For the avoidance
of doubt, in the calculation of implied share price, Moelis used the fully diluted Campus Crest share count which includes the
total amount of Operating Partnership units. In addition, Moelis utilized Campus Crest’s financial projections and capital
structure pro-forma for the strategic transactions completed, announced or planned in 2015.
Financial Analyses of Campus Crest
Moelis’ valuation of Campus Crest’s
standalone business plan assumed that in order to reduce leverage to prevent a default, Campus Crest would be able to achieve a
normalized capital structure without requiring significant concessions to lenders or dilutive equity financings. Campus Crest management
indicated that this involves significant risk. While this risk does not lend itself to being financially quantified it should be
considered in interpreting the analyses presented.
Selected Public Companies Analysis. Moelis
reviewed financial and stock market information of the following selected publicly traded REITs that own and operate student housing
real estate properties:
| · | Education Realty Trust, Inc. |
| · | American Campus Communities, Inc. |
Although none of the selected companies are
directly comparable to Campus Crest, the companies included were chosen because they are U.S.-listed publicly traded companies
with similar asset characteristics as Campus Crest. Accordingly, the analysis of publicly traded companies was not simply mathematical.
Rather, it involved complex considerations and qualitative judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics
of the selected companies and other factors that could affect the public trading value of such companies. Moelis reviewed, among
other things, multiples of Net Operating Income (“NOI”) estimates based on Campus Crest’s management projections.
Moelis did not utilize forward Adjusted Funds from Operations (“FFOA”) multiples based on Moelis’ determination
that: (i) implying an FFOA multiple based on an analysis of Campus Crest’s peers was not applicable because Campus Crest’s
leverage is significantly higher than its peers which impacts the amount of interest input into the calculation of FFOA, (ii) Campus
Crest has undergone a significant number of organizational and operational changes, all of which impact the amount of SG&A
input into the calculation of FFOA and do not reflect a run-rate operational metric and (iii) calculation of multiples based
on forward NOI is consistent with Wall Street research analyses focused on the student housing REIT sector. Moelis also calculated
both nominal and economic capitalization rates. This analysis indicated the following implied Enterprise Value (“EV”)
ranges for calendar years ended 2015 and 2016:
| |
Projection ($mm) | |
Implied Cap Rate Range (Low) | | |
Implied Cap Rate Range (High) | | |
Implied EV Range (Low) | |
Implied EV Range (High) | |
2015E Nominal NOI | |
$ | 113 | |
| 7.00 | % | |
| 6.25 | % | |
$ | 1,612 | |
$ | 1,805 | |
2016E Nominal NOI | |
$ | 114 | |
| 7.25 | % | |
| 6.50 | % | |
$ | 1,576 | |
$ | 1,758 | |
2015E Economic NOI | |
$ | 100 | |
| 6.50 | % | |
| 5.75 | % | |
$ | 1,538 | |
$ | 1,738 | |
2016E Economic NOI | |
$ | 102 | |
| 6.75 | % | |
| 6.00 | % | |
$ | 1,509 | |
$ | 1,697 | |
This analysis further indicated the following
implied per share reference ranges for Campus Crest, as compared to the assumed merger consideration:
Implied Per Share
Reference Range
Based on 2015E
Nominal NOI
|
|
Implied Per Share
Reference Range
Based on 2016E
Nominal NOI |
|
Implied Per Share
Reference Range
Based on 2015E
Economic NOI |
|
Implied Per Share
Reference Range
Based on 2016E
Economic NOI |
|
Assumed Merger
Consideration |
$4.78 - $7.26 |
|
$4.32 - $6.66 |
|
$3.82 - $6.40 |
|
$3.45 - $5.87 |
|
$7.03 |
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Moelis
performed a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis of Campus Crest using a financial forecast and other information
and data provided by Campus Crest’s management to calculate the present value of the estimated future unlevered free cash
flows projected to be generated by Campus Crest. In performing the DCF analysis of Campus Crest, Moelis utilized a range of discount
rates of 7.00% to 9.00% to calculate estimated present values as of September 30, 2015 of (i) Campus Crest’s estimated
unlevered free cash flows for the period from October 2015 through December 2018, and (ii) estimated terminal values derived
by applying a capitalized economic NOI method. The capitalized NOI method estimated the terminal value assuming Campus Crest would
be valued at the end of the forecast period based on the terminal NOI (excluding management fees) and a terminal year capitalization
rate of 5.75% to 6.50% (implying a perpetuity growth rate of 1.6% to 4.1%). This analysis indicated the following implied per share
reference range for Campus Crest, as compared to the assumed merger consideration:
Implied
Per Share Reference Range |
|
Assumed
Merger Consideration |
$4.11 - $7.65 |
|
$7.03 |
Other Information
Moelis also noted for Campus Crest’s Board
of Directors certain additional factors that were not considered part of Moelis’ financial analysis with respect to its opinion
but were referenced for informational purposes, including, among other things, the historical trading prices for Campus Crest’s
common stock during the 12-month, 3-month, and 1-month periods ended, and as of, October 9, 2015 (the last trading day prior to
the meeting of the Campus Crest Board of Directors held on October 12, 2015), which reflected volume weighted average prices during
such periods of $6.50, $5.42, $5.15, and $5.70 per share, respectively, with the consideration to be received in the Merger implying
premiums of 8.2%, 29.7%, 36.6%, 23.4% to such prices, respectively.
Moelis considered a Selected Precedent Transactions
Analysis, but determined that the selected precedent transactions that Moelis reviewed lacked sufficient comparability to the Merger,
based on a variety of factors and circumstances distinguishing such transactions, including that transactions in the student housing
market are typically completed at the single-asset level rather than being structured as full company sales. Accordingly, Moelis
did not perform a selected precedent transactions analysis in reaching its opinion.
Miscellaneous
This summary of the analyses is not a complete
description of Moelis’ opinion or the analyses underlying, and factors considered in connection with, Moelis’ opinion.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytical process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or
summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or summary set forth above, without considering the analyses as a whole,
could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying Moelis’ opinion. In arriving at its fairness determination, Moelis
considered the results of all of its analyses and did not base its opinion solely on any one factor or analysis. Rather, Moelis
made its fairness determination on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of
its analyses.
No company or transaction used in the analyses
described above is identical to Campus Crest or the Merger. In addition, such analyses do not purport to be appraisals, nor do
they necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold. Analyses based upon forecasts of future
results are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested
by such analyses. Because the analyses described above are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous factors
or events beyond the control of the parties or their respective advisors, neither Campus Crest, nor Moelis or any other person
assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those forecast.
The consideration to be received in the Merger
was determined through arms’ length negotiations between Campus Crest and HSRE and was approved by Campus Crest’s Board
of Directors. Moelis did not recommend any specific consideration to Campus Crest or its Board of Directors, or that any specific
amount or type of consideration constituted the only appropriate consideration for the Merger.
Moelis acted as financial advisor to Campus
Crest in connection with the Merger and will receive a fee for its services, currently estimated to be approximately $15.8 million
in the aggregate, $3 million of which became payable in connection with the delivery of its opinion, regardless of the conclusion
reached therein, and the principal portion of the remainder of which is contingent upon completion of the Merger and a portion
of which is contingent upon payments being made on the Per Share Contingent Consideration. Campus Crest has also agreed to reimburse
Moelis for direct and reasonable expenses Moelis has incurred in performing services arising out of its engagement. In addition,
Campus Crest has agreed to indemnify Moelis for certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising
out of its engagement.
Moelis’ affiliates, employees, officers
and partners may at any time own securities of Campus Crest and HSRE. In the past two years, Moelis has not provided investment
banking or other services to HSRE or, other than as contemplated by Moelis’ engagement letter with Campus Crest entered into
in connection with the Merger, Campus Crest. In the future, Moelis may provide such services to HSRE and may receive compensation
for such services.
Campus Crest’s Board of Directors selected
Moelis as Campus Crest’s financial advisor in connection with the Merger because Moelis has substantial experience in similar
transactions. Moelis is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
strategic transactions, corporate restructurings, and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Campus
Crest
Except with respect to guidance
provided and/or updated from time to time in the ordinary course of business, Campus Crest does not generally make public
long term forecasts or internal projections as to future revenues, earnings, funds from operations or other results due to,
among other reasons, the uncertainty inherent in the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, we are including below
certain unaudited prospective financial information of Campus Crest that was prepared by our management team and made
available to our Board of Directors in connection with its evaluation of the Merger. This information also was provided, in
varying forms, to our financial advisor for its use in connection with the financial analyses that it performed in connection
with rendering its opinion to our Board of Directors, as described under “—Opinion of Our Financial
Advisor,” as well as to Parent in connection with its evaluation of the Merger. The inclusion of this
information should not be regarded as an indication that any of Campus Crest, our Board of Directors, our financial advisor,
Parent or any other recipient of this information considered, or now considers, it to be necessarily predictive of actual
future results. None of Campus Crest, our Board of Directors, our financial advisor, Parent or any of their respective
affiliates assumes any responsibility for the validity, reasonableness, accuracy or completeness of the prospective financial
information described herein.
The unaudited prospective financial information
was, in general, prepared solely for internal use and is subjective in many respects. As a result, the prospective results may
not be realized and actual results may be significantly higher or lower than estimated. Since the unaudited prospective financial
information covers multiple years, that information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year.
You should review Campus Crest’s filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of risk factors with respect to our business. See also “Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” The unaudited prospective
financial information was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor was it prepared with a view toward compliance
with GAAP, published guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the guidelines established by the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. In addition, the unaudited
prospective financial information requires significant estimates and assumptions that make it inherently less comparable to the
similarly titled GAAP measures in Campus Crest’s historical GAAP financial statements.
Neither Campus Crest’s independent registered
public accounting firm nor any other independent accountants have compiled, examined or performed any audit or other procedures
with respect to the unaudited prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other
form of assurance on such information or its achievability. The report of Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting
firm contained in Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 relates to the
historical financial information of Campus Crest and does not extend to the unaudited prospective financial information and should
not be read to do so. Furthermore, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account any circumstances
or events occurring after the date on which it was prepared, and Campus Crest has not undertaken any efforts to, nor is it under
any duty to, update the unaudited prospective financial information to reflect any such subsequent circumstances or events.
The unaudited prospective financial information
reflects, as of October 7, 2015, Campus Crest management’s estimates of financial performance and estimates of the impact
of certain strategic transactions and does not give effect to the Merger and the related transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. In the unaudited prospective financial information, management has assumed that Campus Crest’s property management
operations will transition to a third-party property management company during the first quarter of 2016. Additionally, SG&A
expenses assume the use of consultant management through the first quarter of 2016 and that thereafter Campus Crest will significantly
reduce its SG&A in 2016 and 2017. The unaudited prospective financial information also assumes that Campus Crest resumes payment
of the 8.0% dividend on its Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares in 2016, including dividends accrued since Campus Crest
announced that it had suspended dividend payments in April 2015.
The following table presents selected unaudited
prospective financial data for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2019 for Campus
Crest, and includes: (i) the impact of the following transactions: (A) the acquisition of additional membership interests
in the Copper Beech portfolio (the first closing was completed on January 30, 2015, the second closing was completed on April 30,
2015 and the purchase of the remaining interest of Copper Beech Klondike and Northbrook Greens was completed on June 27, 2015);
(B) the sale of Campus Crest’s 10% interest in the joint venture property, The Grove at Stillwater, Oklahoma (completed on
January 30, 2015); (C) the sale of Campus Crest’s 63.9% interest in the joint venture properties, The Grove at Conway, Arkansas
and The Grove at Lawrence, Kansas (completed on March 31, 2015); (D) the sale of Campus Crest’s 20% ownership interest
in The Grove at Norman, Oklahoma to HSRE and Campus Crest’s acquisition of the remaining 90% ownership interest in The Grove
at Fayetteville, Arkansas from HSRE (completed on August 7, 2015); (E) the sale of Campus Crest’s 10% interest in the
joint venture property, The Grove at Laramie, Wyoming (completed on September 2, 2015); and (F) the sale of Campus Crest’s
63.9% interest in the joint venture property, The Grove at San Angelo, Texas (completed on September 10, 2015); and (ii) the
expected impact of the following transactions: (A) Campus Crest’s acquisition of the remaining 80% ownership interest
in The Grove at Indiana, Pennsylvania from HSRE (estimated closing in the fourth quarter of 2015); (B) Campus Crest’s acquisition
of the remaining 70% ownership interest in The Grove at Greensboro, North Carolina from HSRE (estimated closing in the first quarter
of 2016); (C) the sale of Campus Crest’s 30% ownership interest in The Grove at Louisville, Kentucky to HSRE (estimated closing
in the first quarter of 2016); (D) Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture (estimated
closing on December 31, 2015); and (E) the sale of Campus Crest’s 48% interest in Copper Beech at Kalamazoo - Phase II (estimated
closing in the first quarter of 2016) (the transactions in (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Assumed Transactions”).
$ in millions | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Management Projections (1) | |
Calendar Year Ended December 31, | | |
4-Year | |
| |
2015 | | |
2016 | | |
2017 | | |
2018 | | |
2019 | | |
CAGR | |
Total Revenue | |
$ | 209.6 | | |
$ | 213.0 | | |
$ | 221.0 | | |
$ | 227.0 | | |
$ | 230.3 | | |
| 2.4 | % |
Total Operational Expenses | |
$ | (99.3 | ) | |
$ | (99.0 | ) | |
$ | (100.3 | ) | |
$ | (101.9 | ) | |
$ | (103.4 | ) | |
| 1.0 | % |
Total NOI | |
$ | 110.4 | | |
$ | 114.0 | | |
$ | 120.6 | | |
$ | 125.2 | | |
$ | 126.9 | | |
| 3.5 | % |
NOI Margin | |
| 52.6 | % | |
| 53.5 | % | |
| 54.6 | % | |
| 55.1 | % | |
| 55.1 | % | |
| | |
Total G&A (2) | |
$ | (39.7 | ) | |
$ | (27.5 | ) | |
$ | (20.7 | ) | |
$ | (21.2 | ) | |
$ | (21.5 | ) | |
| (14.2 | )% |
EBITDA | |
$ | 70.7 | | |
$ | 86.5 | | |
$ | 100.0 | | |
$ | 104.0 | | |
$ | 105.3 | | |
| 10.5 | % |
EBITDA Margin | |
| 33.7 | % | |
| 40.6 | % | |
| 45.2 | % | |
| 45.8 | % | |
| 45.7 | % | |
| | |
Interest Expense | |
$ | (49.2 | ) | |
$ | (46.3 | ) | |
$ | (48.1 | ) | |
$ | (48.1 | ) | |
$ | (48.5 | ) | |
| | |
Preferred Dividends | |
$ | (3.1 | ) | |
$ | (21.4 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
| | |
Overhead Depreciation | |
| (2.1 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| | |
FFOA | |
$ | 16.4 | | |
$ | 16.5 | | |
$ | 37.3 | | |
$ | 41.4 | | |
$ | 42.3 | | |
| 26.7 | % |
FFOA Margin | |
| 7.8 | % | |
| 7.7 | % | |
| 16.9 | % | |
| 18.2 | % | |
| 18.4 | % | |
| | |
Adjusted FFOA (3) | |
$ | 7.3 | | |
$ | 25.6 | | |
$ | 37.3 | | |
$ | 41.4 | | |
$ | 42.3 | | |
| 55.3 | % |
Adjusted FFOA Margin | |
| 3.5 | % | |
| 12.0 | % | |
| 16.9 | % | |
| 18.2 | % | |
| 18.4 | % | |
| | |
Operating Metrics | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Average Portfolio Occupancy | |
| 85.3 | % | |
| 90.4 | % | |
| 92.3 | % | |
| 93.5 | % | |
| 93.5 | % | |
| 2.3 | % |
Average Portfolio Total RevPOB | |
$ | 554 | | |
$ | 551 | | |
$ | 558 | | |
$ | 565 | | |
$ | 573 | | |
| 0.9 | % |
Available Beds (4) | |
| 37,780 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| | |
| (1) | Includes pro rata contribution from joint ventures. |
| (2) | Includes property management related expenses. |
| (3) | Adjusted to reflect full-year payment of preferred dividend. |
| (4) | Adjusted to reflect percent ownership of joint venture properties. |
The following table presents the same unaudited
prospective financial data for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2019 for Campus Crest, but
includes the full-year pro forma impact of the Assumed Transactions as if such transactions were completed on January 1, 2015.
$ in millions | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Management Projections (1) | |
Calendar Year Ended December 31, | | |
4-Year | |
| |
2015 | | |
2016 | | |
2017 | | |
2018 | | |
2019 | | |
CAGR | |
Total Revenue | |
$ |
209.0 | | |
$ |
212.9 | | |
$ |
221.0 | | |
$ |
227.0 | | |
$ |
230.3 | | |
2.4 | % |
Total Operational Expenses | |
$ | (96.4 | ) | |
$ | (99.0 | ) | |
$ | (100.3 | ) | |
$ | (101.9 | ) | |
$ | (103.4 | ) | |
| 1.8 | % |
Total NOI | |
$ | 112.6 | | |
$ | 114.0 | | |
$ | 120.6 | | |
$ | 125.2 | | |
$ | 126.9 | | |
| 3.0 | % |
NOI Margin | |
| 53.9 | % | |
| 53.5 | % | |
| 54.6 | % | |
| 55.1 | % | |
| 55.1 | % | |
| | |
Total G&A (2) | |
$ | (39.7 | ) | |
$ | (27.4 | ) | |
$ | (20.7 | ) | |
$ | (21.2 | ) | |
$ | (21.5 | ) | |
| (14.2 | )% |
EBITDA | |
$ | 72.9 | | |
$ | 86.5 | | |
$ | 100.0 | | |
$ | 104.0 | | |
$ | 105.3 | | |
| 9.6 | % |
EBITDA Margin | |
| 34.9 | % | |
| 40.6 | % | |
| 45.2 | % | |
| 45.8 | % | |
| 45.7 | % | |
| | |
Interest Expense | |
$ | (47.0 | ) | |
$ | (46.3 | ) | |
$ | (48.1 | ) | |
$ | (48.1 | ) | |
$ | (48.5 | ) | |
| | |
Preferred Dividends | |
$ | (3.1 | ) | |
$ | (21.4 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
$ | (12.2 | ) | |
| | |
Overhead Depreciation | |
| (2.1 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| (2.4 | ) | |
| | |
FFOA | |
$ | 20.8 | | |
$ | 16.5 | | |
$ | 37.3 | | |
$ | 41.4 | | |
$ | 42.3 | | |
| 19.4 | % |
FFOA Margin | |
| 9.9 | % | |
| 7.8 | % | |
| 16.9 | % | |
| 18.2 | % | |
| 18.4 | % | |
| | |
Adjusted FFOA (3) | |
$ | 11.6 | | |
$ | 25.7 | | |
$ | 37.3 | | |
$ | 41.4 | | |
$ | 42.3 | | |
| 38.1 | % |
Adjusted FFOA Margin | |
| 5.6 | % | |
| 12.0 | % | |
| 16.9 | % | |
| 18.2 | % | |
| 18.4 | % | |
| | |
Operating Metrics | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Average Portfolio Occupancy | |
| 89.0 | % | |
| 90.4 | % | |
| 92.3 | % | |
| 93.5 | % | |
| 93.5 | % | |
| 1.2 | % |
Average Portfolio Total RevPOB | |
$ | 545 | | |
$ | 551 | | |
$ | 558 | | |
$ | 565 | | |
$ | 573 | | |
| 1.3 | % |
Available Beds (4) | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| 36,572 | | |
| | |
| (1) | Includes pro rata contribution from joint ventures. |
| (2) | Includes property management related expenses. |
| (3) | Adjusted to reflect full-year payment of preferred dividend. |
| (4) | Adjusted to reflect percent ownership of joint venture properties. |
NOI, EBITDA, FFOA and adjusted FFOA are “non-GAAP
financial measures” set forth in Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K and should not be considered as alternatives to net income
(determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indication of our performance. Campus Crest calculates NOI by subtracting property-level
operational expenses from property-level revenues. Campus Crest calculates EBITDA by subtracting general and administrative expenses,
including third party property management expenses from NOI. Campus Crest calculates FFOA by subtracting interest (including mortgage,
construction, and corporate-level debt), preferred dividends and overhead depreciation from EBITDA. Campus Crest calculates adjusted
FFOA by adjusting FFOA to be based only on one year of preferred dividend payments. None of these non-GAAP measures represents
cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP, and none of the metrics represent a measure of liquidity
or an indicator of our ability to make cash distributions.
While presented with numeric specificity, the
unaudited prospective financial information reflects a number of assumptions and estimates regarding, among other things, interest
rates, corporate financing activities (including our ability to finance our operations and investments and refinance certain of
our outstanding indebtedness and the terms of any such financing or refinancing and leverage ratios), the amount and timing of
our investments and the yield to be achieved on such investments, the amount and timing of capital expenditures, distribution rates,
occupancy and the amount of general and administrative costs.
The assumptions made in preparing the above
unaudited prospective financial information may not reflect actual future conditions. The estimates and assumptions underlying
the unaudited prospective financial information involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive,
regulatory and financial market conditions and future business decisions which may not be realized and that are inherently subject
to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, including, among others, risks and
uncertainties described under “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” as well as the risks described
in the periodic reports of Campus Crest filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict
and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, the projected results may not be realized, and actual results likely will
differ, and may differ materially, from those reflected in the unaudited prospective financial information, whether or not the
Merger is completed.
You should not place undue, if any, reliance
on the unaudited prospective financial information set forth above, and such prospective financial information should not be utilized
as public guidance. No representation is made by Campus Crest or any other person to any stockholder or other person regarding
the ultimate performance of Campus Crest compared to the information included in the above unaudited prospective financial information.
The inclusion of unaudited prospective financial information in this Proxy Statement should not be (i) regarded as an indication
that the prospective financial information will be necessarily predictive of actual future events, and such information should
not be relied on as such, or (ii) deemed an admission or representation by Campus Crest or our Board of Directors that such
information is viewed by Campus Crest or our Board of Directors as material information of Campus Crest. You should review the
description of Campus Crest’s reported results of operations and financial condition and capital resources during 2014 and
the first, second and third quarter of 2015, including in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations” in Campus Crest’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
NONE OF CAMPUS CREST, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OR OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR INTEND TO UPDATE OR OTHERWISE REVISE THE ABOVE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES
EXISTING AFTER THE DATE WHEN MADE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF FUTURE EVENTS, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS
UNDERLYING SUCH UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE NO LONGER APPROPRIATE, EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
Financing of the Merger
In order to close the Merger, Parent will require
funds necessary to:
| · | pay the holders of Campus
Crest common stock the amounts due to them under the Merger Agreement; |
| · | redeem or set aside
sufficient funds for the redemption of Campus Crest’s 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock; |
| · | assume, refinance or pay off existing
indebtedness of Campus Crest as contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
| · | purchase certain interests in the Operating Partnership, and certain
joint venture properties; |
| · | pay certain limited partners of the Operating Partnership an amount
equal to the Merger Consideration; |
| · | pay off the outstanding 4.75% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2018 issued
by the Operating Partnership; and |
| · | pay all fees and expenses related to the Merger and the financing
of the Merger, |
The Merger will be funded through a combination
of:
| · | equity financing in the aggregate amount of up to approximately $927
million to be provided by (i) HSRE-Quad Core, LP (“Quad Core”), (ii) HSRE Quad V, LLC (“Quad V”), and (iii)
HSRE Core Holding I, LLC (“Core I” and together with Quad Core and Quad V, collectively, the “Sponsors”),
each of which is an affiliate of HSRE, pursuant to the equity commitment letters described below; |
| · | debt financing in the aggregate amount of up to $750 million to be
provided by (i) PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as Administrative Agent, along with certain other banks and
financial institutions (the “PNC Debt Facility”), and (ii) Bank of America, N.A. (“BOA”), as Administrative
Agent, along with certain other banks and financial institutions (the “BOA Debt Facility” and collectively, the “Debt
Financing”), pursuant to the debt commitment letters described below; and |
The funding under the equity and debt commitment
letters is subject to certain conditions, including conditions that do not relate directly to the Merger Agreement. Those amounts
might be insufficient if, among other things, one or more of the parties to the commitment letters fails to fund the committed
amounts in breach of such commitment letters or if the conditions to the commitments to fund the amounts set forth in such commitment
letters are not met. The failure of Parent or its affiliates to obtain any portion of the committed financing (or alternative financing)
is likely to result in the failure of the Merger to be consummated. In that case, Parent may be obligated to pay the $10 million
reverse termination fee to Campus Crest, as described under "—The Merger Agreement—Termination Fees."
The consummation of the Merger is not subject
to any financing conditions, although funding of the financing is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the
respective equity and debt commitment letters under which the applicable financing will be provided.
Equity Financing
Parent has entered into (i) an equity commitment
letter with Quad Core, dated as of October 16, 2015, pursuant to which Quad Core has committed $677,950,000, (ii) an equity commitment
letter with Quad V, dated as of October 16, 2015, pursuant to which Quad V has committed to contribute to Parent prior to the closing
of the Merger, up to an amount equal to $207,550,000, and (iii) an equity commitment letter with Core I, dated as of October 16,
2015, pursuant to which Core I has committed to contribute to Parent prior to the closing of the Merger, up to an amount equal
to $41,650,000.
The Sponsors’ obligations to fund the
equity financings contemplated by the equity commitment letters are generally subject to (a) the conditions precedent to the obligations
of Parent and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement to consummate the Merger having been satisfied or waived in accordance with
the terms and conditions thereof, and (b)(i) the conditions precedent to the obligations of the lenders under the debt commitment
letters having been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, or (ii) Parent’s and its affiliates
receipt of the debt financing contemplated by the Merger Agreement (or alternative financing on the terms permitted by the Merger
Agreement).
The obligation of the Sponsors to fund the equity
financing commitment generally will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (a) the consummation of the Merger, (b) the termination
of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, and (c) any assertion by Campus Crest or any of its affiliates, in any legal
proceeding, claim, suit, or action that (i) the Sponsors’ respective liability under or in respect of its equity commitment
letter, the Merger Agreement, or any the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement or any related matters is not limited
to its respective commitment contained in its commitment letter, or that the limitations of such liability in respect of its commitment
is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, (ii) any affiliate of the Sponsors has any liability under the respective
equity commitment letter or any transactions contemplated by its equity commitment letter, or (iii) any affiliate of the Sponsors
(other than Parent or Merger Sub) has any liability under or in respect of the Merger Agreement or the Merger.
Debt Financing
On October 8, 2015, Harrison Street Real Estate
Partners V, L.P., an affiliate of Parent, received a debt commitment letter (the “PNC Debt Commitment Letter”) from
PNC to make and fund, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the PNC Debt Commitment Letter, a senior secured
term loan facility in the original principal balance of up to $190,000,000 with additional availability under an accordion feature
to raise the total principal balance to an amount of up to $275,000,000. The PNC Debt Facility is secured by multiple first mortgage
loans. The "Borrower", under the PNC Debt Commitment Letter, refers to existing or to-be-formed single-purpose entities
that will own the properties that will secure the PNC Debt Facility. The PNC Debt Commitment Letter permits PNC to terminate its
obligations to fund under the PNC Debt Facility in certain circumstances including, but not limited to: (i) the failure of the
parties to execute and deliver definitive documentation on or prior to February 12, 2016, (ii) the failure of Harrison Street Real
Estate Partners V, L.P. to comply with its obligations under the PNC Debt Commitment Letter or the related fee letter or (iii)
the failure of PNC or the other lenders providing the PNC Debt Facility to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the
PNC Debt Commitment Letter, requested information deemed reasonably necessary to complete the syndication of the PNC Debt Facility.
On October 9, 2015, HSRE-Quad Core Holding 2,
LLC, an affiliate of Parent, received a debt commitment letter (the “BOA Debt Commitment Letter”) from BOA to make
and fund, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the BOA Debt Commitment Letter, a senior unsecured term loan
facility in the initial principal amount of up to $350,000,000 with additional capacity under an additional delayed draw to raise
the total principal balance to an amount of up $475,000,000. The “Borrower”, under the BOA Debt Commitment Letter,
refers to HSRE-Quad Core Holding 2, LLC. The BOA Debt Commitment Letter permits BOA to terminate its obligations to fund under
the BOA Debt Facility in certain circumstances including, but not limited to: (i) the failure of the parties to execute and deliver
definitive documentation on or prior to February 12, 2016, (ii) the failure of HSRE-Quad Core Holding 2, LLC to comply with its
obligations under the BOA Debt Commitment Letter or the related fee letter or (iii) the failure of BOA or the other lenders providing
the BOA Debt Facility to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the BOA Debt Commitment Letter, requested information
deemed reasonably necessary to complete the syndication of the BOA Debt Facility.
Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
In considering the recommendation of Campus
Crest’s board of directors to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement, stockholders should be aware that certain directors
and executive officers of Campus Crest have interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests
of stockholders generally and which may create potential conflicts of interest. Campus Crest’s Board of Directors was aware
of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated thereby and making its recommendations that the stockholders of Campus Crest approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Set forth below are descriptions of these interests, including interests in equity or equity-based awards, change in control severance
arrangements and other compensation and benefit arrangements that may be realized by virtue or as a result of the consummation
of the Merger. The dates used in the discussions below to quantify certain of these interests have been selected for illustrative
purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the dates on which certain events may or will occur.
Restricted Stock
As of immediately prior to the Merger effective
time, each share of Campus Crest’s restricted stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time will
vest in full, will be treated as an outstanding share of Campus Crest common stock and will be cancelled and converted into the
right of the holder to receive an amount in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding or other taxes, equal to the
Merger Consideration. Mr. Halfacre, our President and Chief Investment Officer, currently has restricted stock awards for 50,000
shares of Campus Crest stock that will vest only if the closing price of Campus Crest’s common stock exceeds specified dollar
amounts between $9.00 per share and $13.00 per share.
The following table summarizes the aggregate
number of outstanding shares of restricted stock held by each of Campus Crest’s named executive officers and directors, and
the consideration that each of them may become entitled to receive in connection with the vesting and settlement of these awards,
in each case, assuming continued employment or service through the Merger effective time and assuming the Merger effective time
occurred on December 1, 2015 based on an estimated Merger Consideration of up to $7.01.
Executive Officer / Director: | |
Aggregate No. Restricted Shares (#) | | |
Resulting Consideration ($) | |
Aaron Halfacre (1) | |
| — | | |
$ | — | |
Scott Rochon | |
| 4,996 | | |
| 35,021.96 | |
Randall H. Brown | |
| 7,000 | | |
| 49,070.00 | |
Richard S. Kahlbaugh | |
| 12,178 | | |
| 85,367.78 | |
Jim McCaughan | |
| 14,000 | | |
| 98,140.00 | |
Denis McGlynn | |
| 18,337 | | |
| 128,542.37 | |
Curtis McWilliams | |
| 7,000 | | |
| 49,070.00 | |
Raymond Mikulich | |
| 7,000 | | |
| 49,070.00 | |
Lauro Gonzalez Moreno | |
| 16,334 | | |
| 114,501.34 | |
Daniel L. Simmons | |
| 18,337 | | |
| 128,542.37 | |
| (1) | Assumes that the requisite stock prices are not reached, and Mr. Halfacre’s 50,000 shares of restricted stock are forfeited
prior to the Merger effective time. |
Deferred Compensation
Campus Crest maintains a nonqualified deferred
compensation plan, under which certain members of management or other highly compensated employees may elect to defer receipt of
up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their incentive based compensation, and under which matching contributions may
be made by Campus Crest. Upon consummation of the Merger, any unvested amounts in the plan will become fully vested. If a participant
incurs a separation from service at the time of the Merger or within two years following the Merger, the participant will be paid
the participant’s account balance in the plan in a lump sum within 60 days following the separation from service (unless
such distribution is subject to a delay for six months under Code Section 409A).
The following table summarizes the aggregate
amounts held by each of Campus Crest’s named executive officers under the deferred compensation plan as of December 1, 2015,
and any portion of such amount which is unvested and which will vest upon consummation of the Merger.
Executive Officer / Director | |
Unvested Account Balance | | |
Total Account Balance | |
Scott Rochon | |
$ | 1.43 | | |
$ | 4,663.69 | |
Payments upon Change in Control
As a result of the change in control that would
result from the Merger, certain Campus Crest executive officers would be entitled to certain severance benefits if the executive's
employment is terminated under certain circumstances following the Merger.
Campus Crest currently is party to an employment
agreement with Mr. Halfacre, which provides that if within two years following a change in control (which would include the Merger)
Mr. Halfacre’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest other than for "cause," or by him with "good reason,"
he is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to two times the sum of his then current annual base salary and an amount equal
to the cash incentive bonus paid to him for the immediately preceding fiscal year. In addition, Mr. Halfacre’s employment
agreement provides that Mr. Halfacre will receive a transaction bonus equal to $200,000 in a lump sum upon the closing of the Merger.
Campus Crest currently is party to an employment
agreement with Mr. Rochon, which provides that if within two years following a change in control (which would include the Merger)
Mr. Rochon’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest other than for "cause," or by him with "good reason,"
he is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to two times the sum of his then current annual base salary and an amount equal
to the cash incentive bonus paid to him for the immediately preceding fiscal year (of if no such bonus was paid, an amount equal
to 50% of Mr. Rochon’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which his termination date occurs). In addition, Mr. Rochon’s
employment agreement provides that Mr. Rochon will receive a transaction bonus equal to $240,000 in a lump sum within 10 days following
the closing of the Merger.
The table below under "—Quantification
of Payments and Benefits" reflects the amount of payments and benefits that each of Campus Crest’s named executive officers
would be entitled to receive upon termination of such executive's employment without "cause" or resignation for "good
reason" following the Merger. In the event of a termination by the surviving entity for cause or by the executive without
good reason, including in connection with a change in control, such executive would not be entitled to any of such amounts.
Indemnification of Our Directors
and Officers
The Merger Agreement provides that for a period
of six years after the Merger effective time, all rights to indemnification existing in favor of our directors and officers contained
in our charter and bylaws in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement will become the obligations of the surviving entity
in the Merger, and the surviving entity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, defend and hold harmless
such directors and officers against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees, expenses, judgments and fines arising in whole
or in part out of actions or omissions by any of them in their capacity as our directors or officers occurring at or prior to the
Merger effective time (including in respect of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement) and,
subject to certain conditions, shall pay related legal fees, costs and expenses incurred by them in connection therewith.
The Merger Agreement requires that the surviving
entity maintain our directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement
for at least six years after the closing of the Merger (or substitute policies with at least the same coverage and amounts as our
existing policies, provided that such substitution does not result in any gaps or lapses of coverage) with respect to claims arising
from facts or events that occurred on or before the closing of the Merger including, without limitation, in respect of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement). This requirement is subject to a maximum cost of 300% of our current annual premium paid
for such insurance (which we refer to as the maximum cost). If the cost to maintain or procure such insurance coverage exceeds
the maximum cost, Parent will maintain or procure for such six-year period as much coverage as can be obtained for the maximum
cost. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, prior to the Merger effective time, Parent or Campus Crest may purchase, for
an aggregate amount that shall not exceed the maximum cost, a 6-year prepaid “tail policy” on terms and conditions
providing at least materially equivalent benefits as the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
maintained by Campus Crest and its subsidiaries with respect to matters existing or occurring prior to the Merger effective time,
covering without limitation the Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Merger agreement. If such prepaid “tail
policy” has been obtained by Parent or Campus Crest, it will be deemed to satisfy all such obligations of the Parent to obtain
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
The parties have agreed not to terminate or
modify the obligations described above regarding directors’ and officers’ indemnification in such a manner as to adversely
affect our directors and officers, and such obligations must be assumed by any successor entity to the surviving entity in the
Merger as a result of any consolidation, merger, dissolution or transfer of all or substantially all of its properties and assets.
Quantification of Payments and
Benefits
The table below sets forth the estimated amounts
of payments and benefits that each named executive officer of Campus Crest could receive that are based on or otherwise relate
to the Merger. These amounts have been calculated assuming:
| · | the Merger is consummated on December 1, 2015 based on an estimated
Merger Consideration of up to $7.01; and |
| · | the termination of employment by Campus Crest without "cause"
or by the executive for "good reason" (each as defined in the executive’s employment agreement) occurs immediately
following the closing of the Merger. |
Golden Parachute Compensation
Named Executive Officer | |
Cash ($)(1)(2) | | |
Equity ($)(3) | | |
Transaction Bonus ($)(4) | | |
Total ($) | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
$ | 1,400,000 | | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 200,000 | | |
$ | 1,600,000 | |
Scott Rochon | |
$ | 1,010,000 | | |
$ | 35,022 | | |
$ | 240,000 | | |
$ | 1,285,022 | |
| (1) | The cash severance payment, as further described above under "—Payments upon Change in Control," is an amount
equal to two times base salary plus two times the incentive amounts paid to the executive for the prior fiscal year (or if no such
incentive amounts were paid for the prior fiscal year, 50% of the target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination date
occurs). The calculations in the table are based on these executive officers' annual base salaries as of December 1, 2015 ($350,000
for Mr. Halfacre and $202,000 for Mr. Rochon). |
| (2) | Estimated amounts included in this column are "double trigger" benefits and subject to the execution and non-revocation
of a release of claims in favor of Campus Crest and our affiliates. The executive officers would only be entitled to receive the
estimated compensation in this column upon termination of such executive's employment without "cause" or resignation
for "good reason" (each as defined in the employment agreement) following the Merger. In the event of a termination by
the surviving entity for cause or by the executive without good reason, including in connection with a change in control, such
executive would not be entitled to any of the amounts reflected in this column. |
| (3) | Represents the aggregate value of the "Resulting Consideration" shown for the applicable executive in the tables
under the heading "—Restricted Stock." |
| (4) | Represents the transaction bonus payable upon the closing of the Merger pursuant to the executive’s employment agreement. |
Mr. Coles, our Interim Chief Executive Officer,
and Mr. Makuch, our Interim Chief Financial Officer, are not entitled to any severance payments or transaction bonuses from Campus
Crest in connection with the Merger.
Regulatory Matters
We are unaware of any material federal, state
or foreign regulatory requirements or approvals that are required for the execution of the Merger Agreement or the completion of
the Merger, other than the filing of the Articles of Merger with, and the acceptance of such Articles of Merger for record by,
the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
Litigation Relating to the Merger
On October 27, 2015, a purported class action
related to the Merger Agreement, Grossman v. CCGSR, et al., was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Case No.
24-C-15-005422, against Campus Crest, CCGSR, HSRE, Parent, Merger Sub and the members of our Board of Directors. Seven other lawsuits,
Latuso v. Campus Crest et al., Silverwood v. Campus Crest, et al., Cekot v. Campus Crest, et al., Powis v. CCGSR, et al., Zhang
v. CCGSR, et. al., Bushansky v. Campus Crest, et. al., and Wei Lin v. Campus Crest, et. al., were subsequently filed in the Circuit
Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Case Nos. 24-C-15-005415, 24-C-15-005414, 24-C-15-005476, 24-C-15-005501, 24-C-15-005502, 24-C-15-005542
and 24-C-15-005642 on October 27, 2015, October 27, 2015, October 30, 2015, November 2, 2015, November 2, 2015, November 5, 2015
and November 10, 2015, respectively.
These eight lawsuits generally allege breaches of fiduciary duties by our directors in connection with
the Merger Agreement. More specifically, the complaints allege that the individual defendants failed to take appropriate steps
to maximize stockholder value and improperly favored themselves in connection with the proposed transaction. Some of the complaints
further assert that the Merger Agreement contains several deal protection provisions that are unnecessarily preclusive and an amended
complaint further alleges that Campus Crest failed to make adequate disclosures to its stockholders in the preliminary proxy statement
filed on November 16, 2015. The complaints also allege that some or all of HSRE, Parent, Merger Sub, and, in certain cases, David
Coles, our interim chief executive officer, Aaron Halfacre, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and CCGSR aided and abetted
the directors' purported breaches of fiduciary duty. The complaints seek to permanently enjoin defendants from consummating the
proposed Merger or, to the extent already implemented, to rescind the Merger Agreement or grant rescissory damages, in addition
to various additional remedies. On November 9, 2015, plaintiffs in three of the cases, Brian Silverwood, Michael Cekot and Stephen
Bushansky, requested that the Circuit Court for Baltimore City consolidate seven of the separate actions. The defendants believe
that all of the allegations against them lack merit and intend to defend against the lawsuits vigorously.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences
The following summarizes the material U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Merger to holders of our common stock whose shares are exchanged for the right to
receive the per-share Cash Consideration and the per-share Contingent Consideration (which may be paid in cash or in the form
of a non-transferable contingent value right or “CVR”) pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
This discussion is based on current law, is
for general information only and is not tax advice. This discussion is based on the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury regulations
promulgated under the Code, referred to as the “Treasury Regulations,” judicial decisions and published administrative
rulings, each, as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly
with retroactive effect and any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this discussion.
We have not requested, and do not plan to request, any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, which we
refer to in this Proxy Statement as the “IRS,” concerning our tax treatment or the tax treatment of the Merger, and
the statements in this proxy are not binding on the IRS or any court. This discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations
is not binding on the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position
contrary to any described herein.
This discussion does not address (i) U.S.
federal taxes other than income taxes, (ii) state, local or non-U.S. taxes or (iii) tax reporting requirements, in each
case, as applicable to the Merger. This summary assumes that our shares are held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code and does not address all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal
investment or tax circumstances and does not address the tax consequences of the Merger to holders of restricted stock, or holders
of Operating Partnership units. In addition, this discussion does not address U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable
to special classes of holders of our common stock, including, for example:
| · | banks and other financial institutions; |
| · | holders that are classified as a partnership or other pass-through
entities including a subchapter S corporation under the Code; |
| · | persons acting as nominees or otherwise not as beneficial owners;
|
| · | tax-exempt organizations or persons holding our common stock in a
tax-deferred or tax advantaged account (except to the extent specifically set forth below); |
| · | dealers in securities or currencies; |
| · | traders in securities that elect to use a mark to market method of
accounting; |
| · | persons holding shares of our common stock as part of a straddle,
hedge, constructive sale, conversion transaction, or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| · | regulated investment companies; |
| · | certain U.S. expatriates; |
| · | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| · | foreign (non-U.S.) governments; |
| · | non-U.S. holders as defined below, that hold, or at any time have
held, more than 5% of any class of our stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below); |
| · | non-U.S. holders (as defined below) who own or who have owned (actually
or constructively) more than 5% of Campus Crest common shares; |
| · | persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;
|
| · | persons holding our restricted stock or who otherwise acquired shares
of our common stock as compensation; |
| · | persons who do not hold our common stock as a capital asset within
the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; and |
| · | “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign
investment companies,” or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax. |
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S.
holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is:
| · | an individual citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal
income tax purposes; |
| · | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the
District of Columbia; |
| · | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or |
| · | a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary
supervision of a U.S. court and with respect to which one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code)
have the authority to control all substantial decisions, or (B) that has a valid election in place under applicable Treasury Regulations
to be treated as a United States person. |
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S.
holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is an individual,
corporation, estate or trust and is not a U.S. holder as described in the bullets above.
If any entity or arrangement that is treated
as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock the tax treatment of its partners or members generally
will depend on the status of the partner or member and the activities of the entity. If you are a partner of a partnership or a
member of a limited liability company or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that
entity is holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor. Moreover, each holder should consult its tax advisor regarding
the U.S. federal income tax consequences to it of the Merger in light of its own particular situation, as well as any consequences
of the Merger to such holder arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX RULES APPLICABLE
TO THE MERGER, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF CAMPUS CREST COMMON STOCK AND TO REITS GENERALLY ARE HIGHLY TECHNICAL AND COMPLEX. HOLDERS
OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS, AND POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE
TAX LAWS, IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Consequences to us of the Merger
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will
treat the Merger as if we had sold all of our assets to Merger Sub in exchange for the cash merger consideration, the contingent
merger consideration and the assumption of our liabilities outstanding as of the Merger effective time (including our share of
the liabilities of our Operating Partnership and then made a liquidating distribution of the aggregate merger consideration to
our stockholders in exchange for their shares of our common stock. Because as a REIT, we are generally entitled to receive a deduction
for liquidating distributions and we anticipate that our deemed liquidating distribution will exceed our taxable income recognized
as a result of the Merger, together with any other undistributed taxable income recognized in the taxable year of the Merger. We
anticipate that we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized in connection with the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Consequences of the Merger to
U.S. Holders of Shares of Our Common Stock
For purposes of this discussion we have assumed
that the Contingent Consideration will be paid in cash at the Merger effective time. For a discussion of the tax consequences of
the receipt of CVRs see “—Consequences of the Receipt of CVRs to U.S. Holders of Shares of Our Common Stock.”
General. The receipt
of the cash merger consideration and per-share contingent consideration (the “aggregate transaction consideration”)
by U.S. holders in exchange for their common stock pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income
tax purposes (and also may be a taxable transaction under applicable state, local and foreign income and other tax laws). In general,
a U.S. holder of our common stock will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between:
| · | the amount of aggregate transaction consideration received in exchange
for our common stock; and |
| · | the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. |
The aggregate amount of this consideration currently
is estimated to be $7.01 per share of our common stock, which is the sum of:
| · | the Cash Consideration of $6.97 per share; and |
| · | the Contingent Consideration which equates to a pro rata share
(currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions
from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint
venture to be paid in cash or CVRs at the Merger effective time. |
Gain or loss will be calculated separately for
each block of shares of stock, with a block consisting of shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction. This gain or
loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the Merger the common
stock has been held for more than one year. An individual U.S. holder will be subject to tax on net capital gain at a maximum U.S.
federal income tax rate of 20%. Additionally, a 3.8% Medicare unearned contribution tax will apply to all or a portion of the gain
recognized by individuals, trusts and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold levels. Capital gains of corporate U.S. holders
generally are taxable at the regular tax rates applicable to corporations. The deductibility of a capital loss recognized in the
exchange is subject to limitations under the Code. In addition, the IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed,
regulations that would apply a tax rate of 25% to a portion of the capital gain realized by a non-corporate stockholder on the
sale of REIT stock that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.”
Special Rule for U.S. Holders Who Have Held
Shares of Our Common Stock Less than Six Months. A U.S. holder who has held our common stock for less
than six months at the time of the Merger, taking into account the holding period rules of Section 246(c)(3) and (4) of
the Code, and who recognizes a loss on the receipt of the aggregate transaction consideration in the Merger, will be treated as
recognizing a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received from us, or such holder’s share
of any designated retained capital gains, with respect to such common stock.
Consequences of the Receipt of CVRs to U.S. Holders of our
Common Stock
If the Merger Consideration consists of cash
and CVRs, the amount of gain or loss a U.S. holder recognizes, and the timing and potentially the character of a portion of such
gain or loss, depends on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the CVR, with respect to which there is substantial uncertainty.
Assuming the Merger Consideration consists of
cash and CVRs, the receipt of the Merger Consideration may be treated as either a “closed transaction” or an “open
transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is the position of the Internal Revenue Service, reflected by Treasury
Regulations, that only in “rare and extraordinary cases” is the value of property so uncertain that open transaction
treatment is available. The installment method of reporting any gain attributable to the receipt of a CVR is not available because
our common stock is traded on an established securities market. The following sections discuss the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of the receipt of the Merger Consideration in the form of cash and CVRs in the event it is treated as an open transaction, and,
alternatively, in the event it is treated as a closed transaction. There is no authority directly addressing whether contingent
payment rights with characteristics similar to the rights under a CVR should be treated as “open transactions” or “closed
transactions,” and such question is inherently factual in nature. According holders are urged to consult their tax advisors
regarding this issue. The CVRs may also be treated as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, as such treatment
is unlikely, the discussion below does not address the tax consequences of such a characterization. We urge you to consult your
tax advisor with respect to the proper characterization of the receipt of a CVR.
Treatment as Open Transaction.
The receipt of the CVRs would generally be treated
as an “open transaction” if the value of the CVRs cannot be “reasonably ascertained.” If the receipt of
the Merger Consideration is treated as an “open transaction” for United States federal income
tax purposes, a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain for United States federal income tax purposes upon consummation
of the Merger if and to the extent the amount of cash received exceeds such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Campus
Crest common stock surrendered pursuant to the Merger.
Subject to the Section 483 rules discussed below,
if the transaction is “open” for United States federal income tax purposes, the CVRs would not be taken into account
in determining a U.S. holder’s taxable gain upon receipt of the Merger Consideration and a U.S. holder would take no tax
basis in the CVRs, but would recognize capital gain as payments with respect to the CVRs are made or deemed made in accordance
with the U.S. holder’s regular method of accounting, but only to the extent the sum of such payments (and all previous payments
under the CVRs), together with the amount received upon consummation of the Merger discussed above, exceeds such U.S. holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the Campus Crest common stock surrendered pursuant to the Merger.
Subject to the Section 483 rules discussed
below, if the transaction is “open” for United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder who does not receive
cumulative payments pursuant to the Merger (including payments on the CVRs, if any) with a fair market value at least equal to
such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Campus Crest common stock surrendered pursuant to the Merger, will recognize
a capital loss in the year that the U.S. holder’s right to receive further payments under the CVRs terminates.
Treatment as Closed Transaction
If the value of the CVRs can be “reasonably
ascertained,” the transaction should generally be treated as “closed” for United States federal income tax purposes,
in which event a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss
for United States federal income tax purposes upon consummation of the Merger equal to the difference between (x) the sum of (i)
the fair market value of the CVRs received, determined on the date of the consummation of the Merger, and (ii) the amount of cash
received, and (y) such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Campus Crest common stock surrendered pursuant to the Merger.
If the transaction
is “closed” for United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder’s initial tax basis in the CVRs will
equal the fair market value of the CVRs on the date of the consummation of the Merger. The holding period of the CVRs will begin
on the day following the date of the consummation of the Merger.
Payments Under the CVR
Treatment as Open Transaction. If the
transaction is treated as an “open transaction,” a payment in the future to a U.S. holder of a CVR should be treated
as a payment under a contract for the sale or exchange of our common stock to which Section 483 of the Code applies.
Under Section 483, a portion of a payment made
pursuant to a CVR more than one year after the date of the exchange of our common stock for the Merger Consideration will be treated
as interest, which will be ordinary income to the U.S. holder of the CVR. The interest amount will equal the excess of the amount
received over its present value at the consummation of the Merger,
calculated using the applicable federal rate as the discount rate and using such U.S. holder’s regular method of accounting
(such amount being taken into account when paid, in the case of a cash method holder, and, when fixed, in the case of an accrual
method holder). The portion of the payment pursuant to the CVR that is not treated as interest under Section 483 of the Code should
be treated as gain from the sale of the Campus Crest common stock, as discussed above.
Treatment as Closed Transaction. There
is no authority directly on point with respect to the treatment of payments similar to those under the CVRs. You should therefore
consult your tax advisor as to the taxation of such payments. Under characterization as a “closed transaction,” a portion
of a payment with respect to each CVR would likely be treated as a non-taxable return
of a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the CVR to the extent thereof. A payment in excess of such amount may be treated
as either (i) payment with respect to a sale of a capital asset, (ii) income taxed at ordinary rates, or (iii) dividends. Additionally,
it is possible that, were a payment to be treated as being with respect to the sale of a capital asset, a portion of such payment
would constitute imputed interest under Section 483 of the Code (as described directly above under “Treatment as Open Transaction”).
Due to the legal and factual uncertainty
regarding the valuation and tax treatment of the CVRs, you are urged to consult your tax advisors concerning the recognition of
gain, if any, resulting from the receipt of CVRs in the Merger.
Consequences of the Merger to
Non-U.S. Holders of Shares of Our Common Stock
General. The U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Merger to a non-U.S. holder will depend on various factors, including whether the receipt
of the Merger Consideration is treated as a distribution from us to our stockholders that is attributable to gain from the sale
of “United States real property interests.” The IRS announced in Notice 2007-55 that it intends to (1) take the
position that under current law a non-U.S. holder’s receipt of a liquidating distribution from a REIT (including the receipt
of the aggregate transaction consideration in exchange for shares of our common stock in the Merger, which will be treated as a
deemed liquidation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is generally subject to tax under FIRPTA as a distribution to the extent
attributable to gain from the sale of United States real property interests, and (2) issue regulations that will be effective
for transactions occurring on or after June 13, 2007, clarifying this treatment. Although legislation effectively overriding
Notice 2007-55 has previously been proposed, it is not possible to say if or when any such legislation will be enacted. As a result,
the following paragraphs provide alternative discussions of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that would arise to the extent
the tax treatment set forth in Notice 2007-55 does or does not apply.
Notwithstanding the discussion in the following
paragraphs, we intend to take the position that the Merger Consideration received in exchange for our common stock in the Merger
will be subject to tax in accordance with Notice 2007-55 as described in more detail below. In general, the provisions governing
the taxation of distributions by REITs can be less favorable to non-U.S. holders than the taxation of sales or exchanges of REIT
stock by non-U.S. holders, and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these provisions.
In addition, 35% (or 20% to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations)
of any such amounts paid to a non-U.S. holder will be withheld and remitted to the IRS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
the tax treatment set forth in Notice 2007-55 does not apply, or if a non-U.S. holder has not owned more than 5% of Campus Crest
common stock at any time during the one-year period ending as of the Merger effective time and Campus Crest common stock is "regularly
traded," as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market located in the U.S., then the
35% withholding tax described above would not apply, and such non-U.S. holder would instead be subject to the rules described below
under "—Taxable Sale of our Common Stock." We believe that Campus Crest common stock is regularly traded on an
established securities market in the U.S. as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
Distribution of Gain from the Disposition
of U.S. Real Property Interests. To the extent the tax treatment set forth in Notice 2007-55 applies
to the Merger, and to the extent the aggregate transaction consideration received by non-U.S. holders in the Merger is attributable
to gain from the deemed sale of our U.S. real property interests, then subject to the 5% Exception, discussed below, such amount
will be treated as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and generally will be subject
to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis. In that event, a corporate non-U.S. holder will also be subject to an additional 30%
branch profits tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty). In addition, 35% (or 20% to the
extent provided in Treasury Regulations) of any such amounts paid to a non-U.S. holder will be withheld and remitted to the IRS.
However, the 5% Exception, discussed below, would apply to a non-U.S. holder of shares of our common stock if the non-U.S. holder
did not own more than 5% of the shares of our common stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the Merger,
and our common stock is "regularly traded," as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities
market located in the United States (the “5% Exception”). If the 5% Exception were to apply to a non-U.S. holder, the
FIRPTA tax and withholding described above would not apply and the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the rules discussed under
“-Taxable Sales of Shares of Our Common Stock.” We believe that our common stock is regularly traded on an established
securities market in the United States as of the date of this Proxy Statement. In view of the FIRPTA tax and withholding that will
apply to a non-U.S. holder’s receipt of the Merger Consideration, non-U.S. holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors
regarding the possible application of those provisions.
If the tax treatment set forth in Notice 2007-55
were not to apply, the 35% (or 20% to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations) withholding tax described above would not apply,
and a non-U.S. holder would instead be subject to the rules described below under “—Taxable Sale of Shares of Our Common
Stock.”
Taxable Sale of Shares of Our Common Stock. The
tax consequences described in this section titled “—Taxable Sale of Shares of Our Common Stock” would apply to
a sale of shares of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder subject to the 5% Exception and, also to the extent a non-U.S. holder’s
receipt of merger consideration in the Merger would be treated as a sale of its Campus Crest common stock (and not attributable
to gain from the sale of our U.S. real property interests, including the receipt of consideration under a CVR). As stated above,
we intend to take the position that Notice 2007-55 applies to the Merger. Accordingly, the tax treatment described in this section
titled “—Taxable Sale of Shares of Our Common Stock” is expected to apply only to a sale of shares of our common
stock by a non-U.S. holder subject to the 5% Exception and to the extent a non-U.S. holder’s receipt of merger consideration
is treated as a sale of its Campus Crest common stock.
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding
below, a non-U.S. holder should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on any gain recognized unless: (1) the gain
is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or, if an applicable
income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United
States; (2) the non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year
of the Merger and certain other requirements are met; or (3) the non-U.S. holder’s shares of common stock constitute
United States real property interests under FIRPTA.
A non-U.S. holder whose gain is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
such gain on a net basis in the same manner as a U.S. holder. In addition, a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject
to the 30% branch profits tax on such effectively connected gain described in clause (1) of the previous paragraph.
A non-U.S. holder who is an individual present
in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the Merger and who meets certain other requirements will
be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain recognized on the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses. In addition,
the non-U.S. holder may be subject to applicable alternative minimum taxes.
If a non-U.S. holder’s common stock constitutes
a United States real property interest under FIRPTA, any gain recognized by such holder in the Merger will be treated as income
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and generally will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on a net basis in the same manner as a U.S. holder. A non-U.S. holder’s shares of common stock generally will not constitute
a United States real property interest if either (1) we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity”
at the time of the Merger, or (2) both (a) shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities
market at the date of the Merger and (b) the non-U.S. holder holds 5% or less of the total fair market value of shares of
our common stock at all times during the shorter of (x) the five-year period ending with the date of the Merger and (y) the
non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock. Our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities
market as of the date of this Proxy Statement. In addition, a “qualified investment entity” includes a REIT. Assuming
we qualify as a REIT through the date of the Merger, we will be a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity”
at the time of the Merger if non-U.S. holders held directly or indirectly less than 50% in value of shares of our common stock
at all times during the five-year period ending with the Merger effective date. Although we believe that we currently are a domestically
controlled REIT, no assurances can be given that the actual ownership of our stock has been or will be sufficient for us to qualify
as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” at the Merger effective time.
Income Tax Treaties. If
a non-U.S. holder is eligible for treaty benefits under an income tax treaty with the United States, the non-U.S. holder may be
able to mitigate certain of the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above, such as the branch profits tax. Non-U.S.
holders should consult their tax advisor regarding possible relief under an applicable income tax treaty.
U.S. Withholding Tax. As
described above, it is not entirely clear whether the receipt of the Merger Consideration by a non-U.S. holder will be treated
as a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock (in the event that Notice 2007-55 does not apply) or as a distribution from
us that is attributable to gain from the deemed sale of our United States real property interests in the Merger (in the event that
Notice 2007-55 does apply). Accordingly, we intend to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 35% (or 20% to the extent provided
in applicable Treasury Regulations) from the portion of the aggregate transaction consideration that is, or is treated as, attributable
to gain from the sale of United States real property interests and paid to a non-U.S. holder unless such holder qualifies for the
5% exception described above (in which case, a 30% withholding rate would apply (unless reduced by an applicable income tax treaty
to such amount, as described above).
A non-U.S. holder may be entitled to a refund
or credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, with respect to any amount withheld pursuant to
FIRPTA, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS on a timely basis. Non-U.S. holders should consult their
tax advisor regarding withholding tax considerations.
Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding
Backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%,
and information reporting, may apply to the Merger Consideration received pursuant to the exchange of shares of our common stock
in the Merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a holder who:
| · | in the case of a U.S. holder, furnishes a correct taxpayer identification
number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding on an IRS Form W-9 or successor form; |
| · | in the case of a non-U.S. holder, furnishes an applicable IRS Form W-8
or successor form; or |
| · | is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and complies with other
applicable rules and certification requirements. |
Backup withholding is not an additional tax
and any amount withheld under these rules may be credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may
entitle the holder to a refund if required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Additional Withholding Tax on
Payments Made to Foreign Accounts
Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471
through 1474 of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published administrative guidance implementing such sections
or Treasury Regulations, and any rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection
with the implementation of such sections (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S.
financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. The application of FATCA withholding to the payment of the Merger Consideration
made to a non-U.S. holder with respect to our common stock pursuant to the Merger is not entirely clear. FATCA withholding could
potentially apply to any such payments or distributions if such payments or distributions are treated for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as dividends from sources within the United States rather than as gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of our common
stock. If FATCA withholding would otherwise apply to any such payments or distributions, recipients thereof should not be subject
to FATCA withholding if they provide a timely and properly executed copy of the appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (or
such other form as may be required by FATCA) establishing an exemption from FATCA withholding. We urge you to consult your tax
advisor regarding FATCA and the application of these rules to such payments or distributions.
THE FOREGOING DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE
ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE MERGER AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. THEREFORE, HOLDERS OF SHARES OF OUR
COMMON STOCK ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Delisting and Deregistration of
Shares of Campus Crest Common Stock
If the Merger is completed, shares of Campus
Crest common stock will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following summarizes the material provisions
of the Merger Agreement. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the Merger
Agreement that is important to you. The summary of the material terms of the Merger Agreement below and elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement
as Exhibit A and which we incorporate by reference into this Proxy Statement. We urge you to read the copy of the Merger Agreement
attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A carefully and in its entirety, as the rights and obligations of the parties
are governed by the express terms of the Merger Agreement and not by this summary or any other information contained or incorporated
by reference into this Proxy Statement.
The Merger Agreement contains representations
and warranties made by Campus Crest, Parent and Merger Sub. These representations and warranties, which are set forth in the copy
of the Merger Agreement attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A, were made for the purposes of negotiating and entering
into the Merger Agreement between the parties. In addition, these representations and warranties were made as of specified dates,
may be subject to standards of materiality different from what may be viewed as material to our stockholders, or may have been
used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties instead of establishing such matters as facts. Moreover, the representations
and warranties are qualified in a number of important respects, including through the use of exceptions for certain matters disclosed
by the party that made the representations and warranties, and information concerning the subject matter of the representations
and warranties, which do not purport to be accurate as of the date of this Proxy Statement, may have changed since the date of
the Merger Agreement and subsequent developments or new information qualifying a representation or warranty may have been included
in this Proxy Statement. None of the representations and warranties will survive the closing of the Merger and, therefore, they
will have no legal effect under the Merger Agreement after the closing of the Merger.
Structure
At the Merger effective time, Campus Crest will
be merged with and into Merger Sub with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. All of Campus Crest’s
and Merger Sub’s assets and liabilities will become those of the surviving entity. Following the completion of the Merger,
shares of Campus Crest common stock will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the
Exchange Act.
Closing; Effective Time
The closing of the Merger under the Merger Agreement
is set to occur no later than the second business day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent set forth in
the Merger Agreement, unless another date is agreed to by Parent and Campus Crest. Throughout this Proxy Statement, we sometimes
refer to the date on which the closing of the Merger occurs as the closing date.
On the closing date, Campus Crest and Merger
Sub will file Articles of Merger with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland to effect the Merger. The
Merger will be effective upon such time as the Articles of Merger have been accepted for record by the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation of Maryland or such later time as agreed to by the parties and specified in the Articles of Merger.
Organizational Documents
At the Merger effective time, the articles of
organization and the limited liability company agreement of Merger Sub will become the articles of organization and the limited
liability company agreement of the surviving entity.
Manager
The sole member of Merger Sub immediately prior
to the Merger effective time will manage the surviving entity following the Merger effective time.
Appraisal Rights
No appraisal rights will be available to the
holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock in connection with the consummation of the Merger.
Treatment of Common Stock and Restricted
Stock
At the Merger effective time, each issued
and outstanding share of Campus Crest common stock (excluding shares of common stock (i) held by Campus Crest as treasury
stock, (ii) owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned Company Subsidiary, or (iii) that are issued or outstanding and
owned directly or indirectly by Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Merger effective time, which in each case will
be automatically cancelled and retired and will cease to exist) will automatically be converted into the right to receive (i)
$6.97 in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), and (ii) a pro rata share (currently estimated to be up to $0.04 per
share based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following
Campus Crest’s disposition of its interests in its former Montreal joint venture (the “Contingent
Consideration,” and together with the Cash Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). If all or a portion
of the Contingent Consideration has not been released from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent
Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one non-transferable contingent value right (“CVR”) for each
share of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if
and when they are released from escrow.
Each share of Campus Crest restricted stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time that is subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant to Campus
Crest’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan or any restricted stock award agreement will automatically
vest and become free of such restrictions immediately prior to the Merger effective time and will be automatically converted in
the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interests, less any applicable tax withholding.
The
Merger Agreement provides that, if Campus Crest had been unable to sell its former Montreal joint venture prior to the Merger effective
time then, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Parent would have been obligated to deposit an amount (the “Montreal
Guaranty Amount”) sufficient to fully satisfy Campus Crest’s CAD56 million guaranty of the outstanding debt on the
properties owned by its former Montreal joint venture (the “Montreal Guaranty”) into an escrow account, and that amount
(converted to US Dollars at the then-current exchange rate) would have been deducted from the Cash Consideration payable to stockholders
at the Merger effective time. In addition, Campus Crest would have deposited its ownership interests in its former Montreal joint
venture into an escrow account, and CCGSR, as stockholders’ representative, would have had responsibility for seeking to
sell such ownership interests in the Montreal joint venture on behalf of and for the benefit of the stockholders. In such event,
the entire Contingent Consideration per share payable to stockholders would have been represented by a CVR, with each CVR entitled
to a pro-rata share of the net proceeds of any sale of the ownership interests in the Montreal joint venture after the effective
time (after taking into account certain operating expenses, taxes and transaction costs), plus a pro rata portion of the Montreal
Guaranty Amount, if any, that was not required to satisfy the Montreal Guaranty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Campus Crest sold
its former Montreal joint venture on October 30, 2015 for net proceeds of approximately $0.12 per share based
on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of October 30, 2015, and the Montreal Guaranty was extinguished at that time. As a consequence, the
net proceeds will be distributed to stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration, consisting of $6.97, which will be added
to the Cash Consideration, and the remainder will comprise the Contingent Consideration.
The Contingent Consideration consists of a pro
rata share of distributions from certain funds held in escrow following Campus Crest’s disposition of its former Montreal
joint venture. There are two separate escrow accounts. One of the escrow accounts holds CAD3,408,750 (or approximately $0.033 per
share of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015) which was withheld from the net sale
proceeds from the sale of the Montreal joint venture in order to pay Canadian withholding tax that may be due on the sale. Campus
Crest has filed a request with the Canada Revenue Authority to issue a certificate certifying that the sale proceeds are not subject
to such tax, and the tax escrow funds will be (i) released from the escrow upon Campus Crest’s delivery of the certificate
to the escrow agent, or (ii) reduced by the amount of any such tax, and the balance released. In addition, CAD450,000 of the net
proceeds (or approximately $0.004 per share of Campus Crest common stock based on the CAD/$ exchange rate as of December 1, 2015)
from the sale was deposited in an escrow account to secure certain indemnification obligations of Campus Crest arising out of the
sale of the Montreal joint venture. If there are no valid claims against the indemnification escrow, the indemnification escrow
funds are due to be released on February 27, 2016.
If either of these escrow amounts is released
from escrow prior to the Merger effective time, then the released funds will be paid to Campus Crest stockholders together with
the Cash Consideration. If the Merger effective time occurs before either of these funds are released from escrow, then the CVRs
will be issued to stockholders at the Merger effective time and the escrowed funds will be distributed to stockholders in respect
of their CVRs when and if the underlying funds are released from escrow. Although Campus Crest currently expects the entire amount
of the funds to be released from each of these escrows, there is no assurance that all or any part of the funds will be released,
or any certainty as to the timing of any release. If all or a portion of the Contingent Consideration has not been released from
escrow prior to the Merger effective time, the Contingent Consideration will instead be paid in the form of one CVR for each share
of Campus Crest common stock, with each CVR representing the right to receive a pro rata share of the escrowed funds if and when
they are released from escrow. The CVRs are not freely transferable and, accordingly, will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Treatment of Preferred Stock
At the Merger effective time, Campus Crest will
either (i) cause each share of its 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock to be redeemed in accordance with the terms
thereof, or (ii) set aside sufficient funds for the redemption of each such share in trust for the benefit of the holders of such
preferred stock in accordance with the terms thereof.
Dividends
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Campus
Crest may not authorize, declare or pay dividends to holders of Campus Crest common stock during the term of the Merger Agreement
without the prior written consent of Parent, except for (i) the declaration and payment by Campus Crest of regular quarterly dividends
in accordance with past practice for the period up to the closing date of the Merger, (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends
or other distributions to Campus Crest or any (a) subsidiary of Campus Crest, or (b) joint venture (or subsidiaries thereof) in
which Campus Crest owns (directly or indirectly) less than fifty percent of the membership interest, but for which Campus Crest
or one of its subsidiaries directly or indirectly controls the day-to-day management (clause (a) and (b), collectively the “Company
Subsidiaries”), by any directly or indirectly wholly owned Company Subsidiary, and (iii) dividends or other distributions
by any Company Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by Campus Crest, in accordance with the terms of the
organizational documents of such Company Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Campus Crest
and the Company Subsidiaries are permitted, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, to make (or increase) dividends or distributions
reasonably necessary for Campus Crest to maintain its status as a REIT and/or avoid or reduce the imposition of any entity-level
income or excise tax.
Treatment of Our Operating Partnership
Units
Following the Merger effective time, the surviving
entity will enter into a merger agreement with the Operating Partnership and a wholly owned subsidiary of the surviving entity,
pursuant to which such wholly owned subsidiary and the Operating Partnership will merge. Upon the consummation of the Operating
Partnership Merger, in accordance with the Operating Partnership Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Operating Partnership Merger Agreement, each then-outstanding limited partnership unit in the Operating Partnership will be converted
into the right to receive an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.
Exchange and Payment Procedures
Immediately following acceptance of the Articles
of Merger by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, Parent will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with
a paying agent, for the benefit of the holders of shares of Campus Crest common stock and certain limited partners of the Operating
Partnership, cash sufficient to effect the payment of the aggregate Cash Consideration.
As soon as practicable after the Merger effective
time (but no later than the second business day thereafter), the surviving entity will cause the paying agent to mail to each holder
of Campus Crest common stock as of immediately prior to the Merger effective time a letter of transmittal and instructions for
use in effecting the surrender of the certificates or book-entry shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration to which the holder
thereof is entitled. Upon surrender of a certificate or book-entry shares that previously represented shares of Campus Crest common
stock to the paying agent, together with a letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed, the holder of such certificate
or book-entry shares will be entitled to receive the applicable Merger Consideration. Until surrendered, each certificate or book-entry
shares (other than shares of common stock that are cancelled pursuant to the Merger Agreement) will be deemed, at any time after
the Merger effective time, to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration, without interest,
into which the shares of Campus Crest common stock previously represented by such certificate or book-entry shares are convertible.
As soon as practicable after the effective time
of the Operating Partnership Merger, the surviving entity will cause the paying agent to deliver the applicable Merger Consideration
in exchange for each then-outstanding limited partnership unit in the Operating Partnership.
No Further Ownership Rights
All consideration paid upon the surrender of
a certificate or book-entry shares, including the Cash Consideration and the Contingent Consideration, will be deemed to have been
paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to shares of Campus Crest common stock previously represented by such certificate
or book-entry shares, and, at the Merger effective time, the stock transfer books of Campus Crest will be closed and there will
be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the surviving entity of the shares of Campus Crest common
stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time. From and after the Merger effective time, holders
of certificates or book-entry shares outstanding immediately prior to the Merger effective time will cease to have any rights with
respect to such shares of Campus Crest common stock except as otherwise provide for in the Merger Agreement or by applicable law.
Undistributed Merger Consideration
Any portion of the funds made available to the
paying agent that remains undistributed to holders of certificates or book-entry shares on the date that is one year after the
Merger effective time will be delivered to the surviving entity or its designee, and any holder of a certificate or book-entry
shares who has not theretofore complied with the exchange and payment procedures contained in the Merger Agreement must thereafter
look only to the surviving entity (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar laws) and only as a general creditor
thereof with respect to the payment of any Merger Consideration to which such holder is entitled upon the surrender of a certificate
or book-entry shares. Any portion of the funds made available to the paying agent that remains unclaimed by holders of certificates
or book-entry shares on the date that is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property
of any governmental entity shall, to the extent permitted by law, become the property of the surviving entity, free and clear of
all claims or interests of any person previously entitled thereto.
None of Parent, Merger Sub, Campus Crest, the
surviving entity, the paying agent or their respective representatives will be liable to any person in respect of any Merger Consideration
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
If any certificate has been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed,
and, if required by the surviving entity, the posting of a bond in such reasonable amount as the surviving entity may direct, as
an unsecured indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate, the paying agent will deliver
in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Merger Consideration payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement in
respect of the shares of Campus Crest common stock formerly represented by such certificate.
Tax Withholding
All payments under the Merger Agreement, including
payment of the Merger Consideration, are subject to applicable withholding requirements. To the extent that any amounts are deducted
by Parent, the surviving entity or the paying agent, as applicable, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement,
such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for purposes of the Merger Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect
of which such deduction and withholding was made, and shall be paid by the Parent, the surviving entity or the paying agent, as
applicable, to the appropriate governmental entity.
Representations and Warranties
Campus Crest made customary representations
and warranties in the Merger Agreement that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in
the Merger Agreement or in the disclosure schedules delivered in connection therewith. These representations and warranties relate
to, among other things:
| · | organization, standing and corporate power; |
| · | Campus Crest’s capitalization and ownership in its subsidiaries;
|
| · | authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement and to complete the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby; |
| · | the enforceability of the Merger Agreement against Campus Crest; |
| · | the absence of conflicts with, or violations or breaches of, or defaults
under, organizational documents, contracts and laws applicable to Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries as a result of executing,
delivering, performing under or complying with the provisions of the Merger Agreement; |
| · | consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, actions by or in
respect of, or registrations, declarations or filings with governmental authorities required by or with respect to Campus Crest
or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement by Campus Crest or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby; |
| · | the completeness and accuracy of reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission by Campus Crest since January 1, 2012; |
| · | the absence of undisclosed liabilities; |
| · | the absence of certain changes or events since June 30, 2015; |
| · | the absence of undisclosed litigation and orders; |
| · | material contracts, the enforceability of such materials contracts
and the absence of any violation of, or default under, any material contract; |
| · | compliance with laws generally and possession and validity of permits;
|
| · | environmental matters affecting Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries;
|
| · | labor matters affecting Campus Crest and its subsidiaries; |
| · | Campus Crest’s and its subsidiaries’ employee benefit
plans; |
| · | tax matters, including Campus Crest’s qualification and taxation
as a REIT; |
| · | Campus Crest’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ owned and
leased real property; |
| · | lease rolls relating to the real property owned and leased by Campus
Crest and the Company Subsidiaries; |
| · | intellectual property owned or licensed by Campus Crest and its subsidiaries;
|
| · | action required to be taken by Campus Crest to exempt the Merger Agreement
and the Merger from the requirements of any takeover laws of the Maryland General Corporation Law; |
| · | the absence of undisclosed broker’s, finder’s, financial
advisor’s or other similar fee; |
| · | financial advisor’s opinion; |
| · | the vote of Campus Crest’s stockholders required in connection
with the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement; |
| · | contracts with certain related parties; |
| · | monthly operating budget for the 2015-2016 academic year. |
The Merger Agreement also contains customary
representations and warranties made, jointly and severally, by Parent and Merger Sub that are subject, in some cases, to specified
exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement. These representations and warranties relate to, among other things:
| · | organization, standing and corporate power; |
| · | authorization to enter into the Merger Agreement and to complete the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby; |
| · | the enforceability of the Merger Agreement against Parent and Merger
Sub; |
| · | the absence of conflicts with, or violations or breaches of, or defaults
under, organizational documents, contracts and laws applicable to Parent or Merger Sub as a result of executing, delivering, performing
under or complying with the provisions of the Merger Agreement; |
| · | consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, actions by or in
respect of, or registrations, declarations or filings with governmental authorities required by or with respect to Parent or Merger
Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby; |
| · | the ownership of Merger Sub and absence of prior conduct of business
activities of Merger Sub; |
| · | their financial resources, including in particular the debt and equity
financing which will provide the acquisition financing at the Merger effective time sufficient to consummate the Merger; |
| · | their ownership of no shares of Campus Crest common stock; |
| · | the absence of pending or threatened litigation or orders against
Parent or Merger Sub; |
| · | the absence of any contract between Parent or Merger Sub and any member
of Campus Crest’s management or directors; |
| · | the solvency of the surviving entity and its subsidiaries; |
| · | the absence of undisclosed broker’s, finder’s, financial
advisor’s or other similar fee; and |
| · | their acknowledgement of the exclusivity of the representations and
warranties made by Campus Crest in the Merger Agreement. |
Conduct of Business Pending the
Merger
Under the Merger Agreement, Campus Crest has
agreed that, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Merger Agreement, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the
earlier of the closing date and the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (which period we refer to
as the interim period), it will, and to the extent that it has the ability to do so by contract or otherwise, will cause each Company
Subsidiary to:
| · | conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;
and |
| · | use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact in all material
respects its current business organization, goodwill, ongoing businesses and Campus Crest’s qualification as a REIT. |
Campus Crest has also agreed that during the
interim period, subject to certain exceptions described in the Merger Agreement or unless Parent gives its prior written consent,
Campus Crest will not, and will not, to the extent it has the ability to do so, permit any of the Company Subsidiaries to, among
other things:
| · | declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other distributions
with respect to the Campus Crest common stock or the capital stock of any of its subsidiaries, except for (i) the declaration and
payment by Campus Crest of regular quarterly dividends in accordance with past practice for the period up to the closing date,
(ii) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to Campus Crest or any of the Company Subsidiaries by any
directly or indirectly wholly owned Company Subsidiary, and (iii) dividends or other distributions by any Company Subsidiary that
is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by Campus Crest, in accordance with the terms of the organizational documents of such
Company Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries are permitted to make (or increase)
dividends or distributions reasonably necessary for Campus Crest to maintain its status as a REIT and/or avoid or reduce the imposition
of any entity-level income or excise tax; |
| · | split, subdivide, combine or reclassify any capital stock or issue
or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu or in substitution for shares of its capital stock; |
| · | purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its own securities or equity
equivalents; |
| · | issue, deliver, sell, grant, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares
of capital stock or other ownership interests; |
| · | amend its organizational documents; |
| · | make any acquisition of the capital stock or other ownership interest
or assets of any other person for consideration in the aggregate in excess of $100,000 for all such transactions; |
| · | adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution,
merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization; |
| · | incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, guarantee any indebtedness
of a third party, enter into any contract with respect to any indebtedness, or issue or sell debt securities that would result
in an aggregate increase in the amount of outstanding indebtedness of the consolidated company by more than $100,000; |
| · | sell, transfer, lease, license, mortgage, sell or leaseback or otherwise
encumber or subject to any lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or other assets, except for liens securing existing
indebtedness, pursuant to contracts in force as of the date of the Merger Agreement, dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets,
transfers among Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries or the sale of Campus Crest’s direct and indirect ownership interests
and other rights in certain properties in Montreal; |
| · | pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any suit, action or claim other
than (i) settlements that require payments not to exceed $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, and do not require
any other actions or impose any other material restrictions on the business or operations of Campus Crest or any of the Company
Subsidiaries, or (ii) those in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of any worker’s compensation
claims or employee claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, so long as such settlements do not exceed $100,000
individually or $250,000 in the aggregate; |
| · | amend or modify in any material respect any material contract or enter
into any new contract that (i) if entered into prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, would have been required to be disclosed
as a material contract in the Merger Agreement or (ii) is not terminable upon 30 days’ notice without penalty or premium;
|
| · | (i) adopt, enter into, terminate or materially amend any employee
benefit plan, any other agreement, plan or policy involving Campus Crest or any of the Company Subsidiaries and any of their current
or former employees or board members that is not terminable at will or any retention or bonus agreement involving Campus Crest
or any of the Company Subsidiaries and any of their current or former employees or board members, (ii) other than to comply with
any contract entered into prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, increase the compensation, bonus or fringe or other benefits
offered by Campus Crest or the Company Subsidiaries other than increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (iii) take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefit under any employee benefit
plan or (iv) loan or advance any money or other property (other than reimbursement of reimbursable expenses or any advances of
such expenses pursuant to Campus Crest credit cards or otherwise in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice)
to any current or former board member or officer of Campus Crest or any of the Company Subsidiaries; |
| · | enter into any contract or engage in any transaction with one or more
of Campus Crest’s directors, officers or stockholders, or with any organization of which one or more of Campus Crest’s
directors, officers or stockholders is a director, officer, manager or the holder of any office with similar authority, has a direct
or indirect financial interest or directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with; |
| · | adopt or implement any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement; |
| · | elect to be subject to any state takeover, “control-share”
or other similar statute or regulation with respect to Campus Crest, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereby; |
| · | make any material change in any method of financial accounting principles
or practices, except for any such change required by a change in GAAP or applicable law; |
| · | (i) settle or compromise any material tax claim, audit or assessment,
(ii) make or change any material tax election (including Campus Crest’s election to qualify as a REIT), change any annual
tax accounting period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting, (iii) amend any material tax returns or file claims for material
tax refunds, or (iv) enter into any material closing agreement, surrender in writing any right to claim a material tax refund,
offset or other reduction in tax liability or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any material
tax claim or assessment relating to Campus Crest or the Company Subsidiaries; |
| · | enter into any material agreement or other similar contract with respect
to any joint venture, strategic partnership or alliance or with respect to the acquisition of any real property; |
| · | take any action to exempt any person from, or make any acquisition
of securities of Campus Crest by any person not subject to, any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation that applies
to Campus Crest; |
| · | fail to use reasonable best efforts to maintain material current insurance
coverages, or fail to enforce the material rights of Campus Crest of any of its subsidiaries under any such existing coverage;
|
| · | except as set forth in the budget, make any capital expenditure in
excess of $25,000 or a series of capital expenditures which are in the aggregate in excess of $100,000; |
| · | decrease the average rental rates charged for any student housing
community in a manner which would reasonably be expected to result in the average rental rates for such community for the 2016/2017
leasing period to be lower by more than one percent in the aggregate as compared to those target rental rates for such community
set forth in Campus Crest’s 2016 leasing plan (with respect to the 2016/2017 leasing period); |
| · | make expenditures during the interim period for advertising, marketing,
concessions and rent inducements for any student housing community that would reasonably be expected to cause such expenditures
to exceed by more than five percent the aggregate amounts for such expenditures contemplated for such community for such period
in the Campus Crest’s 2016 marketing budget; |
| · | negotiate or refinance any form of indebtedness having a maturity
date at any time between the date of the Merger Agreement and the 180th day following the closing date; or |
| · | authorize, agree or commit to do any of the foregoing. |
Acquisition Proposals
Subject certain limitations described in this
section “Acquisition Proposals,” as of the date of the Merger Agreement, Campus Crest agreed to cause (a) its representatives,
and (b) each of the Company Subsidiaries and each of their respective representatives, to (i) immediately cease all activities,
discussions and negotiations with any persons that may have been ongoing with respect to a “takeover proposal” (as
hereinafter defined), and (ii) deliver a written notice to each such person to the effect that Campus Crest was ending all
discussions and negotiations with respect to such takeover proposal, and requesting that each such person return or destroy all
confidential information concerning Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries.
As more thoroughly described in the Merger Agreement,
Campus Crest has agreed that it will not and will not permit the Company Subsidiaries to:
| · | solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or take any action to facilitate
any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be likely to lead to, any takeover proposal; |
| · | provide any non-public information, or afford access to the properties,
books, records, or personnel of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries to, or knowingly assist, participate in, facilitate or
encourage any effort by, any person that Campus Crest, any of its subsidiaries, or any of its or any of its subsidiaries’
respective agents has reason to believe is considering making, or has made, any takeover proposal; |
| · | enter into or maintain or continue discussions or negotiate with any
person in furtherance of such inquiries or to obtain a takeover proposal or otherwise in connection with any takeover proposal; |
| · | approve, endorse, recommend, or execute or enter into any letter of
intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement relating to a takeover proposal
or any proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to a takeover proposal; |
| · | amend or grant any waiver or release under any standstill or similar
agreement with respect to any class of equity securities of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries; |
| · | take any action to exempt any person from, or make any acquisition
of securities of Campus Crest by any person not subject to, any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation that applies
to Campus Crest with respect to a takeover proposal or otherwise; or |
| · | resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing or otherwise authorize
or permit any of its agents to take any such action. |
Prior to the approval of the Merger and
the Merger Agreement by Campus Crest’s stockholders, Campus Crest may (i) participate in negotiations or discussions with
any third party that has made (and not withdrawn) a bona-fide, unsolicited takeover proposal in writing that Campus Crest’s
Board of Directors believes in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and Campus Crest’s financial advisor,
constitutes or would reasonably be expected to result in a “superior proposal” (as hereinafter defined), and (ii) thereafter
furnish non-public information or data relating to Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries to such third-party with which it has
entered into a confidentiality agreement with provisions relating to confidentiality and standstill arrangements that are no less
favorable to Campus Crest than the provisions of the confidentiality agreement entered into with Parent and afford access to the
properties, books, records, or personnel of Campus Crest and its subsidiaries. Campus Crest will promptly provide to Parent and
Merger Sub any material non-public information that is provided to any such person which has not previously been provided to Parent
and Merger Sub, and Campus Crest’s Board of Directors will not take any such action unless Campus Crest has delivered to
Parent a prior written notice advising Parent that it intends to take such action.
Campus Crest will notify Parent promptly
(but in no event later than twenty-four hours) after receipt by Campus Crest, its subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective
agents, of any takeover proposal, any inquiry that Campus Crest reasonably believes could be expected to lead to a takeover proposal,
any request for non-public information relating to Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries or for access to the business, properties,
assets, books or records of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries by any third party. In such notice, Campus Crest will identify
the third party making, and details of the material terms and conditions of, any such takeover proposal, indication or request.
Campus Crest will keep Parent reasonably informed, on a current and prompt basis, of the status of any such takeover proposal,
inquiry or request (including the material terms and conditions thereof and any modifications thereto), and Campus Crest will promptly
provide Parent with any non-public information concerning Campus Crest’s business, present or future performance, financial
condition or results of operations, provided to any third party that has not been previously provided to Parent. Campus Crest will
provide Parent with at least forty-eight hours prior notice of any meeting of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors at which
such board is reasonably expected to consider any takeover proposal.
As more thoroughly described in the Merger
Agreement, the term “takeover proposal” means any inquiry, proposal, offer or indication of interest from any person
(other than Parent and its subsidiaries) relating to any:
| · | direct or indirect sale, lease, exchange, transfer, license, acquisition
or disposition of assets of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries equal to ten percent or more of Campus Crest’s consolidated
assets or to which ten percent or more of Campus Crest’s net revenues or net income on a consolidated basis are attributable; |
| · | direct or indirect acquisition of five percent or more (or, in the
case of any person beneficially owning five percent or more of the outstanding shares of Campus Crest common stock as of the date
of the Merger Agreement, any additional shares) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of Campus Crest or any
of its subsidiaries; |
| · | tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in
any person beneficially owning five percent or more (or, in the case of any person beneficially owning five percent or more of
the outstanding shares of Campus Crest common stock as of the date of the Merger Agreement, any additional shares) of any class
of outstanding voting or equity securities of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries; |
| · | liquidation, dissolution (or the adoption of a plan of liquidation
or dissolution), recapitalization, extraordinary dividend (whether in cash or other property) or other significant corporate reorganization
of Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries; |
| · | merger, consolidation or other combination involving Campus Crest
and any third party other than a subsidiary; or |
| · | any combination of the foregoing types of transactions if the sum
of the percentage of consolidated assets, net revenues or net income and Campus Crest common stock involved is five percent or
more. |
As more thoroughly described in the Merger
Agreement, the term “superior proposal” means a written, bona-fide takeover proposal, which, in the good faith determination
of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, taking into consideration the various legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of such
takeover proposal (provided that, for purposes of this definition of “superior proposal” only, references to five percent
in the definition of takeover proposal are deemed to be references to thirty-five percent and the person making such takeover proposal
(including any required financing, stockholder approval requirements of the person making the proposal, regulatory approvals, stockholder
litigation, breakup fee and expense reimbursement provisions, expected timing and risk and likelihood of consummation, and, to
the extent deemed appropriate by Campus Crest’s Board of Directors, such other factors that may be considered in making such
a determination under the Maryland General Corporation Law, including any revisions to the terms of the Merger Agreement proposed
by Parent) if consummated, would result in a transaction that is more favorable from a financial point of view to the stockholders
of Campus Crest than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Except as described in the following paragraph,
neither Campus Crest’s Board of Directors nor any committee thereof may (i)(A) fail to make, amend, change, qualify, withhold,
withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to amend, change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent
or Merger Sub, the recommendation of the Board of Directors that the Campus Crest stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement and approve
the Merger, or (B) adopt, approve, endorse or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve, endorse or recommend to the Campus
Crest stockholders any takeover proposal or superior proposal, (ii) fail to recommend against acceptance of any tender or exchange
offer for the Campus Crest common stock within ten business days after commencement of such offer, (iii) make any public statement
inconsistent with the recommendation of Campus Crest’s Board of Directors that the Campus Crest stockholders adopt the Merger
Agreement and approve the Merger (actions described in clauses (i) – (ii), a “Company Adverse Recommendation Change”),
(iv) authorize, cause or permit Campus Crest or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their respective agents to enter into
any agreement relating to a takeover proposal, or (v) resolve to do any of the foregoing.
Prior to the time the approval of Campus
Crest’s stockholders is obtained relating to the Merger and the Merger Agreement, but not after, Campus Crest’s Board
of Directors may make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change or cause Campus Crest to (or permit any Company Subsidiary to) enter
into an agreement relating to a takeover proposal only if the Board of Directors has determined in good faith, after consultation
with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, (i) that failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to cause
such board to be in breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law and (ii) that such takeover proposal constitutes a superior
proposal. Prior to taking such action Campus Crest must comply with its obligations described in this section “Acquisition
Proposals” and:
| · | Campus Crest has given Parent at least five business days’ prior
written notice of its intention to take such action (which notice must include a copy of the superior proposal, a copy of the relevant
proposed transaction agreements and a copy of any financing commitments related thereto); |
| · | Campus Crest and its subsidiaries will negotiate, and will cause their
respective agents to negotiate, in good faith with Parent during such five business day period, to the extent Parent wishes to
negotiate, in order to enable Parent to propose revisions to the terms of the Merger Agreement and any other agreements relating
to the transactions contemplated thereunder such that the takeover proposal would no longer constitute a superior proposal; |
| · | following the end of such five business day period, Campus Crest’s
Board of Directors will have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to the Merger Agreement and any other agreements relating
to the transactions contemplated thereby proposed in writing by Parent, and shall have determined that the takeover proposal would
continue to constitute a superior proposal if such revisions were to be given effect; and |
| · | in the event that, after the commencement of such five business day
period, there is any material change to the terms of such takeover proposal, Campus Crest shall deliver to Parent an additional
notice, and the five business day period shall be extended, if applicable, in order to ensure that at least three business days
remain in such period subsequent to the time that Campus Crest notifies Parent of any such material revision (it being understood
that there may be multiple extensions). |
Stockholders’ Meeting
Campus Crest has agreed to, as soon as practicable,
but in no event later than forty-five days after this Proxy Statement has been cleared by the Securities and Exchange Commission
and its staff for mailing to the Campus Crest stockholders, with certain exceptions, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold
a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of obtaining stockholder approval to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
Unless Campus Crest’s Board of Directors
has effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, as permitted by and in accordance with the provisions described in “Acquisition
Proposals,” the Board of Directors will recommend that the Campus Crest stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement and approve
the Merger and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders.
Agreement to Take Certain Actions
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Merger Agreement, each of Campus Crest, Parent and Merger Sub has agreed to use its respective reasonable best efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing,
all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Certain Other Covenants
The Merger Agreement contains certain other
covenants of the parties to the Merger Agreement relating to, among other things:
| · | the filing of a Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and cooperation in preparing the Proxy Statement and in responding to any comments received from the Securities and Exchange Commission
on the Proxy Statement; |
| · | giving Parent and its authorized representatives reasonable access
to Campus Crest’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ properties, books, contracts, personnel and records and the confidentiality
of information obtained by Parent; |
| · | the indemnification of Campus Crest’s and the Company Subsidiaries’
directors and officers; |
| · | the fees and expenses of the parties to the Merger Agreement; |
| · | the consultation regarding any press releases or other public statements
with respect to the Merger Agreement or the Merger; |
| · | notification of certain matters; |
| · | actions necessary so that no takeover statute becomes applicable to
the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
| · | delivery of resignation letters of Campus Crest’s directors;
|
| · | the debt and equity commitments received by Parent to fund the Merger
Consideration; |
| · | the disposition of equity securities of Campus Crest resulting from
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by the officers and directors of Campus Crest; |
| · | notice to the holders of the 4.75% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2018
issued by the Operating Partnership; |
| · | cooperation to obtain all of the consents, approvals and waivers relating
to the indebtedness of Campus Crest and its subsidiaries as are required to permit the consummation of the Merger; |
| · | transfers, prior to but contingent upon the Merger effective time,
by Campus Crest of certain properties; |
| · | cooperation regarding the purchase of certain interests in the Operating
Partnership, the purchase of the remaining interests in certain joint venture properties, and certain other matters; |
| · | the transfer of employees in Montreal and benefit plans providing
benefits to such employees to the purchaser of Campus Crest’s direct and indirect ownership interests and other rights in
certain properties in Montreal. |
Conditions to the Merger
The obligations of the parties to complete
the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following mutual conditions:
| · | the affirmative adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the
Merger by a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Campus Crest entitled to vote thereon as of the record date for
the Annual Meeting; and |
| · | no law, injunction, order, decree or ruling enacted, promulgated,
issued, entered, amended or enforced by any governmental entity having jurisdiction over the parties to the Merger Agreement shall
be in effect, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the
Merger or making the consummation of the Merger illegal. |
The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub
to complete the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
| · | the representations and warranties of Campus Crest must have been
true and correct at and as of the closing date as though made on and as of the closing date (except (i) for such changes resulting
from actions permitted under the Merger Agreement, (ii) to the extent any such representation or warranty is made as of a time
other than the closing date, such representation or warranty need only be true and correct at and as of such time, or (iii) where
the failure of any such representation or warranty to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or Material
Adverse Effect qualification or limitation) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
Adverse Effect (as hereinafter defined), other than with respect to certain specific representations and warranties, which must
be true and correct in all respects), and Parent must have received a certificate signed on behalf of Campus Crest by an executive
officer of Campus Crest to such effect; |
| · | Campus Crest must have performed in all material respects all covenants
and obligations required to be performed by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the closing date (other than with respect
to certain specific covenants and agreements, which must be performed in all respects), and Parent must have received a certificate
signed on behalf of Campus Crest by an executive officer of Campus Crest to such effect; |
| · | since the date of the Merger Agreement, there must not have occurred
any changes, events or circumstances that constitute a Material Adverse Effect, and Parent and Merger Sub must have received a
certificate signed on behalf of Campus Crest by an executive officer of Campus Crest to such effect; |
| · | Parent and Merger Sub must have received an opinion, dated as of the
closing date, of Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP to the effect that, at all times since its taxable year ended December
31, 2011 through the closing date, Campus Crest has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification
and taxation as a REIT under the Code; |
| · | all necessary consents and waivers from third parties in connection
with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement must have been obtained, other
than such consents and waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; |
| · | Parent must have received a certificate, duly completed and executed
on behalf of Campus Crest by an executive officer of Campus Crest certifying that Campus Crest is not a “foreign person”
within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
| · | subject to the certain limitations set forth in the Merger Agreement,
the parties shall have received from the applicable lenders certain specific consents, approvals and waivers relating to the assumption,
on substantially the same terms, by Parent or an affiliate thereof of not less than eighty-five percent (measured by outstanding
principal balance) of certain indebtedness of Campus Crest and its subsidiaries; |
| · | Parent shall have received payoff letters executed by the lenders
and other financing sources set forth in the Merger Agreement setting forth all amounts (including principal and accrued but unpaid
interest) necessary to repay in full any such indebtedness through the closing, and providing that, upon payment in full of such
amounts, all obligations with respect to the indebtedness owed to such lender or other financing source will be satisfied and released,
and that any and all related liens will be terminated and released, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent; |
| · | the transactions contemplated by the agreement governing the purchase
of certain interests in the Operating Partnership, the purchase of the remaining interests in certain joint venture properties
and certain other matters must have been closed, conditioned only upon the occurrence of the closing of the Merger; and |
| · | In the event that Campus Crest’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 shall have become due under the Exchange Act (without giving effect to any extensions permitted thereunder),
Campus Crest shall have filed such 2015 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Campus Crest’s obligations to complete
the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
| · | the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub must have
been true and correct at and as of the closing date as though made on and as of the closing date (except (i) for such changes resulting
from actions permitted under the Merger Agreement, (ii) to the extent any such representation or warranty is made as of a time
other than the closing date, such representation or warranty need only be true and correct at and as of such time, or (iii) where
the failure of any such representation or warranty to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or Parent Material
Adverse Effect qualification or limitation) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect), and Campus Crest shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer
of Parent to such effect; |
| · | Parent and Merger Sub must have performed in all material respects
all obligations required to be performed by them under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the closing date, and Campus Crest must
have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent to such effect; |
| · | since the date of the Merger Agreement, there must not have occurred
any changes, events or circumstances that constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect, and Campus Crest must have received a certificate
signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent to such effect; |
| · | all necessary consents and waivers from third parties in connection
with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement must have been obtained, other
than such consents and waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect; |
Termination of the Merger Agreement
The Merger Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger abandoned at any time prior to the Merger effective time:
| · | by mutual written consent of Parent and Campus Crest; |
| · | by either Parent or Campus Crest if: |
| · | the Merger has not been consummated on or before March 31, 2016 (provided
that (i) such right to terminate is not available to any party whose willful and material breach of a representation, warranty
or covenant in the Merger Agreement has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to be consummated on
or before such date, and (ii) in the event that prior to such date all of the closing conditions precedent to the obligations of
Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger have been met other than the condition precedent that the parties obtain from the
applicable lenders certain specific consents, approvals and waivers relating to the assumption, on substantially the same terms,
by Parent or an affiliate thereof of not less than eighty-five percent (measured by outstanding principal balance) of certain indebtedness
of Campus Crest and its subsidiaries, such date shall be deemed to be extended until May 31, 2016); |
| · | any law, injunction, order, decree or ruling is in effect enjoining,
restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Merger or making the consummation of the Merger illegal and has become
final and nonappealable after the parties have used reasonable best efforts to have such law, injunction, order, decree or ruling
removed, repealed or overturned; or |
| · | the requisite Campus Crest stockholder approval relating to the Merger
and the Merger Agreement is not obtained at the Annual Meeting. |
| · | Campus Crest breaches or fails to perform any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i) would give rise to
the failure of a condition precedent to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger, and (ii) is incapable
of being cured, or is not cured, by Campus Crest within 30 calendar days following receipt of written notice of such breach or
failure to perform from Parent (provided that Parent shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement if Parent or Merger
Sub is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under the Merger Agreement that would result in the
conditions precedent to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger not being satisfied); |
| · | the Campus Crest Board of Directors effects a Company Adverse Recommendation
Change, withdraws or modifies in any manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Merger or the Merger Agreement
in connection with, or approves or recommends, any takeover proposal; or |
| · | Campus Crest enters into, or publicly announces its intention to enter
into, an agreement in respect of a takeover proposal, or Campus Crest has breached in any material respect the provisions described
in “Acquisition Proposals” and such violation or breach has resulted in the receipt by Campus Crest of a takeover proposal. |
| · | Parent or Merger Sub has breached or failed to perform any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i)
would give rise to the failure of a condition precedent to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger, and (ii) is
incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by Parent and Merger Sub within 30 calendar days following receipt of written notice
of such breach or failure to perform from Campus Crest (provided that Campus Crest shall not have the right to terminate the Merger
Agreement if Campus Crest is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under the Merger Agreement that
would result in the conditions precedent to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger not being satisfied); |
| · | the Campus Crest Board of Directors authorizes Campus Crest to enter
into, or publicly announces its intention to enter into, an agreement in respect of a takeover proposal, or the Board of Directors
effects a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, withdraws or modifies in any manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation
of the Merger or the Merger Agreement in connection with, or approves or recommends, any takeover proposal, in either instance,
in accordance with the provisions of Merger Agreement and Campus Crest has paid the $5 million termination fee to Parent; or |
| · | (i) all of the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger
Sub to consummate the Merger have been satisfied (other than those that require deliveries or are tested at the time of closing,
which conditions would have been satisfied if the closing had occurred at the time of such termination), (ii) Campus Crest has
irrevocably confirmed by written notice to Parent that all conditions to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger
have been satisfied (other than those that require deliveries or are tested at the time of closing, which conditions would have
been satisfied if the closing had occurred at the time of such termination) or that it has provided an irrevocable notice of waiver
(effective as of closing) of any unsatisfied conditions to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger and it is prepared
to consummate the Merger at the closing, and (iii) Parent and Merger Sub do not receive the proceeds of their financing on the
terms provided for in the debt and equity commitment letters or any alternative financing and, as a result, fail to consummate
the Merger within two business days following the delivery of such notice (provided that Campus Crest shall not have the right
to terminate the Merger Agreement if Campus Crest is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under
the Merger Agreement that would result in the conditions precedent to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the
Merger not being satisfied). |
Termination Fees
Termination Fee and Expenses
Payable by Campus Crest
Campus Crest has agreed to pay a $5 million
termination fee (the “termination fee”) to Parent if:
| · | (i) after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to obtaining
the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders of the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement (or prior to the termination
of the Merger Agreement if there has been no stockholders’ meeting), a takeover proposal shall have been made to Campus Crest
or shall have been made directly to the Campus Crest stockholders generally, (ii) thereafter the Merger Agreement is terminated
by Parent or Campus Crest because the Merger has not been consummated by March 31, 2016 (subject to the other provisions of “Termination
of the Merger Agreement”) or because the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders of the Merger and the adoption of the
Merger Agreement is not obtained at the Annual Meeting, or by Parent because Campus Crest has breached or failed to perform any
of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement which breach or failure to perform
(a) would give rise to the failure of a condition precedent to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger,
and (b) is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by Campus Crest within 30 calendar days following receipt of written notice
of such breach or failure to perform from Parent, and (iii) within twelve months after such termination, Campus Crest consummates
a transaction that constitutes a takeover proposal or enters into an agreement with respect to any takeover proposal; |
| · | the Merger Agreement is terminated by Parent because (i) the Campus
Crest Board of Directors effects a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, withdraws or modifies in any manner adverse to Parent
its approval or recommendation of the Merger or the Merger Agreement in connection with, or approves or recommends, any takeover
proposal, or (ii) Campus Crest enters into, or publicly announces its intention to enter into, an agreement in respect of a takeover
proposal, or Campus Crest has breached in any material respect the provisions described in “Acquisition Proposals”
and such violation or breach has resulted in the receipt by Campus Crest of a takeover proposal; or |
| · | the Merger Agreement is terminated by Campus Crest because the Campus
Crest Board of Directors authorizes Campus Crest to enter into, or publicly announces its intention to enter into, an agreement
in respect of a takeover proposal, or the Board of Directors effects a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, withdraws or modifies
in any manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Merger or the Merger Agreement in connection with, or approves
or recommends, any takeover proposal. |
Additionally, Campus Crest has agreed that
if the Merger Agreement is terminated by Parent because (i) Campus Crest has breached or failed to perform any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (a) would give rise to
the failure of a condition precedent to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger, and (b) is incapable
of being cured, or is not cured, by Campus Crest within 30 calendar days following receipt of written notice of such breach or
failure to perform from Parent, or (ii) the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders of the Merger and the adoption of the Merger
Agreement is not obtained at the Annual Meeting, then Campus Crest will pay to Parent an amount equal to Parent’s reasonable
and documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
(provided that if the Merger Agreement is terminated by Parent because the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders of the Merger
and the adoption of the Merger Agreement is not obtained at Annual Meeting, the aggregate amount of such expenses payable by Campus
Crest shall not exceed $1 million). If, following such payment of such expenses, Parent is paid a termination fee, the aggregate
amount of expenses paid by Campus Crest shall be netted against the termination fee.
Reverse Termination Fee and
Expenses Payable by Parent
Parent has agreed to pay a $10 million reverse
termination fee (the “reverse termination fee”) to Campus Crest if Campus Crest terminated the Merger Agreement because
(i) all of the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger have been satisfied (other than
those that require deliveries or are tested at the time of closing, which conditions would have been satisfied if the closing had
occurred at the time of such termination), (ii) Campus Crest has irrevocably confirmed by written notice to Parent that all conditions
to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger have been satisfied (other than those that require deliveries or are
tested at the time of closing, which conditions would have been satisfied if the closing had occurred at the time of such termination)
or that it has provided an irrevocable notice of waiver (effective as of closing) of any unsatisfied conditions to the obligations
of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger and it is prepared to consummate the Merger at the closing, and (iii) Parent and Merger
Sub do not receive the proceeds of their financing on the terms provided for in the debt and equity commitment letters or any alternative
financing and, as a result, fail to consummate the Merger within two business days following the delivery of such notice. On November
5, 2015, Parent caused $10 million to be placed into an escrow account to fund the potential payment to us of the reverse termination
fee.
Additionally, Parent has agreed that if
the Merger Agreement is terminated by Campus Crest because Parent has breached or failed to perform any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i) would give rise to
the failure of a condition precedent to the obligations of Campus Crest to consummate the Merger, and (ii) is incapable of being
cured, or is not cured, by Parent and Merger Sub within 30 calendar days following receipt of written notice of such breach or
failure to perform from Campus Crest, then Parent will pay to Campus Crest an amount equal to Campus Crest’s out of pocket
expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. If, following such payment
of such expenses, Campus Crest is paid a reverse termination fee, the aggregate amount of expenses paid by Parent shall be netted
against the reverse termination fee.
Material Adverse Effect; Parent
Material Adverse Effect
As more thoroughly described in the Merger
Agreement, the term “Material Adverse Effect” means any condition, circumstance, change, event or occurrence, that,
individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the assets, business,
results of operations or financial condition of Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or would reasonably
be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair Campus Crest’s ability to consummate the Merger or the other
transactions contemplate by the Merger Agreement, other than conditions, circumstances, changes, events, occurrences or effects:
| · | generally affecting (i) the segments of the off-campus student housing
market in which Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries operate (the “Industry”), provided that such changes, events,
occurrences or effects do not affect Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared
to other participants in the Industry, or (ii) the economy, credit or financial or capital markets, in the United States or elsewhere
in the world, including changes in interest or exchange rates, provided that such changes, events, occurrences or effects do not
affect Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other participants in the
Industry; or |
| · | arising out of, resulting from or attributable to (i) changes in law
or in GAAP, or changes in general legal, regulatory or political conditions, (ii) the negotiation, execution, announcement or performance
of the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the impact thereof on relationships,
contractual or otherwise, with vendors, clients, customers, partners or employees, (iii) acts of war, sabotage, hostilities or
terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage, hostilities or terrorism threatened or underway as
of the date of the Merger Agreement that do not disproportionately affect Campus Crest and the Company Subsidiaries in a materially
disproportionate manner as compared to other participants in the Industry, (iv) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados or other natural
disasters that do not disproportionately affect Campus Crest the Company Subsidiaries in a materially disproportionate manner as
compared to other participants in the Industry, (v) any action taken, or omissions, by Campus Crest of any of the Company Subsidiaries
that is specifically required by the Merger Agreement or is taken or omitted with Parent’s written consent or at Parent’s
written request, (vi) any decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of Campus Crest (it being
understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such decline or change that are not otherwise excluded
from the definition of a “Material Adverse Effect” may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining
whether there has been, is, or would be a Material Adverse Effect on Campus Crest), or (vii) any failure to meet any analysts or
internal or public projections, forecasts or estimates of revenue or earnings in and of itself (it being understood that the facts
or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of a “Material
Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, is, or would be a Material Adverse Effect
on Campus Crest). |
As more thoroughly described in the Merger
Agreement, the term “Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any condition, circumstance, change, event or occurrence
that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair Parent’s
or Merger Sub’s ability to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby.
Amendment and Waiver
The Merger Agreement may be amended by the
parties at any time prior to the Merger effective time, except that after the approval of the Merger Agreement by the Campus Crest
stockholders, no amendment may be made which under applicable law requires the approval of the Campus Crest stockholders without
such further approval.
At any time prior to the Merger effective
time, any party to the Merger Agreement may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
the other parties thereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other parties contained in
the Merger Agreement or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant thereto by the other parties, and (iii) subject
to the requirements of applicable law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party
contained in the Merger Agreement. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed
by the party or parties granting the waiver or extension. Neither the waiver by any of the parties to the Merger Agreement of a
breach of or a default under any of the provisions of the Merger Agreement, nor the failure by any of the parties, on one or more
occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of the Merger Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege thereunder, may be construed
as a waiver of any other breach or default, or as a waiver of any future breaches of, defaults under or rights to exercise such
provisions, rights or privileges thereunder.
Specific Performance
The parties to the Merger Agreement agreed
that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of the Merger Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms
or is otherwise breached, and that money damages or other legal remedies would not be an adequate remedy for any such damages.
The parties will be entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, to prevent breaches
of the provisions of the Merger Agreement and to enforce specifically the Merger Agreement and its terms and provisions in the
courts of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Campus Crest
will be entitled to specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger only if:
| · | all of the closing conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger
Sub to consummate the Merger have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions
taken at the closing, each of which is then capable of being satisfied at a closing on such date) at the time when the closing
would have occurred but for the failure of Parent to comply with its obligations to effect the closing pursuant to the terms of
the Merger Agreement; and |
| · | Campus Crest does not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement
pursuant to the terms thereof. |
PROPOSAL
2— ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) PROPOSAL TO APPROVE CERTAIN
MERGER-RELATED COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Rule 14a-21(c) under the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to vote at the
Annual Meeting, on a non-binding, advisory basis, on a proposal to approve the compensation that may become payable to our named
executive officers, Mr. Halfacre, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and Mr. Rochon, our Chief Accounting Officer, in
connection with the Merger. Mr. Coles, our Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Makuch, our Interim Chief Financial Officer,
do not participate in the nonqualified deferred compensation plan and are not entitled to the vesting of any equity awards or any
severance payments or transaction bonuses from Campus Crest in connection with the Merger. Information intended to comply with
Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K concerning this compensation to Mr. Halfacre and Mr. Rochon, subject to certain assumptions
described therein, is presented in the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers
in the Merger.”
In order to approve this Proposal 2, we
are asking our stockholders to vote “FOR” the adoption of the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that Campus Crest’s stockholders
approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may become payable to Campus Crest’s named executive officers
in connection with the Merger.”
The stockholder vote on merger-related compensation
is a non-binding, advisory vote only, and it is not binding on us or our Board of Directors. Further, the underlying arrangements
are contractual in nature and not, by their terms, subject to stockholder approval. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the
non-binding, advisory vote, if the Merger is completed, our named executive officers will be eligible to receive the compensation
that may become payable to our named executive officers in connection with the Merger, in accordance with the terms and conditions
applicable to such compensation.
Approval of this proposal, which includes
adoption of the above resolution, on a non-binding, advisory basis, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect
on the outcome of this proposal. Approval of this proposal is a not a condition to the completion of the Merger.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the merger-related
compensation proposal.
PROPOSAL 3—PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
ADJOURNMENTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
We are asking our stockholders to vote on
a proposal to approve any adjournments of the Annual Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not
sufficient votes at the Annual Meeting to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
If the number of shares of Campus Crest
common stock voting in favor of Proposal 1 to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement is insufficient to approve Proposal 1
at the time of the Annual Meeting, then Campus Crest may move to adjourn the Annual Meeting in order to enable the Board of Directors
to solicit additional proxies in favor of such proposal. In that event, stockholders will be asked to vote only upon the adjournment
proposal, and not on any other proposal, including Proposal 1. If Campus Crest stockholders approve the adjournment proposal, Campus
Crest may adjourn the Annual Meeting one or more times and use the additional time to solicit additional proxies, including the
solicitation of proxies from stockholders that have previously returned properly executed proxies or authorized a proxy by using
the Internet or telephone. Among other things, approval of the adjournment proposal could mean that, even if Campus Crest has received
proxies representing a sufficient number of votes against the approval of Proposal 1 such that the proposal would be defeated,
Campus Crest may adjourn the Annual Meeting without a vote on Proposal 1 and seek to obtain sufficient votes in favor of approval
of Proposal 1 to obtain approval of that proposal.
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions are not considered votes
cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Approval of this proposal is a not a condition to the completion
of the Merger.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the adjournment proposal.
PROPOSAL 4—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors currently consists
of eight directors, each with terms expiring at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As previously disclosed, on November 3,
2014, Ted W. Rollins tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Campus Crest and as a member
of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Board of Directors appointed Randall H. Brown and Raymond C. Mikulich, each
previously nominated by the Clinton Group, Inc. and its affiliated funds, to the Board and also appointed Curtis B. McWilliams
to the Board, effective as of May 6, 2015. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board
of Directors has nominated each of Randall H. Brown, Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno, Richard S. Kahlbaugh, James W. McCaughan, Denis McGlynn,
Curtis B. McWilliams, Raymond C. Mikulich and Daniel L. Simmons (each, a “Nominee”) to serve as directors for one-year
terms until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or, if earlier,
until the closing of the Merger. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Merger is completed, each director of Campus
Crest in office immediately prior to the Merger effective time will deliver a resignation that will be effective at the Merger
effective time. Each of the Nominees currently serves as a director. Each of the directors, other than Randall H. Brown, Raymond
C. Mikulich and Curtis B. McWilliams, was elected by the stockholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Based on its
review of the relationships between the director nominees and Campus Crest, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined
that each Nominee is “independent” under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.
The Board of Directors knows of no reason
why any Nominee would be unable to serve as a director. If any Nominee is unavailable for election or service, the Board of Directors
may designate a substitute nominee and the persons designated as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote for the substitute nominee
recommended by the Board of Directors.
Nominees for Election for a One-Year Term Expiring at the
2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Name |
|
Age |
|
Title |
Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno |
|
53 |
|
Director |
Richard S. Kahlbaugh |
|
55 |
|
Chairman of the Board |
Randall H. Brown |
|
57 |
|
Director |
Curtis McWilliams |
|
59 |
|
Director |
Raymond Mikulich |
|
62 |
|
Director |
Daniel L. Simmons |
|
62 |
|
Director |
James W. McCaughan |
|
64 |
|
Director |
Denis McGlynn |
|
69 |
|
Director |
The biographical descriptions below set
forth certain information with respect to each Nominee for election as a director at the Annual Meeting. Richard S. Kahlbaugh,
Denis McGlynn and Daniel L. Simmons have served on the Board of Directors since our initial public offering in October 2010. The
Board has identified specific attributes of each Nominee that the Board has determined qualify that person for service on the Board.
Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno
Committees:
· Compensation
|
|
Mr. Gonzalez-Moreno has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2013. Since 2008 he has held various roles at Amgen, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, including Executive Director, Business Performance Team and Enterprise Risk Management and Executive Director, Acquisition Integration Center of Excellence. From 2005 to 2008, he served as CEO of Vita Brevis, a business development and consulting company he co-founded. Prior to Amgen, he served as CEO of companies owned by Vodafone, Citigroup, and Loral Space and Communications. Mr. Gonzalez-Moreno also held the role of CEO at Satmex, the largest Latin-American satellite operator with commercial operations in 38 countries. As CEO, he guided the organization through its privatization, corporate transformation, and international growth. He started his career at McKinsey and Company in Mexico, and later pioneered the firm’s start-up operations in Brazil. Throughout his career he has served on multiple boards, most recently serving on the Board and Audit Committees of Maxcom Telecomunicaciones, a NYSE listed company. Mr. Gonzalez-Moreno received his BS from Texas A&M University and his MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. |
|
|
Our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Gonzalez-Moreno’s extensive experience in corporate restructuring and refinancing, in addition to his breadth of management experience makes him well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors. |
|
|
|
Richard
S. Kahlbaugh
Committees:
· Nominating
and Corporate Governance (Chair)
· Executive
(Chair)
· Transaction
· Risk
& Investment |
|
Mr. Kahlbaugh has been a member of
our Board of Directors since October 2010 and currently serves as Board Chairman. From November 2014 until February 2015 Mr. Kahlbaugh
served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer. Since April 2010, Mr. Kahlbaugh has served as the chairman, chief executive
officer and president of Fortegra Financial Corporation (NYSE: FRF) (“Fortegra”), an insurance services company which
was publicly-traded until it was sold to Tiptree Financial, Inc. in December 2014. Since June 2007, Mr. Kahlbaugh has served
as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Fortegra and from 2004 until June 2007, he served in various roles at Fortegra,
including Chief Operating Officer from 2004 until June 2007, Executive Vice President from 2006 to 2007 and Senior Vice President
from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Kahlbaugh received his BA from the University of Delaware and his JD from the Delaware Law School.
Our Board of Directors determined that
Mr. Kahlbaugh’s senior management experience, as well as his experience in general business finance and operations,
make him well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors. |
|
|
|
James W.
McCaughan
Committees
· Audit
(Chair)
|
|
Mr. McCaughan has been a member of our
Board of Directors since April 2014. Mr. McCaughan currently is a Partner for New Phase Advisory Services, a small boutique consulting
firm that provides advice to “C” level executives and also provides interim CEO and CFO services. From January 2008
to June 2013, Mr. McCaughan served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for De Lage Landen Financial Services a
subsidiary of Rabobank in the Netherlands. As the CFO, Mr. McCaughan was responsible for overseeing the U.S. operations and its
$11 billion portfolio. De Lage Landen specializes in vendor relationships in the small and mid-ticket leasing industry. Prior to
De Lage Landen, Mr. McCaughan was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Campus Crest Group, a predecessor entity
to Campus Crest, from February 2006 to December 2007.
Prior to Campus Crest Group, Mr. McCaughan
was a Partner at CD Ventures (now Julip Run Capital), a small private equity firm specializing in raising equity, mezzanine financing
and structured debt to acquire emerging businesses with revenues between $10 million to $100 million from May 2003 to February
2006.
For 20 years Mr. McCaughan worked at Rollins
Leasing Corp (RLC–NYSE) in Wilmington, DE, (one of the top 3 Truck Leasing and Logistics firms in the U.S.) in various levels
of executive management with his last position as VP of Administration, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Subsequent to the
sale of Rollins Leasing Corp to Penske Leasing/GE Capital, Mr. McCaughan was given the responsibility for the overall integration
of Rollins Leasing Corp into Penske Leasing Corp. Mr. McCaughan started his career with Coopers & Lybrand in the Philadelphia
office. He subsequently worked for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI working in the finance organization. Mr. McCaughan left Ford
Motor Company to become Corporate Controller at National Railway Utilization Corp. located in Greenville, SC and oversaw Campus
Crest’s growing from a privately held organization to its initial public offering. |
|
|
Mr. McCaughan received his undergraduate
degree in Business from Villanova University and his MBA from St. Joseph’s University.
Our Board of Directors determined that
Mr. McCaughan’s experience with our predecessor and his accounting and financial experience make him well-qualified to serve
on our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. McCaughan qualifies as an “audit committee
financial expert” as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
|
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Denis McGlynn
Committees:
· Risk
& Investment
|
|
Mr. McGlynn has been a member of our
Board of Directors since October 2010. Since October 1996, Mr. McGlynn has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director of each of Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. and Dover Motorsports, Inc. Dover Downs Gaming &
Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: DDE) is a publicly-traded gaming and entertainment company. Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD) is a
publicly-traded holding company that markets and promotes motorsports entertainment in the United States. Since November 1979,
Mr. McGlynn has served as President of Dover Downs, Inc., the predecessor of both Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment,
Inc. and Dover Motorsports, Inc. Mr. McGlynn received his BBA from Pace College and was an officer in the United States Air
Force.
Our Board of Directors determined that
Mr. McGlynn’s public company and business management experience makes him well-qualified to serve on our Board of Directors. |
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|
|
Daniel
L. Simmons
Committees:
· Compensation
(Chair)
· Risk
& Investment
· Executive |
|
Mr. Simmons has been a member of our
Board of Directors since October 2010. In January 2002, Mr. Simmons co-founded Harbor Retirement Associates, LLC, a senior
living development and management company, and Mr. Simmons served as a principal of HRA Holdings, LLC, the holding company
of Harbor Retirement Associates, LLC, until July 2012. Presently, Mr. Simmons serves as a consultant to the senior living industry.
Prior to forming HRA Holdings, LLC, Mr. Simmons served as a consultant to CNL Financial Group, Inc., where he provided advice
on the formation, registration and strategic direction of CNL Retirement Properties, Inc., an unlisted REIT. Mr. Simmons attended
Florida State University and the University of South Florida.
Our Board of Directors determined that
Mr. Simmons’ REIT, property development and management experience makes him well-qualified to serve on our Board of
Directors. |
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|
Curtis McWilliams
Committees:
· Nominating
and Corporate Governance
· Risk
& Investment (Chair)
· Transaction
(Chair)
· Audit |
|
Mr. McWilliams has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2015. Mr. McWilliams is a real estate industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in finance and real estate. Mr. McWilliams currently serves as a member of the Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. Board of Directors and retired from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of CNL Real Estate Advisors, Inc. in 2010 after serving in such role since 2007. CNL Real Estate provides advisory services relating to commercial real estate acquisitions and asset management and structures strategic relationships with U.S. and international real estate owners and operators for investments in commercial properties across a wide variety of sectors. From 1997 to 2007, Mr. McWilliams also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as serving as a director from 2005 to 2007, of Truststreet Properties, Inc., which under his leadership became the then-largest publicly-traded restaurant REIT with over $3 billion in assets. Mr. McWilliams has approximately 13 years of experience with REITs and, during his career at CNL Real Estate, helped launch and then served as the President of two REIT joint ventures between CNL Real Estate and Macquarie Capital and the external advisor for both such REITs. Mr. McWilliams previously served on the Board of Directors and as the Audit Committee Chairman of CNL Bank, a state bank in the State of Florida, from 1999 to 2004. Mr. McWilliams also has approximately 13 years of investment banking experience at Merrill Lynch & Co., where he started as an associate and later served for several years as a Managing Director. Mr. McWilliams has a Master’s degree in Business with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. |
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|
Our Board of Directors determined that Mr. McWilliams broad real estate experience, including extensive experience with REITs, as well as his financial markets experience, make him well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors. |
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Randall H. Brown
Committees:
· Audit
· Compensation |
|
Mr. Brown has been a member of
our Board of Directors since May 2015. Mr. Brown’s qualifications as a director include his 20 years of
experience in the real estate and student housing industry. He most recently served as the Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Education Realty Trust, Inc., the second largest public student housing REIT
in the United States, from January 2005 until June 2014. Mr. Brown joined Education Realty Trust’s predecessor
company, Allen & O’Hara, Inc., as its Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary in June 1999. Prior
to joining Allen & O’Hara, Mr. Brown served as director of corporate finance for Promus Hotel Corporation
(now part of Hilton Hotels Corporation). Prior to his promotion to director of corporate finance, Mr. Brown served as
manager of capital analysis and planning for Promus. Mr. Brown began his career at Price Waterhouse LLP and also held
various financial and accounting positions at International Paper Company and Holiday Inn, Inc. Mr. Brown received a
BBA from the University of Memphis and a B.S. from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mr. Brown is a Certified Public
Accountant (inactive), a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and previously served on
the Real Estate Advisory Board at Fogelman College of Business at the University of Memphis and as an Advisory Board
Member, College Business & Global Affairs, at the University of Tennessee, Martin.
Our Board of Directors determined that
Mr. Brown’s significant experience in the real estate and student housing industries, including particularly his experience
as an executive officer of one of the largest publicly-traded student housing REITs in the nation, make him well qualified to serve
on our Board of Directors. |
|
|
|
Raymond Mikulich
Committees:
· Transaction
· Risk
& Investment |
|
Mr. Mikulich has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 2015. Mr. Mikulich is a veteran real estate finance and investment professional who has successfully navigated five real estate cycles in his 40-year career. He currently serves as the Chairman of Altus Group Limited, a real estate software, services and data company listed on the Toronto stock exchange. He is also Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer for Ridgeline Capital Group, LLC, and the Chief Executive Officer of HomeLPC, LLC. Both entities are real estate investment companies based in New York, NY. Previously, Mr. Mikulich was head of Apollo Global Real Estate North America from September 2010 until December 2011 and was co-head and functioned as chief executive officer of Lehman Brothers Real Estate Private Equity from 1999 through March 2007 and head of Lehman Brothers’ Real Estate Investment Banking prior to that. Mr. Mikulich was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers and a member of the firm’s private equity investment and operating committees. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers in 1982, Mr. Mikulich was with LaSalle National Bank, Chicago, and its parent ABN/AMRO, for seven years, where he was involved in property acquisitions and joint ventures on behalf of European pension funds, real estate and REIT restructurings and lending. He has served as a Trustee of the Urban Land Institute, on the Board of The Real Estate Roundtable, as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), as well as numerous other industry organizations and the Real Estate Advisory Boards at Harvard, Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Mikulich received a B.A. at Knox College and a J.D. from Chicago Kent College of Law. Mr. Mikulich is a Certified Counsel of Real Estate and Chartered Surveyor. |
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|
Our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Mikulich’s career and significant experience in the real estate industry and vast knowledge and experience in real estate finance and investment make him well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors. |
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” each Nominee.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Board Leadership
The Board recognizes that one of its key
responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure so as to provide independent oversight of management.
The Board understands that there is no single generally accepted approach to providing Board leadership and the right Board leadership
structure may vary as circumstances warrant. Consistent with this understanding, our independent directors consider the Board’s
leadership structure on an annual basis.
The Board of Directors annually elects a
Chairman of the Board, who may or may not be the chief executive officer of Campus Crest. From our formation in 2010 until October
2013, Ted W. Rollins, our Chief Executive Officer, and Michael S. Hartnett, our Chief Investment Officer during that period, served
as Co-Chairmen of the Board. In October 2013, Mr. Hartnett stepped down as Co-Chairman, although he remained on the Board, and
Mr. Rollins became the sole Chairman. On November 3, 2014, Mr. Rollins tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Campus Crest and as a member of the Board
of Directors. Richard S. Kahlbaugh currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors believes separating
the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while
allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead our Board of Directors in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent
oversight of management. Our Board of Directors recognizes the
time, effort, and energy that the Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment,
as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman, particularly as our Board’s oversight responsibilities continue
to grow. Although Campus Crest does not have a policy mandating the separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
the Board of Directors believes that having separate positions and having an independent outside Director serve as Chairman currently
is the appropriate leadership structure for Campus Crest.
The Chairman of the Board presides at all
meetings of the stockholders and of the Board as a whole. The Chairman performs such
other duties, and exercises such powers, as from time to time shall be prescribed in our bylaws or by the Board.
Director Independence
Under the enhanced corporate governance
standards of the NYSE, at least a majority of our directors, and all of the members of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee
and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, must meet the test of “independence.” The NYSE standards provide
that to qualify as an “independent” director, in addition to satisfying certain bright-line criteria, the Board of
Directors must affirmatively determine that a director has no material relationship with us (either directly or as a partner, stockholder
or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Campus Crest). Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that
each of our current directors satisfies the bright-line independence criteria of the NYSE and that none has a relationship with
us that would interfere with such person’s ability to exercise independent judgment as a member of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Kahlbaugh, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer from November 4, 2014 until
February 15, 2015, during which time he was not “independent” under the applicable NYSE standards.
We have implemented procedures for interested
parties, including stockholders, to communicate directly with our independent directors. We believe that providing a method for
interested parties to communicate directly with our independent directors, rather than the full Board of Directors, would provide
a more confidential, candid and efficient method of relaying any interested party’s concerns or comments. See “Communication
with the Board of Directors, Independent Directors and the Audit Committee.”
Board Meetings
The Board of Directors held 11 meetings
in 2014, the audit committee held nine meetings in 2014, the compensation committee held five meetings in 2014, the nominating
and corporate governance committee held two meetings in 2014 and the executive committee held two meetings in 2014. Each director
attended more than 75% of the Board meetings and each director’s respective committee meetings in 2014. The Board of Directors
does not have a policy with respect to directors’ attendance
at Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
As required
by the NYSE rules, the independent directors of our Board regularly meet in executive session, without management present. Generally,
these executive sessions follow after each meeting of the Board and each committee meeting. In 2014, the independent directors
of the Board met in executive session without management present eleven times. Our lead independent director presided over such
independent, non-management sessions of the Board. There are currently no members of management on our Board.
Board Committees
Our Board of Directors has appointed an
audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee and has adopted a written charter
for each of these committees. Each of these committees has three directors and is composed exclusively of independent directors,
as required by and defined in the rules and listing qualifications of the NYSE and, with respect to the members of the audit committee,
Rule 10A-3 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Moreover,
to the extent required by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, our compensation committee is composed exclusively of non-employee
directors who qualify as outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Board of
Directors may from time to time establish other committees to facilitate the management of Campus Crest. Along those lines, upon
the recommendation of the nominating and corporate governance committee, our Board of Directors established an executive committee
in July 2013, which operates pursuant to a written charter.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of James W.
McCaughan, Randall Brown and Curtis McWilliams, each of whom is an independent director.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. Mr.
McCaughan chairs our audit committee and serves as our audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Our audit committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing, among other things:
| • | our system of internal controls; |
| • | our accounting and financial reporting processes; |
| • | the integrity and audits of our consolidated financial statements; |
| • | our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
| • | the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors; and |
| • | the performance of our independent auditors and any internal auditors. |
Our audit committee also is responsible
for engaging an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm
the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting
firm, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit
fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal controls. The audit
committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel
for this purpose where appropriate.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy
for the review and approval of related person transactions requiring disclosure under Rule 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The policy provides that the audit committee is responsible for reviewing and approving
or disapproving all interested transactions, including any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which (i) the amount
involved may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year, (ii) we will be a participant and (iii) a related person
has a direct or indirect material interest. A related person is defined as an executive officer, director or nominee for election
as director, or a greater than 5% beneficial owner of our common stock, or an immediate family member of the foregoing.
In addition, we have a written code of business
conduct and ethics that covers a wide range of business practices and procedures and that establishes guidelines for our directors,
officers and employees, including standards for many situations where potential conflicts of interest may arise. Our code of business
conduct and ethics requires all directors, officers and employees to report any transactions or relationships that reasonably could
be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to the chairman of the audit committee or our chief financial officer or through
our whistleblower hotline. In addition, our corporate governance
guidelines require that each member of our Board of Directors consult the nominating and corporate governance committee in advance
of accepting an invitation to serve on another company’s board. Because the facts and circumstances regarding potential conflicts
are difficult to predict, the Board of Directors has not adopted a written policy for evaluating conflicts of interests. In the
event a conflict of interest arises, the Board will review, among other things, the facts and circumstances of the conflict, our
applicable corporate governance policies, the effects of any potential waivers of those policies, applicable state law, and the
NYSE continued listing rules and regulations, and will consider the advice of counsel, before making any decisions regarding the
conflict.
The audit committee
held nine meetings in 2014.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Randall
H. Brown, Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno and Daniel L. Simmons, each of whom is an independent
director. Mr. Simmons chairs our compensation committee. The principal functions of our compensation committee include:
| • | evaluating the performance of our officers; |
| • | establishing overall employee compensation policies and recommending, as appropriate or necessary, to our Board of Directors
major compensation programs; |
| • | reviewing and approving the compensation payable to our named executive officers, including salary and bonus awards and awards
under our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan; |
| • | administering our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and any other compensation plans, policies and programs
of ours; |
| • | assisting management in complying with our Proxy Statement and annual report disclosure requirements; and |
| • | discharging the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our directors. |
The compensation
committee held five meetings in 2014.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance
committee consists of Richard S. Kahlbaugh, Curtis B. McWilliams and Daniel L. Simmons, each of whom is an independent director.
Mr. Kahlbaugh chairs our nominating and corporate governance committee.
The principal functions of our nominating and corporate governance committee include:
| • | seeking, considering and recommending to our Board of Directors qualified candidates for election as directors, recommending
a slate of nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and verifying the independence of directors; |
| • | recommending to our Board of Directors the appointment of each of our executive officers; |
| • | periodically preparing and submitting to our Board of Directors for adoption the committee’s selection criteria for director
nominees; |
| • | reviewing and making recommendations on matters involving the general operation of our Board of Directors and our corporate
governance; |
| • | annually recommending to our Board the nominees for each committee of the Board; and |
| • | annually facilitating the assessment of our Board of Directors’ performance as a whole and of the individual directors
and report thereon to our Board. |
The nominating
and corporate governance committee held two meeting in 2014.
Executive Committee
Our executive committee consists of Richard
S. Kahlbaugh and Daniel L. Simmons. Mr. Kahlbaugh chairs our executive committee. The executive committee has the authority to
exercise the power and authority of the Board between meetings, except for the following (as well as any other powers reserved
for the Board or the stockholders by Maryland law): (i) authorize dividends on stock; (ii) issue stock; (iii) recommend to the
stockholders any action which requires stockholder approval; (iv) amend the bylaws; (v) elect directors or fill vacancies on the
Board of Directors; (vi) adopt a resolution approving any merger or share exchange which does not require stockholder approval;
(vii) fill vacancies on the committee or change its membership; (viii) or appoint standing committees of the Board of Directors
or discharge the same. The executive committee held two meetings in 2014.
Risk Management
Our Board of Directors takes an active and
informed role in our risk management policies and strategies. At least annually, our executive officers, who are responsible for
our day-to-day risk management practices, present to the Board of Directors a comprehensive report on the material risks to Campus
Crest, including credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk. At that time, the management team also reviews with the Board
of Directors our risk mitigation policies and strategies specific to each risk that is identified. If necessary, our Board of Directors
may delegate specific risk management tasks to management or an appropriate committee. Throughout the year, management monitors
our risk profile and, on a regular basis, updates the Board of Directors as new material risks are identified or the aspects of
a risk previously presented to the Board materially change. The nominating and corporate governance committee, subject
to the review of the audit committee, also actively monitors risks to Campus Crest throughout the year, and with the aid of management,
identifies any additional risks that need to be elevated for the full Board’s consideration.
Nomination of Directors
Before each Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
the nominating and corporate governance committee considers the nomination of all directors whose terms expire at the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and also considers new candidates whenever there is a vacancy
on the Board or whenever a vacancy is anticipated due to a change in the size or composition of the Board, a retirement of a director
or for any other reasons. In addition to considering incumbent directors, the nominating and corporate governance committee may
identify director candidates based on recommendations from the directors and executive officers. The committee may in the future
engage the services of third-party search firms to assist in identifying or evaluating director candidates.
The nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates
annually the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and of each individual director and identifies any areas in which the Board
would be better served by adding new members with different skills, backgrounds or areas of experience. The nominating and corporate
governance committee and the Board of Directors consider director candidates based on a number of factors including:
| • | whether the candidate will be “independent,” as such term is defined by the NYSE listing standards; |
| • | whether the candidate has a general understanding of marketing, finance, corporate strategy and other elements relevant to
the operation of a publicly-traded company in today’s business environment; |
| • | the candidate’s character, including whether the candidate possesses high personal and professional ethics, integrity
and values; |
| • | the candidate’s educational and professional background, including whether the candidate has demonstrated leadership
ability, with broad experience, diverse perspectives, and the ability to exercise sound business judgment; |
| • | whether the candidate has an understanding of our business, including experience in areas important to the operations of Campus
Crest; and |
| • | whether the candidate provides a diversity of viewpoints, background, experience and demographics as compared the current members
of the Board. |
Candidates are also evaluated based on their
understanding of our business and willingness to devote adequate time to carrying out their duties. The nominating and corporate
governance committee also monitors the mix of skills, experience and background to assure that the Board has the necessary composition
to effectively perform its oversight function. As noted immediately above, diversity characteristics of a candidate are just one
of several factors considered by the committee when evaluating director candidates. A candidate will neither be included nor excluded
from consideration solely based on his or her diversity traits. The nominating and corporate governance committee conducts regular
reviews of current directors in light of the considerations described above and their past contributions to our Board of Directors.
The Board reviews the effectiveness of its director candidate nominating policies annually.
The nominating and corporate governance
committee will consider appropriate nominees for directors whose names are submitted in writing by a stockholder of Campus Crest.
Director candidates submitted by our stockholders will be evaluated by the nominating and corporate governance committee on the
same basis as any other director candidates. On May 3, 2015, Campus Crest entered into an agreement (the “Clinton Group Agreement”)
with Clinton Group, Inc. and its affiliated funds (collectively, the “Clinton Group”). Pursuant to the Clinton Group
Agreement, Campus Crest agreed to appoint two new directors proposed by the Clinton Group to the Board, including Raymond C. Mikulich
and Randall H. Brown. In addition, Campus Crest agreed to appoint Curtis B. McWilliams to the Board. The Board appointed Messrs.
Brown, Mikulich and McWilliams to the Board effective May 6, 2015. In connection with the execution of the Clinton Group Agreement,
the Clinton Group terminated its pending proxy contest with respect to the election of directors at Campus Crest’s 2015 annual
meeting of stockholders and agreed to take no further action in that regard. We did not receive any other nominations of directors
by stockholders for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Nominations must be addressed to Campus
Crest Communities, Inc., 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, Attn: Corporate Secretary, indicating the
nominee’s qualifications and other relevant biographical information and providing confirmation of the nominee’s consent
to serve as director, if elected. In order to be considered for the next annual election of directors, any such written request
must comply with the requirements set forth in our bylaws and below under “Stockholder Proposals.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and
Insider Participation
During 2014, the Compensation Committee
of our Board of Directors consisted of Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno, James W. McCaughan and Daniel L. Simmons. Mr. McCaughan was the Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Campus Crest Group, a predecessor entity to Campus Crest, from February 2006 to December
2007. None of the other members of our Compensation Committee during 2014 is or has been employed by us. None of our executive
officers currently serves, or in the past three years has served,
as a member of the Compensation Committee of another entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors
or Compensation and Governance Committee. No member of the Compensation Committee during 2014 has any other business relationship
or affiliation with us (other than his service as a director).
Non-Management Director Compensation
for 2014
We pay a $25,000 annual director’s
fee to each of our independent directors in cash. Each independent director also receives a fee of $5,000 for attendance at every
in-person meeting of our Board of Directors and committee of our Board of Directors (unless a committee meeting is on the same
day as a Board meeting) and a fee of $2,500 for attendance at every telephonic
meeting of our Board of Directors and committee of our Board of Directors (unless a committee meeting is on the same day as a Board
meeting). In addition, we pay an additional annual fee of $20,000 to the chair of our Audit Committee, an additional annual fee
of $15,000 to the chair of each of our Compensation Committee and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and an additional
annual fee of $30,000 to our lead independent director. Our independent directors are also eligible to receive awards under Campus
Crest’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “EICP”). Further, all members of our Board
of Directors are reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in attending all meetings of our Board of Directors
and its committees.
Our Board of Directors
(or a duly formed committee thereof) may revise our non-employee directors’ compensation in its discretion.
The following table
summarizes the compensation that we paid to our independent directors in 2014:
2014 Director Compensation Table
Name | |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | |
Stock awards (1) | | |
All Other Compensation(2) | | |
Total | |
Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno | |
$ | 70,000 | | |
$ | 64,960 | | |
$ | 9,625 | | |
$ | 144,585 | |
Richard S. Kahlbaugh | |
| 132,500 | | |
| 64,960 | | |
| 12,419 | | |
| 209,879 | |
Denis McGlynn | |
| 80,000 | | |
| 64,960 | | |
| 11,772 | | |
| 156,732 | |
James W. McCaughan | |
| 87,500 | | |
| 60,480 | | |
| 2,310 | | |
| 150,290 | |
Daniel L. Simmons | |
| 97,500 | | |
| 64,960 | | |
| 11,772 | | |
| 174,232 | |
| (1) | The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of stock awards issued to each independent
director during the year ended December 31, 2014, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. During 2014, each of Messrs. Gonzalez-Moreno,
McGlynn, McCaughan, Simmons and Kahlbaugh received 7,000 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to our Amended and Restated
Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. The grant date fair value for the 2014 restricted stock awards is calculated by multiplying
the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant, which was $9.28 for restricted common stock awarded to
Messrs. Gonzalez-Moreno, McGlynn, Simmons and Kahlbaugh and $8.64 for restricted common stock awarded to Mr. McCaughan, by the
number of shares in the restricted stock award. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate number of shares of common stock held
by each independent director was as follows: Mr. Gonzalez-Moreno 7,000; Mr. Kahlbaugh, 21,237; Mr. McGlynn, 23,334; Mr.
McCaughan, 7,000; and Mr. Simmons, 28,144. |
| (2) | The amounts in this column reflect the value of dividends paid on stock awards, where such amounts
have not factored into the grant date fair value of the stock award. |
Corporate Governance Matters
We have adopted a code of business conduct
and ethics that applies to all our executive officers, employees and each member of our Board
of Directors and corporate governance guidelines. We anticipate that any waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics will
be posted on our website. The following documents are available at our website at www.campuscrest.com in the “Corporate
Governance” area of the “Investors” section:
| • | audit committee charter; |
| • | compensation committee charter; |
| • | nominating and corporate governance committee charter; |
| • | code of business conduct and ethics; |
| • | corporate governance guidelines; and |
| • | whistleblower procedures. |
Each committee reviews its written charter
annually. Copies of the documents listed above are available in print to any stockholder who requests
them. Requests should be sent Campus Crest Communities, Inc., 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, Attention:
Corporate Secretary.
Policy on Hedging of Campus Crest
Securities
We prohibit short sales of Campus Crest’s
securities (a sale of securities which are not then owned) and derivative or speculative transactions in Campus Crest’s securities
by our directors, officers and department heads, as well as certain designated employees.
Communication with the Board of Directors, Independent
Directors and the Audit Committee
Our Board of Directors
may be contacted by any party via mail at the address listed below.
Board of Directors
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
The audit committee has adopted a process
for anyone to send communications to the audit committee with concerns or complaints concerning Campus Crest’s accounting,
audit or internal controls issues, violations of federal securities laws, rules or regulations
and retaliation against employees who make allegations of the foregoing. The audit committee can be contacted by any party via
mail at the address listed below:
Chairman
Audit Committee
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
Alternatively, anyone may report openly,
confidentially or anonymously any such matter by calling our ethics hotline at 1-877-208-5982, or communicating by email to www.reportlineweb.com/campuscrest,
at any time. The toll-free line is managed by an outside, independent service provider and allows anyone to make a report without
divulging his or her name. The hotline service provider is required to share the information provided in the report to our outside
legal counsel as promptly as practicable. Our outside counsel will review such matters and, where appropriate, will forward
to the chairman of the audit committee as promptly as practicable.
Relevant communications are distributed
to the Board, or to any individual director or directors, as appropriate, depending on the facts
and circumstances outlined in the communication. In that regard, our Board of Directors has requested that certain items that are
unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board should be excluded or redirected, as appropriate, such as: business solicitations
or advertisements; junk mail and mass mailings; resumes and other forms of job inquiries; spam; and surveys.
In addition, material that is unduly hostile,
threatening, potentially illegal or similarly unsuitable will be excluded; however, any communication
that is excluded will be made available to any outside director upon request.
PROPOSAL 5—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of our Board of Directors
has selected the accounting firm of Grant Thornton LLP to serve as our independent registered public accountants for the year ending
December 31, 2015, and the Board of Directors is asking stockholders to ratify this selection. Although current law, rules and
regulations, as well as the audit committee charter, require Campus Crest’s independent auditor to be engaged, retained and
supervised by the audit committee, the Board of Directors considers the selection of the independent auditor to be an important
matter of stockholder concern and is submitting the selection of Grant Thornton LLP for ratification by stockholders as a matter
of good corporate practice. Grant Thornton LLP has served as our independent registered public accountants since August 5, 2015
and is considered by our management to be well qualified. A representative of Grant Thornton LLP will be present at the Annual
Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
If the stockholders do not ratify the selection
of Grant Thornton LLP, the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee,
although the Audit Committee would not be required to select a different independent registered public accounting firm for Campus
Crest. The Audit Committee retains the power to select another firm as the independent registered public accounting firm for Campus
Crest to replace the firm whose selection was ratified by Campus Crest’s stockholders in the event the Audit Committee determines
that the best interest of Campus Crest warrants a change of its independent registered public accounting firm.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting
firm.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following is a report by our audit
committee regarding the responsibilities and functions of our audit committee.
The audit committee oversees Campus Crest’s
financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the audit committee charter. Management is
responsible for Campus Crest’s financial statements and the financial reporting process, including implementing and maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of, and reporting on, the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting. Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing
opinions on the conformity of Campus Crest’s audited financial
statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on the effectiveness of Campus Crest’s
internal control over financial reporting. KPMG LLP served as our independent registered public accountants from our formation
in March 2010 until the completion of KPMG LLP’s review of Campus Crest’s condensed consolidated financial statements
for the quarterly reporting period ended March 31, 2015 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Audit
Committee approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm
effective as of August 5, 2015.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities,
the audit committee reviewed with management and KPMG LLP the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2014 and the reports on the effectiveness of Campus Crest’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2014 contained in Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and discussed with
management the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and
the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The audit committee also reviewed and discussed with management and KPMG
LLP the disclosures made in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
and “Controls and Procedures” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
In addition, the audit committee received
and discussed the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG LLP that are required by applicable
requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the firm’s communications with the audit committee
concerning independence, discussed with KPMG LLP the firm’s independence from management and the audit committee, and discussed
with KPMG LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions
referred to above, prior to the filing of Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2014 with the SEC, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial
statements be included in such Annual Report for filing with the SEC.
The members of the
audit committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting. Members of the audit committee rely,
without independent verification, on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent
registered public accountants. Accordingly, the audit committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine
that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures
designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the audit committee’s
considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of Campus Crest’s financial statements has
been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles or that KPMG LLP is in fact “independent.”
Submitted by the audit committee of the Board of Directors
James W. McCaughan (Chairman)
Randall Brown
Curtis McWilliams
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The following is a report by the Compensation
Committee of our Board of Directors regarding our executive officer compensation program.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed
and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained herein (the “CD&A”) with management of Campus
Crest. Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of the CD&A and the Compensation Committee’s discussions of
the CD&A with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that
the CD&A be included in Campus Crest’s Proxy Statement related to its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Submitted by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Daniel L. Simmons (Chairman)
Lauro Gonzalez-Moreno
Randall H. Brown
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Biographical Information Regarding Our Executive Officers
The following table
contains information regarding the executive officers of Campus Crest. These officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors
and serve at the Board’s discretion:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Title |
David Coles |
|
50 |
|
Interim Chief Executive Officer |
Aaron Halfacre |
|
42 |
|
President and Chief Investment Officer |
John Makuch |
|
44 |
|
Interim Chief Financial Officer |
Scott Rochon |
|
40 |
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
The descriptions below set forth biographical information regarding
executive officers who are not directors:
David Coles
|
|
Mr. Coles has served as Campus Crest’s
Interim Chief Executive Officer since April 2015. Mr. Coles is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal North America (“Alvarez
& Marsal”). He specializes in business performance improvement, profitability analysis, working capital management and
interim management. His primary areas of expertise include the formulation and implementation of improvement plans for underperforming
businesses. Mr. Coles has served in senior advisory and interim CEO, CRO, CFO and COO roles. Mr. Coles most recently served as
an advisor to M*Modal Inc., a $300 million revenue provider of transcription services and to ASR Software. Prior to M*Modal Inc.,
from 2011-2012, Mr. Coles was CFO of PHH Corp, a publicly traded residential mortgage originator, servicer and fleet management
business. His role at this business involved managing internal and external financial reporting, evaluating strategic alternatives,
capital raising, rating agency and investor communications, cash flow projection/reporting and working capital improvement.
During his service at Campus Crest, Mr.
Coles will continue to be employed by Alvarez & Marsal and will not receive any compensation directly from Campus Crest or
participate in any of Campus Crest’s employee benefit plans. Campus Crest will instead pay Alvarez & Marsal an hourly
rate of $750 per hour for the services provided by Mr. Coles, and will reimburse Alvarez & Marsal for certain expenses. |
|
|
Aaron Halfacre
|
|
Mr. Halfacre has served as our President
and Chief Investment Officer since February 2015. Mr. Halfacre joined Campus Crest in August 2014 as Executive Vice President –
Capital Markets, and was promoted to Chief Investment Officer in October 2014. Mr. Halfacre, as chair of our investment committee,
oversees all capital deployment decisions pertaining to acquisitions, dispositions and new developments. Additionally, he leads
our capital market activities with the investment and lending communities as well as the firm’s investor relations effort.
From October 2012
to May 2014, Mr. Halfacre served as Senior Vice President with Cole Real Estate Investments (NYSE: COLE), a NYSE listed REIT which
subsequently merged with American Realty Capital Properties (NYSE: ARCP). At Cole and ARCP, Mr. Halfacre was tasked with capital
markets activity and corporate strategy. From November 2005 to October 2012, Mr. Halfacre held senior leadership roles at BlackRock,
Inc., the world’s largest investment manager, including serving as COO and member of the investment committee of an $18 billion
global equities platform as well as Chief of Staff and Head of Product Development for BlackRock’s global real estate group.
From June 2004 to November 2005, Mr. Halfacre served as Director of Marketing and Investor Relations at Green Street Advisors,
a leading independent REIT research firm. Earlier experience includes time spent with Lehman Brothers and Charles Schwab.
|
|
|
Mr. Halfacre is a CFA® charterholder, has an MBA in finance from Rice University and holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the College of Santa Fe. |
|
|
|
John Makuch |
|
Mr. Makuch has served as Campus Crest’s
Interim Chief Financial Officer since April 2015. Mr. Makuch is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal. During the past
22 years, Mr. Makuch has assisted firms in the execution of financial and operational performance improvement initiatives and has
served as an interim officer of his clients, including roles as a CEO, COO, CFO, CRO, Controller and Treasurer. Mr. Makuch recently
served as the Chief Restructuring Officer for a national developer and builder of multi-family housing and student housing projects.
His position’s role included forecasting and managing liquidity, developing a multi-year business plan and disposition plan
for certain assets, assisting the management team with rationalization of corporate overhead expenses, separating the multi-family
business from the student housing business, and negotiating a restructuring of the company’s credit agreement with a lender
group.
During his service at Campus Crest, Mr.
Makuch will continue to be employed by Alvarez & Marsal and will not receive any compensation directly from Campus Crest or
participate in any of Campus Crest’s employee benefit plans. Campus Crest will instead pay Alvarez & Marsal an hourly
rate of $700 per hour for the services provided by Mr. Makuch, and will reimburse Alvarez & Marsal for certain expenses.
|
Scott Rochon
|
|
Mr. Rochon has served as Chief Accounting
Officer of Campus Crest since October 2014, and is responsible for our accounting operations. Mr. Rochon joined Campus Crest as
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller in December 2012, and was promoted to Chief Accounting Officer in October 2014.
From November 2014 to April 2015, Mr. Rochon served as Acting Chief Financial Officer of Campus Crest.
From 2002 through 2012, Mr. Rochon served
in various finance roles within Kerzner International Hotels Limited, an international developer and operator of destination resorts,
casinos and luxury hotels, including serving as Corporate Vice President of Accounting from January 2009 to December 2012. During
this time, Mr. Rochon led corporate accounting activities, provided direction to property level finance departments, and served
in other financial oversight roles. Mr. Rochon was in the audit practice at Arthur Andersen, LLP from 1997 to 2002. He received
his BS from Virginia Tech and is a certified public accountant. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Campus Crest experienced significant turnover
in its named executive officers during 2014 and early 2015 as our Board of Directors began to implement a strategic repositioning
of Campus Crest:
| · | In October 2014, Brian L. Sharpe, Executive Vice President, Chief Facilities and Construction Officer,
and Robert Dann, Chief Operating Officer, resigned. Angel Herrera, then serving as Chief Operating Officer of our property management
subsidiary, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Campus Crest, Mr. Halfacre was promoted to Chief Investment Officer, and
Mr. Rochon was promoted to the newly created position of Chief Accounting Officer. |
| · | In November 2014, Ted W. Rollins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Donald L. Bobbitt,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, resigned. Mr. Kahlbaugh, then serving as our Lead Independent Director, was named Chairman
of the Board and served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from November 2014 until February 2015. Mr. Rochon was appointed as
Acting Chief Financial Officer, in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Accounting Officer. |
| · | In February 2015, Mr. Herrera resigned from his position as Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Halfacre
was promoted to the additional role as President of Campus Crest. |
| · | In April 2015, our Board appointed Alvarez & Marsal Managing Directors David Coles, as Interim
Chief Executive Officer, and John Makuch, as Interim Chief Financial Officer. |
As a result of these significant changes,
the list of executives deemed to be serving as our “named executive officers” at various times during 2014 for purposes
of this Proxy Statement is longer than would typically be required, and includes the following:
| · | Ted W. Rollins, who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2014 until his
resignation on November 3, 2014; |
| · | Richard Kahlbaugh, who served as Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer from November 4,
2014 through December 31, 2014; |
| · | Michael S. Hartnett, who served as Vice-Chairman of Special Projects; |
| · | Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr., who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary from January 1, 2014 until his resignation on November 3, 2014; |
| · | Robert Dann, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1,
2014 until his resignation on October 1, 2014; |
| · | Brian L. Sharpe, who served as Executive Vice President, Chief Facilities and Construction Officer,
from January 1, 2014 until his resignation on October 1, 2014; |
| · | Angel Herrera, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of our property
management subsidiary from April 28, 2014 until October 1, 2014, and as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
from October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014; |
| · | Aaron Halfacre, our President and Chief Investment Officer, who served as our Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment Officer as well as our Executive Vice President – Capital Markets during 2014; and |
| · | Scott Rochon, our Chief Accounting Officer, who also served as our Acting Chief Financial Officer
from November 2014 to April 2015 and our Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller during 2014. |
The following discussion and analysis of
our 2014 compensation program for our named executive officers should be read together with the tables and related footnote disclosures
detailed below.
Executive Compensation Program Objectives
The primary objectives of our executive
compensation program are to attract, motivate and retain talented, high-caliber executives necessary to lead us in achieving business
success, and to align their compensation with our short-term and long-term goals. To do this, our compensation program for executive
officers is made up of the following components: (i) base salary, intended to compensate our executive officers for work performed
during the fiscal year; (ii) annual cash bonuses, intended to reward our executive officers based on our yearly performance
and their individual performance during the fiscal year; and (iii) equity-based awards under our Amended and Restated Equity
Incentive Compensation Plan, designed to align our executive officers’ interests with our long-term performance. For all
named executive officers, compensation is intended to be significantly performance-based, reflecting our belief that compensation
paid to executive officers should be closely aligned with the performance of Campus Crest on both a short-term and long-term basis
and the value realized for stockholders.
In establishing compensation for executive
officers, the following summarizes our primary objectives:
| • | attract and retain individuals of superior ability and managerial talent; |
| • | ensure senior officer compensation is aligned with our corporate strategies and business objectives
and the long-term interests of our stockholders; |
| • | increase the incentive to achieve key strategic and financial performance measures by linking incentive
award opportunities to the achievement of performance goals in these areas; and |
| • | enhance the officers’ incentives to provide increased value to stockholders, as well as promote
retention of key management personnel, by providing a portion of total compensation opportunities for senior management in the
form of shares of our common stock and other equity and equity-based awards. |
Taking into consideration the foregoing
objectives, we structure total compensation for our executives to provide a guaranteed amount of cash compensation in the form
of base salaries, while also providing a meaningful amount of annual cash compensation that is at risk and dependent on our performance
and the individual performance of the executives, in the form of annual bonuses. We also seek to provide a portion of total compensation
in the form of equity-based awards in order to align the interests of executives and other key employees with those of our stockholders,
and for retention purposes.
Role of the Compensation Committee and Management
The Compensation Committee, pursuant to
its charter, determines all performance goals and compensation decisions for the chief executive officer and determines compensation
decisions for the other named executive officers, including decisions regarding non-equity compensation and equity awards. In doing
so, the Compensation Committee consults with our chief executive officer and our officers as appropriate. The Compensation Committee
believes it is valuable to consider the recommendations of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers with respect
to these matters because, given their knowledge of our operations, the student housing industry and the day-to-day responsibilities
of our executive officers, they are in a unique position to provide the Compensation Committee perspective into the performance
of our executive officers in light of our business at a given point in time.
The Compensation Committee is charged with,
among other things, the responsibility of reviewing executive officer compensation policies and practices to ensure adherence to
our compensation philosophies and that the total compensation paid to our executive officers is fair, reasonable and competitive,
taking into account our competitive position within our industry and our named executive officers’ level of expertise and
experience in their positions. The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities with respect to determining executive
compensation are (i) setting and evaluating performance objectives for our senior management; (ii) approving all amendments
to, and terminations of, all compensation plans and any awards under such plans; (iii) granting any awards under any performance-based
annual bonus, long-term incentive compensation and equity compensation plans to executive officers; (iv) approving which executive
officers and other employees receive awards under our equity and incentive compensation plans; and (v) conducting an annual
review of all compensation plans.
Compensation Committee Consideration of the 2014 Vote on
Executive Compensation
In determining our executive compensation
program for 2014, the Compensation Committee considered the results of the 2014 advisory vote of our stockholders on executive
compensation presented in our 2014 proxy statement. The Compensation Committee noted that more than 75% of the votes cast approved
the compensation of our named executive officers as described in our 2013 proxy statement. The Compensation Committee believes
that these voting results demonstrate stockholder support for Campus Crest’s current executive compensation programs and
practices. Therefore, the Compensation Committee did not make any specific changes in the executive compensation program in response
to the 2014 advisory vote.
Components and Criteria of Executive Compensation
The following narrative discusses the components
of our named executive officer compensation program, including annual cash compensation, equity awards, and health and retirement
benefits.
Annual Base Salary
Our named executive officers receive an
annual base salary based on position-specific responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation for similar
positions, the skills and experience of the individual, internal equity among executive officers and individual performance. For
2014, we paid Mr. Rollins an annualized base salary of $450,000. Pursuant to the terms of their respective employment agreements,
we paid Mr. Hartnett an annualized base salary of $380,000, Mr. Bobbitt an annualized base salary of $320,000, Mr. Dann
an annualized base salary of $360,000, Mr. Sharpe an annualized base salary of $275,000, Mr. Herrera an annualized base salary
of $290,000 through October 1, 2014 and an annualized base salary of $325,000 through the end of 2014, Mr. Halfacre an annualized
base salary of $275,000 from his hire date of July 31, 2014 through October 1, 2014 and an annualized base salary of $300,000 through
the end of 2014, Mr. Rochon an annualized base salary of $187,200 through October 1, 2014 and an annualized base salary of $202,000
through the end of 2014. Mr. Kahlbaugh, who served as our interim chief executive officer from November 4, 2014 through February
15, 2015, did not receive any additional compensation for his service as interim chief executive officer of Campus Crest during
2014, but he did continue to receive director’s fees for his service as a director of Campus Crest during 2014. See “Executive
Compensation – Non-Management Director Compensation for 2014” for more information regarding the director’s fees
Mr. Kahlbaugh received for 2014.
Subject to the employment agreements, the
Compensation Committee considers salary levels for our named executive officers annually as part of our performance review process
as well as upon any promotion or other change in job responsibility. Changes in salary may reflect changes in the cost of living,
changes in compensation paid by other employers, or the Compensation Committee’s assessment, in consultation with our chief
executive officer and our other executive officers, of the individual’s performance.
Annual Incentive Compensation Program
In addition to an annual base salary, we
have an annual incentive compensation program that consists of cash bonuses and restricted stock awards. The awards are designed
to incentivize our named executive officers at a variable level of compensation based on our and such individual’s performance.
In connection with the annual incentive compensation program, our Compensation Committee determines annual performance criteria
that are flexible and that change with the needs of our business. Our incentive compensation program is designed to reward the
achievement of specific financial and operational objectives. Pursuant to the program and their several employment agreements,
for 2014, our named executive officers were eligible for a cash bonus of between 75% and 100% of their base salary through December 31,
2014, and a restricted stock award of between 75% and 100% of their base salary through December 31, 2014, depending on their
achievement of individualized performance goals and the relative weighting of the applicable goals. In some cases, our incentive
compensation program sets a threshold goal for a minimum award and an outperformance goal for a greater award. Achievement in excess
of the threshold goal results in a pro rata increase in the amount of the bonus or stock award attributable to that goal, up to
the point where achievement equals or exceeds the outperformance goal.
In 2014, our Compensation Committee considered
the overall performance of Campus Crest in determining not to award any cash bonuses or restricted stock awards under the annual
incentive compensation program for 2014. Mr. Herrera and Mr. Halfacre were entitled to certain awards pursuant to the terms of
their employment agreements, as discussed below.
Annual Incentive
Compensation Program — Cash Bonuses
The Compensation Committee approved annual cash bonuses for
two of the named executive officers for 2014 at the following levels based on the terms of their employment agreements:
Executive | |
2014 Bonus1 | | |
Amount Paid in Cash | | |
Amount Satisfied in Shares of Restricted Common Stock | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
$ | 290,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 290,000 | |
Angel Herrera | |
| 50,000 | | |
| 50,000 | | |
| - | |
| 1. | For both Mr. Halfacre and Mr. Herrera the bonus was awarded as a condition of their respective
employment agreements. |
Annual Incentive
Compensation Program — Equity Awards
Equity awards pursuant to our annual incentive
compensation program and the other equity awards noted below are made to our named executive officers pursuant to our Amended and
Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. Time-vested equity awards are designed to focus and reward our named executive officers
in accordance with our long-term goals and enhance stockholder value. In addition, because vesting is based on continued employment,
our equity-based incentives also encourage the retention of our named executive officers through the award vesting period.
Pursuant to our annual incentive compensation
program, performance-based equity grants were approved by the Compensation Committee for Angel Herrera. Mr. Herrera was awarded
11,137 shares of performance-based restricted common stock related to the successful performance of various goals included in his
offer letter and related to his performance as Chief Operating Officer of Campus Crest’s property management subsidiary prior
to his promotion to Chief Operating Officer of Campus Crest. Because this award was made in 2014, pursuant to applicable SEC disclosure
rules such awards are reflected in the “Stock/OP Unit Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table and the 2014
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table in this Proxy Statement.
Executive | |
2014 Performance- Based Equity Awards | |
Angel Herrera | |
| 11,137 | |
For the year ended December 31, 2014 our
Compensation Committee determined not to award any other equity awards to our named executive officers.
Contractually-Required
Restricted Stock Awards
As a condition of
his employment agreement entered into on July 31, 2014 and our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, the following
awards of restricted common stock were made to Aaron Halfacre.
Executive | |
Shares of Restricted Common Stock Granted Pursuant to Employment Agreement | |
Aaron Halfacre(1)(2) | |
| 50,000 | |
| (1) | Vesting of the shares will be triggered by the following conditions: |
(i) 10,000
shares upon Campus Crest’s common share price closing at or above $9.00 per share prior to the third anniversary of the grant
date;
(ii) 15,000
shares upon Campus Crest’s common share price closing at or above $10.00 per share prior to the third anniversary of the
grant date;
(iii) 15,000
shares upon Campus Crest’s common share price closing at or above $11.50 per share prior to the third anniversary of the
grant date; and
(iv) 10,000
shares upon Campus Crest’s common share price closing at or above $13.00 per share prior to the third anniversary of the
grant date.
(v) Shares
will not vest prior to the first anniversary of the grant date.
Any unvested shares will immediately
vest upon a change of control, but only to the extent that the share price thresholds described above have been satisfied. If the
share prices set forth above are not achieved prior to the third anniversary of July 31, 2014, these grants will be forfeited.
| (2) | Until such time as the shares may be forfeited, Mr. Halfacre will be entitled to be paid an amount
in dividends each quarter on the unvested shares to the extent that Campus Crest pays dividends on its common stock. |
Benefits and Perquisites
Each of our named executive officers may
participate in the standard company benefits that we offer to all full-time employees. These benefits include medical, dental and
vision insurance, life insurance, paid time off and a 401(k) retirement plan, to which we make matching contributions. In addition,
certain of our named executive officers received an automobile allowance of up to $12,000 per year, plus reimbursement for the
costs of reasonable repairs, operating expenses and gas. During 2014 until November 3, 2014, our senior officers and management
were also permitted to use our leased aircraft for personal travel, provided that they reimbursed us for our incremental cost associated
with their actual usage.
Severance
Under their employment agreements, certain
of our named executive officers are entitled to receive severance payments and benefits under certain circumstances in the event
that his or her employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason,” or
in the event of a “change of control” of us (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement). These severance
payments and benefits are designed to protect and compensate our named executive officers under those circumstances. These circumstances,
payments and benefits are described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.”
Employment Agreements
Agreements with
Current Executive Officers
Aaron Halfacre
On July 31, 2014, Campus Crest entered into
an employment agreement with Mr. Halfacre to serve as Executive Vice President – Capital Markets (the “2014 Halfacre
Employment Agreement”). The 2014 Halfacre Employment Agreement has a term until July 31, 2016, with automatic renewals for
one-year terms unless either we or Mr. Halfacre give 90 days’ notice that the term will not be extended. The 2014 Halfacre
Employment Agreement provides for an initial base salary of $275,000, which was increased to $300,000 effective October 1, 2014
(which may be increased by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of 75% of base salary (with the
actual bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants of equity pursuant
to the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and eligibility to participate in any other employee benefit plans,
insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating to retirement, health, disability, vacation, auto and other related benefits.
Pursuant to the 2014 Halfacre Employment
Agreement, Mr. Halfacre is entitled to certain additional payments and benefits in the event his employment is terminated under
certain circumstances. For a description of these payments and benefits, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination
or Change of Control.”
The 2014 Halfacre Employment Agreement does
not contain an Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up provision.
The Board of Directors appointed Mr. Halfacre
to the additional role of President of Campus Crest effective February 15, 2015.
On June 12, 2015, Campus Crest entered into
an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Halfacre. On September 25, 2015, Campus Crest entered into an amendment to
the amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Halfacre.
Scott Rochon
On October 1, 2014, the Board appointed
Scott Rochon to serve as Campus Crest’s Chief Accounting Officer. In connection with Mr. Rochon’s appointment, Mr.
Rochon and Campus Crest entered into an Employment Agreement, dated October 27, 2014 and effective as October 1, 2014 (the “2014
Rochon Employment Agreement”). The 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of two years, with automatic
renewals for one-year terms unless either Campus Crest or Mr. Rochon gives 120 days’ prior written notice that the term will
not be extended. The 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement provides for an initial base salary of $202,000 (which may be increased by
the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100% of base salary (with the actual
bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants of equity pursuant to
Campus Crest’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “EICP”), eligibility to participate
in any long term incentive plan approved by the Board with a target grant of up to 75% of base salary and eligibility to participate
in any other employee benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by Campus Crest relating to retirement, health,
disability, vacation and other related benefits.
Under the 2014
Rochon Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Rochon’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest without
cause (as defined in the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement), or Mr. Rochon terminates his employment for good reason (as defined
in the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement), he will receive the following compensation and benefits:
| · | earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
| · | annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
| · | accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
| · | a severance payment in cash in an aggregate amount equal to one and one-half times the sum of (i) the then current base salary
plus (ii) a pro rata amount of the annual incentive amounts Mr. Rochon would have earned for the fiscal year in which the termination
occurs based upon Campus Crest’s actual performance for such fiscal year; and |
| · | vesting of all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Rochon that vest in the calendar year that includes the date of termination
or that vest in the next following calendar year, provided that all other unvested equity awards held by Mr. Rochon will be forfeited
and cancelled on the date of termination. |
In
the event that Mr. Rochon’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest with cause (as defined in the 2014 Rochon Employment
Agreement) or Mr. Rochon terminates his employment other than for good reason (as defined in the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement),
under the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement, Mr. Rochon will receive accrued and unpaid salary and benefits to which he is entitled.
All equity awards held by Mr. Rochon at termination of employment will cease to vest as of the date of termination.
In the event of Mr. Rochon’s
death or disability, pursuant to the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement he will receive the following compensation and benefits:
| · | earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
| · | annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
| · | accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
| · | in the case of disability, such rights under any disability plan as may be provided by Campus Crest; and |
| · | in the case of death, any other death benefits generally applicable to Campus Crest’s employees. |
In
the event that, within 24 months of a change of control (as defined in the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement),
Mr. Rochon’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest without cause or Mr. Rochon terminates his employment for good reason,
he will receive the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
|
· |
annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
|
· |
accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
|
· |
a severance payment in cash in an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) the then current base salary plus (ii) an amount equal to the incentive payments made to Mr. Rochon for the prior fiscal year (provided that, if no such incentive payments were made in the prior fiscal year, this amount will equal 50% of the target amount as defined in Campus Crest’s incentive plan); and |
|
· |
vesting of all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Rochon. |
In connection with
the execution of his employment agreement, Mr. Rochon also entered into a Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement pursuant
to which, for so long as he is serving in his capacity as Chief Accounting Officer and for two years following the termination
of his employment with Campus Crest, he has agreed not to compete with Campus Crest or solicit employees, agents or service providers
of Campus Crest.
On March 31, 2015,
Campus Crest entered into an agreement to amend the 2014 Rochon Employment Agreement with Mr. Rochon.
Agreements with
Former Executive Officers
Ted W. Rollins
Ted W. Rollins, our
former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Campus Crest were party to an employment agreement dated October
19, 2010, which was subsequently amended August 5, 2013. As amended, the employment agreement had a term until January 1, 2016,
with automatic renewals for one-year terms unless either party were to give 90 days’ prior notice that the term will not
be extended. The agreement provided for an initial base salary of $450,000 (which may be increased by the Compensation Committee
and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100% of base salary (with the actual bonus to be determined by the
Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants of equity pursuant to the EICP and eligibility to participate
in any other employee benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating to retirement, health, disability,
vacation, auto and other related benefits.
Pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Rollins was entitled to certain additional payments and benefits in the event his employment is terminated under
certain circumstances. For a description of these payments and benefits, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination
or Change of Control.” His agreement did not contain an Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up provision.
On November 3, 2014,
Mr. Rollins tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Campus Crest and as a member of the
Board of Directors. In connection with Mr. Rollins’ resignation, Campus Crest and Mr. Rollins entered into a Separation Agreement,
effective as of November 3, 2014 (the “Separation Agreement”). In addition to providing for the termination of Mr.
Rollins’ employment as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, the Separation Agreement provides
that Mr. Rollins received the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
a cash payment of $20,372 to Mr. Rollins and $925,295 to an entity controlled by Mr. Rollins, each of which was paid in February 2015 and $1,192,978 to a Rabbi Trust for the benefit of an entity controlled by Mr. Rollins, each of which was paid in April 2015, a cash payment of $36,869 to be paid in September 2015; and |
|
· |
vesting of all unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Rollins on November 3, 2014. |
Under his Separation
Agreement, Mr. Rollins released and discharged Campus Crest and its affiliates and related parties from all claims resulting from
anything that occurred prior to the date of such agreement. Mr. Rollins continues to be bound by the obligations, including post-termination
obligations, under his Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement dated October 19, 2010.
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr.
Donald L. Bobbitt,
Jr., our former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, and Campus Crest were party to an employment
agreement dated October 19, 2010, which was subsequently amended August 5, 2013. As amended, the employment agreement had a term
until January 1, 2015, with automatic renewals for one-year terms unless either we or Mr. Bobbitt were to give 90 days’ prior
notice that the term will not be extended. Our employment agreement with Mr. Bobbitt provided for an initial base salary of $320,000
(which may be increased by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100% of base
salary (with the actual bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants
of equity pursuant to the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan and eligibility to participate in any other employee
benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating to retirement, health, disability, vacation, auto and
other related benefits.
Pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Bobbitt was entitled to certain additional payments and benefits in the event his employment is terminated under
certain circumstances. For a description of these payments and benefits, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination
or Change of Control.” His employment agreement does not contain an Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up
provision.
Effective November
3, 2014, Mr. Bobbitt tendered his resignation as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In connection
with Mr. Bobbitt’s resignation, Campus Crest and Mr. Bobbitt entered into a Separation Agreement, effective as of November
4, 2014 which provides for the following compensation and benefits:
| · | a cash payment of $640,000 (equal to two times Mr. Bobbitt’s current annual base salary),
to be paid in equal monthly installments over a period of 24 months commencing no later than November 5, 2014; |
| · | a cash payment of $717,478 (equal to two times the bonus paid to Mr. Bobbitt in 2014), to be paid
in equal monthly installments over a period of 24 months commencing no later than November 5, 2014; |
| · | waiver of the requirement in Mr. Bobbitt’s restricted stock award dated April 22, 2013 that
he be employed by Campus Crest on the date on which the performance condition specified in such award is satisfied in order to
vest in such award; and |
| · | vesting of all other unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Bobbitt, on November 4, 2014. |
Under his separation
agreement, Mr. Bobbitt released and discharged Campus Crest and its affiliates and related parties from all claims resulting from
anything that occurred prior to the date of such agreement, and Mr. Bobbitt continues to be bound by the obligations, including
post-termination obligations, under his Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement dated October 19, 2010.
In connection with
the termination of his employment, Mr. Bobbitt agreed to provide certain consulting services to Campus Crest as a transition advisor
until May 2015.
Robert Dann
Robert Dann, our former
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Campus Crest were party to an employment agreement dated April 2011 and
subsequently amended August 5, 2013. As amended, the employment agreement had a term until January 1, 2015, with automatic renewals
for one-year terms unless either we or Mr. Dann give 90 days’ prior notice that the term will not be extended. Our employment
agreement with Mr. Dann provided for an initial base salary of $360,000 (which may be increased by the Compensation Committee and
the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100% of base salary (with the actual bonus to be determined by the Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants of equity pursuant to the EICP and eligibility to participate in
any other employee benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating to retirement, health, disability,
vacation, auto and other related benefits.
Pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Dann was entitled to certain additional payments and benefits in the event his employment is terminated under certain
circumstances. For a description of these payments and benefits, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change
of Control.”
Mr. Dann’s employment
agreement does not contain an Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up provision.
On October 1, 2014,
Campus Crest notified Mr. Dann that his employment agreement would not be renewed, and Mr. Dann tendered his resignation as Chief
Operating Officer. In connection with Mr. Dann’s resignation, Campus Crest and Mr. Dann entered into a Separation Agreement
which provides for the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
a cash severance payment of $360,000 (equal to Mr. Dann’s current annual base salary), to be paid in accordance with Campus Crest’s schedule for payments to executive officers of Campus Crest; |
|
· |
a lump sum cash payment of $20,404 (equal to the amount of Campus Crest paid portion of Mr. Dann’s annual medical, dental and vision coverage for 12 months); and |
|
· |
vesting of all unvested restricted stock awards, other than Mr. Dann’s restricted stock award dated April 22, 2013, held by Mr. Dann on October 1, 2014. |
Under his separation
agreement, Mr. Dann released and discharged Campus Crest and its affiliates and related parties from all claims resulting from
anything that occurred prior to the date of such agreement, and he continues to be bound by the obligations, including post-termination
obligations, under his Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement dated March 29, 2011.
Michael S. Hartnett
In connection with
our initial public offering, on October 19, 2010, we entered into an employment agreement with Michael S. Hartnett to serve as
our Chief Investment Officer. On August 5, 2013, we amended and restated Mr. Hartnett’s employment agreement. Pursuant to
the amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Hartnett relinquished his title and role of Co-Chairman and Chief Investment
Officer on October 19, 2013 and became our Vice-Chairman of Special Projects. Mr. Hartnett’s employment agreement has a term
of three years. Our employment agreement with Mr. Hartnett provides for:
| • | a base salary of $380,000; |
| • | an amended vesting schedule for Mr. Hartnett’s unvested equity awards, so that they vested
ratably on December 31, 2013, March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, and provided further that
vesting would have been accelerated if Mr. Hartnett was terminated for any reason other than cause or due to his resignation; |
| • | participation in any employee benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating
to retirement, health, disability, vacation, auto and other related benefits; and |
| • | continuation of Mr. Hartnett’s base salary through the remainder of the three year term if
he is terminated without cause by Campus Crest or due to his death or disability prior to October 19, 2016. |
Mr. Hartnett’s
amended and restatement employment agreement defines “cause” as the (i) employee’s act of gross negligence
that has the effect of injuring the business of us and our affiliates, taken as a whole, in any material respect, (ii) employee’s
conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to the commission of a felony by employee, (iii) commission by the employee
of an act of fraud or embezzlement against us or our affiliates as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (iv) employee’s
willful breach of any material provision of his employment agreement or the confidentiality and non-compete agreement, that was
previously entered into.
Mr. Hartnett’s
amended and restated employment agreement does not contain an Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up provision.
Brian L. Sharpe
Brian L. Sharpe, our
former Executive Vice President and Chief Construction and Facilities Officer, and Campus Crest were parties to an employment agreement
dated August 5, 2013. The employment agreement had a term until August 5, 2015, with automatic renewals for one-year terms unless
either we or Mr. Sharpe give 90 days’ prior notice that the term will not be extended. Our employment agreement with Mr.
Sharpe provides for an initial base salary of $250,000, which was increased to $275,000 as of January 1, 2014 (which may be increased
by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100% of base salary (with the actual
bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for grants of equity pursuant to
the EICP and eligibility to participate in any other employee benefit plans, insurance policies or contracts maintained by us relating
to retirement, health, disability, vacation, auto and other related benefits.
Pursuant to his employment
agreement, Mr. Sharpe was entitled to certain additional payments and benefits in the event his employment was terminated under
certain circumstances. For a description of these payments and benefits, see “—Potential Payments upon Termination
or Change of Control.”
Mr. Sharpe’s employment agreement does not contain an
Internal Revenue Code Section 280G excise tax gross-up provision.
On October 1, 2014,
Mr. Sharpe tendered his resignation as Executive Vice President and Chief Construction and Facilities Officer. In connection with
Mr. Sharpe’s resignation, Campus Crest and Mr. Sharpe entered into a Separation Agreement, effective as of October 1, 2014
which provides for the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
a cash payment of $550,000 (equal to two times Mr. Sharpe’s current annual base salary), to be paid in equal monthly installments over a period of 24 months commencing no later than November 30, 2014; |
|
· |
a cash payment of $639,636 (equal to two times the bonus paid to Mr. Sharpe in 2014), to be paid in equal monthly installments over a period of 24 months commencing no later than November 30, 2014; |
|
· |
waiver of the requirement in Mr. Sharpe’s restricted stock award dated April 22, 2013 that he be employed by Campus Crest on the date on which the performance condition specified in such award is satisfied in order to vest in such award; and |
|
· |
vesting of all other unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Sharpe on October 1, 2014. |
Under his separation
agreement, Mr. Sharpe released and discharged Campus Crest and its affiliates and related parties from all claims resulting from
anything that occurred prior to the date of such agreement, and Mr. Sharpe continues to be bound by the obligations, including
post-termination obligations, under his Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement dated August 5, 2013.
Angel Herrera
Angel Herrera, our
former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Campus Crest were parties to an employment agreement dated October
27, 2014 (the “Herrera Employment Agreement”). The Herrera Employment Agreement provided for an initial term of employment
of two years, with automatic renewals for one-year terms unless either Campus Crest or Mr. Herrera were to give 120 days’
prior written notice that the term will not be extended. The Herrera Employment Agreement provided for an initial base salary of
$325,000 (which may be increased by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), a target bonus of between 75% and 100%
of base salary (with the actual bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors), eligibility for
grants of equity pursuant to the EICP, eligibility to participate in any long term incentive plan approved by the Board with a
target grant of up to 75% of base salary and eligibility to participate in any other employee benefit plans, insurance policies
or contracts maintained by Campus Crest relating to retirement, health, disability, vacation, auto allowance and other related
benefits.
Under
the Herrera Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Herrera’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest without cause
(as defined in the Herrera Employment Agreement), or Mr. Herrera terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the Herrera
Employment Agreement), he will receive the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
|
· |
annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
|
· |
accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
|
· |
a severance payment in cash in an aggregate amount equal to one and one-half times the sum of (i) the then current base salary plus (ii) a pro rata amount of the annual incentive amounts Mr. Herrera would have earned for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs based upon Campus Crest’s actual performance for such fiscal year; and |
|
· |
vesting of all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Herrera that vest in the calendar year that includes the date of termination or that vest in the next following calendar year, provided that all other unvested equity awards held by Mr. Herrera will be forfeited and cancelled on the date of termination. |
In
the event that Mr. Herrera’s employment is terminated by Campus Crest with cause (as defined in the Herrera Employment Agreement)
or Mr. Herrera terminates his employment other than for good reason (as defined in the Herrera Employment Agreement), under the
Herrera Employment Agreement Mr. Herrera will receive accrued and unpaid salary and benefits to which he is entitled. All equity
awards held by Mr. Herrera at termination of employment will cease to vest as of the date of termination.
In
the event of Mr. Herrera’s death or disability, pursuant to the Herrera Employment Agreement he will receive the following
compensation and benefits:
|
· |
earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
|
· |
annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
|
· |
accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
|
· |
in the case of disability, such rights under any disability plan as may be provided by Campus Crest; and |
|
· |
in the case of death, any other death benefits generally applicable to Campus Crest’s employees. |
In
the event that, within 24 months of a change of control (as defined in the Herrera Employment Agreement), Mr. Herrera’s employment
is terminated by Campus Crest without cause or Mr. Herrera terminates his employment for good reason, he will receive the following
compensation and benefits:
|
· |
earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination; |
|
· |
annual incentive amounts earned and payable that have not been paid; |
|
· |
accrued but unpaid paid time off due through the date of termination; |
|
· |
a severance payment in cash in an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) the then current base salary plus (ii) an amount equal to the incentive payments made to Mr. Herrera for the prior fiscal year (provided that, if no such incentive payments were made in the prior fiscal year, this amount will equal 50% of the target amount as defined in Campus Crest’s incentive plan); and |
|
· |
vesting of all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Herrera. |
Also on October 27,
2014, Mr. Herrera entered into a Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement pursuant to which, for so long as he is serving in
his capacity as Chief Operating Officer and for two years following the termination of his employment
with Campus Crest, he agreed not to compete with Campus Crest or solicit employees, agents or service providers of Campus Crest.
Mr. Herrera’s compliance with the noncompetition agreement is a condition to the receipt of compensation under the Herrera
Employment Agreement.
On February 20, 2015,
Mr. Herrera tendered his resignation as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Campus Crest and Mr. Herrera
entered into a Separation Agreement, effective February 28, 2015 which provides that Mr. Herrera
will receive the following compensation and benefits:
|
· |
a cash payment of $122,566, less payroll deductions, which was paid on March 13, 2015; and |
|
· |
vesting of 41,137 shares of unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Herrera that were granted to him during 2014. |
Under his separation
agreement, Mr. Herrera released and discharged Campus Crest and its affiliates and related parties from all claims resulting from
anything that occurred prior to the date of such agreement, and he continues to be bound by the obligations, including post-termination
obligations, under his noncompetition agreement.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Under their employment
agreements, certain of our named executive officers are entitled to receive severance payments and benefits under certain circumstances
in the event that his or her employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason,”
or in the event of a “change of control” of us (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement). These severance
payments and benefits are designed to protect and compensate our named executive officers under those circumstances. The severance
terms of Mr. Hartnett’s amended and restated employment agreement are not reflected below and instead are described above
in the section captioned “Michael S. Hartnett.” As described above, the employment agreements of Messrs. Rollins, Bobbitt,
Dann, Sharpe and Herrera have previously been terminated and the various separation payments received by such former officers are
described above.
During 2014, the employment
agreements provided that if the agreement is terminated by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason”
within 24 months following a change in control of us, (i) Mr. Rollins will be entitled to a lump sum cash payment
equal to three times the sum of his then current annual base salary plus the bonus earned by him in the prior year (or, if no bonus
was earned, 50% of his target bonus for the current year), (ii) each of Messrs. Bobbitt, Dann, Sharpe and Halfacre will
be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to two times the sum of his then current annual base salary plus the bonus earned
by him in the prior year (or, if no bonus was earned, 50% of his target bonus for the current year), and (iii) each of Messrs.
Herrera and Rochon will be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to one and one-half times the sum of his then current annual
base salary plus the bonus earned by him in the prior year for the fiscal year in which the termination
occurs based upon Campus Crest’s actual performance for such fiscal year. In the event the agreement is terminated
by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” and not within 24 months following a change
in control of us each of Messrs. Rollins, Bobbitt, Dann, Sharpe, Herrera, Halfacre, and Rochon will be entitled to a cash
payment equal to two times the sum of his then current annual base salary plus the bonus earned by him in the prior year (or, if
no bonus was earned, 50% of his target bonus for the current year), payable in equal monthly installments over a period of 24 months
after termination.
In addition, during
2014 the employment agreements provided that if the executive is terminated either by us without “cause” or by the
executive for “good reason,” with or without a change in control of us, or if the executive retires at or after the
age of 63, then any unvested equity awards granted to such named executive officer shall immediately vest.
During 2014, the employment
agreements defined “cause” as the (i) employee’s act of gross negligence or misconduct that has the effect
of injuring the business of us and our affiliates, taken as a whole, in any material respect, (ii) employee’s conviction
or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to the commission of a felony by employee, (iii) commission by the employee of an act
of fraud or embezzlement against us or our affiliates or (iv) employee’s willful breach of any material provision of
his or her employment agreement or related confidentiality and non-compete agreement, that will be entered into contemporaneously
with the employment agreement. During 2014, the employment agreements for each of Messrs. Rollins, Bobbitt, Dann, Sharpe, Herrera,
Halfacre, and Rochon defined “good reason” as (i) a material involuntary reduction in employee’s
duties, authority, reporting responsibility or function, (ii) a material
reduction in the employee’s compensation package other than as mutually agreed, (iii) the employee’s involuntary
relocation to a principal place of work more than 30 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina or (iv) a material breach by
us of our obligations under the applicable employment agreement, provided that the employee gives us notice of his belief
that he has good reason to terminate the applicable employment agreement and we fail to cure the breach within 30 business days
of receipt of the employee’s notice.
Pension Benefits
None of our employees,
including our named executive officers, participates in or has account balances in qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans
sponsored by us.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Each of our named executive
officers is eligible to participate in the Campus Crest Group, LLC Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred
Compensation Plan”). The Deferred Compensation Plan enables key employees to defer a portion of eligible compensation, which
is then notionally invested in a variety of mutual funds. Deferrals and withdrawals under the Deferred Compensation Plan are intended
to comply with Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code. Additional information regarding the terms
and conditions of the Deferred Compensation Plan is provided under the heading “Nonqualified Defined Contribution and Other
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans” below.
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code generally does not allow a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1 million
paid to the chief executive officer and the three other executive officers (other than the chief financial officer) who are highest
paid and employed at year-end. If certain conditions are met, “performance-based compensation” (as defined in Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code) may be excluded from this limitation. The Compensation Committee carefully considers Campus Crest’s
executive compensation program in light of the applicable tax rules. The Compensation Committee believes that tax deductibility
is but one factor to be considered in fashioning an appropriate compensation package for executives. The Compensation Committee
recognizes that in certain instances, it may be in the best interests of Campus Crest’s stockholders to provide compensation
that is not fully deductible and may do so as it determines appropriate.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
TABLES
Summary Compensation Table
The following table
sets forth the information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. With
respect to equity incentive awards, the dollar amounts indicated in the table under “Stock/OP Unit Awards” are the
aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
| |
Year | | |
Salary | | |
Bonus
(1) | | |
Stock/OP
Unit Awards(2)(3) | | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation(1) | | |
All
Other Compensation(4) | | |
Total | |
Ted W.
Rollins | |
| 2014 | | |
$ | 378,493 | (5) | |
| — | | |
$ | 441,422 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 157,175 | | |
$ | 977,090 | |
Former Chairman of the | |
| 2013 | | |
| 427,444 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,909,084 | (6) | |
| 63,060 | | |
| 139,197 | | |
| 2,538,785 | |
Board and Chief Executive | |
| 2012 | | |
| 360,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,170,801 | | |
| 146,417 | | |
| 21,208 | | |
| 1,698,426 | |
Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr. | |
| 2014 | | |
| 269,150 | (5) | |
| — | | |
| 313,896 | | |
| — | | |
| 74,342 | | |
| 657,388 | |
Former Executive Vice | |
| 2013 | | |
| 320,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 588,219 | (7) | |
| 44,842 | | |
| 52,268 | | |
| 1,005,329 | |
President, Chief Financial | |
| 2012 | | |
| 290,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 334,554 | | |
| 117,947 | | |
| 22,040 | | |
| 764,541 | |
Officer and Secretary | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Robert Dann | |
| 2014 | | |
| 270,247 | (5) | |
| — | | |
| 315,427 | | |
| — | | |
| 62,180 | | |
| 647,854 | |
Former Executive Vice | |
| 2013 | | |
| 360,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 339,431 | | |
| 45,061 | | |
| 42,766 | | |
| 787,258 | |
President and Chief | |
| 2012 | | |
| 320,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 168,849 | | |
| 139,330 | | |
| 20,933 | | |
| 649,112 | |
Operating Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Michael S. Hartnett(8) | |
| 2014 | | |
| 380,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 170,399 | | |
| — | | |
| 29,875 | | |
| 580,274 | |
Vice-Chairman, Special | |
| 2013 | | |
| 380,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,343,284 | (9) | |
| 170,401 | | |
| 159,005 | | |
| 2,052,690 | |
Projects | |
| 2012 | | |
| 360,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,170,801 | | |
| 146,417 | | |
| 23,290 | | |
| 1,700,508 | |
Brian L. Sharpe(10) | |
| 2014 | | |
| 206,438 | (5) | |
| — | | |
| 279,838 | | |
| — | | |
| 47,788 | | |
| 534,064 | |
Former Executive Vice | |
| 2013 | | |
| 250,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 278,789 | | |
| 39,977 | | |
| 33,038 | | |
| 601,804 | |
President, Chief Facilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
and Construction Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Richard Kahlbaugh(10) | |
| 2014 | | |
| — | (5) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Chairman and Former | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Interim Chief Executive | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Aaron Halfacre(10) | |
| 2014 | | |
| 121,507 | (5) | |
| — | | |
| 527,600 | (11) | |
| — | | |
| 16,214 | | |
| 665,321 | |
President and Chief | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investment Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Angel Herrera(10) | |
| 2014 | | |
| 204,973 | (5) | |
| 50,000 | | |
| 338,602 | | |
| — | | |
| 25,669 | | |
| 619,244 | |
Former Executive Vice | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
President and Chief | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Operating Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Scott Rochon(10) | |
| 2014 | | |
| 190,890 | (5) | |
| — | | |
| 69,544 | | |
| — | | |
| 25,930 | | |
| 286,364 | |
Chief Accounting Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
and former Acting Chief | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financial Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (1) | The combined amount to be shown in each of the Bonus and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
columns equals the amount of the annual cash incentive bonus for each named executive officer. The amount shown in the Bonus column
for the named executive was given as a result of the employment agreement. |
| (2) | For purposes of this table, shares awarded during 2014 were valued at $9.28, $8.87, $8.00 and $6.51,
the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant, February 24, 2014, May 28, 2014, July 31, 2014, and October
27, 2014, respectively, with the exception of mentioned shares in Footnote 11. |
| (3) | Stock/OP Units Awards for 2014 consist of Restricted Stock Awards with Market Conditions, Performance-Based
Restricted Stock Awards and Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards as set forth below. |
Name | |
Restricted Stock Awards With Market Conditions | | |
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards | | |
Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards | | |
Total Stock/OP Unit Awards | |
Ted W. Rollins | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 441,422 | | |
$ | 441,422 | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr. | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 313,896 | | |
| 313,896 | |
Robert Dann | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 315,427 | | |
| 315,427 | |
Brian L. Sharpe | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 279,838 | | |
| 279,838 | |
Angel Herrera | |
| | | |
| 72,502 | | |
| 266,100 | | |
| 338,602 | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
| 237,600 | (11) | |
| — | | |
| 290,000 | | |
| 527,600 | |
Scott Rochon | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 69,544 | | |
| 69,544 | |
See “Executive Officer
Compensation—Components and Criteria of Executive Compensation—Annual Incentive Compensation Program — Equity
Awards” and “Executive Officer Compensation—Components and Criteria of Executive Compensation—Contractually-Required
Restricted Stock Awards” above for a discussion of these awards.
| (4) | All Other Compensation for 2014 represents dividends paid on stock awards, where such amounts have
not factored into the grant date fair value of the stock award, health, life and disability insurance premiums, 401(k) matching
contributions, automobile allowances and bookkeeping services, as follows: |
Name | |
Dividends on Unvested Restricted Shares | | |
Insurance Premiums | | |
401(K) Matching Contributions | | |
Automobile Allowances | | |
Bookkeeping Services | | |
Total | |
Ted W. Rollins | |
$ | 135,768 | | |
$ | 18,707 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 2,700 | | |
$ | 157,175 | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr. | |
| 51,817 | | |
| 18,395 | | |
| 4,130 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 74,342 | |
Robert Dann | |
| 39,959 | | |
| 16,889 | | |
| 5,332 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 62,180 | |
Michael S. Hartnett | |
| 3,030 | | |
| 20,282 | | |
| 2,328 | | |
| 1,535 | | |
| 2,700 | | |
| 29,875 | |
Brian L. Sharpe | |
| 30,207 | | |
| 12,151 | | |
| 5,430 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 47,788 | |
Richard Kahlbaugh | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Angel Herrera | |
| 9,900 | | |
| 10,288 | | |
| 1,481 | | |
| 4,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 25,669 | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
| 14,231 | | |
| 1,983 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 16,214 | |
Scott Rochon | |
| 11,960 | | |
| 8,781 | | |
| 5,189 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 25,930 | |
| (5) | Mr. Rollins’ salary was paid at an annualized rate of $450,000 through his resignation on
November 3, 2014. Mr. Bobbitt’s salary was paid at an annualized rate of $320,000 through his resignation on November 3,
2014. Mr. Dann’s salary was paid at an annualized rate of $360,000 through his resignation on October 1, 2014. Mr. Sharpe’s
salary was paid at an annualized rate of $275,000 through his resignation on October 1, 2014. Mr. Halfacre’s salary was paid
at an annualized rate of $275,000 from his hire date of July 31, 2014 through October 1, 2014 and at an annualized rate of $300,000
from October 2, 2014 through the end of 2014. Mr. Herrera’s salary was paid at an annualized rate of $290,000 from his hire
date of April 28, 2014 through October 1, 2014 and at an annualized rate of $325,000 through the end of 2014. Mr. Rochon’s
salary was paid at an annualized rate of $187,200 through October 1, 2014 and at an annualized rate of $202,000 through the remainder
of the year. Mr. Kahlbaugh did not receive any compensation as an executive officer during 2014; his only compensation was for
his role as a board member. |
| (6) | Includes $1,196,862 attributable to 99,078 shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the terms
of Mr. Rollins’ employment agreement as a result of our formation transactions in 2010. |
| (7) | Includes $125,270 attributable to 10,370 shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the terms
of Mr. Bobbitt’s employment agreement as a result of our formation transactions in 2010. |
| (8) | Mr. Hartnett relinquished the title and role of Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer on October
19, 2013 and assumed the title and role of Vice-Chairman of Special Projects. |
| (9) | Includes $1,196,862 attributable to 99,078 shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the terms
of Mr. Hartnett’s employment agreement as a result of our formation transactions in 2010. |
| (10) | 2014 is the first year that Messrs. Kahlbaugh, Mr. Halfacre, Mr. Herrera, and Mr. Rochon have qualified
as named executive officers, and therefore, their respective annual compensation is not shown for 2013 or 2012. Similarly, 2013
is the first year that Mr. Sharpe qualified as a named executive officer, and therefore, his annual compensation is not shown for
2012. |
| (11) | Mr. Halfacre was awarded 86,250 shares of restricted stock pursuant to his employment agreement
of which 6,250 shares vested immediately and 30,000 vested over a three year term. The remaining 50,000 shares are conditional
upon reaching certain share price thresholds. None of these awards were earned as of December 31, 2014. The awards are valued based
on the fair value assessed at July 31, 2014 for each vesting tranche; 10,000 shares vest if the stock price closes at or above
$9.00 and were valued at $6.50 per share, 15,000 shares vest if the stock price closes at or above $10.00 a share and were valued
at $5.34 per share, 15,000 shares vest if the stock price closes at or above $11.50 a share and were valued at $3.98 a share, and
10,000 vest if the stock price closes at or above $13.00 a share and were valued at $3.28 a share. |
2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table
sets forth information with respect to plan-based restricted stock and restricted OP unit awards granted in 2014 to the named executive
officers. The dollar amounts indicated under the “Grant Date Fair Value” is the full fair value of each grant, in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information, see “Executive Officer Compensation—Compensation Discussion and
Analysis—Components and Criteria of Executive Compensation.”
Name | |
Date of Grant | |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Target | | |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock and OP Units(1) | | |
Grant Date Fair Value of Awards | |
Ted W. Rollins | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 47,567 | | |
$ | 441,422 | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr. | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 33,825 | | |
| 313,896 | |
Robert Dann | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 33,990 | | |
| 315,427 | |
Michael S. Hartnett | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 18,362 | | |
| 170,399 | |
Brian L. Sharpe | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 30,155 | | |
| 279,838 | |
Angel Herrera | |
May 28 & October 27, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 41,137 | (2) | |
| 338,602 | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
July 31, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 86,250 | (3) | |
| 527,600 | |
Scott Rochon | |
February 24, 2014 | |
| — | | |
| 7,494 | | |
| 69,544 | |
| (1) | These shares (except shares discussed in Footnote 3) will vest ratably on each of the first, second,
and third anniversaries of the date of grant. Each share granted on February 24, 2014 was valued at $9.28, the closing price of
our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant. Each share granted on May 28, 2014 was valued at $8.87, the closing price of
our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant. Each share granted on July 31, 2014 was valued at $8.00, the closing price of
our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant. Each share granted on October 27, 2014 was valued at $6.51, the closing price
of our common stock on the NYSE on the date of grant. |
| (2) | Angel Herrera was granted 30,000 shares on May 28, 2014 on which date each share was valued at
$8.87, the closing price on the NYSE on the date of grant and 11,137 shares on October 27, 2014, on which date each share was valued
at $6.51, the closing price on the NYSE. |
| (3) | Mr. Halfacre was awarded 86,250 shares of restricted stock pursuant to his employment agreement
of which 6,250 shares vested immediately and 30,000 vested over a three year term as described in Footnote 1. The remaining 50,000
shares are conditional upon reaching certain share price thresholds. None of these awards were earned as of December 31, 2014.
The awards are valued based on the fair value assessed at July 31, 2014 for each vesting tranche; 10,000 shares vest if the stock
price closes at or above $9.00 and were valued at $6.50 per share, 15,000 shares vest if the stock price closes at or above $10.00
a share and were valued at $5.34 per share, 15,000 shares vest if the stock price closes at or above $11.50 a share and were valued
at $3.98 a share, and 10,000 vest if the stock price closes at or above $13.00 a share and were valued at $3.28 a share. |
2014 Option Exercise and Stock Vested
The following table
sets forth information with respect to the number of shares of common stock and OP units and the value of those shares and OP units
that vested in 2014 that were awarded to our named executive officers:
| |
Stock Awards | |
Name | |
Number of Shares of Stock and OP Units Acquired on Vesting | | |
Value Realized on Vesting | |
Ted W. Rollins(1) | |
| 272,783 | | |
$ | 1,910,654 | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr.(2) | |
| 99,824 | | |
| 674,743 | |
Robert Dann(3) | |
| 49,746 | | |
| 361,434 | |
Michael S. Hartnett(4) | |
| 165,734 | | |
| 1,286,512 | |
Brian L. Sharpe(5) | |
| 30,598 | | |
| 210,968 | |
Aaron Halfacre(6) | |
| 6,250 | | |
| 50,000 | |
Angel Herrera | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Scott Rochon | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| (1) | Includes 73,575 shares valued at $8.83, and 199,208 shares valued at $6.33 the closing prices on
January 31, 2014 and November 3, 2014, respectively, the dates on which they vested. |
| (2) | Includes 17,143 shares valued at $8.83, and 82,681 shares valued at $6.33 the closing prices on
January 31, 2014 and November 3, 2014, respectively, the dates on which they vested. |
| (3) | Includes 8,534 shares valued at $8.83, 8,626 shares valued at $8.61, and 32,586 shares valued at
$6.50 the closing prices on January 31, 2014, April 21, 2014 and October 1, 2014, respectively, the dates on which they vested. |
| (4) | Includes 41,434 shares valued at $8.68, 41,434 shares valued at $8.66, 41,433 shares valued at
$6.40, and 41,433 shares valued at $7.31 the closing prices on March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31,
2014, respectively, the dates on which they vested. |
| (5) | Includes 5,185 shares valued at $8.83, and 25,413 shares valued at $6.50 the closing prices on
January 31, 2014, and October 1, 2014, respectively, the dates on which they vested |
| (6) | Includes 6,250 shares valued at $8.00, the closing price on July 31, 2014, the date on which they
vested. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End 2014
The following table
sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2014.
No option awards were outstanding for the named executive officers as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
Stock Awards |
Name | |
Number of Restricted Shares that have not Vested | | |
Market Value of Restricted Shares that have not Vested(1) | | |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Restricted Shares that have not Vested | | |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Restricted Shares that have not Vested(1) | |
Angel Herrera | |
| 41,137 | | |
$ | 300,711 | | |
| — | | |
$ | — | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
| 30,000 | | |
| 219,300 | | |
| 50,000 | (2) | |
| 365,500 | |
Scott Rochon | |
| 7,494 | | |
| 54,781 | | |
| 12,500 | | |
| 91,375 | |
| (1) | Based on our common stock closing price of $7.31 on December 31, 2014. |
| (2) | Mr. Halfacre was awarded 50,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to his employment agreement.
Vesting of these awards is conditional upon reaching certain share price thresholds. None of these awards were earned as of December
31, 2014. |
The following table
summarizes the time-based restricted stock awards for which a portion of the common stock remains unvested. The table also provides
information about the applicable vesting periods.
| |
| | |
Number of Time-Based Restricted Shares and OP Units Granted to Named Executive Officers | | |
|
Grant Date | |
Closing Market Price | | |
Angel Herrera | | |
Aaron Halfacre | | |
Scott Rochon | | |
Vesting Periods |
July 31, 2014 | |
$ | 8.00 | | |
| — | | |
| 30,000 | | |
| — | | |
Three equal annual installments beginning on July 31, 2015 |
May 28, 2014 | |
$ | 8.87 | | |
| 30,000 | (1) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
Three equal annual installments beginning on May 28, 2015 |
October 27, 2014 | |
$ | 6.51 | | |
| 11,137 | (1) | |
| | | |
| | | |
Three equal annual installments beginning on October 27, 2015 |
February 24, 2014 | |
$ | 9.28 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 7,494 | | |
Three equal annual installments beginning on February 24, 2015 |
| (1) | Pursuant to the separation agreement entered into between Campus Crest and Mr. Herrera, these shares
vested on February 28, 2015. |
Nonqualified Defined Contribution
and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
The
table below sets forth, for each named executive officer, information regarding benefits under our Deferred Compensation Plan,
which provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified.
Name and
Current Principal Position | |
Executive
Contributions
in Last
FY | | |
Registrant
Contributions
in Last
FY(1) | | |
Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY(2) | | |
Aggregate
Withdrawals
/ Distributions | | |
Aggregate
Balance
at Last FYE | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr. Former Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
$ | 26,103 | | |
$ | 554 | | |
$ | 1,591 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 31,426 | |
Robert Dann Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer | |
| 33,281 | | |
| 14 | | |
| 1,828 | | |
| — | | |
| 38,682 | |
Michael S. Hartnett Vice-Chairman, Special Projects | |
| 731 | | |
| 1,304 | | |
| 341 | | |
| — | | |
| 6,157 | |
Brian L. Sharpe Former Executive Vice President, Chief Facilities
and Construction Officer | |
| 15,865 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,261 | | |
| — | | |
| 17,126 | |
Angel Herrera Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer | |
| 1,561 | | |
| — | | |
| 37 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,598 | |
Scott Rochon Chief Accounting Officer and former Acting Chief
Financial Officer | |
| 3,616 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 256 | | |
| — | | |
| 4,596 | |
| (1) | Represents Company contributions credited to participant’s Deferred Compensation Plan accounts
which are included in All Other Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
| (2) | Earnings are calculated by reference to actual earnings or losses of mutual funds and securities
held by the plan. |
Participation in the
Deferred Compensation Plan is restricted to a select group of management or highly compensated employees of Campus Crest. Under
the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan, deferral elections can be made once a year with respect to base salary or incentive
payments to be earned in the following year. In order to further assist our named executive officers with their retirement savings,
the Deferred Compensation Plan allows participants to defer up to 75% of their annual salary and 100% of their incentive based
compensation. Amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan are notionally invested in accordance with participant elections
among various publicly available mutual funds and any notional earnings or losses
are credited to a deemed investment account. We do not pay above-market or preferential earnings on the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Deferrals cannot be changed or revoked during the plan year, except as permitted by applicable law. As a result of Section 409A,
certain key employees (including our named executive officers) are subject to a six-month waiting period for distributions following
termination.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table
summarizes information, as of December 31, 2014 relating to our equity compensation plans pursuant to which
we grant options, restricted common stock, restricted OP units or other rights to acquire shares from time to time.
Plan Category | |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| 4,977,857 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| 4,977,857 | |
| (1) | Our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2010 Plan”) was amended
by the Board in 2014 and approved by the Campus Crest stockholders at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders to (i) increase the
number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan by 4,000,000 shares, (ii) remove the reduction ratio, pursuant to which
the grant of each stock award under the 2010 Plan reduces the number of shares available for issuance by two and (iii) make certain
other changes to the 2010 Plan. |
Change of Control and Termination
Payment Table
The following table
indicates the cash amounts and accelerated vesting that Messrs. Rollins, Dann, Bobbitt and Sharpe were paid according to their
respective separation agreements; and Messrs. Hartnett, Herrera, Halfacre and Rochon the amount they would be entitled to receive
under various circumstances pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements. This table assumes that the change in control
or termination of the named executive officer occurred (i) on December 31, 2014 for Messrs. Hartnett, Halfacre, and Rochon
and (ii) on the respective resignation date for each of Mr. Rollins of November 3, 2014, Mr. Bobbitt of November 3, 2014, Mr. Dann
of October 1, 2014, Mr. Sharpe of October 1, 2014 and Mr. Herrera as of December 31, 2014. As described above, the employment agreements
of Messrs. Rollins, Bobbitt, Dann, Sharpe and Herrera have previously been terminated and the various separation payments received
by such former officers are described above.
Name, Current Principal Position and Scenario | |
Cash Payment (1) | | |
Acceleration of Vesting of Restricted Common Stock/Restricted OP Units (2) | | |
Total | |
Ted W. Rollins, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 2,175,514 | | |
| 1,260,987 | | |
| 3,436,501 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Michael S. Hartnett, Vice-Chairman of Special Projects(3) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | 685,041 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 685,041 | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 685,041 | | |
| — | | |
| 685,041 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Retirement | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Donald L. Bobbitt, Jr., Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 1,357,478 | | |
| 523,371 | | |
| 1,880,849 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Robert Dann, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 380,404 | | |
| 211,809 | | |
| 592,213 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Name, Current Principal Position and Scenario | |
Cash Payment (1) | | |
Acceleration of Vesting of Restricted Common Stock/Restricted OP Units (2) | | |
Total | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Brian L. Sharpe, Former Executive Vice President, Chief Facilities and Construction Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 1,189,636 | | |
| 165,185 | | |
| 1,354,821 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Angel Herrera, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | 1,218,750 | | |
$ | 300,711 | | |
$ | 1,519,461 | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 914,063 | | |
| 300,711 | | |
| 1,214,774 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| 300,711 | | |
| 300,711 | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Aaron Halfacre, President and Chief Investment Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | 1,125,000 | | |
$ | 219,300 | | |
$ | 1,344,300 | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 1,125,000 | | |
| 219,300 | | |
| 1,344,300 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| 219,300 | | |
| 219,300 | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Scott Rochon, Chief Accounting Officer and Former Acting Chief Financial Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (after a change in control) | |
$ | 757,500 | | |
$ | 54,781 | | |
$ | 812,281 | |
By company without cause or by employee for good reason (and without a change in control) | |
| 568,125 | | |
| 54,781 | | |
| 622,906 | |
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock/restricted OP units upon a change in control | |
| — | | |
| 54,781 | | |
| 54,781 | |
Retirement (4) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| (1) | For Messrs. Hartnett, Herrera, Halfacre and Rochon the amounts in this column reflect a calculation
based on the executive officer’s 2014 salary and 2013 bonus earned, or based on 50% of the target amount as defined in Campus
Crest’s ICP. For Messrs. Rollins, Dann, Bobbitt and Sharpe the amount in this column is the amount paid per their respective
separation agreements. |
| (2) | Amounts in this column reflect accelerated vesting of shares of restricted common stock granted
pursuant to our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. For purposes of this table, each share of restricted common
stock and restricted OP unit was valued at $7.31, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014,
with the following exceptions: (i) the shares for Mr. Rollins and Mr. Bobbitt are valued at $6.33, the closing price of our stock
on the NYSE on November 3, 2014, the date Mr. Rollins and Mr. Bobbitt resigned; and (ii) the shares for Mr. Dann and Mr. Sharpe
are valued at $6.50, the closing price of our stock on the NYSE on October 1, 2014, the date Mr. Dann and Mr. Sharpe resigned. |
| (3) | Mr. Hartnett relinquished the title and role of Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer on October
19, 2013 and assumed the title and role of Vice-Chairman of Special Projects. See “Employment Agreement — Michael S.
Hartnett” above for more information. |
| (4) | Pursuant to the employment agreements with Messrs. Rollins, Bobbitt, Dann and Sharpe, all previously-granted
equity awards to each named executive officer will immediately vest upon the voluntary retirement of the named executive officer
subsequent to the attainment of age 63. As of December 31, 2014, none of our named executive officers had met the age requirement
to be eligible for vesting under this provision. |
PROPOSAL
6— ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE
COMPENSATION OF CAMPUS CREST’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
We are presenting the
following proposal, which gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive compensation program
for named executive officers by voting for or against the following resolution.
“RESOLVED, that Campus Crest’s
stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of Campus Crest’s named executive officers, as disclosed in
Campus Crest’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the
other related disclosure.”
While this vote is
advisory and not binding on us, it will provide information to us and the compensation committee regarding stockholder sentiment
about our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices, which the compensation committee will be able to consider
when determining executive compensation for the remainder of 2015 and beyond. Our current policy is to provide our stockholders
with an opportunity to approve the compensation of our named executive officers each year at the annual meeting of stockholders.
It is expected that the next advisory (non-binding) vote to approve executive compensation will be held at the 2016 annual meeting
of stockholders.
As described more fully
in “Executive Officer Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program
is designed to attract, motivate and retain individuals with the skills required to formulate and drive our strategic direction
and achieve annual and long-term performance necessary to create stockholder value. The program also seeks to align executive compensation
with stockholder value on an annual and long-term basis through a combination of base pay, annual incentives and long-term incentives.
Our practice of placing a significant portion of each executive’s compensation at risk demonstrates this pay-for-performance
philosophy.
We actively review
and assess our executive compensation program in light of the industry in which we operate, the marketplace for executive talent
in which we compete, and evolving compensation governance and best practices. We are focused on compensating our executive officers
fairly and in a manner that promotes our compensation philosophy. Specifically, our compensation program for executive officers
focuses on the following principal objectives:
| • | align executive compensation with stockholder interests; |
| • | attract and retain talented personnel by offering competitive compensation packages; |
| • | motivate employees to achieve strategic and tactical corporate objectives and the profitable growth of Campus Crest; and |
| • | reward employees for individual and company performance. |
The compensation committee
believes that our executive compensation program satisfies these objectives, properly aligns the interests of our executive officers
with those of our stockholders, and is worthy of stockholder support. In determining whether to approve this proposal, we believe
that stockholders should consider the following:
| • | Independent Compensation Committee. Executive compensation is reviewed and established by the compensation committee
of the Board of Directors consisting solely of independent directors. The compensation committee meets in executive session, without
executive officers present, in determining annual compensation. |
| • | Performance-Based Incentive Compensation. Elements of performance-based, incentive compensation are largely aligned
with financial and operational objectives established in the compensation committee for the 2013 Incentive Compensation Program.
The compensation committee sets clear goals for company performance and differentiates certain elements of compensation based on
individual achievement. |
| • | Equity Plans. Grants under our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan generally include three-year
vesting periods, and our Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan prohibits repricing of outstanding option awards
without consent of stockholders and requires options be granted with exercise prices at fair market value. |
| • | Reasonable Severance Change in Control Provisions. The employment agreements with the named executive officers
generally provide for cash payments after a change in control only if an employee is also terminated within two years of the change
in control (a double-trigger). None of the employment agreements contains an excise tax gross-up provision. |
Recommendation of the Board of Directors:
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends
that our stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed
in this Proxy Statement.
PROPOSAL
7— ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL ON
MAJORITY VOTING IN UNCONTESTED DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
The California State
Teachers’ Retirement System (“CALSTRS”), 100 Waterfront Place, MS-04, West Sacramento, California 95605-2807,
beneficial owner of 171,178 shares of Campus Crest’s common stock as of November 4, 2014, submitted the following proposal,
which the Board of Directors makes no recommendation with respect to:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the stockholders of Campus Crest Communities, Inc. hereby
request that the Board of Directors initiate the appropriate process to amend Campus Crest’s articles of incorporation and/or
bylaws to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an annual meeting
of stockholders, with a plurality vote standard retained for contested director elections, that is, when the number of director
nominees exceeds the number of board seats.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT:
In order to provide stockholders a meaningful role in director
elections, Campus Crest’s current director election standard should be changed from a plurality vote standard to a majority
vote standard. The majority vote standard is the most appropriate voting standard for director elections where only board nominated
candidates are on the ballot, and it will establish a challenging vote standard for board nominees to improve the performance of
individual directors and entire boards. Under Campus Crest’s current voting system, a nominee for the board can be elected
with as little as a single affirmative vote, because “withheld” votes have no legal effect. A majority vote standard
would require that a nominee receive a majority of the votes cast in order to be re-elected and continue to serve as a representative
for the stockholders.
In response to strong stockholder support a substantial number
of the nation’s leading companies have adopted a majority vote standard in company bylaws or articles of incorporation. In
fact, more than 85% of the companies in the S&P 500 have adopted majority voting for uncontested elections. We believe Campus
Crest needs to join the growing list of companies that have already adopted this standard.
CalSTRS is a long-term stockholder of Campus Crest and we believe
that accountability is of upmost importance. We believe the plurality vote standard currently in place at Campus Crest completely
disenfranchises stockholders and makes the stockholder’s role in director elections meaningless. Majority voting in director
elections will empower stockholders with the ability to remove poorly performing directors and increase the directors’ accountability
to the owners of Campus Crest, its stockholders. In addition, those directors who receive the majority support from stockholders
will know they have the backing of the very stockholders they represent. We therefore ask you to join us in requesting that the
Board of directors promptly adopt the majority vote standard for director elections.
Please vote FOR this proposal.
Statement of the
Board of Directors Regarding Stockholder Proposal:
The Board of Directors
has considered the stockholder proposal set forth above relating to a majority vote for uncontested director elections, and at
this time has determined neither to oppose or support the proposal nor to make any voting recommendation to stockholders.
The Board of Directors
recognizes a trend among public companies to adopt a majority vote standard which may be favored by larger, institutional stockholders.
Given the foregoing, the Board of Directors does not necessarily find a majority voting standard objectionable, but does not find
it necessary either. The Board of Directors is fully committed to strong corporate governance and the Board will exercise its fiduciary
duties to act in the best interests of stockholders, no matter what standard applies to elections. The Board of Directors is concerned
about the implications of holdover directors and vacancies, as well as the independence of the Board of Directors and its committees,
if the plurality standard set forth under the Maryland Business Corporation Act is abandoned in favor of a majority vote standard.
While the Board of Directors does not believe this proposal would increase accountability given the fiduciary duties to which each
director is already subject under Maryland law, the Board of Directors understands that the majority voting standard would provide
some stockholders a level of comfort. This proposal will provide stockholders with an opportunity to express their views on this
topic.
If passed, the proposal,
which is advisory in nature, would request that the Board of Directors initiate a process to provide for a majority vote for uncontested
elections of directors. The Board of Directors will take into consideration the stockholder vote with respect to this stockholder
proposal in deciding whether to initiate actions intended to result in election of directors by majority vote. Any such action
would require Board of Director approval and an amendment to Campus Crest’s governance documents.
Therefore, our Board of Directors makes no recommendation
with respect to Proposal 7.
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table
sets forth the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock and OP units for (i) each stockholder of Campus Crest that
is known to us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our common stock based upon filings made with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, (ii) directors and named executive officers and (iii) all directors and named executive officers as a group
as of December 1, 2015. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect
to all of the shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by such person and none of the executive officers or directors
has pledged his shares of common stock as collateral. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the business address for each of
the identified stockholders is 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211.
Name of Beneficial Owner | |
Number of Shares of Common Stock and OP Units Beneficially Owned(1) | | |
Percent of All Shares of Common Stock and OP Units(2) | |
Aaron Halfacre | |
| 150,670 | | |
| * | |
Daniel L. Simmons(3) | |
| 36,644 | | |
| * | |
Raymond Mikulich | |
| 71,900 | | |
| * | |
Denis McGlynn | |
| 37,334 | | |
| * | |
Lauro Gonzales-Moreno | |
| 21,000 | | |
| * | |
James W. McCaughan | |
| 14,000 | | |
| * | |
Scott Rochon | |
| 14,508 | | |
| * | |
Randall Brown(4) | |
| 8,225 | | |
| * | |
Richard S. Kahlbaugh | |
| 35,237 | | |
| * | |
Curtis McWilliams | |
| 17,000 | | |
| * | |
David Coles | |
| — | | |
| — | |
John Makuch | |
| — | | |
| — | |
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons) | |
| 406,518 | | |
| 0.52 | % |
The Vanguard Group, Inc.—23-1945930 (5) | |
| 7,250,267 | | |
| 9.35 | % |
BlackRock, Inc. (6) | |
| 5,047,223 | | |
| 6.51 | % |
Vanguard Specialized Funds—Vanguard REIT Index Fund—23-2834924 (7) | |
| 4,815,078 | | |
| 6.21 | % |
Indaba Capital Management, L.P.(8) | |
| 4,191,563 | | |
| 5.40 | % |
Forward Management, LLC – 94-3310130(9) | |
| 4,083,831 | | |
| 5.27 | % |
| * | Represents ownership of less than 1.0% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding on a
fully diluted basis. |
| (1) | In accordance with SEC rules, each listed person’s
beneficial ownership includes: (1) all shares the investor actually owns beneficially or of record; (2) all shares over
which the investor has or shares voting or dispositive control; and (3) all shares the investor has the right to acquire
within 60 days. |
| (2) | Based on 64,756,541 shares of our common stock and 12,808,537
OP units outstanding as of December 1, 2015. |
| (3) | Includes 1,500 shares of common stock held in trust for
the benefit of his family member. Mr. Simmons disclaims beneficial ownership of the 1,500 shares of common stock held in
the trust. |
| (4) | Includes 1,225 shares of common stock owned jointly with
Mr. Brown’s wife, Angela J. Brown. |
| (5) | This information and the information in this footnote were
obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2015. The business address
for this stockholder is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. The Vanguard Group, Inc. (“Vanguard”), in
its capacity as an investment advisor, is deemed to have sole power to vote or to direct the vote with respect to 185,585 shares
of common stock, sole power to dispose or direct the disposition with respect to 7,152,882 shares of common stock and shared power
to dispose or direct the disposition with respect to 97,385 shares of common stock. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 82,885 shares of common stock or less than one percent of the shares
of common stock outstanding as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts Vanguard Investments
Australia, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 117,200 shares of common stock or less than
one percent of the shares of common stock outstanding as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment
offerings. |
| (6) | This information and the information in this footnote were obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 26, 2015. The business address for this stockholder is 55 East 52nd Street,
New York, New York 10022. BlackRock, Inc. is deemed to have sole power to vote or to direct the vote with respect to 4,884,479
shares of common stock and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition with respect to 5,047,223 shares of common stock. |
| (7) | This information and the information in this footnote were
obtained from a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2015. The business address for
this stockholder is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. Vanguard Specialized Funds—Vanguard REIT Index Fund,
in its capacity as an investment company, is deemed to have sole power to vote or to direct the vote with respect to 4,815,078
shares of common stock. |
| (8) | This information and the information in this footnote were obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2015 filed jointly by (i) Indaba Capital Fund, L.P., (ii) Indaba Capital Management,
L.P., (iii) Indaba Partners, LLC, (iv) IC GP, LLC, and (v) Derek C. Schrier. The business address for each of Indaba Capital Management,
L.P., Indaba Partners, LLC, IC GP, LLC and Indaba Capital Fund, L.P. is One Letterman Drive, Building D, Suite DM700, San Francisco,
California 94129, USA. Each of such reporting persons is deemed to have shared power to voting power and shared dispositive power
with respect to the 4,191,563 shares of common stock. |
| (9) | This information and the information in this footnote were obtained from a Schedule 13G filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2015. The business address for the stockholder is 101 California Street,
16th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111. Forward Management, LLC is deemed to have sole power to vote or to direct
to vote with respect to 4,083,831 shares of common stock and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition with respect to
4,083,831 shares of common stock. Forward Select Income Fund is deemed to have sole power to vote or to direct to vote with respect
to 3,714,500 shares of common stock and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition with respect to 3,714,500 shares of
common stock. |
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
KPMG LLP served as our independent registered
public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2014. KPMG LLP served as our independent registered public accountants
from our formation in March 2010 until the completion of KPMG LLP’s review of Campus Crest’s condensed consolidated
financial statements for the quarterly reporting period ended March 31, 2015 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q and is considered by our management to be well qualified. As previously disclosed, the Audit Committee approved the appointment
of Grant Thornton LLP as Campus Crest’s independent registered public accounting firm effective as of August 5, 2015.
The following is a summary of the fees billed
to Campus Crest by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |
Audit, Audit-Related and Tax Compliance and Preparation Fees: | |
| | | |
| | |
Audit Fees | |
$ | 1,016,033 | | |
$ | 678,550 | |
Audit-Related Fees | |
| 232,000 | | |
| 365,450 | |
Tax Fees – Tax Compliance and Preparation | |
| 372,000 | | |
| 228,925 | |
Total Audit, Audit-Related and Tax Preparation and Compliance Fees | |
| 1,620,033 | | |
| 1,272,925 | |
Other Non-Audit Fees: | |
| | | |
| | |
Tax Fees – Other | |
| 225,000 | | |
| 996,497 | |
All Other Fees | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total – Other Non-Audit Fees | |
| 225,000 | | |
| 996,497 | |
Total Fees | |
$ | 1,845,033 | | |
$ | 2,269,422 | |
Audit Fees and Audit-Related
Fees
“Audit Fees” are the aggregate
fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered in connection with Campus Crest’s common and preferred stock offerings,
debt securities offerings, reviews of Campus Crest’s quarterly financial statements and the audit of Campus Crest’s
annual consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as of period end.
“Audit-Related Fees” include
fees relating to required statutory audits and a required Regulation S-X Rule 3-14 audit for a significant portfolio acquisition
in 2013.
Tax Fees
“Tax Fees – Tax Compliance and
Preparation” consist of fees for assistance regarding federal and state tax compliance. “Tax Fees – Other”
consist of fees and related expenses billed for professional services for tax planning, tax advice and consulting.
All Other Fees
“All Other Fees” consist of
fees and related expenses for products and services other than services described under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related
Fees,” “Tax Fees – Tax Compliance and Preparation” and “Tax Fees – Other.” KPMG LLP did
not provide any such products or services for us during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Pre-Approval Policy
All audit, tax and other services provided
to us were reviewed and pre-approved by the Audit Committee or a member of the Audit Committee designated by the full committee
to pre-approve such services. The Audit Committee or designated member concluded that the provision of such services by KPMG LLP
was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.
Changes in Campus Crest’s Certifying Accountant
On April 28, 2015, KPMG LLP orally notified
Campus Crest that upon the completion of KPMG LLP’s review of Campus Crest’s condensed consolidated financial statements
for the quarterly reporting period ended March 31, 2015 and the filing of the related Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, KPMG LLP declines
to stand for reelection as the independent registered public accounting firm for Campus Crest. KPMG LLP’s decision was accepted
by the Audit Committee.
During the fiscal years ended December 31,
2014 and 2013 and in the subsequent interim period through April 28, 2015, there were no “disagreements” (as defined
in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure
which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG LLP, would have caused KPMG LLP to make reference to the subject matter of such
disagreements in their reports on the financial statements for such years.
During the fiscal years ended December 31,
2014 and 2013 and in the subsequent interim period through April 28, 2015, except for the material weaknesses in internal control
over financial reporting identified by Campus Crest in Item 9A of Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2014, there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K of
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has discussed this matter with KPMG LLP.
The material weaknesses in internal control
over financial reporting identified in Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
related to Campus Crest’s control environment, risk assessment process, information and communication components and process-level
controls. Specifically, management concluded that (i) Campus Crest did not maintain an effective control environment and risk assessment
and information and communication processes, (ii) Campus Crest did not design and maintain effective process-level controls over
the completeness and accuracy of accrued property taxes; the completeness, existence, and accuracy of Campus Crest’s investments
in and equity in earnings of Campus Crest’s unconsolidated entities and transactions between Campus Crest and its investees;
the completeness, existence, accuracy, valuation and presentation of non-routine transactions; the authorization of cash expenditures
in accordance with Campus Crest’s expenditure authorization matrix; the completeness and accuracy of stock compensation expense
and disclosures; the recognition and measurement of other assets processed by manual journal entries, and (iii) Campus Crest did
not maintain effective information technology systems access controls supporting the processing and recording of student housing
revenue and accounts receivables. The control deficiencies resulted in material and certain immaterial misstatements in the financial
statement accounts that were corrected prior to the issuance of the annual consolidated financial statements. In addition, in some
instances, no material misstatements were identified. The control deficiencies create a reasonable possibility that a material
misstatement to the consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, and therefore Campus
Crest concluded that the deficiencies represent material weaknesses
in Campus Crest’s internal control over financial reporting and Campus Crest’s internal control over financial reporting
was not effective as of December 31, 2014.
As disclosed in Campus Crest’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Board and Campus
Crest’s management are focused on improving Campus Crest’s internal controls and processes and remediating the
underlying causes of the identified material weaknesses.
The audit reports of KPMG LLP on the consolidated
financial statements of Campus Crest and subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 did not contain
an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles, except that KPMG LLP’s report on the consolidated financial statements of Campus Crest Communities, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, contained a separate paragraph stating that “As discussed
in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, Campus Crest
has changed its method for reporting discontinued operations as of January 1, 2014.”
During Campus Crest’s two most recent
fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the subsequent interim period through
August 5, 2015, neither Campus Crest nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Grant Thornton regarding either: (i) the application
of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered
on Campus Crest’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided that Grant Thornton concluded
was an important factor considered by Campus Crest in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting
issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K
and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as described in paragraph 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K).
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires
our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities (“10%
Holders”), to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors
and 10% Holders are required by SEC regulations to furnish Campus Crest with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.
Based on our review of the copies of such forms filed on behalf of our executive officers and directors and written representations
from such reporting persons, we believe that all of our executive officers and directors complied with the Section 16 filing requirements
applicable to them with respect to all transactions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Leased Aircraft
We lease aircraft from
two entities in which Ted W. Rollins, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael S. Hartnett, our Vice-Chairman
of Special Projects, have indirect minority interests. Under these leases, we generally pay all of the costs of maintaining and
insuring the aircraft, together with lease payments intended to cover the costs of financing and operating the aircraft. As such,
it is not expected that the lessors of the aircraft will receive any material profit from the lease payments. For the year ended
December 31, 2014, we paid approximately $345,000 under these leases directly to the lessors as well as additional amounts for
associated costs including the employment of three pilots and a mechanic, insurance, taxes, hangar storage, various maintenance
items, fuel and other ancillary items.
Campus Crest is
also party to an arrangement with CB Townhome Communities, LLP (“CBTC”), an entity in which Dr. John McWhirter
has an ownership interest. Campus Crest has agreed to nominate Mr. McWhirter for election to the Board of Directors at the
2015 annual meeting of stockholders, and one or more entities in which Dr. McWhirter has an ownership interest owned an
interest in joint ventures with us and the other Sellers, which joint ventures own seven of the Copper Beech portfolio
properties (although Dr. McWhirter has agreed to waive this nomination requirement for the 2015 Annual Meeting). Historically,
the Copper Beech properties have paid CBTC for the use of a plane owned by another entity in which Dr. McWhirter has an
ownership interest, Blackberry Aviation, LLC (“Blackberry”). CBTC operates the plane which is owned by Blackberry
and, based upon estimated expenses to operate the plane (including pilots, fuel, storage, debt service, taxes, and other
related operating expenses) determines a cost per flight hour for the upcoming fiscal year. The Copper Beech properties
collectively purchase a certain number of hours of flight time and allocate the aggregate cost to the Copper Beech properties
based upon the number of beds at each property relative to the total number of beds in the Copper Beech portfolio. The fiscal
year for this arrangement runs from August 1 through July 31, and for the year beginning August 1, 2014, the Copper Beech
entities agreed to purchase 70 flight hours with a cost of $0.5 million which will be incurred ratably throughout the
year.
Tax Protection Agreements
In connection with
our formation transactions and initial public offering, MXT Capital entered into a tax protection agreement with us. Pursuant to
the tax protection agreement, we agreed to maintain a minimum level of indebtedness of $56.0 million throughout the 10-year
tax protection period in order to allow a sufficient amount of debt to be allocable to MXT Capital to avoid certain adverse tax
consequences. If we fail to maintain such minimum indebtedness throughout the 10-year tax protection period, we will be required
to make indemnifying payments to MXT Capital in an amount equal to the federal, state and local taxes, if any, imposed on its members
as a result of any income or gain recognized by them by reason of such failure. The amount of such taxes will be computed based
on the highest applicable federal, state and local marginal tax rates, as well as any “grossed up” taxes imposed on
such payments. This requirement may restrict our ability to reduce leverage when we otherwise might wish to do so and generally
reduce our flexibility in managing our capital structure.
In connection with
the consummation of the acquisition of additional membership interests in the Copper Beech portfolio, Campus Crest and its Operating
Partnership entered into a tax protection agreement with certain of the selling unitholders participating in the transaction (the
“Sellers”), including one or more entities in which Dr. McWhirter has an ownership interest. Pursuant to the tax protection
agreement, unless Campus Crest and the Operating Partnership indemnify the applicable Sellers for certain resulting tax liabilities,
Campus Crest and the Operating Partnership have agreed not to sell or otherwise to dispose of in a taxable exchange during the
7-year tax protection period, any of the seventeen protected properties set forth in the tax protection agreement. Further, Campus
Crest and the Operating Partnership also agreed to allocate to the Sellers, during the 7-year tax protection period, an aggregate
amount of at least $100 million of debt of the Operating Partnership (which amount decreases ratably as the number of OP Units
held by the Sellers decreases) without any requirement that any Seller guarantee or directly bear the risk for such indebtedness
and, after the end of the 7-year period, to use commercially reasonable efforts to permit the Sellers to enter into guarantees
of “qualifying” debt or agreements to return a portion of their deficit capital account so as to permit the Sellers
to avoid certain adverse tax consequences.
Registration Rights Agreements
We entered into a registration
rights agreement with MXT Capital pursuant to which we agreed, among other things, to register the resale of any common stock that
may be exchanged for the OP units issued in our formation transactions. We also granted the holders of OP units the right to include
such common stock in any registration statements we may file in connection with any future public offerings, subject to the terms
of the certain lock-up agreements and subject to the right of the underwriters of those offerings to reduce the total number of
such shares of common stock to be sold by selling stockholders in those offerings.
In connection with
the acquisition of additional membership interests in the Copper Beech portfolio, Campus Crest also entered into a registration
rights agreement with certain of the Sellers, including one or more entities in which Dr. John R. McWhirter has an ownership interest,
pursuant to which Campus Crest agreed to file a shelf registration statement no later than December 31, 2015, covering resales
of shares of Campus Crest’s common stock, issuable upon redemption of the OP Units issued to the Sellers as consideration
for the acquisition. In addition, Campus Crest agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement
declared effective as soon as practicable after filing and to keep the registration statement effective until such time as the
Sellers no longer own any OP Units or shares of Campus Crest’s common stock issued upon conversion of the OP Units.
Information Technology Services and
Marketing and Referral/Administration Agreements
We are party to an
agreement with a subsidiary of Fortegra pursuant to which we offer our tenants a program of insurance services and products distributed
or administered by the subsidiary. Pursuant to the agreement, we received an upfront payment of $100,000 and will receive fees
for each person we refer who enrolls in the program. The subsidiary receives monthly fees with respect to each tenant referred
by us during the tenant’s enrollment in the program, which amounted to approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December
31, 2014. The agreement has an initial term of five years and expires in December 2016. Richard S. Kahlbaugh, one of our directors,
is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Fortegra and owned shares in Fortegra. Mr. Kahlbaugh has no interest
in our commercial arrangements with Fortegra, except his indirect interest as an officer, director and shareholder of Fortegra.
Settlement Agreement
Following the consummation
of the acquisition of additional membership interests in the Copper Beech portfolio, we entered into a settlement agreement with
the sellers of the Copper Beech portfolio, including one or more entities in which Dr. McWhirter has an ownership interest. The
settlement agreement resolved the disagreement between the parties regarding certain disputes related to the acquired Copper Beech
portfolio, including, among others, disagreement over the intercompany balances and intercompany loans. The parties have fully
released each other from all claims arising out of the disputes addressed in the settlement agreement.
Review and Approval of Future Transactions
with Related Persons
Our Board of Directors
has adopted a policy for the review and approval of related person transactions requiring disclosure under Rule 404(a) of
Regulation S-K. The policy provides that the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving or disapproving all
interested transactions, meaning any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which (i) the amount involved may be expected
to exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year, (ii) we will be a participant and (iii) a related person has a direct or indirect
material interest. A related person will be defined as an executive officer, director or nominee for election as director, or a
greater than 5% beneficial owner of our common stock, or an immediate family member of the foregoing.
NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
We are organized as a corporation under
Maryland law. Under the Maryland general corporation law, because shares of Campus Crest common stock were listed on the New York
Stock Exchange on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, our stockholders who object
to the Merger do not have any appraisal rights, dissenters’ rights or similar rights of an objecting stockholder in connection
with the Merger. However, our stockholders can vote against the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
We
intend to hold a 2016 annual meeting of stockholders only if the Merger is not completed. If we hold such an
annual meeting, stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by
the corporate secretary of Campus Crest no later than August 9, 2016
in order to be considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement relating to the 2016 meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act (“Rule 14a-8”).
Our
bylaws currently provide that in order for a proposal of a stockholder to be presented at our 2016 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, other than a stockholder proposal included in our Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8, it must be
received at our principal executive offices no earlier than the close of business on July 10, 2016 and
on or before August 9, 2016. If the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is scheduled to
take
place
before December 27, 2016 or
after February 25,
2017, then notice must be delivered no earlier than the close of business on the 150th day prior to the 2016 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to the 2016 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders is first made public by Campus Crest. Any such proposal should be mailed to: Campus Crest Communities,
Inc., 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211, Attention: Corporate Secretary. A copy of the bylaws
may be obtained from our corporate secretary by written request to the same address.
STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS
Under rules adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Campus Crest, and intermediaries such as brokers, may satisfy our obligations to deliver the Annual Report
to stockholders and the Proxy Statement by delivering a single copy of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement to multiple stockholders
sharing the same address. This “householding” saves costs and reduces waste. Unless you have given instructions to
us that you wish to receive a separate copy of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement for each stockholder sharing the same address,
you may receive a single envelope containing an Annual Report and Proxy Statement but separate proxy cards (or broker’s instruction
cards) for each stockholder sharing the address. Once you have received notice from us or your broker that it will be householding
communications to your address, that practice will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.
If at any time you no longer wish to participate
in householding by your broker, you should notify your broker. If we household the Annual Report and Proxy Statement and you no
longer wish to participate in the householding, or at any time you wish to receive a separate copy of the Annual Report and Proxy
Statement, you may contact Campus Crest Communities, Inc., 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, Attention:
Corporate Secretary or call (704) 496-2500. If you would like to only receive a single copy of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
at your address, contact us at the address above or contact your broker.
SOLICITATION
The solicitation of proxies is being made
by our Board of Directors, and Campus Crest will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. Our Board of
Directors is soliciting your proxy on Campus Crest’s behalf. Our Board of Directors has engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated
to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $20,000 and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. We will also
request persons, firms and corporations holding shares in their names or in the names of their nominees, that are beneficially
owned by others, to send or cause to be sent proxy materials to and obtain proxies from, such beneficial owners and will reimburse
such holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so. If necessary, officers and other employees of Campus Crest may by telephone,
facsimile or personally, request the return of proxies.
Please mark, execute and return the accompanying
proxy, or vote by providing voting instructions by telephone or Internet, in accordance with the instructions set forth on the
proxy form, so that your shares may be voted at the Annual Meeting. For information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend
the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please contact investor relations by email at investor.relations@campuscrest.com, by telephone
at call (704) 496-2500 or by mail to Campus Crest Communities, Inc., 2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211,
Attention: Investor Relations.
OTHER MATTERS
Our Board of Directors does not know of
any matters other than those described in this Proxy Statement which will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other
matters are presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Campus Crest files annual, quarterly and
current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy these
reports, proxy statements or other information at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference facilities in
Washington D.C., at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You may call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference facilities.
Campus Crest’s Securities and Exchange
Commission filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained
by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. You can also review copies of Campus Crest’s Securities
and Exchange Commission filings at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
You may also find copies of Campus Crest’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings on its website at campuscrest.com (information
on our website, however, is not part of or incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement).
We are incorporating by reference into this
Proxy Statement the documents listed below, as amended, and any filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act from the date of this Proxy Statement until the date of
the Annual Meeting (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance
with Securities and Exchange Commission rules):
| · | Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2015; |
| · | Amendment No. 1 to Campus Crest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2015; |
| · | Campus Crest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2015; |
| · | Amendment No. 1 to Campus Crest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2015; |
| · | Campus Crest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2015; |
| · | Campus Crest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2015; |
| · | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2015, February 26,
2015, March 19, 2015, April 6, 2015, April 27, 2015, April 28, 2015, May 4, 2015, May 27, 2015, June 18, 2015, August 6, 2015,
August 24, 2015, October 1, 2015 and October 19, 2015. |
Information in this Proxy Statement supersedes
related information in the documents listed above, and information incorporated herein from subsequently filed documents supersedes
related information in this Proxy Statement and the previously incorporated documents.
You may request a copy of these filings,
other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by
writing to or calling us at the following address:
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
Telephone number: (704) 496-2500
EXHIBIT A
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
dated as of October 16, 2015,
among
HSRE
Quad Merger Parent, LLC,
HSRE
Quad Merger Sub, LLC,
CCGSR INC.
and
CAMPUS CREST COMMUNITIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
Article I. |
THE MERGER |
A-2 |
|
|
|
Section 1.01 |
The Merger |
A-2 |
Section 1.02 |
Closing |
A-3 |
Section 1.03 |
Effective Time |
A-3 |
Section 1.04 |
Effects of the Merger |
A-3 |
Section 1.05 |
Articles of Organization and Limited Liability Company Agreement |
A-3 |
Section 1.06 |
Manager |
A-3 |
|
|
|
Article II. |
EFFECT OF MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK OF CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES |
A-3 |
|
|
|
Section 2.01 |
Effect on Common Stock; Merger Sub Membership Units |
A-3 |
Section 2.02 |
Appraisal Rights |
A-6 |
Section 2.03 |
Restricted Stock |
A-6 |
Section 2.04 |
Preferred Stock |
A-6 |
Section 2.05 |
Company OP Units |
A-7 |
Section 2.06 |
Certain Adjustments |
A-7 |
Section 2.07 |
Exchange of Certificates and Book-Entry Shares; Paying Agent |
A-7 |
|
|
|
Article III. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
A-9 |
|
|
|
Section 3.01 |
Representations and Warranties of the Company |
A-9 |
Section 3.02 |
Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub |
A-30 |
|
|
|
Article IV. |
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; NO SOLICITATION |
A-35 |
|
|
|
Section 4.01 |
Conduct of Business by the Company |
A-35 |
Section 4.02 |
No Solicitation |
A-39 |
|
|
|
Article V. |
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS |
A-43 |
|
|
|
Section 5.01 |
Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders’ Meeting |
A-43 |
Section 5.02 |
Access to Information; Confidentiality |
A-45 |
Section 5.03 |
Reasonable Best Efforts |
A-46 |
Section 5.04 |
Indemnification; Advancement of Expenses; Exculpation and Insurance |
A-46 |
Section 5.05 |
Fees and Expenses |
A-48 |
Section 5.06 |
Public Announcements |
A-48 |
Section 5.07 |
Notification of Certain Matters |
A-48 |
Section 5.08 |
[Reserved.] |
A-49 |
Section 5.09 |
State Takeover Laws |
A-49 |
Section 5.10 |
Director Resignations |
A-49 |
Section 5.11 |
Financing Covenant |
A-49 |
Section 5.12 |
Section 16 Matters |
A-52 |
Section 5.13 |
Montreal Properties; CVR Arrangements |
A-52 |
Section 5.14 |
Notice of Exchange Right |
A-54 |
Section 5.15 |
Indebtedness |
A-55 |
Section 5.16 |
Certain Litigation |
A-55 |
Section 5.17 |
Assistance with Property Dispositions |
A-56 |
Section 5.18 |
Copper Beech Agreement; Scheduled Limited Partners |
A-56 |
Section 5.19 |
SEC Filings |
A-57 |
Section 5.20 |
Montreal Employees |
A-57 |
|
|
|
Article VI. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
A-58 |
|
|
|
Section 6.01 |
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger |
A-58 |
Section 6.02 |
Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub |
A-58 |
Section 6.03 |
Conditions to Obligations of the Company |
A-60 |
Section 6.04 |
Frustration of Closing Conditions |
A-60 |
|
|
|
Article VII. |
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER |
A-61 |
|
|
|
Section 7.01 |
Termination |
A-61 |
Section 7.02 |
Termination Fee; Parent Expenses |
A-63 |
Section 7.03 |
Reverse Termination Fee; Company Expenses |
A-64 |
Section 7.04 |
Effect of Termination |
A-65 |
|
|
|
Article VIII. |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
A-65 |
|
|
|
Section 8.01 |
Non-survival of Representations and Warranties |
A-65 |
Section 8.02 |
Notices |
A-65 |
Section 8.03 |
Definitions |
A-66 |
Section 8.04 |
Interpretation |
A-70 |
Section 8.05 |
Amendments |
A-71 |
Section 8.06 |
Waiver |
A-71 |
Section 8.07 |
Consents and Approvals |
A-71 |
Section 8.08 |
Counterparts; Effectiveness |
A-71 |
Section 8.09 |
Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
A-71 |
Section 8.10 |
Governing Law |
A-72 |
Section 8.11 |
Assignment |
A-72 |
Section 8.12 |
Specific Enforcement; Consent to Jurisdiction |
A-72 |
Section 8.13 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
A-73 |
Section 8.14 |
Severability |
A-73 |
Section 8.15 |
Legal Representation; Privilege |
A-74 |
|
|
|
Annex I |
Index of Defined Terms |
|
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND
PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 16, 2015, is entered into by and among HSRE Quad Merger
Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited
liability company and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), CCGSR, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Stockholders’ Representative”) and Campus Crest Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”).
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement are used as defined in Section 8.03.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to
this Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company will be merged with and into Merger
Sub with Merger Sub as the Surviving Entity (the “Merger,” and together with the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, the “Transactions”), in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”)
and the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act (the “MLLCA”), whereby each issued and outstanding share of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), other than as set forth herein, will
be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable Law;
WHEREAS, the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, has
unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to
enter into this Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation
of the Transactions, including the Merger and (iii) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the
Company;
WHEREAS, the Board
of Managers of Parent, and the sole member of Merger Sub, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, have unanimously
approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger
Sub and the Company desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger
and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger;
WHEREAS, contemporaneously
with the Effective Time, the Company shall consummate, or shall cause the Company Operating Partnership to consummate, the transactions
contemplated by the Copper Beech Agreement;
WHEREAS, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall consummate, or shall cause the applicable Company Subsidiaries to consummate, the
Pre-Closing Dispositions;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger
Sub and the Company agree that, if the Montreal Closing Date shall not have occurred prior to the Effective time, then, at the
Effective Time, Parent and the Stockholders’ Representative shall enter into a contingent value rights agreement in form
and substance mutually agreeable to Parent and the Stockholders’ Representative (the “CVR Agreement”)
with an institution selected by Parent that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company to act as Rights Agent (as such term will
be defined in the CVR Agreement), pursuant to which Parent shall grant to each holder of Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares)
a Contingent Value Right entitling each holder thereof to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, certain
payments as part of the Merger Consideration;
WHEREAS, Parent, Merger
Sub and the Company agree that, if the Montreal Closing Date shall not have occurred prior to the Effective time, then, concurrent
with the execution of the CVR Agreement, Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Stockholders’ Representative shall enter
into an escrow agreement (the “Montreal Escrow Agreement”) with a United States national bank selected by the
Company that is reasonably satisfactory to Parent to act as escrow agent, pursuant to which such escrow agent shall hold the Exchange
Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount and the Montreal Interests in accordance with the CVR Agreement;
WHEREAS, concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Equity Investors have entered into Equity Commitment Letters with Parent;
and
WHEREAS, subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein, following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company and Parent shall
enter into an escrow agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Escrow Agreement”)
securing certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub hereunder, and pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein and
in the Escrow Agreement Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, into an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”)
an amount in cash equal to the Reverse Termination Fee;
WHEREAS, following
the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity shall enter into a merger agreement with the Company Operating Partnership and a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Surviving Entity (the “OP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which (i) such wholly owned
subsidiary and the Company Operating Partnership shall merge (the “OP Merger”), and (ii) the Scheduled Limited
Partners shall be entitled to receive such amounts and consideration as set forth in Section 2.05 of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
the parties intending to be legally bound hereto agree as follows:
Article
I.
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 The
Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the MGCL and the MLLCA,
at the Effective Time, (a) the Company shall be merged with and into Merger Sub and the separate corporate existence of the Company
shall cease, and (b) Merger Sub shall continue as the surviving entity of the Merger (the “Surviving Entity”)
and shall succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of the Company in accordance with the MGCL and the MLLCA.
Section 1.02 Closing.
The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on a date to be specified
by the Company and Parent, which shall be no later than the second (2nd) Business Day after satisfaction or (to the extent permitted
by applicable Law and this Agreement) waiver of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VI (other than those conditions that
by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by applicable Law
and this Agreement) waiver of those conditions), at the offices of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, 1100 Peachtree Street
NE, Suite 2800, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-4528, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company.
The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.”
Section 1.03 Effective
Time. On the Closing Date, the Company and Merger Sub shall (a) file an articles of merger with the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”) in such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant
provisions of the MGCL and the MLLCA (the “Articles of Merger”), and (b) make all other filings or recordings
required by the MGCL and the MLLCA to effectuate the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Articles of
Merger are duly filed with, and accepted by, the SDAT or at such subsequent date and time as the Company and Merger Sub shall agree
and specify in the Articles of Merger (the date and time that the Merger becomes effective is referred to as the “Effective
Time”).
Section 1.04 Effects
of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 3-114 of the MGCL and Section 4A-709 of the MLLCA.
Section 1.05 Articles
of Organization and Limited Liability Company Agreement. The articles of organization and limited liability company agreement
of Merger Sub, in each instance, in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of organization and limited
liability company agreement, respectively, of the Surviving Entity, in each instance, until thereafter changed or amended as provided
therein or by applicable Law.
Section 1.06 Manager.
As of the Effective Time, the sole member of Merger Sub shall manage the Surviving Entity.
Article
II.
EFFECT OF MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK OF CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;
COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Section 2.01 Effect
on Common Stock; Merger Sub Membership Units. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any shares of Common Stock or the holders of any membership units of Merger Sub
(the “Merger Sub Membership Units”):
(a) each
share of Common Stock (i) held by the Company as treasury stock, (ii) owned by any direct or indirect wholly-owned Company Subsidiary,
or (iii) that is issued or outstanding and owned directly or indirectly by Parent or Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective
Time (the “Cancelled Shares”) shall be automatically cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no
cash, stock or other consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor;
(b) each
Merger Sub Membership Unit that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become
one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable membership unit of the Surviving Entity; and
(c) each
share of Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than Cancelled Shares, shall
automatically be converted into the right to receive (i) the Cash Merger Consideration, and (ii) the Per Share Contingent Consideration,
if any (together with the Cash Merger Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). At the Effective Time, all
such shares of Common Stock shall cease to be outstanding and shall be automatically cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist,
and each holder of a certificate (a “Common Stock Certificate”) or book-entry shares (“Book-Entry Shares”)
that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented any shares of Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights
with respect to such shares of Common Stock, except, in all cases, the right to receive (other than with respect to the Cancelled
Shares) the Merger Consideration, to be paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of such Certificate in accordance with Section
2.07. If the Montreal Closing Date shall have occurred prior to the Effective Time, the “Per Share Contingent Consideration”
shall consist of the amount equal to (i) the Montreal Net Proceeds (converted to United States Dollars at the Exchange Rate), if
any, divided by (ii) the Contingent Consideration Denominator. If the Montreal Closing Date shall not have occurred prior
to the Effective Time, the “Per Share Contingent Consideration” shall consist of one non-transferable contingent
value right (a “Contingent Value Right”) to be issued by Parent pursuant to the CVR Agreement, with each Contingent
Value Right representing the right to receive a pro-rata portion (based on the Contingent Consideration Denominator) of (A) the
amount, if any, of the Exchange Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount that is not required after the Effective Time to fully satisfy
and discharge the Montreal Guaranty, and (B) the net cash proceeds, if any, received by Montrealco after deducting certain operating
expenses and transaction costs described in the CVR Agreement, from the sale of the Montreal Interests or Montreal Properties after
the Effective Time, in each case as shall be set forth in the CVR Agreement. If the Montreal Closing Date has occurred prior to
the Effective Time, the Company shall promptly provide Parent with all necessary information, financial and otherwise, necessary
or required to calculate the Per Share Contingent Consideration. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the meanings given below:
“Cash Merger Consideration”
means an amount in cash equal to the result of (i) the Nominal Per-Share Cash Consideration minus (ii) the quotient of (x)
the Montreal Guaranty Shortfall Amount, if any, divided by (y) the Contingent Consideration Denominator; provided,
however, that if the Montreal Closing Date shall not have occurred prior to the Effective Time, then the Nominal
Per-Share Cash Consideration shall be reduced by the amount equal to the quotient of (a) the Montreal Guaranty Amount, as adjusted
to give effect to the CAD/USD exchange rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the date that the Montreal Guaranty Amount is
deposited into the Montreal Escrow Account in accordance with Section 6.03(e) (the “Exchange Rate Adjusted Montreal
Guaranty Amount”), divided by (b) the Contingent Consideration Denominator.
“Contingent Consideration
Denominator” means the sum of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock (other than Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding Company OP Units held by the Scheduled
Limited Partners immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Exchange Rate”
means the CAD/USD exchange rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the Montreal Closing Date.
“Montreal Closing Date”
means the closing date for the sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests pursuant to the Montreal Sale Agreement.
“Montreal Expenses”
means the sum of (i) the Montreal Operating Expenses plus (ii) the Montreal Transaction Expenses plus (iii) any costs,
fees, or expenses incurred by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in connection with Section 5.20 (which, for the avoidance
of doubt shall include costs, fees, or expenses incurred by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (A) in connection with complying
with or attempting to comply with the provisions set forth in Section 5.20, and (B) as a result of failing to cause the
actions set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5.20 to occur, including any severance costs or any penalties in connection
therewith).
“Montreal Guaranty”
means that certain Guarantee dated as of January 14, 2014, executed by the Company and the Company Operating Partnership in favor
of Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent.
“Montreal Guaranty Amount”
means the amount equal to CAD 56,000,000.
“Montreal Guaranty Shortfall
Amount” means the amount, if any, paid by the Company, any Affiliate or Montrealco at or prior to the Effective Time
to satisfy and discharge in full all obligations of the Company (and its Affiliates) and Montrealco under the Montreal Guaranty.
“Montreal Interests”
means all of the Company’s direct and indirect ownership interests and other rights in the Montreal Properties.
“Montreal Net Proceeds”
means the result of (i) the net cash proceeds (after repayment of any indebtedness related thereto and expressed in CAD) actually
received by Montrealco or the Company in respect of the Montreal Interests from the sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal
Interests (including but not limited to cash proceeds and any cash repayment of outstanding amounts owed to Montrealco or the Company
by the purchaser pursuant to the Montreal Sale Agreement) at or prior to the Effective Time, minus (ii) the Montreal Expenses.
“Montreal Operating
Expenses” means the aggregate amount of actual costs and expenses, in CAD, incurred or funded prior to the Effective
Time by Montrealco or the Company (and any Affiliate) for operating expenses of the entity which manages the Montreal Properties.
“Montreal Properties”
means (i) the property located at 777 rue University, Montreal, Quebec (formerly known as Delta Hotel and being operated as student
housing as evo Vieux-Montreal) and (ii) the property located at 420 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec (formerly known as the Holiday
Inn Hotel and being operated as student housing as evo Centre-Ville).
“Montreal Sale Agreement”
means a purchase and sale agreement with respect to the sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests.
“Montreal Transaction
Expenses” means the aggregate amount, expressed in CAD, of (i) any and all costs, fees or expenses incurred by Montrealco
or the Company (or any Affiliate), including any and all legal, accounting, tax, financial advisory and other professional or transaction-related
costs, fees and expenses, and (ii) any and all taxes, if any, required to be paid or withheld by Montrealco or the Company (or
any Affiliate), in each of clauses (i) and (ii), in connection with, or as a result of, the sale, transfer or disposition of the
Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests.
“Nominal Per-Share Cash
Consideration” means an amount in cash equal to $6.90, without interest and subject to any withholding of taxes required
by applicable Law.
Section 2.02 Appraisal
Rights. No appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Merger or the other Transactions.
Section 2.03 Restricted
Stock. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take, and cause the Board or any committee administering the Stock Plan
to adopt resolutions approving the taking of, all actions to provide that each share of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time that is subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant to the Stock Plan or any applicable restricted
stock award agreement (collectively, “Restricted Stock”) (i) shall automatically vest and become free of such
restrictions immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration in accordance with Section 2.01(c); provided, however, that the Merger Consideration to be paid with
respect to any such shares of Restricted Stock shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholdings as set forth in Section
2.07(g), which the Surviving Entity or the Parent, as the case may be, shall promptly pay when due to the appropriate Governmental
Entity for the account of each holder of the Restricted Stock.
Section 2.04 Preferred
Stock. At the Effective Time, the Company shall either (i) cause each share of the Company’s 8.00% Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) to be redeemed in accordance
with the terms thereof, or, in the alternative, (ii) set aside sufficient funds for the redemption of each share of Series A Preferred
Stock in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms thereof.
Section 2.05 Company
OP Units. At the effective time of the OP Merger in accordance with the OP Merger Agreement, and in satisfaction of Section
11.3(a) of the Company Operating Partnership Agreement, each Scheduled Limited Partner shall be entitled to receive for each Company
OP Unit held by such Scheduled Limited Partner as of the Effective Time an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.
Section 2.06 Certain
Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of this ARTICLE II to the contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement
and the Effective Time, (a) the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged
for a different number of shares or different class, in each case, by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split
(including reverse stock split), split-up, combination or exchange or readjustment of shares, (b) a stock dividend or dividend
payable in any other securities of the Company shall be declared with a record date within such period, or (c) any similar event
shall have occurred, then in each case the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to provide the holders of shares
of Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event.
Section 2.07 Exchange
of Certificates and Book-Entry Shares; Paying Agent.
(a) Paying
Agent.
(i) Prior
to the Closing Date, Parent shall designate, and enter into an agreement with, a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to
the Company to act as paying agent for the Merger Consideration payable to holders of Common Stock as a result of the consummation
of the Merger upon surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable (the “Paying Agent”). Immediately
following acceptance of the Articles of Merger by the SDAT, Parent will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent,
for the benefit of the holders of shares of Common Stock that have been converted into the right to receive Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.01(c), cash sufficient to effect the payment of the aggregate Cash Merger Consideration to which such
holders are entitled pursuant to Section 2.01(c), and the Per Share Contingent Consideration, if any, payable at the Effective
Time, upon surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable. Such funds, once deposited with the Paying Agent, shall,
pending its disbursement to such holders, be held in trust for the benefit of such holders and shall not be used for any other
purposes.
(ii) Immediately
following acceptance of the Articles of Merger by the SDAT, Parent will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent,
for the benefit of the Scheduled Limited Partners pursuant to Section 2.05, cash sufficient to effect the payment of the
aggregate Cash Merger Consideration to which such Scheduled Limited Partners are entitled pursuant to Section 2.05, and
the Per Share Contingent Consideration, if any, payable at the Effective Time. Such funds, once deposited with the Paying Agent,
shall, pending its disbursement to such Scheduled Limited Partners, be held in trust for the benefit of such Scheduled Limited
Partners and shall not be used for any other purposes.
(b) Payment
Procedures.
(i) As
soon as practicable after the Effective Time (but no later than the second (2nd) Business Day thereafter), the Surviving Entity
shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (i)
a letter of transmittal (which shall be in such a form reasonably acceptable to the Company), and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates and Book-Entry Shares in exchange for payment of the applicable Merger Consideration
to which the holder thereof is entitled. Upon surrender of a Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, for cancellation
to the Paying Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed, the holder of such Certificate
or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive the applicable Merger Consideration to which the holder thereof
is entitled in accordance with the terms of this ARTICLE II, in exchange for each share of Common Stock, formerly represented
by such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, and the Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.07(b)(i), each Certificate or Book-Entry
Shares, as applicable (other than a Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, representing shares of Common Stock constituting
Cancelled Shares), shall be deemed, at any time after the Effective Time, to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
the Merger Consideration, without interest, into which the shares of Common Stock theretofore represented by such Certificate or
Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, are convertible into pursuant to Section 2.01(c).
(ii) As
soon as practicable following the effective time of the OP Merger, the Surviving Entity shall cause the Paying Agent to deliver
to the Scheduled Limited Partners the applicable and respective Merger Consideration that each such Scheduled Limited Partner is
entitled to receive pursuant to Section 2.05.
(c) No
Further Ownership Rights in Common Stock; Transfer Books. All consideration paid upon the surrender of a Certificate or Book-Entry
Shares, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of this ARTICLE II, including the Cash Merger Consideration and the
Per Share Contingent Consideration, if any, shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
the shares of Common Stock theretofore represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, and, at the Effective
Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock
transfer books of the Surviving Entity of the shares of Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, that evidenced ownership
of either shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect
to such shares of Common Stock except as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable Law. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates
or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, are presented to the Surviving Entity, Parent or the Paying Agent for any reason, they shall
be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this ARTICLE II, except as otherwise provided by applicable Law.
(d) Undistributed
Merger Consideration. Any portion of the funds made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 2.07(a) that remains
undistributed to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, on the date that is one (1) year after the Effective
Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Entity or its designee, and any holder of a Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable,
who has not theretofore complied with this ARTICLE II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Entity (subject to abandoned
property, escheat or other similar Laws) and only as a general creditor thereof with respect to the payment of any Merger Consideration
to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this ARTICLE II upon surrender of a Certificate or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable.
Any portion of the funds made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 2.07(a) that remains unclaimed by holders
of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, on the date that is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise
escheat to or become property of any Governmental Entity shall, to the extent permitted by Law, become the property of the Surviving
Entity, free and clear of all claims or interests of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(e) No
Liability. None of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Entity, the Paying Agent or their respective representatives
shall be liable to any Person in respect of any Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(f) Lost,
Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, then, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving
Entity, the posting of a bond in customary form in favor of the Surviving Entity, in such reasonable amount as Surviving Entity
may direct, as an unsecured indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying
Agent shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration payable pursuant to this
Agreement in respect of the shares of Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate, as contemplated by this ARTICLE
II.
(g) Withholding
Rights. The Surviving Entity and Parent shall be entitled, and shall be entitled to direct the Paying Agent, to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any Person such amounts as Parent, the Surviving
Entity or the Paying Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any provision of any other tax Law. To the extent that amounts are
so deducted and withheld by the Surviving Entity, Parent or the Paying Agent, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated
for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made
by the Surviving Entity, Parent or the Paying Agent, and shall be paid, by the Surviving Entity, Parent or Paying Agent, as applicable,
to the appropriate Governmental Entity.
Article
III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.01 Representations
and Warranties of the Company. Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedule delivered on the date hereof to Parent and Merger
Sub which is attached to this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”) (which exceptions and responses
will qualify the section or subsection they specifically reference and will also qualify other sections or subsections in this
ARTICLE III to the extent that it is reasonably apparent on the face of an exception or response that such exception or response
is applicable to such other section or subsection, whether or not any such section references the Company Disclosure Schedule)
or as set forth in any reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K filed or furnished (or incorporated by reference into such reports) by
the Company with the SEC on after January 1, 2012 and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (but excluding statements
in any “Risk Factors” section contained therein or any statement constituting a “forward-looking statement,”
in each case, to the extent that such statements are cautionary, predictive or speculative in nature) (the “Reporting
Documents”), the Company represents and warrants to each of Parent and Merger Sub as follows:
(a) Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. The Company and each Subsidiary of the Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and has all requisite corporate
or similar power and authority required to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted.
The Company and each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed has not had and would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Capital
Structure.
(i) The
authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 500 million shares of Common Stock and 50 million shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”). Of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock, 6,210,000 shares
of the Preferred Stock have been designated as shares of Series A Preferred Stock. As of the close of business on the Business
Day immediately preceding the date of this Agreement:
(A) 64,756,541
shares of Common Stock, including 124,014 shares of Restricted Stock, are issued and outstanding;
(B) 4,977,857
shares of Common Stock are held by the Company in its treasury;
(C) 6,100,000
shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; and
(D) 12,808,537
Company OP Units are issued and held by limited partners of the Company Operating Partnership, and Campus Crest Communities
GP, LLC is the sole general partner of the Company Operating Partnership.
(ii) All
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right.
(iii) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(b)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no bonds, debentures, notes or other
Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company having, or providing the holders thereof, the right to vote (or which
are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for, shares of capital stock of the Company, equity or other securities of
the Company having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote. There are no Contracts, agreements
or understandings to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a party with respect to the issuance of or the voting
interest in any shares of capital stock of the Company or any equity interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or which restrict
the transfer of any such shares or equity interests (other than agreements restricting the transfer of Restricted Stock).
(iv) Except
for outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, and the Company OP Units held by limited partners of the Company
Operating Partnership, there are not issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (A) any shares of capital stock or other voting
securities or equity interests of the Company, (B) any securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries of the Company, or (C) any warrants, calls, options, subscriptions, convertible securities or other rights
to acquire from the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company, and no Contract, obligation, agreement or commitment of
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company to issue, transfer or sell any shares of capital stock, voting securities,
equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or voting securities
or equity interests of the Company, and there are not any outstanding Contracts relating to or obligations of the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any such securities, including any Contracts or agreements granting or extending any
preemptive rights, subscription rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights with respect to any securities
of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company.
(v) Section
3.01(b)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and correct list of the unvested Restricted Stock
outstanding under the Stock Plan, including the name of the Persons to whom such Restricted Stock awards have been granted and
the number of shares granted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has issued any “phantom” stock
or stock appreciation rights.
(vi) Section
3.01(b)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of each Company Subsidiary as of the date
of this Agreement, including a designation of each Subsidiary of the Company that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary”
within the meaning of Section 856(i)(2) of the Code (a “Qualified REIT Subsidiary”) or a “taxable REIT
subsidiary” within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code (a “Taxable REIT Subsidiary”), and, for each
such Subsidiary of the Company, its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and the owner of all of the issued and outstanding
equity interests. Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies
of (A) the Company’s articles of amendment and restatement (as amended and supplemented, the “Articles”)
and bylaws (as amended and supplemented, the “Bylaws”), and (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation
or formation and bylaws, limited liability company agreements or partnership agreements (or equivalent organizational documents)
of each Subsidiary of the Company, in each instance as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any
of the Subsidiaries of the Company is in violation of any of the provisions of any their respective organizational documents except
where such violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(vii) Section
3.01(b)(vii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth as of the date hereof a list of all of the partners of the Company
Operating Partnership, together with the number of Company OP Units held by each such partner in the Company Operating Partnership.
Other than the Company OP Units owned by the limited partners of the Company Operating Partnership set forth in Section 3.01(b)(vii)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company directly owns all of the issued and outstanding Company OP Units of the Company
Operating Partnership, free and clear of any Liens (other than transfer and other restrictions under applicable federal and state
securities Laws or the Company Operating Partnership Agreement), and all Company OP Units have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are free of preemptive rights. There is no capital stock, voting securities or other equity interests of the Company
Operating Partnership issued and outstanding other than such Company OP Units listed in Section 3.01(b)(vii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, and there is no Indebtedness or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Company
OP Units or other ownership interest, voting securities or other equity interests in the Company Operating Partnership.
(viii) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(b)(viii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the outstanding capital stock or other
voting securities of, or ownership interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly,
free and clear of any Lien (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or
other voting securities or ownership interests). There are no issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (A) securities of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or
other voting securities of, or other ownership interests in, any Subsidiary of the Company, (B) warrants, calls, options or other
rights to acquire from the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company, or other Contracts, obligations of the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries of the Company to issue, any capital stock or other voting securities of, or other ownership interests
in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any capital stock or other voting securities of, or other
ownership interests in, any Subsidiary of the Company or (C) restricted shares, stock appreciation rights, performance units, contingent
value rights, “phantom” stock or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits
based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock or other voting securities of, or other ownership interests
in, any Subsidiary of the Company (the items in clauses (A) through (C) being referred to collectively as the “Company
Subsidiary Securities”). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Subsidiary Securities. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity
or voting interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company have been validly issued, were issued free of preemptive rights and are
fully paid and non-assessable.
(ix) Except
for (A) the capital stock or other voting securities of, or other ownership interests in, the Company Subsidiaries, (B) shares
of publicly traded securities held for investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (which, in no case, exceeds five
percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of any such entity), and (C) as set forth on Section 3.01(b)(ix) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other voting securities of, or other
ownership interests in, any Person.
(x) All
dividends or other distributions on the shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock and any dividends or other distributions
on any Company Subsidiary Securities which have been authorized and declared prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (except
to the extent that such dividends have been publicly announced and are not yet due and payable).
(xi) The
Company has not exempted any “Person” from the “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” or the “Common Stock
Ownership Limit” or established or increased an “Excepted Holder Limit,” as such terms are defined in the Articles,
which exemption or increased limit is currently in effect.
(xii) The
Company does not have a “poison pill” or other similar stockholder rights plan.
(c) Authority;
Noncontravention.
(i) The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Stockholder
Approval, to consummate the Merger and each of the other Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the Merger and each of the other Transactions have been duly and validly
authorized and approved by the Board and, other than obtaining the Stockholder Approval, no other corporate proceedings on the
part of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
to consummate the Merger and each of the other Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company
and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies
(the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions”). The Board, at a meeting duly called and held, has (A) adopted resolutions
unanimously approving and declaring advisable this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions, (B) resolved to unanimously
recommend that the stockholders of the Company adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger, and (C) directed that this Agreement
be submitted to the holders of Common Stock for their adoption (the “Company Recommendation”).
(ii) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions,
including the Merger, and compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in
any violation or breach by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice
or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, the termination, amendment, cancellation
or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of any benefit under, or result in the creation of any pledges, liens, limitations,
restrictions, charges, rights of any third party, claims, easements, encroachments, encumbrances, mortgages, rights of first refusal,
rights of first offer or security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever or rights of others of any kind or nature (collectively,
“Liens”) in or upon any of the properties or other assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary under, (A)
the Articles or the Bylaws or the comparable organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company, (B) except as set forth
on Section 3.01(c)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, any loan or credit agreement, bond, debenture, note, mortgage,
indenture, lease or other contract, agreement, obligation, deed, covenant, restriction, undertaking, commitment, arrangement, understanding,
instrument, permit, franchise or license (each, whether written or oral and including all amendments thereto, a “Contract”)
to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a party or any of their respective properties or other assets may be bound,
or (C) subject to (1) obtaining the Stockholder Approval and (2) the governmental filings and the other matters referred to in
Section 3.01(d), any (x) Law applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or their respective properties or
other assets or (y) order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule, regulation, judgment or stipulation, in each case applicable
to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company or their respective properties or other assets, other than, in the case
of clauses (B) and (C), any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to clause (B)(II) contained in the definition of “Material
Adverse Effect”).
(iii) The
Stockholders’ Representative is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
State of Delaware. The Company has made available to Parent complete and correct copies of the certificate of incorporation and
bylaws of the Stockholders’ Representative as currently in effect. None of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Stockholders’ Representative is or will be, directly or indirectly, owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary. The Stockholders’
Representative has all requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the CVR Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement. This Agreement has
been, and the CVR Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement will be, duly executed and delivered by the Stockholders’ Representative
and constitutes, or will constitute, valid and binding agreements of the Stockholders’ Representative, enforceable against
it in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions. No notices, reports or other filings
are required to be made by the Stockholders’ Representative with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits
or authorizations required to be obtained by the Stockholders’ Representative from, any Governmental Entity in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the CVR Agreement or the Montreal Escrow Agreement. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement, the CVR Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement by the Stockholders’ Representative
do not, and will not, constitute or result in (x) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of incorporation
or bylaws of the Stockholders’ Representative, or (y) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation
of, a termination (or right of termination) or default under, the creation or acceleration of any obligations under or the creation
of a Lien on any of the assets of the Stockholders’ Representative pursuant to, any Contract binding upon the Stockholders’
Representative or any Laws to which the Stockholders’ Representative is subject.
(d) Governmental
And Other Approvals. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration
or filing with, any Federal, state, local or foreign government, any court, administrative, regulatory or other governmental agency,
tribunal, commission, authority or accrediting body or any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission, authority or accrediting
body (whether or not private or quasi-private) including any taxing authority (each, a “Governmental Entity”)
is required by or with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, except for (i) the filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of (A) a proxy statement relating to the adoption by the
stockholders of the Company of this Agreement (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Proxy Statement”),
and (B) such reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
the “Exchange Act”), the Securities Act (as hereinafter defined) and state securities or state “blue sky”
laws as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) the MGCL and the MLLCA
with respect to the filing of the Articles of Merger with the SDAT and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other
states in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is qualified to do business, (iii) any filings, which do not include requests
for any consents or approval, required under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, (v) such filings, which
do not include requests for any consents or approval, as may be required in connection with state and local transfer taxes, and
(iv) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations and filings the failure of which
to be obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Company
SEC Reports.
(i) Other
than as set forth on Section 3.01(e)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has timely filed with or furnished
to the SEC all forms, reports, statements, certifications and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since January
1, 2012 (collectively, and in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein,
the “Company SEC Documents”). As of their respective effective dates (in the case of Company SEC Documents that
are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (including the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Securities Act”)) and as of their respective SEC filing dates (in the
case of all other Company SEC Documents), the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, applicable to
such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC Documents as of such respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date
of this Agreement, the date of the filing of such amendment, with respect to the disclosures that are amended) contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(ii) Each
of the audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the
Company SEC Documents (including the related notes and schedules), as of their respective effective dates (in the case of Company
SEC Documents that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act) and as of their respective
SEC filing dates (in the case of all other Company SEC Documents), complied in all material respects with all applicable published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q and
Regulation S-X of the SEC), were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States consistently
applied (“GAAP”) and applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC consistently applied during the periods
involved (except (A) with respect to financial statements included in Company SEC Documents filed as of the date of this Agreement,
as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or (B) as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, including Regulation S-X),
and fairly present in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Consolidated Company”) as of the dates thereof and the consolidated statements
of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of such companies as of the dates and for the periods shown
therein. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the
SEC or its staff.
(iii) Other
than as set forth on Section 3.01(e)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of
the Company has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether
accrued or unaccrued, whether absolute or contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due) and there is no existing condition,
situation or set of circumstances that would be required to be reflected or reserved against on a consolidated balance sheet of
the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP or the notes thereto, except liabilities or obligations (A) reflected or reserved
against on the consolidated balance sheet, including the notes thereto (the “Balance Sheet”) of the Company
as of June 30, 2015 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) included in the Company SEC Documents, (B) incurred after the
Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (C) as specifically contemplated by this
Agreement or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including those transaction fees set forth on Section
3.01(e)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(iv) Other
than as set forth on Section 3.01(e)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as described in the Company’s Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and its Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015: (a) since
January 1, 2012, the Company has designed and maintained disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial
reporting (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15
under the Exchange Act; (b) the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that all information
(both financial and nonfinancial) required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange
Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that
all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
(c) the Company’s management has completed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures and, to the extent required by applicable Law, presented in any applicable Company SEC Documents that is a report
on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, or any amendment thereto, its conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures
as of the end of the period covered by such report or amendment based on such evaluation, and (d) based on Company management’s
most recently completed evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, (1) the Company had no significant
deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of its internal control over financial reporting that would reasonably
be expected to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and
(2) the Company does not have any Knowledge of any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees
who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since January 1, 2012, to the Knowledge
of the Company, no executive officer or director of the Company has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of, and to
the Knowledge of the Company, no auditor, accountant, or representative of the Company has provided written notice to the Company
or any executive officer or director of, any substantive complaint or allegation that the Company or any Company Subsidiary has
engaged in improper accounting practices. For the purposes of this Section 3.01(e)(iv), the terms “significant deficiency”
and “material weakness” shall have the meanings assigned to them in Release 2007-005A of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board, as in effect on the date hereof.
(f) Absence
of Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth in Section 3.01(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
and except for this Agreement and the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have
conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business, and there has not been any Material Adverse Change or
any event, change or occurrence that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(g) Litigation.
Except as set forth in Section 3.01(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as filed or furnished as part of the Reporting
Documents, there is no suit, claim, investigation, action, legal or administrative proceeding pending, or, to the Company’s
Knowledge, threatened, against the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject
to any material outstanding order, writ, judgment, decree, injunction, ruling, arbitration award or decree by or before any Governmental
Entity.
(h) Contracts.
Except as set forth in Section 3.01(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as filed or furnished as part of the Reporting
Documents, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to or bound by, and none of their respective properties or
other assets is subject to (whether written or oral):
(i) any
Contract containing covenants limiting in any material respect the freedom of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to compete
in any line of business or in any territory or with any other Person;
(ii) any
joint venture, partnership, manufacturer, development or supply agreement or other Contract which involves a sharing of material
revenue, profits, losses, costs or liabilities by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with any other Person;
(iii) any
material royalty, dividend or similar arrangement to be paid, or received, by the Company that is based on the revenue or profits
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any Contract or agreement involving fixed price or fixed volume arrangements;
(iv) any
Contract for the purchase or sale of materials, supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets providing for annual payments
by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries or to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, respectively, of $100,000 or more,
other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and those that can be terminated by the Company or any of
the Company Subsidiaries on less than 30 calendar days’ notice without payment by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
of any material penalty;
(v) any
loan or guaranty agreement, note, indenture or other instrument, Contract, or agreement under which the Company or any Company
Subsidiary has incurred any Indebtedness, other than obligations for the deferred purchase price of property, goods or services
not in excess of $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate;
(vi) other
than the Severance Policy, any employment or severance agreement or arrangement (including any such arrangement that contains a
change of control payment, retention bonus or other similar arrangement) with an executive officer (other than those that are terminable
by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries without cost or penalty upon 90 or fewer calendar days’ notice);
(vii) any
Company Benefit Plan (as hereinafter defined), any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting or payment of benefits
of which will be accelerated, by the consummation of the Transactions or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated
on the basis of any of the consummation of the Transactions;
(viii) any
Contract relating to any acquisition of securities or assets of another Person or another business by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has continuing “earn-out” or other contingent payment
or guarantee obligations in excess of $100,000;
(ix) any
Contract that prohibits the payment of dividends or distributions in respect of the capital stock of the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries, prohibits the pledging of the capital stock or other ownership interests or assets of the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries, or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(x) any
Contract that contains a put, call or similar right pursuant to which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries could be required
to purchase or sell, as applicable, any equity interests of any Person or assets;
(xi) any
master leases or other material agreements with any college, university or other educational institution regarding the leasing
of space or units within any of the Company Communities;
(xii) any
Contract that contains any right of first refusal, right of first offer, option or other right of any Person other than the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries to acquire any Company Real Property;
(xiii) any
mortgage, security agreement, capital lease or other agreement that effectively creates a Lien on any real estate or other material
assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(xiv) any
Contract with any Governmental Entity;
(xv) any
Contract that would prohibit or materially delay the consummation of the Merger or the other Transactions or otherwise materially
impair the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder;
(xvi) other
than (A) the Company Leases, and (B) real estate leases with tenants at Company Communities, any material Contract relating to
the use, purchase, sale, lease, management or occupancy of any Company Real Property;
(xvii) any
agreement pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is obligated to indemnify any other Person (other than
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) for any taxes;
(xviii) with
respect to any Company Real Property, any agreements limiting the Company or any Company Subsidiary’s right to challenge
any real estate tax or assessment that have not been recorded prior to the date hereof with the appropriate Governmental Entity;
or
(xix) any
Contract that is material within the meaning set forth in Item 601(b)(10) or Regulation S-K of the Securities Act.
Each contract, agreement or arrangement
(i) set forth or required to be set forth on Section 3.01(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (ii) as filed or furnished
or as required to be filed or furnished as part of the Reporting Documents, (iii) the Severance Policy, and (iv) each Company Lease
shall be referred to herein as a “Material Contract”. The Company has furnished or made available to Parent
(including in connection with the Reporting Documents) true, correct and complete copies of each Material Contract. Except as set
forth on Section 3.01(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract is in full force and effect and, assuming
its enforceability against the counterparties, is enforceable against the Company and/or any Company Subsidiary party to such Material
Contract in accordance with its terms, except where the failure to be enforceable and in full force and effect would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or, to the Company’s Knowledge,
any other party thereto is in violation of or in default under (nor does there exist any condition which upon the passage of time
or the giving of notice or both would cause such a violation of or default under) any Material Contract to which it is a party
or by which it or any of its properties or other assets is bound, except for violations or defaults that have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to clause (B)(II) contained in the definition
of “Material Adverse Effect”).
(i) Compliance
with Laws; Permits.
(i) Except
with respect to Environmental Laws, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)
and taxes, which are the subjects of Section 3.01(j), Section 3.01(l) and Section 3.01(m), respectively, and
except as set forth on Section 3.01(i)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and each Company Subsidiary are
in compliance with all Laws applicable to it, its properties or other assets or its business or operations, and neither the Company
nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice alleging that the Company or any Company Subsidiary is in violation
of any Law to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or other assets or its business
or operations is subject, except for allegations which have been resolved and for non-compliance and written notices alleging any
such non-compliance that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Except
as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
hold all Permits necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Company and Company Subsidiaries and each Company Community
and other Company Real Property as currently improved and operated (the “Material Company Permits”). The Company
and each of the Company Subsidiaries is and since January 1, 2013, has been in compliance with the terms of the Material Company
Permits, except for failures to comply that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Since January 1, 2013, no event has occurred that (A) gives to any third party any right of termination, cancellation, revocation
or adverse modification (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) of any Material Company Permit or (B) to the knowledge
of the Company, would otherwise reasonably be expected to result in the termination, cancellation, revocation, adverse modification
or non-renewal of any Material Company Permit, other than, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), any such termination, revocation,
cancellation, non-renewal or adverse modification that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(j) Environmental
Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary has received any written notice, demand, complaint, or other written communication alleging that the Company or any
Company Subsidiary is in violation of, or has incurred or triggered potential liability or financial and/or remedial responsibility
under, any applicable Environmental Law or that any judicial, administrative or compliance order has been issued against the Company
or any Company Subsidiary which remains unresolved, (ii) no suit, claim, action, legal or administrative proceeding or request
for information is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing by any Governmental Entity against the Company
or any Company Subsidiary under any applicable Environmental Law; (iii) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance
with all Environmental Laws and all Material Company Permits required under Environmental Laws for the conduct of their respective
business; (iv) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any order, judgment, decree or other judicial or administrative
demand that imposes any obligations under any Environmental Law on the Company or any Company Subsidiary; (v) to the Knowledge
of the Company, there has been no release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials on, in, or under, or migrating from,
any Company Real Property that requires investigation, remediation, removal, mitigation, abatement, monitoring or maintenance;
and (vi) other than as set forth on Section 3.01(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no land use restrictions or other
institutional controls or engineered barriers are in place or being relied on to protect human health at any of the Company Real
Property. For purposes of this Agreement, “Environmental Laws” means any foreign, federal, state or local Law
(including common law) relating to human health and safety or the pollution, protection, or restoration of the Environment, including,
without limitation, those relating to the use, handling, presence, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release or discharge
of Hazardous Materials or related activities and/or occurrences, “Environment” means soil, sediment, land, surface
or subsurface strata, surface water, ground water, ambient air (including indoor air) and any biota living in or on such media,
and “Hazardous Materials” means any regulated pollutant or contaminant (including any constituent, raw material,
product or by-product thereof), petroleum, natural gas, synthetic gas (including radon), asbestos or asbestos-containing material,
polychlorinated biphenyls, lead paint, any hazardous industrial or solid waste, and any toxic, radioactive, infectious or hazardous
substance, compound, material or agent that is known or suspected to be harmful to human health or the Environment. It is agreed
and understood that the only representations and warranties made in this Agreement by the Company with respect to Environmental
Laws and environmental matters are those set forth in this Section 3.01(j).
(k) Labor
Relations. Except as set forth on Section 3.01(k) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all employees of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company are “at will.” There are no collective bargaining or other labor union agreements to
which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties or assets is bound and there are no negotiations or discussions currently pending or occurring between the Company or
any Company Subsidiary and any union or employee association regarding any collective bargaining agreement or any other work rules
or polices. None of the employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is represented by any union with respect to his or her
employment by the Company or such Company Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Section 3.01(k), to the Company’s Knowledge,
there are no, and for the past three (3) years there have not been, organizational efforts with respect to the formation of a collective
bargaining unit presently being made or threatened involving employees of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, and there
are no lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such employees. Except as would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each Company Subsidiary are, and since January 1, 2012,
have been, in compliance, in all respects, with all applicable Laws respecting employment, discrimination in employment, terms
and conditions of employment, worker classification, wages, hours and occupational safety and health and employment practices.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
engaged in any unfair labor practice and to the Company’s Knowledge there are no pending unfair labor practice charges.
(l) ERISA
Compliance.
(i) Section
3.01(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each employment, change in control, retention, bonus plan, pension, profit
sharing, deferred compensation, material incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase, stock appreciation, restricted
stock, stock option, “phantom” stock, material performance, retirement, thrift, savings, stock bonus, paid time off,
material perquisite, material fringe benefit, vacation, severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical, welfare
benefit or other material plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement (whether written or unwritten) maintained, contributed
to or required to be maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person that, together
with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each, a “Commonly
Controlled Entity”), in each case providing benefits to any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company Benefit Plans”), including each Company Benefit Plan
that is an “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) (sometimes referred to herein as a
“Company Pension Plan”) and each Company Benefit Plan that is an “employee welfare benefit plan”
(as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA). With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, the Company has provided (A) the most recent
summary plan description for which such summary plan description is available, (B) each trust agreement and insurance or group
annuity contract relating to any Company Benefit Plan, (C) the most recent annual reports (Form 5500 series) (with applicable attachments)
for which such annual reports are required, (D) the most recent determination, opinion, or advisory letter received from the IRS,
if any; and (E) the three (3) most recent reports with respect to the funded status of such Company Benefit Plan, if any. Each
Company Benefit Plan has been administered and operated in all material respects in accordance with its terms and the applicable
provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws.
(ii) Each
Company Pension Plan intended to be tax-qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination,
or may rely on an opinion letter, from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding its qualified status,
and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no event or omission has occurred that is reasonably likely to cause any Company Pension
Plan to lose such qualification.
(iii) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(l)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled
Entity has (A) maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to any Company Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV
of ERISA (including, any multiemployer plan (as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA), (B) any unsatisfied liability under Title IV of ERISA, (C) a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning
of ERISA or the Code), (D) a self-funded health plan, (E) any voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (within the meaning
of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code), (F) any arrangement that provides medical, life insurance or other welfare benefits to any current,
retired or terminated employee (or any dependent thereof) other than as required pursuant to COBRA or applicable laws, (G) an arrangement
that is not either exempt from or in compliance in all material respects with Section 409A of the Code, or (H) an arrangement that
provides for indemnification for or gross-up of any taxes under Section 409A of the Code.
(iv) Neither
the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries of the Company has received notice of, and to the Company’s Knowledge, there are
no audits or investigations by any Governmental Entity with respect to, termination proceedings or other claims (except claims
for benefits payable in the normal operation of the Company Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings against or involving any Company
Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any Company Benefit Plan.
(v) All
contributions, premiums and benefit payments under or in connection with the Company Benefit Plans that are required to have been
made as of the date hereof in accordance with the terms of the Company Benefit Plans have been timely made or have been reflected
on the most recent balance sheet filed or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Documents.
(vi) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(l)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Stockholder Approval, nor the consummation of the Transactions (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) (A) limit
the right of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to amend, merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any
Company Benefit Plan or related trust; (B) result in any “parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code (whether or not such payment is considered to be reasonable compensation for services rendered); or (C) result in a requirement
to pay any tax “gross-up” or similar “make-whole” payments to any employee, director or consultant of the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
(vii) Other
than individual agreements with employees that are listed on Section 3.01(l)(vii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is obligated (irrespective of any conditions or lapse of time) pursuant to any agreement
or Company Benefit Plan to make any severance payment to any officer, director, employee or consultant.
(viii) Except
as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries are
in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) concerning the mandate to offer affordable, employer-sponsored
group health coverage to their “full-time employees” (as those terms are defined under the ACA) beginning January 1,
2015 subject to applicable regulations and transition guidance. All offers of group health coverage required in order to avoid
the imposition of penalties under the ACA have been given in compliance in all material respects with the ACA, and neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries reasonably expect to incur liability for any taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with
any of the foregoing related to the period between January 1, 2015 and the Effective Time.
(ix) Concurrently
with the execution of this Agreement, the Company has amended its Severance Policy dated as of May 21, 2015 (as amended, the “Severance
Policy”) in accordance with Section 3.01(l)(ix) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(m) Taxes.
(i) Each
of the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company has filed in a timely manner (within any applicable extension period) all material
tax returns required to be filed by it pursuant to applicable Law. All such tax returns are true, complete and accurate in all
material respects. The Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company have timely paid all material taxes due and owing, except for
taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. True, correct and complete copies of all material federal,
state and local tax returns and reports for the Company and each Subsidiary, for all taxable years for which the statutory periods
of limitation have not yet expired, and all written communications relating thereto with any Governmental Entity, have been delivered
or made available to representatives of Parent. All material taxes which the Company and Subsidiary are required by Law to withhold
or collect, including taxes required to have been withheld in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent
contractor, creditor, shareholder or other third party and sales, gross receipts and use taxes, have been duly withheld or collected
and, to the extent required, have been paid over to the proper Governmental Entities within the time period prescribed by Law.
(ii) Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice in writing of any proposed material deficiencies in or material dispute or claim
concerning any tax return filed by the Company, which allegations have not been resolved, from any Governmental Entity and there
is no currently effective agreement extending the period of assessment or collection of any taxes of the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries nor has any request been made for any such extension.
(iii) The
Company (A) for its taxable years commencing with the Company’s taxable year that ended on December 31, 2010 and through
and including its taxable year ended December 31, 2014 has been subject to taxation as a real estate investment trust within the
meaning of and under the provisions of Sections 856 et seq. of the Code (a “REIT”) and, except as set forth
on Section 3.01(m)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a REIT, and has
so qualified, for United States federal tax purposes for such taxable years; (B) has operated since January 1, 2015 to the date
hereof in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT for United States federal tax purposes; (C) intends to continue to operate (including
with regard to the REIT distribution requirements in the taxable year that includes and/or that ends on the Closing Date) through
to the Merger (and the consummation thereof) in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT for its taxable year that will end with
the Merger (and consummation thereof); and (D) except as set forth in Section 3.01(m)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
has not taken or omitted to take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in a challenge by the IRS or any other
Governmental Entity to its status as a REIT, and no such challenge is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened.
For each taxable year beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010 through the Closing Date, the Company Operating Partnership
was properly classified and qualified to be taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Since its inception, the
Company and each Subsidiary of the Company has not incurred (i) any material liability for taxes under Sections 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4),
857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code which have not been previously paid or accrued; and (ii) any material liability
for taxes under Sections 857(b)(5) (for income test violations), 856(c)(7)(C) (for asset test violations), or 856(g)(5)(C) (for
violations of other qualification requirements applicable to REITs).
(iv) Each
Subsidiary of the Company has been since the later of its acquisition or formation and continues to be treated for United States
federal and state income tax purposes as (A) a partnership (or a disregarded entity) and not as a corporation or an association
or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, (B) a Qualified REIT Subsidiary, or (C) a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.
(v) Within
the two-year period ending on the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Subsidiaries has constituted
either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” as such terms are defined in Section
355 of the Code in a distribution of stock outside of the affiliated group of which the Company is the common parent qualifying
or intended to qualify for tax-free treatment (in whole or in part) under Section 355(a) or 361 of the Code.
(vi) Except
as set forth in Section 3.01(m)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries
of the Company (A) is a party to or bound by (1) any agreement currently in effect the principal purpose of which is tax sharing
or tax indemnity whether or not written, other than among the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company, or (2) any advance pricing
agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to taxes with any taxing authority), or (B) (1) has requested, received
or is subject to any written ruling of a Governmental Entity related to taxes or has entered into any written and legally binding
agreement with a Governmental Entity relating to taxes, (2) has engaged in any transaction of which it has made (or was required
to make) disclosure to any Governmental Entity to avoid the imposition of any penalties related to taxes, or (3) has participated
in any transaction that could give rise to a disclosure obligation as a "listed transaction" under Section 6011 of the
Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder or any similar provision under applicable Law.
(vii) There
are currently no material Liens for taxes asserted with respect to any assets or properties of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
of the Company, except for statutory Liens for taxes not yet due and payable. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company
has waived any statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of material taxes or agreed to any extension of time with
respect to any material tax assessment or deficiency for any open tax year. No written power of attorney has been granted by the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company currently is in force with respect to any matter relating to taxes.
(viii) Except
as set forth in Section 3.01(m)(viii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries
of the Company (A) is a member of a group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code (other than a consolidated
group of which the Company is the parent) that files or has filed or has been required to file consolidated, combined, or unitary
tax returns or filed taxes on a combined, unitary or similar basis with any entity (other than the Company or the Subsidiaries
of the Company) for foreign, state or local tax purposes or (B) has any material liability for the taxes of any person (other than
Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, or by contract or otherwise.
(ix) Section
3.01(m)(ix) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth all ongoing material tax and assessment certiorari proceedings and
other material tax and assessment contests and appeals.
(x) As
used in this Agreement (A) “tax” or “taxes” means any Federal, state, local and foreign income,
property, sales, use, excise, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, capital gain, alternative minimum, transfer and
other taxes and similar governmental charges of any kind, including any interest, penalties and additions with respect thereto,
whether or not disputed and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the tax liability of any other
Person; (B) “taxing authority” means any Federal, state, local or foreign government, any subdivision, agency,
commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising tax regulatory authority; and (C) “tax return”
or “tax returns” means all returns, declarations of estimated tax payments, reports, estimates, information
returns and statements, including any related or supporting information with respect to any of foregoing, filed or to be filed
with any taxing authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or administration of any taxes.
(n) Company
Communities; Real Property.
(i) Section
3.01(n)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists: (A) each student housing community owned, leased, subleased, managed or
operated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (each, a “Company Community”), (B) the address of each such
Company Community and (C) whether each such Company Community is (I) owned and/or operated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary
or (II) leased, subleased or managed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company (A) all Company Communities are in working order sufficient for their normal operation
in the ordinary course of business, subject to normal wear and tear, and are adequate and suitable for the purposes for which they
are presently being used and (B) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, condemnation
proceedings or enforcement actions relating to any Company Community. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company or as set forth on Section 3.01(n)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no portion of any
Company Community has suffered any damage by fire or other casualty loss that has not heretofore been repaired and restored.
(ii) Section
3.01(n)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all real property (other than (a) a Company Community, or (b) properties
permitted to be bought or sold by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries during the period from the date of this Agreement
to the Effective Time in accordance with Section 4.01) owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (together with the
Company Communities owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, the “Owned Real Property”). Except as set
forth on Section 3.01(n)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each Owned Real Property, (A) either the
Company or a Company Subsidiary has valid fee simple title to such Owned Real Property, free and clear of all Liens other than
Permitted Liens and (B) there are no outstanding options or rights of first refusal, rights of first offer or other similar rights
in favor of any other party to purchase such Owned Real Property or any material portion thereof or interest therein.
(iii) Section
3.01(n)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all leases, subleases or other agreements pursuant to which the Company
or any Company Subsidiary uses or occupies or has the right to use or occupy any real property (other than (a) a Company Community,
(b) properties permitted to be bought or sold by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries during the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time in accordance with Section 4.01 and (c) leases between Company Subsidiaries) (together
with the Company Communities leased or subleased by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, the “Leased Real Property”
and all such leases, the “Company Leases”). Except as set forth on Section 3.01(n)(iii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each Leased Real Property, (A) either the Company or a Company Subsidiary has valid leasehold
title to such Leased Real Property free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (B) there are no outstanding options
or rights of first offer or rights or first refusal in favor of any other party to acquire the leasehold interest of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary in any Leased Real Property or any portion thereof. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (A) each Company Lease is valid, binding and in full force and (B) no
uncured default of a material nature on the part of the Company or, as applicable, any Company Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, the landlord thereunder exists under any Company Lease.
(iv) Except
as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (A) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has received written notice of any existing zoning or land use violations with respect to any Company Real Property, (B) to the
Knowledge of the Company, there are no pending actions initiated by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to change
or redefine the zoning classification or land use approvals of all or any portion of any Company Real Property, (C) to the Knowledge
of Company, there are no restrictions of record or zoning ordinances that would prohibit any Company Community from being operated
for its current use, and (D) to the Knowledge of Company, each Company Community has adequate access to operate as it is currently
being operated.
(v) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(n)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company’s or the Company Subsidiary’s
fee simple or leasehold title to each Company Real Property is insured pursuant to a title insurance policy duly issued by a national
title insurance company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each such title insurance policy is valid, in full force and effect
and no written claim has been made thereunder (and to the Knowledge of the Company, no fact or circumstances exist or have occurred
which would be reasonably likely to result in a material claim thereunder) and will remain in full force and effect following the
Closing in accordance with its terms.
(vi) Except
as set forth on Section 3.01(n)(vi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except for work performed or materials furnished
to the Company Real Property in the ordinary course of business within the sixty (60) day period (or such longer period to the
extent that the applicable underlying agreement for services and/or materials allows a payment period in excess of sixty (60) days)
prior to the date hereof, all material work performed or materials furnished to the Company Real Property prior to the date hereof
has been paid for in full or will be paid in the ordinary course of business.
(vii) The
lease rolls and status reports for each Company Community contained in Section 3.01(n)(vii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
accurately reflects in all material respects the data contained therein as of the dates of such reports.
(o) Intellectual
Property. Section 3.01(o) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all (i) patents
and patent applications owned by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or used or held for use by the Company or any Subsidiary
(“Company Patents”), registered and material unregistered trademarks and service marks owned by the Company
or any Subsidiary or used or held for use by the Company or any Subsidiary (“Company Marks”) and registered
copyrights and applications for copyright registration owned by the Company or any Subsidiary or used or held for use by the Company
or any Subsidiary (“Company Copyrights”), any domain names owned by the Company or any Subsidiary (“Company
Domains”) or any proprietary software used by the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) licenses, sublicenses or other agreements
under which the Company or any Subsidiary is granted rights by others in Company Intellectual Property (other than commercial off
the shelf software) (“Licenses In”), and (iii) licenses, sublicenses or other agreements under which the Company
or any Subsidiary has granted rights to others in Company Intellectual Property (“Licenses Out”). In the case
of any licenses, sublicenses or other agreements disclosed pursuant to the foregoing clauses (ii) or (iii), Section 3.01(o)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule also sets forth whether each such license, sublicense or other agreement is exclusive or non-exclusive.
Except as set forth on Section 3.01(o) of the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The
Company and each of the Company’s Subsidiaries owns the Company Intellectual Property purported to be owned, or has the right
to use pursuant to a written, valid and enforceable license, all Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct
of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof, taken as a whole, in the case of the foregoing clauses
above.
(ii) All
Company Patents, Company Marks and Company Copyrights that have been issued by, or registered or the subject of an application
filed with, as applicable, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office or any similar office or agency anywhere
in the world, have been duly maintained (including the payment of maintenance fees) and are not expired, cancelled or abandoned
and, to the Company’s Knowledge, are valid and enforceable.
(iii) None
of the Company Intellectual Property owned by the Company that has been issued by, or registered or the subject of an application
filed with, as applicable, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office or in any similar office or agency anywhere
in the world is subject to any maintenance fees or taxes or actions falling due within 90 calendar days after the Closing Date.
(iv) Neither
the operation of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any activity of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor the manufacture,
use, importation, offer for sale and/or sale of any product or service infringes on or violates the right of others in or to any
Intellectual Property Rights (“Third Party IP Rights”), or constitutes a misappropriation of any Third Party
IP Rights or the subject matter of any Third Party IP Right.
(v) Except
as set forth in Section 3.01(o)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge,
threatened claims that the operation of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or any activity by the Company or any Subsidiary
is infringing, violating or misappropriating any Third Party IP Right or that any of the Company Intellectual Property is invalid
or unenforceable.
(vi) To
the Company’s Knowledge, no Person or Persons are infringing the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to
any Company Intellectual Property. No claims are pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, are threatened, against the Company
or any Subsidiary with regard to the ownership by the Company or any Subsidiary of any of the Company Intellectual Property.
(vii) Any
persons responsible for the creation, development or invention of any material Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported
to be owned by the Company or any Subsidiary has assigned all right, title and interest in such Intellectual Property Rights to
the Company or appropriate Subsidiary through a valid, written, enforceable assignment document.
(viii) As
used in this Agreement, “Intellectual Property Rights” shall mean all intellectual property rights arising from
or in respect of the following, whether protected, created, or arising under the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction:
patents, copyrights, trademarks (registered or unregistered), trade names, domain names, service marks, brand names, trade dress,
logos, slogans, and other indications of origin, together with the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations of,
and applications to register, the foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application;
software computer programs, information and materials not generally known to the public that is protected as trade secrets (“Trade
Secrets”) and rights to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any person; registrations or applications for registration
of copyrights, and any renewals or extensions thereof; any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights similar to any of
the foregoing, including all rights in and privileges with respect to customer databases; and licenses and claims of infringement
and misappropriation against third parties. “Company Intellectual Property” shall mean all Intellectual Property
Rights owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or used or held for use by the Company or any Subsidiary in their respective
businesses, including, without limitation, Company Patents, Company Marks Company Copyrights and Company Domains.
(p) Takeover
Statutes. The approval of the Merger by the Board of Directors of the Company referred to in Section 3.01(c)(i) constitutes
approval of the Merger for purposes of Section 3-602 of the MGCL and represents the only action necessary to ensure that Section
3-602 of the MGCL does not and will not apply to the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger.
No other state takeover, “control-share” or similar statute or regulation is applicable to this Agreement, the Company,
the Merger or the other Transactions.
(q) Financial
Advisors. No broker, investment banker or financial advisor (other than Moelis & Company LLC (“Moelis”),
which the Board has retained as its financial advisor in connection with the Merger, the fees and expenses of which have been disclosed
to Parent and will be paid by the Company at the Closing), is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s
or other similar fee or commission in connection with the negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger
or the other Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
(r) Opinion
of Financial Advisor. The Board has received an opinion of Moelis, dated the date hereof, and subject to the various assumptions
and qualifications set forth in such opinion, to the effect that, as of such date, the Merger Consideration to be received by holders
of Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
(s) Vote
Required. The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of capital stock of the Company, any Subsidiary or the Company Operating Partnership necessary under applicable
Law and the Articles, Bylaws or any organizational document of any Subsidiary or the Company Operating Partnership to adopt this
Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other Transactions.
(t) Related
Party Transactions. Except as set forth in the Reporting Documents or as permitted by this Agreement, no agreements, arrangements
or understandings between the Company or any Subsidiary (or binding on any of its or their respective properties or assets), on
the one hand, and any affiliate (including any officer or director or employee of the Company or any Company) thereof, on the other
hand (other than those exclusively among the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries), are in existence that would be required
to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
(u) Insurance.
Section 3.01(u) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list as of the date of this Agreement of all material
insurance policies which the Company or any Company Subsidiary maintains with respect to its respective businesses or properties.
Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has been informed that any such policies are not in full force and effect
in all material respects. All premiums due and payable by the Company or any Company Subsidiary under each such policy have been
paid.
(v) Budget.
Section 3.01(v) of the of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the current monthly operating budget for the Company
for the 2015-2016 academic year (the “Budget”).
(w) No
Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Section 3.01,
neither the Company nor any other Person on behalf of the Company, including any director, officer or employee of the Company,
makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries in connection
with the Transactions contemplated hereby. Neither the Company nor any other Person, including any director, officer or employee
of the Company, will have or be subject to any liability or obligation to Parent, Merger Sub or any other Person resulting from
the distribution to Parent or Merger Sub, or Parent’s or Merger Sub’s use of, any such information, including any information,
documents, projections, forecasts of other material made available to Parent or Merger Sub in expectation of the Transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
Section 3.02 Representations
and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub. Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company as
follows:
(a) Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is formed and has all requisite power and authority to carry
on its business as now being conducted. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes
such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not constitute a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Authority;
Noncontravention.
(i) Each
of Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions have been duly authorized by the Board of
Managers of Parent and the sole member of Merger Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or Merger Sub are
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions. This Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions
do not require approval of the holders of any membership units of Parent. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
each of Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Sub, as applicable, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub, as applicable,
in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions.
(ii) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions, and compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or default (with or without
notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of
any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien in or upon any of the properties or other
assets of Parent or Merger Sub under (A) the articles of organization or limited liability company agreements of Parent or Merger
Sub, (B) any Contract to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or any of their respective properties or other assets is subject,
in any way that would prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Merger (including the payments required
to be made pursuant to ARTICLE II) or the other Transactions contemplated hereby, or (C) subject to the governmental filings
and other matters referred to in Section 3.02(b)(iii), any (1) Law applicable to Parent or Merger Sub or their respective
properties or other assets, or (2) order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment or stipulation, in each case applicable to Parent
or Merger Sub or their respective properties or other assets, other than, in the case of clauses (B) and (C), any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.
(iii) No
material consent, approval, order or authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with,
any Governmental Entity is required by or with respect to Parent or Merger Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub or the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Merger or the other Transactions, except
for the filing of the Articles of Merger with the SDAT.
(c) Ownership
and Interim Operations of Merger Sub. Parent owns, beneficially and of record, all of the outstanding capital stock of Merger
Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no other
business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated hereby.
(d) Financial
Ability.
(i) Parent
or Merger Sub has received and accepted an executed commitment letter dated as of the date hereof from PNC Bank, National Association
and PNC Capital Markets and an executed commitment letter dated as of the date hereof from Bank Of America, N.A. and Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (collectively, the “Debt Commitment Letters”) (the arrangers, lenders
and/or purchasers party thereto, collectively, the “Lenders”) pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed, subject
to the terms and conditions thereof, to lend the amounts set forth therein (the “Debt Financing Commitments”).
The debt financing contemplated by the Debt Financing Commitments is collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Debt
Financing.”
(ii) Parent
has received and accepted the Equity Commitment Letters from the Equity Investors pursuant to which the Equity Investors have agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to invest in Parent the amounts set forth therein (the “Equity Financing
Commitments” and, together with the Debt Financing Commitments, the “Financing Commitments”). The
equity committed pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letters is collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Equity
Financing.” The Equity Financing and the Debt Financing are collectively referred to as the “Financing.”
Parent has delivered to the Company true, complete and correct copies of the executed Commitment Letters. There are no agreements,
side letters or arrangements, other than the Commitment Letters and the fee letter referenced in each Debt Commitment Letter (each,
a “Fee Letter” and together, the “Fee Letters”), to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party
relating to any of the Financing Commitments that could affect the availability of the Financing.
(iii) Assuming
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02, except as expressly set forth in the
applicable Commitment Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no conditions precedent to the obligations of the Lenders to provide
the Debt Financing or the Equity Investors to provide the Equity Financing or any contingencies that would permit the Lenders to
reduce the total amount of the Debt Financing intended to be funded on the Closing Date. Assuming the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.01 and 6.02, as of the date hereof, Parent does not have any reason to believe that any of
the conditions to the Financing Commitments will not be satisfied or that the Financing will not be available to Parent or Merger
Sub on the Closing Date.
(iv) Assuming
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 and the accuracy of the Company’s
representations and warranties, the Financing, when funded in accordance with the Commitment Letters, will provide Parent and Merger
Sub with cash proceeds on the Closing Date (after netting out applicable fees, expenses, original issue discount and similar premiums
and charges payable by Parent or Merger Sub) sufficient for the satisfaction of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations
to (a) pay the aggregate Cash Merger Consideration, (b) pay any fees and expenses of or payable by Parent or Merger Sub and/or
the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, (c) subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, deposit the Montreal Guaranty Amount into the escrow account contemplated by the Montreal
Escrow Agreement, and (d) pay all other amounts required to be paid by Parent or Merger Sub on the Closing Date to consummate the
Transactions.
(v) As
of the date hereof, the Commitment Letters are (i) valid and binding obligations of Parent and/or Merger Sub, as applicable, and,
to the Knowledge of Parent and Merger Sub, of each of the other parties thereto (subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions)
and (ii) in full force and effect. As of the date hereof, assuming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01
and Section 6.02 and the accuracy of the Company’s representations and warranties, no event has occurred that, with
or without notice, lapse of time, or both, would reasonably be expected to constitute a default or breach on the part of Parent
or Merger Sub under the terms and conditions of the Commitment Letters. Concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions,
Parent and Merger Sub shall pay in full any and all commitment fees or other fees required to be paid pursuant to the terms of
the Commitment Letters. None of the Commitment Letters has been modified, amended or altered as of the date hereof and none of
the respective commitments under any of the Commitment Letters have been reduced, withdrawn or rescinded in any respect as of the
date hereof.
(vi) Neither
Parent nor Merger Sub is a party to any Contract, or has made or entered into any formal or informal arrangement or other understanding
(whether or not binding), with any other Person that has or would have the effect of limiting or prohibiting the right or ability
of such Person to provide any other Person with financing or other potential sources of capital (whether equity, debt, rollover
or a hybrid thereof) in connection with the Merger or the other Transactions.
(vii) Concurrent
with the execution of this Agreement, Parent has made a capital call to the Equity Investors in the amount of the Reverse Termination
Fee.
(e) Ownership.
As of the date of this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates, directly or indirectly, beneficially
own or control any shares of capital stock of the Company, and none of Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates have any
rights to acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company other than pursuant to this Agreement.
(f) Legal
Proceedings. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, legal or administrative proceeding, claim, suit,
investigation or action against Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, nor is there any injunction, order,
judgment, ruling or decree imposed upon Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, in each case, by or before
any Governmental Entity, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Certain
Arrangements. Other than as set forth in Section 3.02(g) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, there are no Contracts between
Parent or Merger Sub, on the one hand, and any member of the Company’s management or directors, on the other hand, as of
the date hereof that relate in any way to the Company or the consummation of the Transactions. During the past three (3) years
immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither Parent nor any of its Affiliates has beneficially owned more than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock.
(h) Solvency.
On the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions (including the Merger and the Financing)
and assuming (x) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries contained in this
Agreement (without giving effect to any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifications or any Knowledge qualifications),
(y) the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02, and (z) any estimates, projections, or forecasts
prepared by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions
that were and continue to be true and correct, to the Knowledge of Parent: (i) the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and obligations in the ordinary course of business as they become due; and (ii) the
Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will have adequate capital to carry on their respective businesses.
(i) Brokers
and Other Advisors. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s,
financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions
based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries except for Persons whose fees and expenses will
be paid by Parent at Closing.
(j) Disclaimer
of Other Representations and Warranties. Parent and Merger Sub each acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations
and warranties expressly set forth in this Agreement (i) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries or their respective
directors, officers or employees makes, or has made, any representations or warranties relating to itself or its business or otherwise
in connection with the Merger and Parent and Merger Sub are not relying on any representation or warranty except for those expressly
set forth in this Agreement, (ii) no Person has been authorized by the Company to make any representation or warranty relating
to itself or any of the Company Subsidiaries or its business or otherwise in connection with the Merger, and if made, such representation
or warranty must not be relied upon by Parent or Merger Sub as having been authorized by the Company, and (iii) any estimates,
projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided
or addressed to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Agents are not and shall not be deemed to be or to include representations or
warranties, including any representations or warranties relating to the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates,
projections and related information.
Article
IV.
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; NO SOLICITATION
Section 4.01 Conduct
of Business by the Company. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time (or such earlier date on
which this Agreement may be terminated in accordance with Section 7.01), except as required by applicable Law, consented
to in writing in advance by Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), or otherwise specifically
contemplated or permitted by or required pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiaries
of the Company (including the Company Operating Partnership) to, and shall, to the extent it has the ability to do so, whether
by Contract or otherwise, cause each other Company Subsidiary to, (i) carry on its business in the ordinary course consistent with
past practice, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact in all material respects its current business organization,
goodwill, ongoing businesses and the Company’s qualification as a REIT within the meaning of the Code. In addition to and
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during such period, except as required by applicable Law or as otherwise specifically
contemplated or permitted by or required pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Subsidiaries
of the Company (including the Company Operating Partnership) to, and shall not, to the extent it has the ability to do so, whether
by Contract or otherwise, permit any other Company Subsidiary to, without Parent’s prior written consent (which such consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned):
(a) declare,
set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to,
or enter into any Contract relating to the declaration of any dividend or distribution with respect to, the shares of capital stock
of the Company, the shares of capital stock of any Company Subsidiary or the Company OP Units of the Company Operating Partnership,
except for (i) the declaration and payment by the Company of regular quarterly dividends in accordance with past practice for the
period up to the Closing Date (including the portion of any month in which the Closing occurs), (ii) the declaration and payment
of dividends or other distributions to the Company or any Company Subsidiary by any directly or indirectly wholly-owned Company
Subsidiary, and (iii) dividends or other distributions by any Company Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, directly or indirectly,
by the Company, in accordance with the terms of the organizational documents of such Company Subsidiary; provided, however,
that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company and any Company Subsidiary shall be permitted to make (or increase)
dividends or distributions, including under Sections 858 or 860 of the Code, reasonably necessary for the Company to maintain its
status as a REIT under the Code and/or avoid or reduce the imposition of any entity-level income or excise tax under the Code or
applicable state Law; provided, further, that, in each instance, the Company shall promptly notify Parent of the
proposed record date for any such dividend or distribution prior to such date;
(b) split,
subdivide, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect
of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or other ownership interests (including any securities convertible
into, exchangeable for or exercisable for shares of its capital stock or other ownership interests);
(c) purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to purchase redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or any other securities
thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities, except for (i) purchases, redemptions
or other acquisitions of capital stock or other securities required under the terms of any plans, arrangements or Contracts existing
on the date hereof between the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries and any director, employee or former employee
of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or in connection with the vesting of Restricted Stock, (ii) purchases,
redemptions or other acquisitions of any Company OP Units required by and in accordance with the terms of the Company Operating
Partnership Agreement, the Copper Beech Agreement, (iii) redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock, and (iv) as otherwise consented
to by Parent;
(d) issue,
deliver, sell, grant, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien any shares of capital stock or other ownership interests,
any other voting securities or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire, any such shares, ownership interests, voting securities or convertible securities, or any “phantom” stock,
“phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights or stock based performance units, including pursuant to Contracts
as in effect on the date hereof (other than in connection with the redemption or exchange of any Company OP Units required by and
in accordance with the Company Operating Partnership Agreement, the Copper Beech Agreement or as otherwise consented to by Parent);
(e) amend
the Articles or the Bylaws or other comparable organizational documents of the Company, the Company Operating Partnership or any
of the Company Subsidiaries;
(f) except
as set forth on Section 4.01(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, make any acquisition (including by merger, consolidation,
stock acquisition or otherwise) of the capital stock or other ownership interest or (except as otherwise permitted pursuant to
this Agreement) assets of any other Person for consideration in excess for all such transactions of $100,000 (including future
capital contribution requirements) in the aggregate;
(g) adopt
a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or
other reorganization of the Company, the Company Operating Partnership or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(h) incur
any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including pursuant to existing credit facilities and other arrangements in existence as of
the date hereof), guarantee any Indebtedness of a third party, enter into any Contract with respect to any Indebtedness, or issue
or sell debt securities, or enter into any Contract having the economic effect of any of the foregoing (collectively, “New
Indebtedness”), that would result in an aggregate increase of outstanding Indebtedness of the Consolidated Company of
greater than $100,000 more than the aggregate amount of outstanding Indebtedness of the Consolidated Company set forth on the Balance
Sheet unless the net proceeds of such New Indebtedness are used to reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, a liability of
the Consolidated Company, to increase a current asset of the Consolidated Company, or to pay a bona-fide expense of the Consolidated
Company consistent with the restrictions set forth in this Section 4.01;
(i) except
as set forth on Section 4.01(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, sell, transfer, lease, license, mortgage, sell and leaseback
or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or other assets (including the capital
stock or other equity interests in any Company Subsidiary) or any interests therein (including securitizations), except (A) Liens
securing existing Indebtedness, (B) pursuant to Contracts in force as of the date hereof, (C) dispositions of obsolete or worthless
assets (expressly excluding any real property) that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company, (D) for
transfers among the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, or (E) for the sale of the Montreal Properties and the Montreal Interests;
(j) pay,
discharge, settle or satisfy any suit, action or claim, other than (A) settlements of current, pending or future suits, actions
or claims that are set forth on Section 4.01(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule subject to the limits and conditions
set forth on Section 4.01(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (B) settlements of any suit, action or claim, or threatened
suit, action or claim, that (1) require payments by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (net of insurance proceeds) in an amount
not to exceed $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate and (2) do not require any other actions or impose any other material
restrictions on the business or operations of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or (C) settlements, in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices, of any workers’ compensation claims or employee claims filed with the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, so long as such settlements do not exceed $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate;
(k) amend
or modify in any material respect or terminate any Material Contract other than in accordance with its terms, or, other than actions
expressly permitted by this Section 4.01, enter into any Contract that (i) if entered into on or prior to the date hereof
would constitute a Material Contract, or (ii) is not terminable upon thirty (30) days’ notice without penalty or premium;
(l) except
as set forth on Section 4.01(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as required to comply with applicable Law (A) adopt,
enter into, terminate or materially amend (1) any Company Benefit Plan, (2) any other agreement, plan or policy involving the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries and one or more of their respective current or former employees or members of the Board that
is not terminable at will, or (3) any retention or bonus agreement involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries and
one or more of their respective current or former employees or members of the Board, (B) or to comply with any Contract entered
into prior to the date hereof, increase the compensation, bonus or fringe or other benefits offered by the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries other than increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) or except as required by
Section 2.03 of this Agreement, take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefit under
any Company Benefit Plan or (D) loan or advance any money or other property (other than reimbursement of reimbursable expenses
or any advances of such expenses pursuant to the Company credit cards or otherwise in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice) to any current or former member of the Board or officer of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(m) enter
into any agreement or, other than pursuant to agreements currently in effect described in the Reporting Documents, engage in any
transaction with one or more of the Company’s directors, officers or stockholders, or with any corporation, partnership (general
or limited), limited liability company, association or other organization of which one or more of the Company’s directors,
officers or stockholders is (A) a director, officer, manager, managing partner, managing member (or the holder of any office with
similar authority), (B) has a direct or indirect financial interest, or (C) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or
is under common control with;
(n) adopt
or implement any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement;
(o) elect
to be subject to any state takeover, “control-share” or other similar statute or regulation with respect to this Agreement,
the Company or the Merger or the other Transactions;
(p) make
any material change in any method of financial accounting principles or practices, in each case, except for any such change required
by a change in GAAP or applicable Law;
(q) (i)
settle or compromise any material tax claim, audit or assessment, (ii) make or change any material tax election (including the
Company’s election to qualify as a REIT), change any annual tax accounting period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting,
(iii) amend any material tax returns or file claims for material tax refunds, or (iv) enter into any material closing agreement,
surrender in writing any right to claim a material tax refund, offset or other reduction in tax liability or consent to any extension
or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any material tax claim or assessment relating to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries;
(r) except
as set forth on Section 4.01(r) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, enter into any material agreement, agreement in principle,
letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or similar Contract with respect to any joint venture, strategic partnership or alliance
or any binding agreement with respect to the acquisition of any real property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;
(s) except
in connection with actions permitted by Section 4.02, take any action to exempt any Person from, or make any acquisition
of securities of the Company by any Person not subject to, any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation that applies
to the Company with respect to a Takeover Proposal or otherwise, including the restrictions on "business combinations"
set forth in the MGCL, except for Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or the Transactions contemplated
by this Agreement;
(t) fail
to use reasonable best efforts to maintain material current insurance coverages, or fail to enforce the material rights of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary under any such existing coverage;
(u) except
as set forth in the Budget or on Section 4.01(u) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, make any capital expenditure which
is in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) or a series of capital expenditures which are, in the aggregate, in excess
of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000);
(v) decrease
the average rental rates charged for any Company Community in a manner which would reasonably be expected to result in the average
rental rates for such Company Community for the 2016/2017 leasing period to be lower by more than one percent (1%) in the aggregate
as compared to those target rental rates for such Company Community set forth in the 2016 Leasing Plan (with respect to the 2016/2017
leasing period);
(w) make
expenditures during the period between the date hereof and the Effective Time for advertising, marketing, concessions and rent
inducements for any Company Community that would reasonably be expected to cause such expenditures, in the aggregate for such Company
Community, to exceed by more than five percent (5%) the aggregate amounts for such expenditures contemplated for such Company Community
for such period in the 2016 Marketing Budget;
(x) except
as set forth on Section 4.01(x) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, negotiate or refinance any form of Indebtedness of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary having a maturity date at any time between the date of this Agreement and the 180th day following
the Closing Date; or
(y) authorize
or agree or commit to take any of the foregoing actions.
Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company from taking any action, at any
time or from time to time, that in the reasonable judgment of the Company Board of Directors, upon advice of counsel to the Company
and with prior written notice to Parent, is reasonably necessary for the Company to avoid incurring entity level income or excise
taxes under the Code or to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or portion thereof ending on or prior
to the Effective Time, including making dividend or other distribution payments to stockholders of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement or otherwise. If the Company proposes to take any such action, it shall notify Parent as soon as reasonably practicable
prior to the taking of such action. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to
control or direct the Company’s operations prior to the Effective Time, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall give
the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ operations prior
to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Company and Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.
Section 4.02 No
Solicitation.
(a) On
the date hereof the Company will instruct and cause the Company’s directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, financial
advisors, attorneys, accountants and other representatives (with respect to any such Person, collectively, such Person’s
“Agents”), each of the Company’s Subsidiaries and their respective Agents to immediately cease all activities,
discussions and negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to a Takeover Proposal, and deliver a written notice
to each such Person to the effect that the Company is ending all discussions and negotiations with such Person with respect to
any Takeover Proposal and such notice shall also request such Person to promptly return or destroy all confidential information
concerning the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries.
(b) The
Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any of its
or any of its Subsidiary’s Agents to directly or indirectly (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or take any action
to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be likely to lead to, any
Takeover Proposal, (ii) provide any non-public information, or afford access to the properties, books, records, or personnel of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, or knowingly assist, participate in, facilitate or encourage any effort by, any Person
that the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective Agents has reason to believe
is considering making, or has made, any Takeover Proposal, (iii) enter into or maintain or continue discussions or negotiate with
any Person in furtherance of such inquiries or to obtain a Takeover Proposal or otherwise in connection with any Takeover Proposal,
(iv) approve, endorse, recommend, or execute or enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition
agreement or other similar agreement relating to a Takeover Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement entered
into pursuant to Section 4.02(c)) (an “Acquisition Agreement”) or any proposal or offer that could reasonably
be expected to lead to a Takeover Proposal, (v) amend or grant any waiver or release under any standstill or similar agreement
with respect to any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) take any action to exempt any Person
from, or make any acquisition of securities of the Company by any Person not subject to, any state takeover statute or similar
statute or regulation that applies to the Company with respect to a Takeover Proposal or otherwise, including the restrictions
on "business combinations" set forth in the MGCL, except for Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
or the Transactions, or (vii) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing or otherwise authorize or permit any of its Agents to
take any such action.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in Sections 4.02(a) or (b), prior to receipt of the Stockholder Approval, the Company may
directly or indirectly through its Agents, subject to Section 4.02(d), (i) participate in negotiations or discussions with
any third party that has made (and not withdrawn) a bona-fide, unsolicited Takeover Proposal in writing that the Board believes
in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and the Company’s financial advisor, constitutes or would reasonably
be expected to result in a Superior Proposal, and (ii) thereafter furnish non-public information or data relating to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to such third-party with which it has entered into a confidentiality agreement (a copy of which shall
be provided to Parent within twenty-four (24) hours of execution) with provisions relating to confidentiality and standstill arrangements
that are no less favorable to the Company than the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement (it being understood that such confidentiality
agreement shall contain provisions that expressly permit the Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement, including Section
4.02 hereunder) (an “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement”) and afford access to the properties, books,
records, or personnel of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall promptly provide to Parent and
Merger Sub any material non-public information that is provided to any such Person which has not previously been provided to Parent
and Merger Sub. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall not take any of the actions referred to in this Section 4.02(c)
unless the Company shall have delivered to Parent a prior written notice advising Parent that it intends to take such action.
(d) The
Company will notify Parent promptly (but in no event later than twenty-four hours) after receipt by the Company, its Subsidiaries,
or any of its or their respective Agents, of any Takeover Proposal, any inquiry that the Company reasonably believes could be expected
to lead to a Takeover Proposal, any request for non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for
access to the business, properties, assets, books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any third party. In such
notice, the Company shall identify the third party making, and details of the material terms and conditions of, any such Takeover
Proposal, indication or request. The Company will keep Parent reasonably informed, on a current and prompt basis, of the status
of any such Takeover Proposal, inquiry or request (including the material terms and conditions thereof and any modifications thereto),
and the Company shall promptly provide Parent with any non-public information concerning the Company's business, present or future
performance, financial condition or results of operations, provided to any third party that has not been previously provided to
Parent. The Company shall provide Parent with at least forty-eight (48) hours prior notice of any meeting of the Board at which
the Board is reasonably expected to consider any Takeover Proposal.
(e) For
purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “Takeover
Proposal” means any inquiry, proposal, offer or indication of interest from any Person (other than Parent and its Subsidiaries)
or “group”, within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, relating to, in a single transaction or series
of related transactions, any (A) direct or indirect sale, lease, exchange, transfer, license, acquisition or disposition of assets
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries equal to ten percent (10%) or more of the Company’s consolidated assets or to which
ten percent (10%) or more of the Company’s net revenues or net income on a consolidated basis are attributable, (B) direct
or indirect acquisition of five percent (5%) or more (or, in the case of any person beneficially owning (for purposes of Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares) of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement,
any additional shares of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) tender
offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person beneficially owning five percent (5%) or more (or, in the
case of any person beneficially owning (for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement, any additional shares) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (D) liquidation, dissolution (or the adoption of a plan of liquidation or dissolution),
recapitalization, extraordinary dividend (whether in cash or other property) or other significant corporate reorganization of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (E) merger, consolidation or other combination involving the Company and any third-party other
than a Subsidiary, or (F) any combination of the foregoing types of transactions if the sum of the percentage of consolidated assets,
net revenues or net income and Common Stock involved is five percent (5%) or more; in each case, other than the Transactions contemplated
hereunder; and
(ii) “Superior
Proposal” means a written, bona-fide Takeover Proposal, which, in the good faith determination of the Board, taking into
consideration the various legal, financial, and regulatory aspects of such Takeover Proposal (provided that, for purposes of this
definition of “Superior Proposal” only, references to five percent (5%) in the definition of Takeover Proposal
shall be deemed to be references to thirty-five percent (35%)) and the Person or “group”, within the meaning of Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act, making such Takeover Proposal (including any required financing, stockholder approval requirements of
the Person or group making the proposal, regulatory approvals, stockholder litigation, breakup fee and expense reimbursement provisions,
expected timing and risk and likelihood of consummation, and, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Board, such other factors
that may be considered in making such a determination under the MGCL, including any revisions to the terms of this Agreement proposed
by Parent during the Notice Period) if consummated, would result in a transaction that is more favorable from a financial point
of view to the stockholders of the Company than the Transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) Except
as permitted by Section 4.02(g), neither the Board nor any committee thereof shall (i)(A) fail to make, amend, change, qualify,
withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to amend, change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse
to Parent or Merger Sub, the Company Recommendation, or (B) adopt, approve, endorse or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt,
approve, endorse or recommend to the stockholders of the Company any Takeover Proposal or Superior Proposal, (ii) fail to recommend
against acceptance of any tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock within ten (10) Business Days after commencement of such
offer, (iii) make any public statement inconsistent with the Company Recommendation (actions described in clauses (i)-(iii) being
referred to as a “Company Adverse Recommendation Change”), (iv) authorize, cause or permit the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective Agents to enter into any Acquisition Agreement, or (v) resolve to do any
of the foregoing.
(g) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, including Section 4.02(f), prior to the time the Stockholder Approval
is obtained, but not after, the Board may make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change or cause the Company to (or permit any Company
Subsidiary to) enter into an Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Takeover Proposal only if the Board has determined in good
faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, (i) that failure to take such action would reasonably
be expected to cause the Board to be in breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, and (ii) that such Takeover Proposal
constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that prior to taking such action (A) the Company has given Parent
at least five (5) Business Days’ (the “Notice Period”) prior written notice of its intention to take such
action (which notice shall include a copy of the Superior Proposal, a copy of the relevant proposed transaction agreements and
a copy of any financing commitments relating thereto), (B) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall negotiate, and shall cause their
respective Agents to negotiate, in good faith with Parent during such Notice Period, to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate,
in order to enable Parent to propose revisions to the terms of this Agreement and any other agreements relating to the Transactions
contemplated hereunder such that the Takeover Proposal would no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, (C) following the end of
such Notice Period, the Board shall have considered in good faith any proposed revisions to this Agreement and any other agreements
relating to the Transactions contemplated hereby proposed in writing by Parent, and shall have determined that the Takeover Proposal
would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such revisions were to be given effect, and (D) in the event that, after the
commencement of the Notice Period, there is any material change to the terms of such Takeover Proposal, the Company shall deliver
to Parent an additional notice consistent with that described in clause (A) above, and the Notice Period shall be extended, if
applicable, in order to ensure that at least three (3) Business Days remain in the Notice Period subsequent to the time that the
Company notifies Parent of any such material revision (it being understood that there may be multiple extensions); and provided,
further, that the Company has complied in with its obligations under this Section 4.02.
(h) Nothing
contained in this Section 4.02 shall prohibit the Company, after the receipt of advice from outside legal counsel that failure
to disclose such position would constitute a violation of applicable Law, from (i) disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated
by Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, provided that any disclosures permitted under this Section
4.02(h) that does not contain either an express rejection of any applicable Takeover Proposal or an express reaffirmation of
the Company Recommendation shall be deemed a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, or (ii) making any “stop-look-and-listen”
communication to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to Section 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar
communications to the stockholders of the Company) in which the Company indicates that it has not changed the Company Recommendation.
(i) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.02, in the event that Parent has not funded the Escrow Account, or caused the
Escrow Account to be funded, with an amount in cash equal to the Reverse Termination Fee within twenty-one (21) days following
the date of this Agreement, then the provisions of this Section 4.02 shall be of no force or effect until such time, if
any, as Parent funds the Escrow Account, or causes the Escrow Account to be funded, with an amount in cash equal to the Reverse
Termination Fee, at which time (unless this Agreement shall have previously been terminated), and with no further action by any
Party hereto, the provisions of this Section 4.02 shall be restored and in full force and effect and binding on the Parties
hereto.
Article
V.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 5.01 Preparation
of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders’ Meeting.
(a) As
promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, but in no event later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date
hereof, the Company and Parent shall prepare, and the Company shall file with the SEC, the Proxy Statement, and the Company shall
use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments of the SEC and its staff with respect thereto
or the Transactions (whether written or oral) and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, to commence mailing of the Proxy
Statement to the stockholders of the Company as promptly as practicable (but in no event prior to the clearance of the Proxy Statement
by the SEC) after responding to all such comments to the satisfaction of the SEC and its staff. The Company shall promptly notify
Parent and its legal counsel upon the receipt of any such comments from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its
staff for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement, and shall provide Parent and its legal counsel with copies of all correspondence
between the Company and its Agents, on the one hand, and the SEC and its staff, on the other hand. Prior to filing or mailing the
Proxy Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or responding to any comments of the SEC or the staff of the SEC with
respect thereto, the Company (i) shall provide Parent and its legal counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such
document or response and (ii) provide Parent and its counsel a reasonable opportunity to advise in connection with any discussions
or meetings with the SEC; provided that Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to provide or cause to be provided its
comments to the Company as promptly as reasonably practicable after such document or response is transmitted to Parent for its
review.
(b) Parent
and the Company shall each cooperate in the preparation of the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, as the case may be, shall promptly furnish
to the Company in writing the information relating to them required by the Exchange Act to be set forth in the Proxy Statement.
The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Proxy Statement (i) will not on the date it is first mailed to
stockholders of the Company and at the time of the Stockholders’ Meeting contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading and (ii) will comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company assumes no responsibility with respect to information supplied
in writing by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement. If, at any
time prior to receipt of the Stockholder Approval, any event occurs with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, Parent
or Merger Sub, or any change occurs with respect to other information to be included in the Proxy Statement, which is required
to be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Proxy Statement, the Company or Parent, as the case may be, shall promptly
notify the other party of such event and the Company shall promptly file, following compliance with Section 5.01(a), any
necessary amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, and thereafter promptly prepare and disseminate amended or supplemented
proxy materials (and, if required in connection therewith, re-solicit proxies).
(c) (i)
Unless this Agreement has been terminated pursuant to Section 7.01, the Company shall, as soon as practicable, but in no
event later than 45 days after the Proxy Statement has been cleared by the SEC and its staff for mailing to the stockholders of
the Company, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the stockholders of the Company (including any adjournment
or postponement thereof, the “Stockholders’ Meeting”) for the purpose of obtaining Stockholder Approval
to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger, in each case, duly called and held for such purpose; provided, however,
for the avoidance of doubt, the Company may postpone or adjourn the Stockholders’ Meeting only (i) with the consent of Parent,
(ii) for the absence of a quorum, or (iii) to such date following the filing of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2015 (the “2015 Q3 10-Q”) as is reasonably selected by the Company in accordance
with Section 5.01(c)(ii) below. “Stockholder Approval” is obtained at the Stockholders’ Meeting
if a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon vote in favor of adopting the Agreement and approving
the Merger.
(ii) The Company shall not hold the Stockholders
Meeting at any time prior to the third (3rd) Business Day following the date that the 2015 Q3 10-Q is filed with the SEC.
(d) Unless
the Board shall have effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with Section 4.02(g), the Board shall
make the Company Recommendation, include such Company Recommendation in the Proxy Statement and use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the Stockholder Approval. The notice of such Stockholders’ Meeting shall state that a resolution to approve and
adopt this Agreement and the Merger will be considered at the Stockholder Meeting.
Section 5.02 Access
to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Subject
to restrictions under applicable Law, the Company shall afford to Parent, and to Parent’s officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, financial advisors, and their respective Agents, reasonable access, during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior
notice to the Company during the period prior to the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, to all
of its and the Company Subsidiaries’ properties, books, Contracts, personnel and records and, during such period, the Company
shall furnish promptly to Parent (i) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it during
such period pursuant to the requirements of Federal or state securities Laws (unless such document is publicly available), (ii)
a copy of each material correspondence or written communication with any United States Federal or other Governmental Entity, and
(iii) all other information concerning its and the Company Subsidiaries’ business, properties and personnel as Parent may
reasonably request, including but not limited to (A) information regarding the Company’s cash flow on a consolidated basis,
(B) the occupancy rate, rental rates and capital expenditures and the advertising and marketing expenses and/or concessions and
rent inducements for each Company Community, (C) updated balance sheets for the Company on a consolidated basis, and (D) preleasing
rent rolls with respect to the 2016 Leasing Plan for each Company Community; provided, however, that that the Company
may restrict the foregoing access to such information or personnel to the extent that such disclosure would, based on the advice
of legal counsel, result in a waiver of attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or any other applicable privilege
applicable to such information.
(b) Except
for disclosures expressly permitted by the terms of the confidentiality agreement, dated March 8, 2015, between the Company and
Parent (as amended from time to time, the “Confidentiality Agreement”), Parent shall hold, and shall cause Merger
Sub and its and Merger Sub’s respective officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other Agents to
hold, all information received from the Company, directly or indirectly, in confidence in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
(c) No
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.02 or information provided or received by any party hereto pursuant to this Agreement
will affect any of the representations or warranties of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement or the conditions hereunder
to the obligations of the parties hereto.
(d) Promptly
following the date hereof, Parent and the Company will work cooperatively in good faith to develop a mutually agreeable (i) monthly
leasing plan (including proposed target rent rates) for the Company for the 2016-2017 academic year (the “2016 Leasing
Plan”), and (ii) monthly advertising and marketing budget for each Company Community, including budgeted advertising
and marketing expenses and/or concessions and rent inducements for each Company Community for the 2016-2017 academic year (the
“2016 Marketing Budget”).
Section 5.03 Reasonable
Best Efforts.
(a) Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its respective reasonable
best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other
parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable,
the Merger and the other Transactions, including using its respective reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i)
the taking of all acts necessary to cause the conditions to Closing to be satisfied as promptly as practicable; (ii) the obtaining
of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all necessary
registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental Entities) and the taking of all steps as may be necessary to obtain
an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental Entity; and (iii) the delivery of required
notices to and the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties under any Material Contract or
Company Lease or otherwise to the extent related to the Merger and the other Transactions, including any consent or approval set
forth in Section 3.01(c)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(b) In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Parent and the Company shall cooperate and use its respective reasonable
best efforts to obtain all consents, approvals and agreements of, and to give and make all notices and filings with, any Governmental
Entity necessary to consummate and make effective the Merger and the other Transactions. Parent and the Company shall cooperate
and use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all other approvals and consents to the Transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
Section 5.04 Indemnification;
Advancement of Expenses; Exculpation and Insurance.
(a) From
and after the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Entity shall (i) indemnify and hold harmless each individual who at the
Effective Time is, or at any time prior to the Effective Time was, a director or officer of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
(each, an “Indemnitee” and, collectively, the “Indemnitees”) with respect to all claims,
liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, costs (including amounts paid in settlement or compromise) and expenses
(including fees and expenses of legal counsel) in connection with any claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation (whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative), whenever asserted, based on or arising out of, in whole or in part, (1) the
fact that an Indemnitee was a director or officer of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or (2) acts or omissions by
an Indemnitee in the Indemnitee’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
or taken at the request of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries (including in connection with serving at the request
of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries as a director, officer, employee, trustee or fiduciary of another Person (including
any Company Benefit Plan), in each case under (1) or (2), at, or at any time prior to, the Effective Time (including any claim,
suit, action, proceeding or investigation relating in whole or in part to the Transactions), to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable Law, and (ii) assume all obligations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to the Indemnitees in respect of indemnification
and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time as provided in (1) the Articles
and Bylaws and the organizational documents of the Company Subsidiaries, in each instance, as applicable and as in effect on the
date of this Agreement, and (2) any indemnification agreement between any such Indemnitee and the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries as currently in effect, which agreements shall survive the Merger and the other Transactions and continue in full
force and effect in accordance with their terms. In addition, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity shall pay
any expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel) of any Indemnitee under this Section 5.04 (including in connection
with enforcing the indemnity and other obligations referred to in this Section 5.04) as incurred to the fullest extent permitted
under applicable Law, provided that the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances to
the extent required by applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all rights to indemnification and advancement
of expenses existing in favor of, and all limitations on the personal liability of, each Indemnified Party provided for in this
Section 5.04 or in the Articles or Bylaws or the respective other organizational documents of the applicable Company Subsidiaries
or otherwise in effect as of the date hereof (including through any indemnification agreement) shall not be modified, and shall
survive the Merger and continue in full force and effect for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time; provided,
however, that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and limitations on personal liability in respect of any
claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation asserted or made within such period shall continue until the final disposition
of such claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation.
(b) For
the six (6) year period commencing immediately after the Effective Time, Parent shall, subject to the provisions of this Section
5.04, maintain in effect the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering acts
or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time with respect to those persons who are currently (and any additional persons
who prior to the Effective Time become) covered by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
policy on terms and scope with respect to such coverage, and in amount, not less favorable to such individuals than those of such
policy in effect on the date hereof (or Parent may substitute therefor policies, issued by reputable insurers, of at least the
same coverage required above with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time); provided, however, that
Parent shall not be obligated to make annual premium payments for such insurance to the extent such premiums exceed three hundred
percent (300%) of the annual premium paid as of the date hereof by the Company for such insurance (such three hundred (300%) amount,
the “Base Premium”); and provided further that, if the aggregate annual premiums for such insurance shall
exceed the Base Premium, then Parent shall provide or cause to be provided a policy for the applicable individuals with the best
coverage as shall then be available at an annual premium equal to the Base Premium. Prior to the Effective Time Parent or the Company
may purchase, for an aggregate amount that shall not exceed the Base Premium, a 6-year prepaid “tail policy” on terms
and conditions providing at least materially equivalent benefits as the current policies of directors’ and officers’
liability insurance maintained by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries with respect to matters existing or occurring prior
to the Effective Time, covering without limitation the Transactions. If such prepaid “tail policy” has been obtained
by Parent or the Company, it shall be deemed to satisfy all obligations of the Parent to obtain insurance pursuant to this Section
5.04. The Surviving Entity shall not amend, modify, cancel or revoke such policy and each shall use its reasonable best efforts
to cause such policy to be maintained in full force and effect, for its full term, and to honor all of its obligations thereunder.
(c) The
provisions of this Section 5.04 are (i) intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnitee,
his or her heirs and his or her representatives, and (ii) in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification
or contribution that any such Person may have by contract or otherwise. The obligations of Parent and the Surviving Entity under
this Section 5.04 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect the rights of any Indemnitee
to whom this Section 5.04 applies unless (A) such termination or modification is required by applicable Law, or (B) the
affected Indemnitee shall have consented in writing to such termination or modification (it being expressly agreed that the Indemnitees
to whom this Section 5.04 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 5.04).
(d) In
the event that Parent, the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into
any other Person and is not the continuing or Surviving Entity or entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or
conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall
be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent and the Surviving Entity shall assume all of the obligations thereof set forth
in this Section 5.04.
Section 5.05 Fees
and Expenses. Except as otherwise specified in Section 7.02, Section 7.03, or agreed in writing by the parties,
all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions shall be paid by the party
incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.
Section 5.06 Public
Announcements. The Company and Parent shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any
public statements with respect to this Agreement or the Merger and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed; provided, however, that (a) a party may, without the prior written consent of the other party, issue such
press release or make such public statement as may be required by Law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange if the party
issuing such press release or making such public statement has used its reasonable best efforts to consult with the other party
and to obtain such party’s consent but has been unable to do so in a timely manner, and (b) the Company may, without the
prior written consent of Parent, and in compliance with any applicable notification provisions in Section 4.02, issue such
press release or make such public statement release or announcement with respect to a Company Adverse Recommendation Change effected
in accordance with Section 4.02(g). The parties agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the Transactions
shall be in the form heretofore agreed to by the parties.
Section 5.07 Notification
of Certain Matters. The Company shall give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the Company, of
(a) any notice or other communication received by such party from any Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement, the
Merger and the other Transactions or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection
with this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions, (b) any actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced
or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or, in the
case of the Company, a Company Subsidiary, and, in the case of Parent and Merger Sub, any of their respective Subsidiaries, which
relate to this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions, and (c) any inaccuracy or breach of any representation or warranty
or breach of covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement at any time during the term hereof that could reasonably be expected
to cause the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 or Section 6.02 not to be satisfied.
Section 5.08 [Reserved.]
Section 5.09 State
Takeover Laws. If any “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “moratorium” or other
anti-takeover applicable Law becomes or is deemed to be applicable to the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, the Merger or any of the
other Transactions, then each of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, and their respective Boards of Directors shall grant such approvals
and take such actions as are necessary so that the Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated
hereby and otherwise act to render such anti-takeover applicable Law inapplicable to the foregoing.
Section 5.10 Director
Resignations. Prior to the Closing, other than with respect to any directors identified by Parent in writing to the Company
two (2) calendar days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Parent resignations executed by each director of
the Company in office immediately prior to the Effective Time, which resignations shall be effective at the Effective Time.
Section 5.11 Financing
Covenants.
(a) Subject
to the other provisions of this Agreement, Parent and Merger Sub shall use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions necessary to obtain, or cause to be obtained, the proceeds of the Financing on the terms and conditions described in
the Commitment Letters, including using reasonable best efforts to (i) maintain in effect the Commitment Letters until the funding
of the Financing at or prior to Closing, (ii) negotiate definitive agreements with respect to the Debt Financing (the “Definitive
Agreements”) consistent in all material respects with the terms and conditions contained in each Debt Commitment Letter
(including any related “flex” provisions) or on other terms not less favorable to Parent and Merger Sub (as determined
by Parent in good faith) than the terms and conditions (including the “flex” provisions) contemplated by the Debt Financing
Commitments and (iii) satisfy (or obtain a waiver of) all conditions applicable to Parent and Merger Sub to obtaining the Financing
that are within their control, and Parent and/or Merger Sub shall, if necessary, use reasonable best efforts to fully enforce the
obligations of the other parties to the Financing Commitments and Definitive Agreements, if any.
(b) Parent
and Merger Sub shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
conditioned), (i) permit any amendment or modification to, or any waiver of, any material provision or remedy under, or replace,
any of the Commitment Letters if such amendment, modification, waiver, or replacement (A) would add any new (or modify any existing)
condition to the Financing Commitments (unless such new condition or modified condition would not reasonably be expected to prevent,
impede or delay the consummation of the Financing), (B) reduces the aggregate amount of the Financing intended to be funded on
the Closing Date unless the Equity Financing or Debt Financing is increased by a corresponding amount (or Merger Sub may draw upon
an available revolver to fund an amount equal to such reduction), (C) adversely affects the ability of Parent to enforce its rights
against other parties to the Commitment Letters or the Definitive Agreements, if any, to require such parties to provide the Debt
Financing or Equity Financing, as applicable, or (D) would reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or materially delay the consummation
of the Financing or (ii) terminate any Commitment Letter unless such Commitment Letter is replaced with another commitment
letter that would not result in any of the items described in clause (i)(A) through (D) of this sentence (collectively, the “Restricted
Financing Commitment Amendments”) (provided that the existence or exercise of “flex” provisions which do
not permit a reduction in the aggregate amount of the Financing shall not constitute a Restricted Financing Commitment Amendment;
and provided, further, that Parent and/or Merger Sub may amend or modify, or waive any provision or remedy under, the Financing
Commitments if such amendment, modification or waiver is not a Restricted Financing Commitment Amendment, it being understood that
any amendment or modification solely to add lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents and similar entities (and
make incidental or conforming amendments or modifications to reflect the addition of any such lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners,
syndication agents and similar entities) shall not be a Restricted Financing Commitment Amendment). Upon any such amendment, supplement,
modification or replacement of the Debt Financing Commitments or the Equity Financing Commitments in accordance with this Section
5.11(b), the terms “Debt Financing Commitments” and “Equity Financing Commitments” shall
mean, other than for purposes of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof in Section 3.02(d), the Debt
Financing Commitments and the Equity Financing Commitments, respectively, as so amended, supplemented, modified or replaced.
(c) In
the event that any portion of the Financing becomes unavailable, regardless of the reason therefor, to the extent such portion
is necessary to consummate the Merger, Parent shall (i) promptly notify the Company of such unavailability and (ii) use reasonable
best efforts to obtain, as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event, alternative financing (in an amount
sufficient, when taken together with other sources of funds available to Parent, to replace such unavailable portion) from the
same or other sources and on terms which would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the
consummation of the Financing, the Merger or the other Transactions. For the purposes of this Agreement, other than for purposes
of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof in Section 3.02(d), the terms “Debt Commitment Letter”
and “Debt Financing Commitments” shall be deemed to include any commitment letter (or similar agreement) or commitment
with respect to any alternative debt financing arranged in compliance herewith (and any Debt Commitment Letter and Debt Financing
Commitment remaining in effect at the time in question) and all references to the Lenders shall include the persons providing or
arranging such alternative debt financing. For the purposes of this Agreement, other than for purposes of representations and warranties
made as of the date hereof in Section 3.02(d), the terms “Equity Commitment Letters” and “Equity
Financing Commitments” shall be deemed to include any commitment letter (or similar agreement) or commitment with respect
to any alternative equity financing arranged in compliance herewith (and any Equity Commitment Letters and Equity Financing Commitment
remaining in effect at the time in question).
(d) Parent
shall provide the Company with prompt written notice of (A) any material breach or default by any party to any Commitment Letters
or the Definitive Agreements, if any, of which Parent or Merger Sub has Knowledge or any termination of any of the Commitment Letters
of which Parent or Merger Sub has Knowledge, (B) the receipt of any written notice or other written communication from any Lender
or Equity Investor with respect to (1) any actual or potential material breach or material default, termination or repudiation
by any party to any Commitment Letters or the Definitive Agreements, if any, of any provision thereof, and (2) any material dispute
or disagreement between or among any parties to any of the Commitment Letters or the Definitive Agreements, if any, with respect
to the obligation to fund the Financing or the amount of the Financing to be funded at Closing, in the case of clauses (1) and
(2) that would reasonably be expected to result in Merger Sub not receiving the proceeds of the Financing on the Closing Date.
Parent shall keep the Company reasonably informed of the status of its efforts to consummate the Financing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, compliance by Parent with this Section 5.11(d) shall not relieve Parent or Merger Sub of its respective obligation
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the time specified in Section 1.02 whether or not the Financing
is available, subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI.
(e) Nothing
in this Section 5.11 or any other provisions of this Agreement shall require, and in no event shall the “reasonable
best efforts” of Parent or Merger Sub be deemed or construed to require, Parent or Merger Sub to (i) seek the Equity Financing
from any source other than the Equity Investors or in any amount in excess of that contemplated by the Equity Commitment Letters,
(ii) seek or accept Debt Financing on terms less favorable than those set forth in the Debt Commitment Letters (including the “flex”
provisions) provided on the date of this Agreement, (iii) waive any term or condition of this Agreement or (iv) pay any fees in
excess of those contemplated by the Financing Commitments (whether to secure waiver of any conditions contained therein or otherwise).
(f) Prior
to the Closing, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Agents
to, cooperate with Parent to the extent reasonably requested by Parent in connection with the arrangement of the Debt Financing,
including (i) participation at reasonable times in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, rating agency sessions and sessions
with prospective financing sources (including the Lenders and/or investors in the Debt Financing), and due diligence sessions,
including direct contact between senior management and the other representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and the actual and potential financing sources and potential lenders or investors in the Debt Financing (including the Lenders),
on the other hand, (ii) reasonably assisting Parent, Merger Sub and their financing sources (including the Lenders) in the preparation
of materials for rating agency presentations and bank books, lender and investor presentations, bank information memoranda, business
projections, or other marketing documents, in each case to the extent that it relates to Company or its Subsidiaries, customarily
used to arrange the Financing contemplated by the Commitment Letters, and identifying any portion of the information that constitutes
material, non-public information, (iii) reasonably cooperating with the marketing efforts of Parent and/or Merger Sub and their
financing sources (including the Lenders) for any portion of the Financing, (iv) furnishing the Parent, Merger Sub and their financing
sources and potential lenders or investors in the Debt Financing (including the Lenders) with the financial statements regarding
the Company and its Subsidiaries necessary to satisfy the relevant conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letters or any other
information about the assets and properties of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries reasonably requested by the financing sources
(including the Lenders) and reasonably available to the Company, (v) facilitating the granting of security interests (and perfection
thereof) in collateral, or the execution and delivery of guarantees, mortgages, other definitive financing documents or other certificates
or documents to the extent constituting a condition to any Lender’s obligation to fund any portion of the Debt Financing
by the applicable Debt Commitment Letter (or otherwise required by such applicable Debt Commitment Letter), including obtaining
releases of existing Liens; provided, that any grants of security interests or obligations and releases of Liens contained in all
such agreements and documents shall be subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time; provided, that (i) in no event shall
the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries be required to enter into any agreement unless such agreement is contingent upon
the Closing and (ii) (A) neither the Company nor any Persons who are directors of the Company shall be required to pass resolutions
or consents to approve or authorize the execution of the Debt Financing and (B) no obligation of the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective Agents under any certificate, document or instrument executed pursuant to the foregoing
shall be effective until the Closing and (C) none of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries nor any of its or their respective
Agents shall be required to pay any commitment or other similar fee or incur any other out-of-pocket cost or expense that is not
reimbursed by Parent or Merger Sub. Nothing contained in this Section 5.11(f) or otherwise shall require the Company or
any of the Company Subsidiaries to be an issuer or other obligor with respect to the Debt Financing prior to the Effective Time.
Parent shall, promptly upon request by the Company, reimburse the Company for all out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company or
the Company Subsidiaries or their respective Agents in connection with such cooperation and shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Agents for, from and against any and all Losses actually suffered or
incurred by them in connection with the arrangement of the Debt Financing, any action taken by them at the request of Parent pursuant
to this Section 5.11(f) and any information utilized in connection therewith.
(g) All
non-public or otherwise confidential information regarding the Company or the Company Subsidiaries obtained by Parent pursuant
to this Section 5.11 shall be kept confidential in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.
Section 5.12 Section
16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company may approve, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the Interpretative Letter dated January 12, 1999 issued by the SEC relating
to Rule 16b-3, any dispositions of equity securities of the Company (including derivative securities with respect to equity securities
of the Company) resulting from the Transactions by each officer or director of the Company who is subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act with respect to equity securities of the Company.
Section 5.13 Montreal
Properties; CVR Arrangements.
(a) Montreal
Sale. From any after the date of this Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done,
and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to, in the most commercially
reasonable manner practicable, effectuate the (i) sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests, as applicable, and
(ii) satisfaction and discharge of the Montreal Guaranty, in each instance, prior to the Effective Time.
(b) Montrealco.
As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement (but in no event more than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date
hereof), the Company shall form a wholly-owned Subsidiary (“Montrealco”), which shall be a limited liability
company and shall have organizational documents that are identical to the organizational documents of Merger Sub, other than for
ministerial differences. In the event that the Montreal Closing Date has not occurred prior to the Effective Time, prior to the
Effective Time the Company shall contribute and assign to Montrealco the Montreal Properties and/or the Montreal Interests, as
applicable, and shall (i) obtain all necessary consents and approvals for such contribution and assignment, and (ii) pay in full
any costs, expenses or fees associated with such consents and approvals prior to, or concurrent with, such transfer.
(c) Appointment
of Stockholders’ Representative. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, for purposes of (i) negotiating
and settling matters with respect to the Contingent Value Rights (including, but not limited to, effectuating the (x) sale of the
Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests, as applicable, and (y) satisfaction and discharge of the Montreal Guaranty), and
(ii) taking any and all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the Stockholders’ Representative on behalf
of the holders of Contingent Value Rights in connection with this Agreement (as it relates to Contingent Value Rights), the Montreal
Escrow Agreement and the CVR Agreement (including engaging counsel, accountants or other advisors and executing any agreements,
certificates, statements, notices, approvals, extensions, waivers, undertakings, amendments and other documents required or permitted
to be given in connection with the foregoing, in each case to the extent permitted by the CVR Agreement), the Stockholders’
Representative is hereby appointed, authorized and empowered to be the exclusive representative, agent and attorney-in-fact of
the holders of Contingent Value Rights, with full power of substitution, to make all decisions and determinations and to act (or
not act) and execute, deliver and receive all agreements, documents, instruments and consent on behalf of and as agent for the
holders of the Contingent Value Rights at any time in connection with, and that may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the
intent and implement the provisions of this Agreement (as it relates to the Contingent Value Rights), the Montreal Escrow Agreement
and the CVR Agreement, and to facilitate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (in each instance,
as it relates to the Contingent Value Rights). By executing this Agreement, the Stockholders’ Representative accepts such
appointment, authority and power. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, the Stockholders’ Representative shall have the power to take any of the following actions on behalf of
the holders of the Contingent Value Rights: (i) to give and receive notices, communications and consents under this Agreement (as
it relates to the Contingent Value Rights) and the CVR Agreement on behalf of the holders of Contingent Value Rights; (ii) to negotiate,
enter into settlements and compromises of, resolve and comply with Law and other orders or awards of third-party intermediaries
with respect to any disputes arising under the CVR Agreement; (iii) to make, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such other agreements,
guarantees, orders, receipts, endorsements, notices, requests, instructions, certificates, stock powers, letters and other writings;
and (iv) to do any and all things and to take any and all action that the Stockholders’ Representative, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may consider necessary or proper or convenient in connection with or to carry out the activities described in this
Section 5.13, in each case except as limited by the CVR Agreement. Prior to the Effective Time, the Stockholders’
Representative shall take all actions necessary to permit the Transactions to be consummated as promptly as practicable after the
date of this Agreement.
(d) Authority.
The adoption of this Agreement by Stockholder Approval at the Stockholders’ Meeting shall constitute the appointment of the
Stockholders’ Representative and ratification of the Stockholders’ Representative’s authority by each stockholder
(both in its capacity thereas and, if applicable, as a future holder of Contingent Value Rights) and such appointment is coupled
with an interest and may not be revoked in whole or in part (including upon the death or incapacity of any stockholder). Such appointment
shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, estates, personal representatives, officers, directors, security holders,
successors and assigns of each stockholder and holder of Contingent Value Rights. All decisions of the Stockholders’ Representative
shall be final and binding on all of the holders of Contingent Value Rights, and no holder of Contingent Value Rights, shall have
the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. Parent shall be entitled to rely upon, without independent
investigation, any act, notice, instruction or communication from the Stockholders’ Representative and any document executed
by the Stockholders’ Representative on behalf of any holder of Contingent Value Rights and shall be fully protected in connection
with any action or inaction taken or omitted to be taken in reliance thereon by Parent absent willful misconduct by Parent. The
Stockholders’ Representative shall not be responsible for any loss suffered by, or liability of any kind to, the stockholders
or holders of Contingent Value Rights arising out of any act done or omitted by the Stockholders’ Representative in connection
with the acceptance or administration of the Stockholders’ Representative’s duties hereunder or otherwise in connection
with this Agreement.
(e) Execution
of CVR Agreement and Montreal Escrow Agreement. In the event that the Montreal Closing Date has not occurred prior to the Effective
Time, then, at or prior to the Closing, but subject to this Section 5.13(e), the Company shall, and shall cause the Stockholders’
Representative to, execute and deliver to Parent the CVR Agreement and Montreal Escrow Agreement. If the Stockholders’ Representative
shall fail to execute and deliver to Parent any such documents, then the Company shall cause the Stockholders’ Representative
to be removed and shall appoint a successor Stockholders’ Representative. At or prior to the Closing, Parent shall execute
and deliver the CVR Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement to the Company and the Stockholders’ Representative. Parent
and the Company shall cooperate, including by making changes to the CVR Agreement, as necessary, to ensure that the Contingent
Value Rights are not subject to registration under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any applicable state securities or “blue
sky” Laws.
Section 5.14 Notice
of Exchange Right. As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, but in no event less than fifteen (15)
Scheduled Trading Days (as such term is defined in the Indenture) prior to the anticipated effective date of the Merger, the Company
shall, or shall cause the Company Operating Partnership to deliver notice of the proposed Fundamental Change (as such term is defined
in the Indenture) to the holders of record of all of the then-outstanding Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
In addition, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Operating Partnership to comply with all of the Company’s and
the Company Operating Partnership’s other obligations under Article 13 of the Indenture.
Section 5.15 Indebtedness.
(a) Prior to the Closing, the parties hereto agree to cooperate and
use their respective reasonable best efforts (including paying or providing Additional Concessions, if any, up to the aggregate
amount specified on Section 5.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule) to obtain all of the consents, approvals and waivers,
as applicable, relating to the Indebtedness of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries set forth on Section 5.15 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Assumed Indebtedness”), as are required to permit the consummation of the
Merger and such Assumed Indebtedness to be assumed by Parent or its designated Affiliate (including the change in control of the
applicable Company Subsidiary) at the Effective Time on substantially the same terms and conditions as currently in effect (such
consents, approvals and waivers, collectively, the “Required Indebtedness Consents”), other than any requirement
that any of the Company, Parent or its designated Affiliate is required to (i) pay consent fees, transfer fees or other similar
fees and expenses, in each case, to the extent required by the express terms of the underlying loan documents, (ii) agree to conforming
amendments or modifications necessary solely to substitute loan parties, carve out guarantors or otherwise to document the assignment
or assumption, or (iii) substitute Parent or its designated Affiliate in the place of the Company or a Company Subsidiary with
respect to any guarantees, letters of credit, reserve requirements or other similar arrangements existing as of the date hereof
(or as modified after the date hereof in compliance with Section 4.01(x), which modifications shall not increase materially
any liability of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company thereunder without the consent of Parent) (clauses (i) through (iii),
the “Excepted Concessions”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Excepted Concessions” shall
not include any (x) fees or expenses payable by any of the Company, Parent or their respective Affiliates (including, but not be
limited to, any penalty, make-whole premium, defeasance, principal pay-down or other payment) to the lenders in respect of such
Assumed Indebtedness, in each instance, other than those fees and expenses expressly set forth in clause (i) of “Excepted
Concessions,” or (y) instance in which the Company, Parent or their respective Affiliates is required to provide additional
credit support or collateral, in each case, other than as set forth in clause (iii) of “Excepted Concessions” (any
amounts paid or provided in accordance with clauses (x) or (y), the “Additional Concessions”). Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement, without the prior consent of Parent, in no instance shall the Company, Parent or their respective
Affiliates, pay or provide Additional Concessions in excess of the amount specified on Section 5.15 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule in connection with obtaining the Required Indebtedness Consents necessary to satisfy the condition set forth in Section
6.02(g). Prior to the Closing, the Company and Parent further agree to cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts
to obtain such other consents, approvals and waivers, as applicable, relating to the Assumed Indebtedness as Parent may reasonably
request.
(b) Prior
to the Closing, the Company agrees to cooperate with Parent and use its reasonable best efforts to implement such arrangements
as may be requested by Parent with respect to the defeasance of any Indebtedness in connection with the Closing, including, without
limitation, executing and delivering such documents, instruments and other arrangements as may be reasonably required in connection
therewith.
Section 5.16 Certain
Litigation. Each of the Company and Parent shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of (and,
if entered, to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned) any injunction, ruling, decree, judgment or similar order that results
from any stockholder or derivative suit, action, litigation or claim against the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, any of their respective
Affiliates, or any of their respective directors or officers, in each instance, relating to this Agreement, the Merger or any of
the other Transactions. Each of Parent and the Company shall notify promptly the other party of the commencement of any such stockholder
or derivative suit, action, litigation or claim of which it has received written notice related to this Agreement, the Merger or
the other Transactions.
Section 5.17 Assistance
with Property Dispositions. The Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to, use their reasonable best efforts
to take any and all actions necessary or required in order to transfer (including directing payment of proceeds to the Paying Agent
for the benefit of holders of Common Stock), immediately prior to, but conditioned upon, the Effective Time, the properties (or
the equity interests of the Company Subsidiaries owning the properties) set forth on Section 5.17 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule (each, a “Pre-Closing Disposition”). None of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Company
shall be deemed to apply to, or deemed breached or violated by, any of the actions contemplated by this Section 5.17 or
by any action taken by the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their Agents at the request of Parent in furtherance
of this Section 5.17. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in no event shall the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
be required to enter into any agreement under or with respect to this Section 5.17 unless such agreement is contingent upon
the Closing, and (ii) no obligation of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Agents under any
certificate, document or instrument executed pursuant to the foregoing shall be effective until the Closing. Parent shall indemnify
and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Agents for, from and against any and all Losses
actually suffered or incurred by them in connection with such cooperation, any action taken by them at the request of Parent pursuant
to this Section 5.17 and any information utilized in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section 5.17, Parent and Merger Sub shall not seek to implement a Potential Disposition that would reasonably be expected
to cause a breach, violation or default under, or give rise to a termination right with respect to, the Debt Commitment Letters
or that would reasonably be expected to materially delay the Closing or have a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent
or Merger Sub to consummate the Merger.
Section 5.18 Copper
Beech Agreement; Scheduled Limited Partners.
(a) Subject
to the other provisions of this Agreement, Parent and Merger Sub shall (i) use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions necessary to effect the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Copper Beech Agreement at, or immediately
prior to, the Effective Time, in accordance with the terms of the Copper Beech Agreements, including using reasonable best efforts
to satisfy (or obtain a waiver of) all conditions applicable to Parent and Merger Sub to closing such transactions that are within
their control, and (ii) if necessary, (A) waive or exercise its rights under any of the conditions to the closing of such transactions
set forth in the Copper Beach Agreement solely to the extent required by Section 5.18 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule,
and (B) use reasonable best efforts to fully enforce the obligations of the other parties to the Copper Beech Agreement. Parent
and Merger Sub shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
conditioned), consent to any amendment or modification to, or any waiver of, any material provision or remedy under, the Copper
Beech Agreement if such amendment, modification, or waiver (1) would add any new (or modify any existing) material condition to
the closing of such transactions (unless such new condition or modified condition would not reasonably be expected to prevent,
or materially impede or delay such closing), (2) adversely affects the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against other parties
to the Copper Beech Agreements to require such parties to consummate such transactions, or (3) would reasonably be expected to
prevent, or materially impede or delay the closing of such transactions. Parent shall provide the Company with prompt written notice
of (i) any material breach or default by any party to the Copper Beech Agreement which Parent or Merger Sub becomes aware of, (ii)
any termination of the Copper Beech Agreement, (iii) the receipt of any written notice from any party to the Copper Beech Agreement
with respect to (A) any material breach or material default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Copper Beech Agreement,
if any, of any provision thereof, or (B) any material dispute or disagreement between or among any parties to the Copper Beech
Agreement, if any. Parent shall keep the Company reasonably informed of the status of its efforts to consummate the closing of
the transactions contemplated by the Copper Beech Agreement.
(b) Prior
to the Closing, at Parent’s request, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Operating Partnership to, use its reasonable
best efforts to take any and all actions reasonably necessary or required in order to (i) consummate, the transactions contemplated
by the Copper Beech Agreement, and (ii) redeem, exchange or terminate or cause the Company Operating Partnership to redeem, exchange
or terminate (or otherwise satisfy, including in accordance with Section 2.05, its and the Company Operating Partnership’s
respective obligations under the Company Operating Partnership Agreement), the Company OP Units held by the Scheduled Limited Partners
or any other Person (other than any Person party to the Copper Beech Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in no event
shall the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries be required to enter into any agreement under or with respect to this Section
5.18(b) unless such agreement is contingent upon the Closing, and (ii) no obligation of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
or any of their respective Agents under any certificate, document or instrument executed pursuant to the foregoing shall be effective
until the Closing. Parent shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Agents
for, from and against any and all Losses actually suffered or incurred by them in connection with such cooperation, any action
taken by them at the request of Parent pursuant to this Section 5.18(b) and any information utilized in connection therewith.
Section 5.19 SEC
Filings. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall use its best efforts to timely file with or furnish to the SEC all
forms, reports, statements, certifications and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act.
Section 5.20 Montreal
Employees. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) (a) transfer the employment
of the Montreal Employees to the Montreal Partner on substantially the same terms and conditions in effect immediately prior to
the transfer and (b) obtain a valid and binding release of claims against the Company and its Affiliates from each Montreal Employee,
and (ii) transfer any benefit plans sponsored by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company that provide benefits to the Montreal
Employees (the “Montreal Benefit Plans”) to the Montreal Partner such that the Montreal Partner shall assume
all obligations under such Montreal Benefit Plans.
Article
VI.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 6.01 Conditions
to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject
to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by Law) waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Stockholder
Approval. The Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.
(b) No
Injunctions or Restraints. No Law, injunction, judgment, order, decree or ruling enacted, promulgated, issued, entered, amended
or enforced by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the parties hereto (collectively, “Restraints”)
shall be in effect, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation
of the Merger or making the consummation of the Merger illegal.
Section 6.02 Conditions
to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are further subject
to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by Law) waiver by Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, on or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except (i) for such changes resulting from actions permitted under Section
4.01, (ii) to the extent any such representation or warranty is made as of a time other than the Closing Date, such representation
or warranty need only be true and correct at and as of such time, or (iii) where the failure of any such representation or warranty
to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualification or limitation) would
not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than with respect to the
representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.01(b)(i), (iv), (v), (vii), and (viii),
which shall be true and correct in all respects), and Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by an executive officer of the Company to such effect.
(b) Performance
of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all covenants and obligations required
to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date (other than with respect to any covenants and agreements
of the Company contained in this Section 6.02, which shall be performed in all respects), and Parent shall have received
a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company to such effect.
(c) Material
Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall have occurred no changes, events or circumstances which constitute
a Material Adverse Effect. Parent and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive
officer of the Company to such effect.
(d) Opinion
Relating to REIT Qualification. Parent and Merger Sub shall have received an opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Kilpatrick,
Townsend & Stockton LLP to the effect that, at all times since its taxable year ended December 31, 2011 through the Closing
Date, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT
under the Code.
(e) Consents.
Other than as contemplated by Section 6.02(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and without prejudice to the provisions
of Section 6.02(g), all necessary consents and waivers from third parties in connection with the consummation of the Merger
and the other Transactions shall have been obtained, other than such consents and waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained,
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) FIRPTA
Certificate. Parent shall have received a certificate, duly completed and executed on behalf of the Company by an executive
officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 1.1445-2(b)(2) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations, certifying that the Company is not
a "foreign person" within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.
(g) Indebtedness
Consents. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.15 regarding Additional Concessions, the parties shall have
received the Required Indebtedness Consents relating to no less than eighty five percent (85%) of the outstanding principal balance
of the Assumed Indebtedness. For the avoidance of doubt, the requirements set forth in this Section 6.02(g) shall be separate
from and, in addition to, the requirements set forth in Section 6.02(e).
(h) Contingent
Value Rights. Unless the Montreal Closing Date has occurred, (i) the Company shall have transferred the Montreal Properties
and/or Montreal Interests, as applicable, to Montrealco in accordance with Section 5.13(b), (ii) the Company and the Stockholders’
Representative shall have executed and delivered to Parent and Merger Sub the CVR Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement in
accordance with Section 5.13(e), and (iii) no consents, approvals, permits or authorizations shall be required to be obtained
under any federal or state securities or “blue sky” Laws by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub with respect to the Contingent
Value Rights that have not been made or obtained prior to the Effective Time.
(i) Payoff
Letters. Parent shall have received payoff letters executed by the lenders and other financing sources set forth on Section
6.02(i) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule setting forth all amounts (including principal and accrued but unpaid interest) necessary
to be paid to repay in full any such Indebtedness through the Closing, and (ii) providing that, upon payment in full of such amounts,
all obligations with respect to the Indebtedness owed to such lender or other financing source will be satisfied and released,
and that any and all related Liens will be terminated and released, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent.
(j) Copper
Beech. The transactions contemplated by the Copper Beech Agreement shall have been closed, conditioned only upon the occurrence
of the Closing of the Merger.
(k) Form
10-K. In the event that the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 10-K”)
shall have become due under the Exchange Act (without giving effect to any extensions permitted thereunder), the Company shall
have filed the 2015 10-K with the SEC.
Section 6.03
Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject to the satisfaction
or (to the extent permitted by Law) waiver by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub shall be true and correct at and as of
the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except (i) for such changes resulting from actions permitted under
Section 4.01, (ii) to the extent any such representation or warranty is made as of a time other than the Closing Date, such
representation or warranty need only be true and correct at and as of such time, and (iii) where the failure of any such representation
or warranty to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect qualification or
limitation) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect), and
the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent to such effect.
(b) Performance
of Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and the Company shall have received a certificate
signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent to such effect.
(c) Parent
Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall have occurred no changes, events or circumstances which
constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect. The Company Sub shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an
executive officer of Parent to such effect.
(d) Consents.
All necessary consents and waivers from third parties in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions
shall have been obtained, other than such consents and waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not reasonably
be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Contingent
Value Rights. If the Montreal Closing Date has not occurred, Parent shall have executed and delivered to the Company the CVR
Agreement and the Montreal Escrow Agreement, and shall have deposited the Exchange Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount into
the escrow account (the “Montreal Escrow Account”) contemplated by the Montreal Escrow Agreement.
Section 6.04 Frustration
of Closing Conditions. None of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section
6.01, Section 6.02, or Section 6.03, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s
breach, including such party’s failure to use the standard of efforts required from such party to consummate the Merger and
the other Transactions, as required by and subject to Section 5.03.
Article
VII.
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 7.01 Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after receipt
of the Stockholder Approval:
(a) by
the mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by
either Parent or the Company, if:
(i) the
Merger shall not have been consummated on or before March 31, 2016 (the “End Date”); provided, however,
that (A) the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.01(b)(i) shall not be available to any party whose willful
and material breach of a representation, warranty or covenant in this Agreement has been a principal cause of or resulted in the
failure of the Merger to be consummated on or before the End Date, and (B) in the event that prior to the End Date all conditions
set forth in Sections 6.01 and 6.02 have been met other than the condition set forth in Section 6.02(g), the
“End Date” shall be deemed to be extended until May 31, 2016;
(ii) any
Restraint shall be in effect, enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Merger or making the consummation
of the Merger illegal and shall have become final and nonappealable after the parties have used reasonable best efforts to have
such Restraint removed, repealed or overturned; or
(iii) the
Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Stockholders’ Meeting duly convened therefor or at any permitted
adjournment or postponement thereof.
(c) by
Parent, if:
(i) the
Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.01
or Section 6.02 and (B) is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by the Company within 30 calendar days (but in no
instance beyond the End Date) following receipt of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from Parent; provided,
that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(c)(i) if Parent or Merger
Sub is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder that would result in the closing conditions
set forth in Section 6.03 not being satisfied;
(ii) the
Board shall have effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, withdrawn or modified in any manner adverse to Parent its approval
or recommendation of the Merger or this Agreement in connection with, or approved or recommended, any alternative Takeover Proposal;
or
(iii)
(A) the Company shall have entered into, or publicly announced its intention to enter into, an Acquisition Agreement in respect
of an alternative Takeover Proposal; or (B) the Company shall have breached in any material respect the provisions of Section
4.02, and such violation or breach has resulted in the receipt by the Company of a Takeover Proposal.
(d) by
the Company, if:
(i) Parent
or Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth
in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section
6.01 or Section 6.03, and (B) is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, by Parent and Merger Sub within 30 calendar
days (but in no instance beyond the End Date) following receipt of written notice of such breach or failure to perform from the
Company; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(d)(i)
if the Company is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder that would result in the closing
conditions set forth in Section 6.02 not being satisfied;
(ii)
(A) the Board authorizes the Company to enter into, or publicly announced its intention to enter into, an Acquisition Agreement
in respect of an alternative Takeover Proposal, or (B) the Board has effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, withdrawn
or modified in any manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Merger or this Agreement in connection with,
or approved or recommended, any alternative Takeover Proposal, in either instance, (X) in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, including Section 4.02, and (Y) the Company has paid the Termination Fee;
(iii) (A)
all of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 have been satisfied (other than those that require
deliveries or are tested at the time of Closing, which conditions would have been satisfied if the Closing had occurred at the
time of such termination), (B) the Company has irrevocably confirmed by written notice to Parent that (x) all conditions set forth
in Section 6.03 have been satisfied (other than those that require deliveries or are tested at the time of Closing, which
conditions would have been satisfied if the Closing had occurred at the time of such termination) or that it has provided an irrevocable
notice of waiver (effective as of Closing) of any unsatisfied conditions in Section 6.03 and (y) it is prepared to consummate
the Merger at the Closing, and (C) Parent and Merger Sub do not receive the proceeds of the Financing on the terms provided for
in the Commitment Letters or any Alternative Financing and, as a result, fail to consummate the Merger within two (2) business
days following the delivery of such notice; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 7.01(d)(iii) if the Company is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
hereunder that would result in the closing conditions set forth in Section 6.02 not being satisfied; or
(iv) Parent
has not funded the Escrow Account, or caused the Escrow Account to be funded, within twenty-one (21) days following the date of
this Agreement, with an amount in cash equal to the Reverse Termination Fee; provided, however, that if at
any time following such twenty-first (21st) day, Parent funds the Escrow Account, or causes the Escrow Account to be funded, with
an amount in cash equal to the Reverse Termination Fee, the Company shall cease to have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 7.01(d)(iv), and this Section 7.01(d)(iv) shall be of no further force or effect.
The right of any party hereto to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of any party hereto or any of their respective Agents, whether prior to or after the execution of this Agreement.
A terminating party shall provide written notice of termination to the other parties specifying with particularity the reason for
such termination. If more than one provision in this Section 7.01 is available to a terminating party in connection with
a termination, a terminating party may rely on any and all available provisions in this Section 7.01 for any such termination.
Section 7.02 Termination
Fee; Parent Expenses.
(a) In
the event that (i) after the date hereof and prior to obtaining of the Stockholder Approval (or prior to the termination of this
Agreement if there has been no Stockholders’ Meeting), a Takeover Proposal shall have been made to the Company or shall have
been made directly to the stockholders of the Company generally, and (ii) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by Parent or
the Company pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) or Section 7.01(b)(iii) or by Parent pursuant to Section 7.01(c)(i),
and (iii) within twelve (12) months after such termination, the Company consummates a transaction that constitutes a Takeover Proposal
or enters into an Acquisition Agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal, then the Company shall pay Parent a fee equal to
$5,000,000 (the “Termination Fee”) by wire transfer of same-day funds on the second (2nd) Business Day following
the consummation of such transaction.
(b) In
the event that this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Sections 7.01(c)(ii) or (iii), then the Company
shall pay Parent a fee equal to the Termination Fee by wire transfer of same-day funds on the second (2nd) Business Day following
such termination.
(c) In
the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(ii), then the Company shall pay Parent
the Termination Fee by wire transfer of same-day funds prior to or concurrently with such termination.
(d) The
Company agrees that if this Agreement shall be terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 7.01(c)(i) or Section 7.01(b)(iii),
then the Company will pay to Parent, or as directed by Parent, an amount equal to the Parent Expenses; provided that if
this Agreement shall be terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(iii), the aggregate amount of Parent Expenses payable
by the Company shall not exceed $1,000,000; provided further that such amount shall be paid promptly, but in no event later
than two (2) Business Days after such termination. In the event that following such payment of the Parent Expenses, Parent is paid
a Termination Fee pursuant to Section 7.02(a), the aggregate amount of Parent Expenses shall be netted against the Termination
Fee. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Parent Expenses” shall be an amount equal to Parent’s reasonable
and documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions contemplated hereby (including,
without limitation, all outside attorneys’, accountants’ and investment bankers’ fees and expenses).
(e) The
parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions for payment of the Termination Fee and Parent Expenses are an integral part of
the Transactions and are included herein in order to induce Parent to enter into this Agreement and to reimburse Parent for incurring
the costs and expenses related to entering into this Agreement and consummating the Transactions. If the Company fails to pay any
amounts due under this Section 7.02 and Parent commences a suit which results in a final, non-appealable judgment against
the Company, for any such amounts or any portion thereof, then the Company shall pay Parent’s costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements) in connection with such suit, together with interest on any such amounts at
the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal) in effect on the date such payment was required to be made through
the date of payment.
(f) The
parties acknowledge that in no event shall the Company be required to pay the applicable Termination Fee on more than one occasion.
Section 7.03 Reverse
Termination Fee; Company Expenses.
(a) In
the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(iii) or Section 7.01(d)(iv),
then Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, the Company a fee equal to the Reverse Termination Fee by wire transfer of same-day
funds on the second (2nd) Business Day following such termination.
(b) Parent
agrees that if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(i) then Parent will pay to
the Company, or as directed by the Company, an amount equal to the Company Expenses; provided that such amount shall be
paid promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after such termination. In the event that following such payment
of the Company Expenses, the Company is paid a Reverse Termination Fee pursuant to Section 7.03(a), the aggregate amount
of Company Expenses shall be netted against the Reverse Termination Fee. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Company
Expenses” shall be an amount equal to the Company’s out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the Transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, all attorneys’, accountants’ and investment
bankers’ fees and expenses and fees and expenses).
(c) The
parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions for payment of the Reverse Termination Fee and Company Expenses are an integral
part of the Transactions and are included herein in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement and to reimburse the
Company for incurring the costs and expenses related to entering into this Agreement and consummating the Transactions. If Parent
fails to pay any amounts due under this Section 7.03 and the Company commences a suit which results in a final, non-appealable
judgment against Parent, for any such amounts or any portion thereof, then Parent shall pay the Company’s costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements) in connection with such suit, together with interest on any such
amounts at the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal) in effect on the date such payment was required to be
made through the date of payment
(d) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Reverse Termination Fee” means an amount equal to $10,000,000.
(e) The
parties acknowledge that in no event shall Parent be required to pay the applicable Reverse Termination Fee on more than one occasion.
Section 7.04 Effect
of Termination.
(a) In
the event of the termination of this Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in Section 7.01, this Agreement
shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company
and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, members or stockholders; provided, however, that (i)
the agreements and obligations contained in Section 5.02(b), Section 5.05, Section 5.11(f), Section 7.02,
Section 7.03, this Section 7.04 and ARTICLE VIII shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and (ii)
other than in the event of actual fraud, none of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company shall have any liability for any damages whatsoever
(which shall include reimbursement of expenses or out-of-pocket costs) following a valid termination of this Agreement other than
as expressly set forth in Sections 7.02 and 7.03.
(b) The
parties agree that the payment of the Termination Fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Parent and Merger Sub
with respect to this Agreement and the Transaction in the event any payment of the Termination Fee becomes due and payable under
the terms of this Agreement, and, upon payment of the Termination Fee the Company shall have no further liability to Parent and
Merger Sub hereunder. The parties agree that the payment of the Termination Fee in the circumstances in which the Termination Fee
becomes payable, constitutes liquidated damages and is not a penalty, but rather a reasonable amount that will compensate the Parent
and Merger Sub for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance
on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Transactions.
(c) The
parties agree that the payment of the Reverse Termination Fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to the Company with
respect to this Agreement and the Transaction in the event any payment of the Reverse Termination Fee becomes due and payable under
the terms of this Agreement, and, upon payment of the Reverse Termination Fee, neither Parent or Merger Sub shall have any further
liability to the Company hereunder. The parties agree that the payment of the Reverse Termination Fee in the circumstances in which
the Reverse Termination Fee becomes payable, constitutes liquidated damages and is not a penalty, but rather a reasonable amount
that will compensate the Company for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement
and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Transactions.
Article
VIII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.01 Non-survival
of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 8.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement
of the parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time or, if earlier, the termination of this Agreement
in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 8.02 Notices.
All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered
personally, sent by facsimile (providing confirmation of transmission) or sent by prepaid overnight courier (providing proof of
delivery) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address or facsimile number for a party
as shall be specified by like notice):
if to Parent
or Merger Sub, to:
HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC or
HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC
c/o Harrison Street Real
Estate Capital LLC
71 South Wacker Drive Suite 3575
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telecopy No.: (312) 920-1855
Attention: Stephen Gordon
with a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
DLA Piper LLP (US)
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Telecopy No.: (212) 884-8522
Attention: Christopher Giordano
if to the Company, to:
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road
Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
Telecopy No.: (704) 749-8696
Attention: Aaron Halfacre
with a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton
LLP
1100 Peachtree Street NE, Suite
2800
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Telecopy No.: (404) 541-3121
Attention: W. Benjamin Barkley,
Esq.
Section 8.03 Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement:
“Affiliate”
means, as to any Person (i) any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For this purpose, “control” (including, with its correlative
meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities
or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise and (ii) with respect to any natural Person, any member of
the immediate family of such natural Person.
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized
or required to be closed for the conduct of regular banking business.
“Commitment
Letters” means the Debt Commitment Letters together with the Equity Commitment Letters.
“Company Operating
Partnership” means Campus Crest Communities Operating Partnership, LP.
“Company Operating
Partnership Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company Operating
Partnership, dated as of February 9, 2012 as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Company OP
Unit” shall mean a unit in the Company Operating Partnership designated by the Company Operating Partnership as a partnership
unit or limited partnership unit of the Company Operating Partnership under the Company Operating Partnership Agreement.
“Company Real
Property” means the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property.
“Company Subsidiary”
means (i) a Subsidiary of the Company, a list of which such Subsidiaries is set forth in Section 3.01(b)(vii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, and which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include (a) the Company Operating Partnership, and (b) upon formation,
Montrealco, and (ii) any joint ventures (or Subsidiaries thereof) in which the Company owns (directly or indirectly) less than
fifty percent (50%) of the membership interest, but for which the Company or one of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly controls
day-to-day management, a list of which such Company Subsidiaries is set forth in Section 3.01(b)(vii) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
“Copper Beech
Agreement” mean that certain Purchase, Sale and Redemption Agreement dated as of the date hereof, by and among Harrison
Street Real Estate, LLC and the other parties signatory thereto.
“Equity Commitment
Letters” shall mean that certain equity financing commitment letter by and among the Equity Investors and Parent, pursuant
to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the Equity Investors have committed to invest in Parent the amount
set forth therein.
“Equity Investors”
shall mean the investors party to the Equity Commitment Letters.
“Indebtedness”
means all of the following, whether matured, unmatured, liquidated, unliquidated, contingent or otherwise (A) any indebtedness
for borrowed money (including the issuance of any debt security) to any Person or any indebtedness issued in substitution for or
exchange of indebtedness for borrowed money, or for the deferred purchase price of property or services with respect to which a
Person is liable, contingently or otherwise, as obligor or otherwise (including reimbursement and all other obligations with respect
to surety bonds, letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances, whether or not matured, and similar obligations), including
the current portion of such indebtedness, (B) any obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments or Contracts
to any Person, (C) any capital lease obligations properly categorized as such under GAAP to any Person, (D) any obligations in
respect of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances, (E) all obligations under conditional sale or other title retention
agreements, (F) all “cut” but un-cashed checks or any overdrafts outstanding as of the Closing Date, (G) any indebtedness
secured by a lien on a Person’s assets, (H) any accrued liabilities or expenses, (I) any accrued interest on any of the foregoing,
(J) any prepayment or other similar fees, expenses or penalties on or relating to the repayment or assumption of any of the foregoing
and (K) any guaranty of any such obligations described in clauses (A) through (J) of any Person other than the Company or any of
the Company Subsidiaries, in each case, together with all interest, fees and penalties relating to any of the foregoing. For the
avoidance of doubt, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors and accrued expenses,
in each case arising in the ordinary course of business.
“Indenture”
means that certain Indenture dated as of October 9, 2013, by and among the Company Operating Partnership as issuer, the Company
as guarantor and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee.
“Knowledge
of the Company”, the “Company’s Knowledge” or references to the Company’s “awareness”
or similar references means, with respect to any matter in question, (i) the actual knowledge of the officers of the Company listed
on Section 8.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (ii) with respect to any particular fact or matter, if any of the
persons listed on Section 8.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule reasonably would have obtained knowledge of such fact
or matter after making reasonable inquiry, the Company will be deemed to have Knowledge of such fact or matter.
“Laws”
means all statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, judgments, orders and decrees of any Governmental Entity.
“Material
Adverse Change” or “Material Adverse Effect” means, any condition, circumstance, change, event or
occurrence, that, individually or in the aggregate, (i) has had or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect
on the assets, business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
or (ii) would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the Company’s ability to consummate
the Merger or the other Transactions, other than conditions, circumstances, changes, events, occurrences or effects (A) generally
affecting (I) the segments of the off-campus student housing market in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate (the
“Industry”), provided that such changes, events, occurrences or effects do not affect the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other participants in the Industry, or (II) the economy, credit
or financial or capital markets, in the United States or elsewhere in the world, including changes in interest or exchange rates,
provided that such changes, events, occurrences or effects do not affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in a materially
disproportionate manner as compared to other participants in the Industry, or (B) arising out of, resulting from or attributable
to (I) changes in Law or in GAAP, or changes in general legal, regulatory or political conditions, (II) the negotiation, execution,
announcement or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including the impact thereof on relationships,
contractual or otherwise, with vendors, clients, customers, partners or employees, (III) acts of war, sabotage, hostilities or
terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage, hostilities or terrorism threatened or underway as
of the date of this Agreement that do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in a materially disproportionate
manner as compared to other participants in the Industry, (IV) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados or other natural disasters that
do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to
other participants in the Industry, (V) any action taken, or omissions, by the Company or any Company Subsidiary that is specifically
required by this Agreement or is taken or omitted with Parent’s written consent or at Parent’s written request, (VI)
any decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of the Company (it being understood that the
facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such decline or change that are not otherwise excluded from the definition
of a “Material Adverse Effect” may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has
been, is, or would be a Material Adverse Effect on the Company), or (VII) any failure to meet any analysts or internal or public
projections, forecasts or estimates of revenue or earnings in and of itself (it being understood that the facts or occurrences
giving rise or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of a “Material Adverse Effect”
may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, is, or would be a Material Adverse Effect on the Company).
“Montreal
Employees” means the employees set forth on Section 5.20 of the Company Disclosure.
“Montreal
Partner” means the Company’s joint venture partner with respect to the Montreal Properties.
“Notes”
mean the 4.75% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2018 issued by the Company Operating Partnership and guaranteed by the Company.
“Parent Material
Adverse Effect” means any condition, circumstance, change, event or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate,
would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the Parent’s or Merger Sub’s ability
to consummate the Merger and the other Transactions.
“Permits”
means all approvals, accreditations, authorizations, certificates, filings, franchises, licenses, notices and permits of or with
all Governmental Entities, including all operating authorities, state operating licenses or registrations and other interstate,
intrastate, national or international regulatory licenses and other Governmental Entity authorizations held by the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries.
“Permitted
Liens” means (i) Liens specifically identified on the Balance Sheet or in the notes thereto; (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments
or other governmental charges and levies not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings
if adequate reserves with respect thereto are reflected on Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP; (iii) immaterial Liens that,
individually or in the aggregate with all other Permitted Liens, do not and will not materially interfere with the use or value
of the properties or assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole as currently used; (iv) licenses granted
by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (v) purchase money
liens or similar Liens securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements that are not, in the aggregate, material to the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries; (vi) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen,
and other Liens imposed by applicable Law incurred in the ordinary course of business, excluding any such Liens that secure or
relate to amounts currently claimed to be due and payable by the Company or any Company Subsidiary for work or materials performed
or provided more than sixty (60) days (or such longer period to the extent that the applicable underlying agreement for services
and/or materials allows a payment period in excess of sixty (60) days) prior to the date hereof; and (vii) Liens relating to deposits
made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment
insurance, and other types of social security.
“Person”
means any natural person, individual, firm, corporation, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association,
business trust, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Entity or other entity.
“Scheduled
Limited Partners” means those Persons designated as “Scheduled Limited Partners” on Section 3.01(b)(vii)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
“Stock Plan”
means the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan in effect on the date hereof.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, an amount of the voting securities, other voting rights or voting partnership
interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or other governing body (or, if there are
no such voting interests, fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such
first Person.
Section 8.04 Interpretation.
When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, a Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article of, a Section
of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words
“include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words “without limitation”. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder”
and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision
of this Agreement. Phrases such as “to the Company’s Knowledge” or “Known to the Company” are used
to qualify and limit the scope of any representation or warranty in which they appear and are not affirmations of any Person’s
“superior knowledge” that the representation or warranty in which they are used is true. All terms defined in this
Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless
otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms
of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any Contract or statute defined
or referred to herein or in any Contract that is referred to herein means such Contract or statute as from time to time amended,
modified or supplemented, including (in the case of Contracts) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession
of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to
a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Each party and its counsel have reviewed the terms and provisions of
this Agreement and have contributed to its drafting. The rules of construction providing that any ambiguities are resolved against
the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall
be construed fairly as to all parties hereto and not in favor of or against any party, regardless of which party was generally
responsible for the preparation of this Agreement.
Section 8.05 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that
after the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, no amendment may be made which under applicable Law requires
the approval of the stockholders of the Company without such further approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed by the parties hereto.
Section 8.06 Waiver.
At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations
or other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other parties
contained herein or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto by the other parties, and (c) subject to
the requirements of applicable Law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained
herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties
granting the waiver or extension. Neither the waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of the
provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure by any of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions
of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, may be construed as a waiver of any other breach or default,
or as a waiver of any future breaches of, defaults under or rights to exercise such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.
Section 8.07 Consents
and Approvals. For any matter under this Agreement requiring the consent or approval of any party to be valid and binding on
the parties hereto, such consent or approval must be in writing.
Section 8.08 Counterparts;
Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall
have received counterparts thereof signed and delivered (by facsimile or other electronic means) by the other party hereto.
Section 8.09 Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Parent Disclosure Schedule, the
Escrow Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement,
the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Confidentiality Agreement and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and (b) except for the provisions of ARTICLE II and Section 5.04,
are not intended to and do not confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any legal or equitable rights or remedies hereunder.
Section 8.10 GOVERNING
LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, REGARDLESS OF
THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
Section 8.11 Assignment.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation
of law or otherwise, by any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any assignment without such
consent shall be null and void.
Section 8.12 Specific
Enforcement; Consent to Jurisdiction.
(a) The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed
in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that money damages or other legal remedies would not be
an adequate remedy for any such damages. It is accordingly agreed that prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance
with Section 7.01 (i) the parties shall be entitled to seek (in a court of competent jurisdiction as set forth in Section
8.12(c)) an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, without bond or other security being required, this being in addition to any remedy to which they are entitled
pursuant to Sections 7.02, 7.03 and 7.04, as applicable, but subject in all cases to Section 8.12(b)
and (ii) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the Transactions and without that right, neither the Company
nor Parent nor Merger Sub would have entered into this Agreement. It is explicitly further agreed that the Company shall be
entitled to an injunction, specific performance or other equitable remedy to specifically enforce the Parent’s and Merger
Sub’s obligations to effect the Closing on the terms and conditions set forth herein (as opposed to an injunction, specific
performance or other equitable remedy to force Parent and Merger Sub to comply with their other obligations set forth herein (other
than Parent’s and/or Merger Sub’s obligations to effect the Closing), which shall be governed by the preceding sentence)
only in the event that (x) all conditions in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 have been satisfied (other than those
conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, each of which is then capable of being satisfied
at a Closing on such date) at the time when the Closing would have occurred but for the failure of the Parent to comply with its
obligations to effect the Closing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (y) the Company does not have the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(d)(iii).
(b) Each
of the Company, Parent, Holdings and Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that in all circumstances not addressed in Sections
7.04(b) or (c), the parties’ only remedies under this Agreement and with respect to the Transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall be (i) prior to a valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.01, the equitable
remedies to the extent provided in Section 8.12(a), and (ii) following a valid termination of this Agreement in accordance
with Section 7.01, the right to seek monetary damages for actual fraud to the extent provided in Section 7.04(a).
(c) Each
of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state courts of the State of Maryland,
including state appellate courts within the State of Maryland (or, if such state courts of the State of Maryland decline to accept
jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Maryland) in connection with any matter based upon
or arising out of this Agreement or the matters contemplated herein, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner
authorized by the laws of the State of Maryland for such persons and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection
which they might otherwise have to such jurisdiction, venue and such process.
Section 8.13 Waiver
of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY
OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR
PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION, (B) SUCH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS
OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT,
BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.13.
Section 8.14 Severability.
If any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal
or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term, condition or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law in an acceptable manner
to the end that the Transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
Section 8.15 Legal
Representation; Privilege. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of its and
its directors, managers, members, partners, stockholders, officers and employees, that Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP may
serve as counsel to the Stockholder’s Representative, on the one hand, and the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the other
hand, in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions,
and that, following consummation of the Transactions, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (or any successor) may serve as counsel
to the Stockholders’ Representative if the Stockholders’ Representative so requests, in connection with any litigation,
claim or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the CVR Agreement, the Montreal Escrow Agreement or the Transactions
or any other matter notwithstanding such representation (or any continued representation) of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries,
and each of the parties hereto hereby consents thereto and waives any conflict of interest arising therefrom, and each of such
parties shall cause any Affiliate thereof to consent to waive any conflict of interest arising from such representation. Any privilege
attaching as a result of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP’s service as counsel to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in connection with the Transactions will survive the Closing and will remain in effect, and such privilege from and after
the Closing will be controlled by, and may not be waived without the approval of, the Surviving Entity or Parent; provided
that in any action against the Stockholders’ Representative such privilege from and after the Closing will be jointly controlled
by, and may not be waived without the approval of, the Stockholders’ Representative. As to any privileged attorney-client
communications between Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP and the Company or Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP and any
of the Company’s Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “Privileged Communications”),
Parent, the Surviving Entity and each of its Subsidiaries together with any of their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors
or assigns, agree that no such party may use or rely on any of the Privileged Communications in any action against the Stockholders’
Representative after the Effective Time.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left
Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.
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Parent: |
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HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Christopher Merrill |
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Name: Christopher Merrill |
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Title: Manager |
[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]
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MERGER SUB: |
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HSRE QUAD MERGER SUB, LLC |
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By: HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member |
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By: |
/s/ Christopher Merrill |
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Name: Christopher Merrill |
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Title: Manager |
[Signature Page
to Merger Agreement]
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COMPANY: |
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CAMPUS CREST COMMUNITIES, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Aaron S. Halfacre |
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Name: Aaron S. Halfacre |
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Title: President |
[Signature Page
to Merger Agreement]
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STOCKHOLDERS’ REPRESENTATIVE: |
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CCGSR, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Richard Kahlbaugh |
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Name: Richard Kahlbaugh |
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Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors |
[Signature Page
to Merger Agreement]
ANNEX I
Index of Defined Terms
Term |
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Section |
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|
|
2015 10-K |
|
Section 6.02(k) |
2015 Q3 10-Q |
|
Section 5.01(c)(i) |
2016 Leasing Plan |
|
Section 5.02(d) |
2016 Marketing Budget |
|
Section 5.02(d) |
ACA |
|
Section 3.01(l)(viii) |
Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement |
|
Section 4.02(c) |
Acquisition Agreement |
|
Section 4.02(b) |
Additional Concessions |
|
Section 5.15(a) |
Affiliate |
|
Section 8.03 |
Agents |
|
Section 4.02(a) |
Agreement |
|
Preamble |
Articles |
|
Section 3.01(b)(vi) |
Articles of Merger |
|
Section 1.03 |
Assumed Indebtedness |
|
Section 5.15(a) |
Balance Sheet |
|
Section 3.01(e)(iii) |
Balance Sheet Date |
|
Section 3.01(e)(iii) |
Bankruptcy and Equity Exceptions |
|
Section 3.01(c)(i) |
Base Premium |
|
Section 5.04(b) |
Board |
|
Recitals |
Book-Entry Shares |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Budget |
|
Section 3.01(v) |
Business Day |
|
Section 8.03 |
Bylaws |
|
Section 3.01(b)(vi) |
Cancelled Shares |
|
Section 2.01(a) |
Cash Merger Consideration |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Closing |
|
Section 1.02 |
Closing Date |
|
Section 1.02 |
Code |
|
Section 2.07(g) |
Commitment Letters |
|
Section 8.03 |
Common Stock |
|
Recitals |
Common Stock Certificate |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Commonly Controlled Entity |
|
Section 3.01(l)(i) |
Company |
|
Preamble |
Company Adverse Recommendation Change |
|
Section 4.02(f) |
Company Benefit Plans |
|
Section 3.01(l)(i) |
Company Community |
|
Section 3.01(n)(i) |
Company Copyrights |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Company Disclosure Schedule |
|
Section 3.01 |
Company Domains |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Company Expenses |
|
Section 7.03(b) |
Term |
|
Section |
|
|
|
Company Intellectual Property |
|
Section 3.01(o)(viii) |
Company Leases |
|
Section 3.01(n)(iii) |
Company Marks |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Company Operating Partnership |
|
Section 8.03 |
Company Operating Partnership Agreement |
|
Section 8.03 |
Company OP Unit |
|
Section 8.03 |
Company Patents |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Company Pension Plan |
|
Section 3.01(l)(i) |
Company Real Property |
|
Section 8.03 |
Company Recommendation |
|
Section 3.01(c)(i) |
Company SEC Documents |
|
Section 3.01(e)(i) |
Company Subsidiary |
|
Section 8.03 |
Company Subsidiary Securities |
|
Section 3.01(b)(viii) |
Company’s Knowledge |
|
Section 8.03 |
Confidentiality Agreement |
|
Section 5.02(b) |
Consolidated Company |
|
Section 3.01(e)(ii) |
Contingent Consideration Denominator |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Contingent Value Right |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Contract |
|
Section 3.01(c)(ii) |
Copper Beach Agreement |
|
Section 8.03 |
CVR Agreement |
|
Recitals |
Debt Commitment Letter |
|
Section 3.02(d)(i) |
Debt Commitment Letters |
|
Section 3.02(d)(i) |
Debt Financing |
|
Section 3.02(d)(i) |
Debt Financing Commitments |
|
Section 3.02(d)(i) |
Definitive Agreements |
|
Section 5.11(a) |
Effective Time |
|
Section 1.03 |
End Date |
|
Section 7.01(b)(i) |
Environment |
|
Section 3.01(j) |
Environmental Laws |
|
Section 3.01(j) |
Equity Commitment Letters |
|
Section 5.11(c) |
Equity Financing |
|
Section 3.02(d)(ii) |
Equity Financing Commitments |
|
Section 3.02(d)(ii); |
Equity Investors |
|
Section 8.03 |
ERISA |
|
Section 3.01(i)(i) |
Escrow Account |
|
Recitals |
Escrow Agreement |
|
Recitals |
Excepted Concessions |
|
Section 5.15(a) |
Exchange Act |
|
Section 3.01(d) |
Exchange Rate |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Exchange Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Fee Letter(s) |
|
Section 3.02(d)(ii) |
Financing |
|
Section 3.02(d)(ii) |
Financing Commitments |
|
Section 3.02(d)(ii) |
GAAP |
|
Section 3.01(e)(ii) |
Term |
|
Section |
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|
|
Governmental Entity |
|
Section 3.01(d) |
Hazardous Materials |
|
Section 3.01(j) |
Indebtedness |
|
Section 8.03 |
Indemnitee(s) |
|
Section 5.04(a) |
Indenture |
|
Section 8.03 |
Industry |
|
Section 8.03 |
Intellectual Property Rights |
|
Section 3.01(o)(viii) |
IRS |
|
Section 3.01(l)(ii) |
Knowledge of the Company |
|
Section 8.03 |
Laws |
|
Section 8.03 |
Leased Real Property |
|
Section 3.01(n)(iii) |
Lenders |
|
Section3.02(d)(i) |
Licenses In |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Licenses Out |
|
Section 3.01(o) |
Liens |
|
Section 3.01(c)(ii) |
Material Adverse Change |
|
Section 8.03 |
Material Adverse Effect |
|
Section 8.03 |
Material Company Permits |
|
Section 3.01(i)(i) |
Material Contract |
|
Section 3.01(h) |
Merger |
|
Recitals |
Merger Consideration |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Merger Sub |
|
Preamble |
Merger Sub Membership Units |
|
Section 2.01 |
MGCL |
|
Recitals |
MLLCA |
|
Recitals |
Moelis |
|
Section 3.01(q) |
Montreal Closing Date |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Employees |
|
Section 8.03 |
Montreal Escrow Account |
|
Section 6.03(e) |
Montreal Escrow Agreement |
|
Recitals |
Montreal Guaranty |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Guaranty Amount |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Guaranty Shortfall Amount |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Interests |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Net Proceeds |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Partner |
|
Section 8.03 |
Montreal Properties |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montreal Sale Agreement |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Montrealco |
|
Section 5.13(b) |
New Indebtedness |
|
Section 4.01(h) |
Nominal Per-Share Cash Consideration |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Notes |
|
Section 8.03 |
Notice Period |
|
Section 4.02(g) |
OP Merger |
|
Recitals |
OP Merger Agreement |
|
Recitals |
Term |
|
Section |
|
|
|
Owned Real Property |
|
Section 3.01(n)(ii) |
Parent |
|
Preamble |
Parent Expenses |
|
Section 7.02(d) |
Parent Material Adverse Effect |
|
Section 8.03 |
Paying Agent |
|
Section 2.07(a)(i) |
Per Share Contingent Consideration |
|
Section 2.01(c) |
Permits |
|
Section 8.03 |
Permitted Liens |
|
Section 8.03 |
Person |
|
Section 8.03 |
Pre-Closing Disposition |
|
Section 5.17 |
Preferred Stock |
|
Section 3.01(b)(i) |
Privileged Communications |
|
Section 8.15 |
Proxy Statement |
|
Section 3.01(d) |
Qualified REIT Subsidiary |
|
Section 3.01(b)(vi) |
REIT |
|
Section 3.01(m)(iii) |
Reporting Documents |
|
Section 3.01 |
Required Indebtedness Consents |
|
Section 5.15(a) |
Restraints |
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Section 6.01(b) |
Restricted Financing Commitment Amendments |
|
Section 5.11(b) |
Restricted Stock |
|
Section 2.03 |
Reverse Termination Fee |
|
Section 7.03(d) |
Scheduled Limited Partners |
|
Section 8.03 |
SDAT |
|
Section 1.03 |
SEC |
|
Section 3.01(d) |
Securities Act |
|
Section 3.01(e)(i) |
Series A Preferred Stock |
|
Section 2.04 |
Severance Policy |
|
Section 3.01(1)(ix) |
Stockholder Approval |
|
Section 5.01(c) |
Stockholders’ Meeting |
|
Section 5.01(c) |
Stockholders’ Representative |
|
Preamble |
Stock Plan |
|
Section 8.03 |
Subsidiary |
|
Section 8.03 |
Superior Proposal |
|
Section 4.02(e)(ii) |
Surviving Entity |
|
Section 1.01 |
Takeover Proposal |
|
Section 4.02(e)(i) |
tax or taxes |
|
Section 3.01(m)(x) |
tax returns |
|
Section 3.01(m)(x) |
Taxable REIT Subsidiary |
|
Section 3.01(b)(vi) |
taxing authority |
|
Section 3.01(m)(x) |
Termination Fee |
|
Section 7.02(a) |
Third Party IP Rights |
|
Section 3.01(o)(iv) |
Trade Secrets |
|
Section 3.01(o)(viii) |
Transaction |
|
Recitals |
EXHIBIT A TO MERGER AGREEMENT
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement, dated this ___ day of October, 2015 (this “Escrow Agreement”), is entered into by
and among HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“Parent”), Campus Crest Communities,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking
association, as escrow agent (“Escrow Agent”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to a
“party” or the “parties” shall refer to Parent, on the one hand, and to the Company, on the
other hand, in each case individually and collectively.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Parent,
HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”),
the Company and CCGSR, Inc., a Delaware corporation, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated of even date herewith
(the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company, at the Closing, will be merged with and into Merger
Sub with Merger Sub as the surviving entity;
WHEREAS, the
Merger Agreement contemplates the execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement and the deposit by Parent with the Escrow Agent
of certain funds to secure certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS,
the Escrow Agent agrees to hold and distribute such funds in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the
parties acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is not a party to, is not bound by, and has no duties or obligations under, the Merger
Agreement, that all references in this Escrow Agreement to the Merger Agreement are for convenience, and that the Escrow Agent
shall have no implied duties beyond the express duties set forth in this Escrow Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the respective covenants, agreements and representations and warranties set forth herein and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
ESCROW DEPOSIT
Section 1.1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Escrow
Agreement, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Escrow Agent
will not be responsible to determine or to make any inquiry into any term, capitalized, or otherwise, not defined herein.
Section 1.2. Appointment
of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent is hereby constituted and appointed as the escrow agent under this Escrow Agreement and the
Escrow Agent accepts the appointment in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Escrow Agreement and agrees
to assume and perform the duties of the escrow agent pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent hereby agrees and covenants
that it will perform all of its obligations under this Escrow Agreement and will not deliver custody or possession of any of the
Escrow Fund (as hereinafter defined) to anyone except pursuant to the express terms of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 1.3. Receipt
of Escrow Amount. Simultaneously with the execution hereof, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, Parent shall deliver
to the Escrow Agent an aggregate amount in cash equal to Ten Million US Dollars ($10,000,000) (the “Escrow Amount,”
and together with any interest from time to time earned thereon, and reduced by any subsequent disbursements, amounts withdrawn
or losses on investments, the “Escrow Fund”) in immediately available funds. The Escrow Agent shall hold the
Escrow Fund as security for the obligation of Parent and the Merger Sub to pay the Reverse Termination Fee pursuant to the terms
of the Merger Agreement under the circumstances described herein. For purposes of this Escrow Agreement, “Reverse Termination
Fee” means an amount equal to $10,000,000.
Section 1.4. Investments.
(a) The
Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to deposit, transfer, hold and invest the Escrow Fund as set forth in Exhibit A
hereto, or as set forth in any subsequent joint written instruction signed by the Company and Parent.
(b) The
Escrow Agent is hereby authorized and directed to sell or redeem any such investments as it deems necessary to make any payments
or distributions required under this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss
which may result from any investment or sale of investment made pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized,
in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Escrow Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or
with any one or more of its affiliates, whether it or any such affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third
person or dealing as principal for its own account. The parties acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision,
recommendations, or advice.
Section 1.5. Administration
of Escrow Fund.
(a) The
Escrow Fund shall be disbursed by the Escrow Agent within two (2) Business Days following Escrow Agent’s receipt of (i) joint
written instructions signed by Parent and the Company authorizing the disbursement of all or a portion of the Escrow Fund to Parent
and/or Company, or (ii) a copy of a Final Determination (as hereinafter defined) establishing the Company’s or Parent’s
right to receive all or a portion of the Escrow Fund, subject to compliance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.6.
The term “Final Determination” means a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
having the authority to determine the amount of, and liability with respect to, the payment of the Reverse Termination Fee to Parent
and/or Company under the Merger Agreement and the denial of, or expiration of all rights to, appeal related thereto. Any Final
Determination shall be accompanied by a written instrument of the presenting party certifying that such Final Determination is
final, non-appealable and from a court of competent jurisdiction, upon which instrument the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to conclusively
rely without further investigation. “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a federal or
state holiday, and any other day on which the Escrow Agent is closed.
(b) If the Merger
is consummated then, at the Closing, the Company and Parent shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent in writing to disburse any
remaining Escrow Fund to Parent. Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount to Parent within two (2) Business Days following Escrow
Agent’s receipt of such joint written instruction.
(c) If Merger Agreement
is terminated under circumstances that require the payment by Parent to the Company of the Reverse Termination Fee pursuant to
the provisions of the Merger Agreement, then the Company and Parent shall jointly instruct the Escrow Agent in writing to disburse
the Reverse Termination Fee to the Company and the remaining balance of the Escrow Fund, if any, to the Parent. Escrow Agent shall
disburse such amounts to Company and/or Parent within two (2) Business Days following its receipt of such joint written instruction.
(d) If the Merger
Agreement is terminated for any other reason, then the Company and Parent shall jointly in writing instruct the Escrow Agent to
disburse to Parent the remaining balance of the Escrow Fund. Escrow Agent shall disburse such amount to Parent within two (2) Business
Days following Escrow Agent’s receipt of such joint written instruction.
Section 1.6. Security
Procedure For Funds Transfers.
(a) The
Escrow Agent shall confirm each funds transfer instruction received in the name of a party by means of the security procedure selected
by such party and communicated to the Escrow Agent through a signed certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1, with respect
to Parent, and Exhibit B-2, with respect to the Company, in each instance, which upon receipt by the Escrow Agent shall
become a part of this Escrow Agreement. The person(s) identified by Parent and the Company in Part I on Exhibit B-1 and
Exhibit B-2, as applicable, shall be an “Authorized Representative” of such party. Once delivered to
the Escrow Agent, Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 may be revised or rescinded only by a writing signed by an Authorized
Representative of the applicable party. Such revisions or rescissions shall be effective only after actual receipt and following
such period of time as may be necessary to afford the Escrow Agent a reasonable opportunity to act on it. If a revised Exhibit
B-1 or B-2 or a rescission of an existing Exhibit B-1 or B-2 is delivered to the Escrow Agent by an entity that is a successor-in-interest
to such party, such document shall be accompanied by additional documentation satisfactory to the Escrow Agent showing that such
entity has succeeded to the rights and responsibilities of the party under this Escrow Agreement.
(b) The
parties understand that the Escrow Agent’s inability to receive or confirm funds transfer instructions pursuant to the security
procedure selected by such party may result in a delay in accomplishing such funds transfer, and agree that the Escrow Agent shall
not be liable for any loss caused by any such delay.
Section 1.7. Income
Tax Allocation and Reporting and Earnings Distribution.
(a) The
Parent and Company agree that, for all tax reporting purposes, all interest from investment of the Escrow Fund in any calendar
year shall be allocated to and reported to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as having
been earned by Parent, whether or not such income was disbursed during such calendar year. Within forty-five (45) calendar days
after the end of each calendar year, Parent may deliver to Escrow Agent a written direction to distribute from the Escrow Fund
an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the interest received or accrued with respect to the Escrow Fund during such calendar
year.
(b) Prior
to the date hereof, the parties shall provide the Escrow Agent with certified tax identification numbers by furnishing appropriate
forms W-9 or W-8 and such other forms and documents that the Escrow Agent may request. The parties understand that if such tax
reporting documentation is not provided and certified to the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent may be required by the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to withhold a portion of any interest earned on the investment
of the Escrow Fund. The Escrow Agent annually shall report information on appropriate IRS Form 1099 with respect to such interest
consistent with the provisions of Section 1.7(a). Parent and the Company shall cause to be provided to the Escrow Agent
all forms and information necessary to complete such information reports. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty to prepare or file
any other federal or state tax report or return with respect to the Escrow Fund.
(c) To
the extent that the Escrow Agent becomes liable for the payment of any taxes in respect of income derived from the investment of
all or any portion of the Escrow Fund, the Escrow Agent shall satisfy such liability to the extent possible from the Escrow Fund.
Parent and the Company shall, jointly and severally, indemnify, defend and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any
tax, late payment, interest, penalty or other cost or expense that may be assessed against the Escrow Agent on or with respect
to the Escrow Fund and the investment thereof unless such tax, late payment, interest, penalty or other expense was directly caused
by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. The indemnification provided by this Section 1.7(c) is
in addition to the indemnification provided in Section 3.1 and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent
and the termination of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 1.8. Termination.
This Escrow Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) [October ____, 2025]1,
and (ii) upon disbursement of the Escrow Fund pursuant to Section 1.5, Section 1.7.(a) or Section 3.5. and following such
termination, this Escrow Agreement shall be of no further force or effect except that the provisions of Sections 1.7(c), 3.1 and
3.2 hereof shall survive termination and no further fees or expenses shall be invoiced by the Escrow Agent pursuant hereto except
for unbilled fees or expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent prior to such time.
1 To be the date that is 10
years from date of the Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
DUTIES OF THE ESCROW AGENT
Section 2.1. Scope
of Responsibility. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Escrow Agent is obligated only to perform the duties
specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement, which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature. Under no circumstance will
the Escrow Agent be deemed to be a fiduciary to any party or any other person under this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent will
not be responsible or liable for the failure of any party to perform in accordance with this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent
shall have no liabilities or obligations with respect to the Escrow Fund except for liabilities or obligations directly resulting
from the Escrow Agent’s willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Escrow Agent shall have no implied duties or obligations
and shall not be charged with knowledge or notice of any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein or in any written
notices given to it in accordance with the notice provisions of this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to
take notice of the Merger Agreement and shall have no duty or responsibility to take any action pursuant to the terms thereof.
The Escrow Agent shall incur no liability with respect to any action taken by it or for any inaction on its part in reliance upon
any notice, direction, instruction, consent, statement or other document believed by it to be genuine and duly authorized, nor
for any other action or inaction except as the same directly results from or related to Escrow Agent’s own willful misconduct
or gross negligence.
Section 2.2. Attorneys
and Agents. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely on and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the reasonable advice of counsel or other professionals retained by the Escrow Agent. The
Escrow Agent shall be reimbursed as set forth in Section 3.1 for any and all reasonable compensation (reasonable fees, expenses
and other costs) paid and/or reimbursed to such counsel and/or professionals. The Escrow Agent may perform any and all of its duties
through its agents, representatives, attorneys, custodians, and/or nominees.
Section 2.3. Reliance.
The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the direction or consent of the
parties or their respective agents, representatives, successors, or assigns. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for acting or
refraining from acting upon any notice, request, consent, direction, requisition, certificate, order, affidavit, letter, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, without
further inquiry into the person’s or persons’ authority. Concurrent with the execution of this Escrow Agreement, the
parties shall deliver to the Escrow Agent Exhibit B-1 and Exhibit B-2, which contain Authorized Representative designations of
the parties in Part I thereof.
Section 2.4. Right
Not Duty Undertaken. The permissive rights of the Escrow Agent to do things enumerated in this Escrow Agreement shall not be
construed as duties.
Section 2.5. No
Financial Obligation. No provision of this Escrow Agreement shall require the Escrow Agent to risk or advance its own funds
or otherwise incur any financial liability or potential financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of
its rights under this Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT
Section 3.1. Indemnification. Parent and the Company, jointly
and severally, shall indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any loss, liability, cost, damage and expense,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses or other professional fees and expenses which the
Escrow Agent actually incurs by reason of any action, claim or proceeding brought against the Escrow Agent, resulting from or relating
in any way to this Escrow Agreement or any transaction to which this Escrow Agreement relates, unless such loss, liability, cost,
damage or expense shall have been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator chosen by the parties
and the Escrow Agent to have been directly caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Escrow Agent. The parties
agree solely among themselves, and without limitation of the Escrow Agent’s rights under this Section 3.1 and Section
1.7(c), that any obligation for indemnification of the Escrow Agent under this Section 3.1 and Section 1.7(c)
shall be borne, unless otherwise agreed, by the party determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a mediator, arbitrator
or other neutral decision maker chosen by the parties to be responsible for causing the loss, damage, liability, cost or expense
against which the Escrow Agent is entitled to indemnification or, if no such determination is made, then one-half by Parent, and
one-half by the Company. Solely as between the parties, neither this Section 3.1, nor Section 1.7(c), nor any other
provision of this Escrow Agreement shall prejudice any right or obligation of Parent or the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
The provisions of this Section 3.1 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent and the termination of this
Escrow Agreement.
Section 3.2. Limitation of Liability. the
escrow agent SHALL NOT be liable, directly or indirectly, for any (A) damages, Losses or expenses arising out of the services provided
hereunder, other than damages, losses or expenses which have been finally adjudicated BY A COURT OF ComPETENT JURISDICTION OR ARBITRATOR
CHOSEN BY THE PARTIES AND THE ESCROW AGENT, to have DIRECTLY resulted from the
escrow agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct OR (b) special, Indirect, PUNITIVE, or consequential damages or LOSSES
OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), even if the ESCROW AGENT has been advised of the possibility
of such LOSSES OR damages AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.
Section 3.3. Resignation
or Removal. The Escrow Agent may resign by furnishing written notice of its resignation to the parties, and the parties may
remove the Escrow Agent by furnishing to the Escrow Agent a joint written notice of its removal along with payment of all fees
and expenses to which the Escrow Agent is entitled through the date of removal. Such resignation or removal, as the case may be,
shall be effective thirty (30) calendar days after the delivery of such notice or upon the earlier appointment of a successor,
and the Escrow Agent’s sole responsibility thereafter shall be to safely keep the Escrow Fund and to deliver the same to
a successor escrow agent as shall be appointed by the parties, as evidenced by a joint written notice of the parties filed with
the Escrow Agent or in accordance with a court order. If the parties have failed to appoint a successor escrow agent prior to the
expiration of thirty (30) calendar days following the delivery of such notice of resignation or removal, the Escrow Agent may petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor escrow agent or for other appropriate relief, and any such
resulting appointment shall be binding upon the parties.
Section 3.4. Compensation.
The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to compensation for its services as stated in the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit
C, which compensation shall be paid one-half by Parent and one-half by the Company. The fee agreed upon for the services rendered
hereunder is intended as full compensation for the Escrow Agent’s services as contemplated by this Escrow Agreement; provided,
however, that in the event that the conditions for the disbursement of funds under this Escrow Agreement are not fulfilled, or
the Escrow Agent renders any service not contemplated in this Escrow Agreement, or there is any assignment of interest in the subject
matter of this Escrow Agreement, or any material modification hereof, or if any material controversy arises hereunder, or the Escrow
Agent is made a party to any litigation pertaining to this Escrow Agreement or the subject matter hereof, then the Escrow Agent
shall be compensated for such extraordinary services and reimbursed for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’
fees and expenses, occasioned by any such delay, controversy, litigation or event. If any amount due to the Escrow Agent hereunder
is not paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the date due, the Escrow Agent in its sole discretion may charge interest on such
amount up to the highest rate permitted by applicable law. The Escrow Agent shall have, and is hereby granted the right to set
off and deduct any unpaid fees, non-reimbursed expenses and unsatisfied indemnification rights from the Escrow Fund.
Section 3.5. Disagreements.
If any conflict, disagreement or dispute arises between, among, or involving any of the parties hereto concerning the meaning or
validity of any provision hereunder or concerning any other matter relating to this Escrow Agreement, or the Escrow Agent is in
doubt as to the action to be taken hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, at its option, retain the Escrow Fund until the Escrow Agent
(a) receives a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a final non-appealable arbitration decision directing
delivery of the Escrow Fund or any portion thereof, in which event the Escrow Agent shall be authorized to disburse the Escrow
Fund or the relevant portion thereof in accordance with such final court order or arbitration decision, (b) receives a written
agreement executed by each of the parties directing delivery of the Escrow Fund or the relevant portion thereof, in which event
the Escrow Agent shall be authorized to disburse the Escrow Fund or the relevant portion thereof in accordance with such agreement,
or (c) files an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction, and upon the filing thereof, the Escrow Agent shall
be relieved of all liability as to the Escrow Fund and shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees, expenses and other costs
incurred in commencing and maintaining any such interpleader action. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act on any such agreement,
court order, or arbitration decision without further question, inquiry, or consent.
Section 3.6. Merger
or Consolidation. Any corporation or association into which the Escrow Agent may be converted or merged, or with which it may
be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its corporate trust business and assets as a whole
or substantially as a whole, or any corporation or association resulting from any such conversion, sale, merger, consolidation
or transfer to which the Escrow Agent is a party, shall be and become the successor escrow agent under this Escrow Agreement and
shall have and succeed to the rights, powers, duties, immunities and privileges as its predecessor, without the execution or filing
of any instrument or paper or the performance of any further act.
Section 3.7. Attachment
of Escrow Amount; Compliance with Legal Orders. In the event that the Escrow Fund or any portion thereof shall be attached,
garnished or levied upon by any court order, or the delivery thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an order of a court, or any
order, judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court order affecting the Escrow Fund, the Escrow Agent is hereby expressly
authorized, in its sole discretion, to respond as it deems appropriate or to comply with all writs, orders or decrees so entered
or issued, or which it is advised by legal counsel of its own choosing is binding upon it, whether with or without jurisdiction.
In the event that the Escrow Agent obeys or complies with any such writ, order or decree, it shall not be liable to any of the
parties or to any other person, firm or corporation, should such writ, order or decree be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled,
set aside or vacated.
Section 3.8 Force
Majeure. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations
under this Escrow Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including,
without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; wars; acts of terrorism; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemic;
riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents;
labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental action; it being understood that the Escrow Agent shall use
commercially reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon
as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1. Successors and Assigns. This Escrow Agreement
shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties and the Escrow Agent and their respective successors and permitted
assigns. No other persons shall have any rights under this Escrow Agreement. No assignment of the interest of any of
the parties shall be binding unless and until written notice of such assignment shall be delivered to the other party and the Escrow
Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment of this Escrow Agreement by Company or Parent shall have any effect unless
all “know your customer” due diligence has been performed to the Escrow Agent’s reasonable satisfaction prior
to any such replacement.
Section 4.2. Escheat.
The parties are aware that under applicable state law, property which is presumed abandoned may under certain circumstances escheat
to the applicable state. The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the parties, their respective heirs, legal representatives,
successors and assigns, or any other party, should any or all of the Escrow Fund escheat by operation of law.
Section 4.3. Notices.
All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, in English, and shall be deemed
given if delivered personally, sent by facsimile (providing confirmation of transmission) or sent by prepaid overnight courier
(providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other address or facsimile
number for a party as shall be specified by like written notice and delivered to the other party and Escrow Agent):
if to Parent, to:
HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC
c/o Harrison Street Real Estate
Capital LLC
71 South Wacker Drive Suite 3575
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Facsimile: (312) 920-1855
Attention: Stephen Gordon
with a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
DLA Piper LLP (US)
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Facsimile: (212) 884-8522
Attention: Christopher Giordano
if to the Company, to:
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road
Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
Facsimile: (704) 749-8696
Attention: Aaron Halfacre
with a copy (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton
LLP
1100 Peachtree Street NE, Suite
2800
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Facsimile: (404) 541-3121
Attention: W. Benjamin Barkley,
Esq.
If to the Escrow Agent:
Karen Z. Kelly, Corporate, Municipal
& Escrow Solutions
171 17th Street NW, 4th floor
Atlanta, GA 30363
Telephone: (404)
214-3914
Facsimile: (404) 214-5881
E-mail: Karen.z.kelly@wellsfargo.com
Section 4.4. Governing
Law. This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 4.5. Entire
Agreement. Except for the Merger Agreement as it applies solely to the Parent and the Company, this Escrow Agreement and the
exhibits hereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to the Escrow Fund.
Section 4.6. Amendment.
This Escrow Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, rescinded, or canceled only by a written instrument executed by the
parties and the Escrow Agent.
Section 4.7. Waivers.
The failure of any party to this Escrow Agreement at any time or times to require performance of any provision under this Escrow
Agreement shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same performance. A waiver by any party to this Escrow
Agreement of any such condition or breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement,
in any one or more instances, shall neither be construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach nor
a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement.
Section 4.8. Headings.
Section headings of this Escrow Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way restrict or
otherwise modify any of the terms or provisions of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 4.9. Counterparts.
This Escrow Agreement may be executed and delivered (including electronically) in one or more counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 4.10. Severability.
Whenever possible, each provision of this Escrow Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Escrow Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such
provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 4.11. Third
Party Beneficiaries. Nothing expressed or implied or referred to in this Escrow Agreement will be construed to give any person
other than the parties to this Escrow Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Escrow
Agreement or any provision of this Escrow Agreement.
[The remainder of this page left intentionally
blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
this Escrow Agreement has been duly executed as of the date first written above.
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HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC |
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COMPANY: |
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Campus Crest Communities, Inc. |
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ESCROW AGENT: |
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Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, solely in its capacity as Escrow Agent hereunder |
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[Signature Page to Escrow Agreement]
EXHIBIT B
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399 Park Avenue
5th Floor
New York, New York 10022
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T 212.883.3807
F
212.880.4260 |
October 13, 2015
Board of Directors
Campus Crest Communities, Inc.
2100 Rexford Road, Suite 414
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
The Board of Directors:
You have requested
our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company
Common Stock”), of Campus Crest Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), other than
the Acquiror (as defined below) and its affiliates (collectively, “Excluded Holders”), of the Consideration
(as defined below) to be received by such holders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”)
to be entered into by the Company, HSRE Quad Merger Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Acquiror”),
HSRE Quad Merger Sub, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Acquiror (“Merger Sub”),
and CCGSR, Inc., a Delaware corporation. As more fully described in the Agreement, the Company will be merged with and into Merger
Sub (the “Transaction”) and each issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock will be converted into
the right to receive (i) $6.90 (less the quotient of (A) the Montreal Guaranty Shortfall Amount divided by (B) the
Contingent Consideration Denominator (each as defined in the Agreement), if applicable); provided that if the Montreal Closing
Date shall not have occurred prior to the Effective Time, then such amount shall be reduced by the quotient of (x) the Exchange
Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount (as defined in the Agreement) divided by (y) the Contingent Consideration Denominator,
in cash, without interest and subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law (the “Cash Consideration”),
and (ii) the Per Share Contingent Consideration (as defined in the Agreement) (together with the Cash Consideration, the “Consideration”).
As further described in the Agreement, the amount of the Per Share Contingent Consideration will be determined based on the amount
of the net proceeds of the sale of the Montreal Interests or Montreal Properties (each as defined in the Agreement) and, if applicable,
the Exchange Rate Adjusted Montreal Guaranty Amount, and such amount will be paid in cash if the Montreal Closing Date occurs prior
to the Effective Time and will otherwise be paid in the form of a non-transferable contingent value right (a “CVR”)
to be issued by the Acquiror.
We have acted as your
financial advisor in connection with the Transaction and will receive a fee for our services, the principal portion of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction and a portion of which is contingent upon payments being made on the Per Share
Contingent Consideration. We will also receive a fee upon delivery of this opinion. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify
us for certain liabilities arising out of our engagement. Our affiliates, employees, officers and partners may at any time own
securities (long or short) of the Company and the Acquiror. In the past two years, we have not provided investment banking or other
services to the Acquiror or, other than as contemplated by our engagement letter with the Company entered into in connection with
the Transaction, the Company. In the future, we may provide such services to the Acquiror and may receive compensation for such
services.
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Our opinion does not
address the Company’s underlying business decision to effect the Transaction or the relative merits of the Transaction as
compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available with respect to the Company and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to the
Transaction or any other matter. At your direction, we have not been asked to, nor do we, offer any opinion as to any terms of
the Agreement, the Montreal Escrow Agreement, the CVR Agreement, the CVRs (each as defined in the Agreement) (including, without
limitation, the form or structure of the Per Share Contingent Consideration or the CVRs), the value of the Exchange Rate or the
Exchange Rate Adjusted Guaranty Amount at any future date or any aspect or implication of the Transaction, except for the Consideration
to the extent expressly specified herein. With your consent we have assumed that the sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal
Interests will be consummated on the terms described to us. As you are aware, the CVRs are subject to significant transfer restrictions
and are not freely tradable, and we are not expressing any opinion as to the value of the CVRs when issued pursuant to the Transaction
or at any time thereafter or the price or range of prices at which shares of Company Common Stock may be purchased or sold at any
time. We have not evaluated the solvency or fair value of the Company under any state, federal or other laws relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar matters. We are not tax, legal, regulatory or accounting experts and have assumed and relied upon, without
independent verification, the assessments of the Company and its other advisors with respect to tax, legal, regulatory and accounting
matters. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, at your direction, that the final executed form of the Agreement will not
differ in any material respect from the draft that we have reviewed, that the terms of the Montreal Escrow Agreement and the CVR
Agreement, when executed, will not differ in any respect material to our analysis or this Opinion from the terms described to us
prior to the date hereof, that the terms of the sale of the Montreal Properties or the Montreal Interests will not differ in any
respect material to our analysis or this Opinion from the terms described to us prior to the date hereof, that the amount of the
Cash Consideration will be at least $6.90 and the amount of the Per Share Contingent Consideration will be at least $0.13, that
the Transaction will be consummated in accordance with its terms and that the parties to the Agreement will comply with all the
material terms of the Agreement. We also have assumed, with your consent, that all governmental, regulatory, lender or other consents
and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Transaction will be obtained without the imposition of any delay, limitation,
restriction, divestiture or condition that would have an adverse effect on the Company or the Transaction.
In
arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things: (i) reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information
relating to the Company, including publicly available research analysts’ financial forecasts; (ii) reviewed certain internal
information relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of the Company furnished to us by
the Company, including financial forecasts provided to or discussed with us by the management of the Company; (iii)
conducted discussions with members of the senior management and representatives of the Company concerning the information described
in clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph, as well as the business and prospects of the Company generally; (iv) conducted
discussions with members of senior management of the Company concerning the probability and the estimated timing and amount of
the payment of the Per Share Contingent Consideration; (v) reviewed publicly available financial and stock market data of certain
other companies in lines of business that we deemed relevant; (vi) considered the results of efforts by or on behalf of the Company,
including by us at the Company’s direction, to solicit indications of interest from third parties with respect to a possible
acquisition of all or a portion of the Company; (vii) reviewed the financial terms of certain other transactions that we deemed
relevant; (viii) reviewed a draft, dated October 13, 2015, of the Agreement; (ix) participated in certain discussions and negotiations
among representatives of the Company and the Acquiror and their advisors; and (x) conducted such other financial studies and analyses
and took into account such other information as we deemed appropriate. Management of the Company has also advised the Board of
Directors of the Company and us in respect of certain significant operating and capital structure challenges that have adversely
affected the Company and potential future developments (including potential near-term liquidity issues) that could adversely affect
the Company, and we have taken the foregoing into consideration.
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In connection with
our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of any of the information supplied to, discussed
with or reviewed by us for the purpose of this opinion and have, with your consent, relied on such information being complete and
accurate in all material respects. In addition, with your consent, we have not made any independent evaluation or appraisal of
any of the assets or liabilities (contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet, or otherwise) of the Company, nor have we been furnished
with any such evaluation or appraisal. With respect to the financial forecasts and other information and data relating to the Company
(including as to the probability and the estimated timing and amount of the payment of the Per Share Contingent Consideration)
referred to above, we have assumed, at your direction, that they have been reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of the management of the Company as to the future performance of the Company.
Our opinion is necessarily
based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date
hereof.
This opinion is for
the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of the Company (in its capacity as such) in its evaluation of the Transaction and
may not be disclosed without our prior written consent. This opinion does not address the fairness of the Transaction or any aspect
or implication thereof to, or any other consideration of or relating to, the holders of any class of securities (including holders
of Company OP Units (as defined in the Agreement)), creditors or other constituencies of the Company, other than the fairness of
the Consideration from a financial point of view to the holders of Company Common Stock (other than Excluded Holders). In addition,
we do not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation to be received by any officers, directors
or employees of any parties to the Transaction, or any class of such persons, relative to the Consideration or otherwise. This
opinion was approved by a Moelis & Company LLC fairness opinion committee.
Based upon and subject
to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as the date hereof, the Consideration to be received by holders of Company Common Stock
in the Transaction is fair from a financial point of view to such holders, other than Excluded Holders.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ MOELIS & COMPANY LLC |
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MOELIS & COMPANY LLC |


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