Presentations on Nissan's Vehicle Purchase Program, originally scheduled for September, have been rescheduled for Oct. 23.

Since Mississippi State has been designated a Nissan business associate, the purchase program allows MSU employees to buy Nissan or Infiniti vehicles from participating dealers at pre-negotiated prices.

Three sessions to explain the program for benefits-eligible MSU employees will be held at the Colvard Union small auditorium at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Nissan North America is now building the state's first automobile plant at Canton, and the university's research and extension capabilities were a significant factor in attracting the industry to Mississippi.

In recognition of a developing partnership in which MSU will provide research and development expertise and offer automotive-related programs, Nissan has made university employees eligible for VPP.

Through the program, participating Nissan dealerships agree to sell vehicles at a pre-negotiated price of dealer cost plus a 2.5 percent delivery fee, less incentives, destination and handling charges, and in some cases an advertising assessment. Dealer installed accessories, fees, and taxes also are added to arrive at the total cost.

Nissan and Infiniti dealers are not required to participate and may limit the models they sell through the program.

More information on the VPP program is available on the Nissan web site at http://www.insidenissan.com. Select "Nissan Corporate," then "Vehicle Purchase Programs," then "Business Associate," and use "vendor" for the requested user ID and password.

Additional information also is being distributed to all benefits-eligible employees by Human Resources Management.