For the purpose of providing dormitories, living and dining halls, or cottages and equipment for the use of Colorado Mesa university, and to enable the construction, financing, and ultimate acquisition thereof, and to aid in improving undeveloped portions of the grounds of Colorado Mesa university, the board of trustees is empowered to lease grounds under its control to private persons or corporations for a term not exceeding fifty years, subject to regulations as the board may prescribe and upon the condition that private persons or corporations shall construct and equip on the leased grounds buildings or improvements as the board of trustees designates or approves, reimbursement for money invested therein to be secured from the rentals of the buildings or from their sale to the board of trustees acting for the state.