Votes at a glance: IHL board approves resolution honoring Jeanne Lucky; leases, projects, counsel hire and vice president election

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning recorded the following formal actions at its Feb. 20 meeting. Where the public transcript records only a voice vote or does not give a roll-call tally, the entry notes that the vote was by voice and no roll-call totals were recorded.

• Resolution honoring Jeanne Carter Lucky — Approved. Trustee Oakley moved adoption of a resolution honoring the late Jeanne Carter Lucky, acknowledging her six years of service to the board and listing biographical details and community service. The motion was adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript. A copy of the resolution was presented to Jeanne Lucky’s assistant for delivery to the family.

• Approval of minutes and consent agenda — Approved. The board approved the January meeting minutes and the consent agenda by voice vote.

• Leases (University of Mississippi Medical Center) — Approved. The board approved amendments extending lease terms for clinical space operated by the University of Mississippi Medical Center: two leases at the Township at Colony Park in Ridgeland (amendments extend through June 30, 2026 and increase the amended total to approximately $1,970,000 and $1,700,000 respectively), and two Gulfport pediatric outpatient clinic lease amendments with Memorial Hospital at Gulfport (one extended through Feb. 28, 2027 with a cumulative cost cited of about $1,125,000, and another through Feb. 28, 2030 with a cumulative cost cited of about $1,400,000). Legal staff reviewed the agreements for compliance; board staff recommended approval. Actions were approved by voice vote.

• Real estate (Mississippi University for Women) — Approved. Item 1: change funding source from "Senate Bill 3000, Laws of 2023" to "Senate Bill 3006, Laws of 2024" for preplanning services for renovation of Fanta Hall (board-approved budget remains $200,000 for design fees). Item 2: increase project budget from $2,663,227 to $2,752,710 (an $89,483 increase) and add Senate Bill 3006, Laws of 2024 as a funding source to cover higher-than-expected bids and contingency. Board staff recommended approval; actions were adopted by voice vote.

• Legal (outside counsel hire for Mississippi State University) — Approved. The board approved a one-year contract to hire the law firm Adams and Reese to assist Mississippi State University with oil, gas and mineral-rights matters, with a maximum budgeted amount of $15,000. The request was reviewed by IHL staff and the Office of the Attorney General; board staff recommended approval and trustees voted to approve by voice vote.

• Legal (settlement/litigation matter) — Deferred to executive session. Trustees moved item number 2 on the legal agenda to executive session because it involved privileged litigation matters; the motion passed.

• Election of vice president of the board — Approved. Trustees nominated and elected Trustee Stephen Cunningham as vice president for the term beginning May 7, 2025; chair called the motion and it passed by voice vote.

Other routine items (information agenda) and ceremonial recognitions, including presentation of the Karen Cummings Community Service Award, were heard but do not represent formal votes recorded on the regular agenda.

Where the transcript did not provide detailed vote tallies or named roll-call votes, the meeting recorded voice votes and the presiding officer called for "aye" or "nay." The board minutes will include the official record.