Rising costs and unpredictable supply chains demand a new mindset for procurement leaders in the Midwest. As the classic leadership book Getting to Yes reminds us, “Focus on interests, not positions.” That perspective is vital as our colleges and universities navigate tariffs, inflation, and disruptions.
Tariffs on steel and semiconductors ripple into construction and IT projects. Inflation drives up costs for food services, facilities, and equipment. Supply chain delays stall technology upgrades and campus operations. These global forces are felt acutely in higher education, where budget cycles are fixed and student needs are immediate.
The good news: procurement leaders have tools. Higher education associations such as National Association of Education Procurement recommend flexible contract language, tariff pass-throughs, price adjustment clauses, and risk-sharing terms. National Association of College and University Business Officers frames inflation not as a cost problem alone but as a capacity challenge: every smart procurement decision protects student affordability and institutional resilience.
Here in the Midwest, MHEC’s cooperative contracts extend that resilience. These agreements allow institutions to negotiate directly on what matters most rather than on expending resources to renegotiate individual contracts. EDUCAUSE notes that IT supply disruptions are now a strategic risk, and cooperative procurement remains one of the best defenses.
While tariffs, inflation, and supply chain issues are global, our regional strength lies in working together, planning ahead, and building resilience. MHEC's support for collaboration and cost- and time-savings opportunities can help build that regional strength.
Learn more about MHEC's contracts.
