Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

In 2012, we invested $4.0 million to acquire an equity interest of approximately 28% in a joint venture (JV) related to the lease of our Lisle, Illinois campus facility. In connection with this investment, we do not possess a controlling financial interest as we do not hold a majority of the equity interest, nor do we have the power to make major decisions without approval from the other equity member. Therefore, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheet. We recognize our proportionate share of the JV’s net income or loss during each accounting period as a change in our investment.

Historically, the JV used an interest rate cap to manage interest rate risk associated with its floating rate debt. This derivative instrument was designated as a cash flow hedge based on the nature of the risk being hedged. As such, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative was initially reported as a component of the JV’s accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, and was subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss was recognized in the JV’s current earnings. Due to our equity method investment in the JV, when the JV reports a current year component of other comprehensive income (OCI), we, as an investor, likewise adjust our investment account for the change in investee equity. In addition, we adjust our OCI for our share of the JV’s currently reported OCI item. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the JV refinanced the facility loan and discontinued its use of an interest rate cap.

Our equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Investment in our unconsolidated affiliate consists of the following:



	September 30, 2018				September 30, 2017
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,206	27.972	%	$	4,112	27.972	%

Investment in our unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:



	Year ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,112		$	4,036
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	385			484
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(291		)	(390		)
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gains on hedging derivatives, net of taxes	—			(18		)
Balance at end of period	$	4,206		$	4,112