Expansion projects at Mississippi State and other college campuses across the state may get a jump-start through a new bill approved by the state Legislature.
House Bill 992 would allow the state’s eight public institutions to lease land to private citizens or corporations for the purpose of building auxiliary facilities for the college or university.
Structures like parking lots, dormitories and athletic complexes constructed on the leased land could then be leased back to the State College Board for a period up to 31 years. After the board completes payment of all money under the lease, the board would be allowed to purchase the building or structure for $1.
Though the bill would not help existing construction projects on campus, it would assist the college in funding future projects, Executive director of campus facilities Jim Jones said he thinks the new bill will benefit institutions of higher learning.
“I think what it does is it provides the institution one more avenue to accomplish its work,” Jones said. “A private venture is just another mechanism that can help us achieve that,” Jones added.
Students living on campus agree. “It’s a good thing,” freshman Sessums Hall resident Chelsei Weaver said. “The college has to change with the times, and giving them the ability to do that more easily would benefit all students who attend here.”
The bill would likely affect Mississippi State more than other universities because MSU’s campus is the largest in the state.
With more than 4,000 acres, the university could secure many private ventures to assist with future expansion. Schools with limited spaces, such as the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi wouldn’t be heavily impacted by the new legislature because the schools wouldn’t have enough available land to lease out.
Barry Hughes, an engineer for the University Television Center, says he thinks the plan would be good for the campus as well. “It seems to be a relatively easy way for the campus to expand their properties and it’s easier for the overall growth,” Hughes said.
“I could see it helping the master plan finish up earlier. The university will benefit more than anyone,” he said.
The bill would likely take effect July 1 of Gov. Barbour signs the bill into law. Barbour has until April 20 to render a decision.