The board of Governors shall maintain and continue its United States army reserve officers training corps and United States air force reserve officers training corps programs for male students of suitable age in the university. Students enrolling in either of these programs shall serve for the time and according to such regulations as the board shall prescribe, and shall be entitled to such special privileges and immunities as the board may determine. The board of Governors shall have authority to accept appropriations, materials, and other benefits from the federal government on account of any federal law providing for aid to the West Virginia University for giving instruction in military science, and to cooperate as far as practicable with the federal government for such purposes.