Board approves five finance and budget contracts for state universities

The Mississippi Public Universities Board of Trustees approved five finance and budget items in a special-call meeting, including contracts for electronic nursing textbooks at Mississippi University for Women, a student‑recruitment customer‑relationship management system, an amended lease at the Port of Gulfport with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a predevelopment agreement for University of Mississippi student housing with GS Development Services (Greystar), and a five‑year apparel and equipment contract for Mississippi Valley State University.

The approvals cover multiple funding streams — student course fees, general fund revenues, E&G and designated funds — and include long‑term commitments and predevelopment work that the board said will be followed by future approvals (including a ground lease for the Ole Miss project). Several items were the result of competitive procurements or state bidding processes; legal staff reviewed each agreement and board staff recommended approval.

Mississippi University for Women — Wolters Kluwer Health: Dr. Pierce, presenting item 1, said the university requested a new three‑year agreement with Wolters Kluwer Health Inc. beginning Aug. 2, 2025, to provide electronic textbooks and educational materials for its associate of nursing program. The agreement will be funded by student course fees and has a maximum potential cost of $577,000 based on…