Support for Proposition 55
(Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Act of 2004)

AS-2630-03/FGA - November 13-14, 2003

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU) support Proposition 55 as a way to fund facilities needed by California's elementary, middle, and high schools, community colleges, and public universities; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge California voters to support Proposition 55 in the March 2004 primary election; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge campus administrators and academic senates to take immediate action to increase public awareness of the importance of Proposition 55 to public education in California; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this support position be delivered to the Californians for Accountability and Better Schools campaign.

RATIONALE: Proposition 55, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004, provides $12.3 billion in bonds to repair and upgrade California's elementary, middle and high schools, community colleges and universities and to build new schools to relieve overcrowding and reduce class sizes. Rapid enrollment growth over the past decade has made it essential to fix old and outdated classrooms in need of repair, expand facilities, and build new classrooms to meet existing student needs at California Community Colleges, the California State University, and University of California systems. California universities and colleges are severely overcrowded, with more than 700,000 new students expected to seek enrollment at a California college or university by 2010. The California Postsecondary Education Commission estimates that the state will need to spend approximately $1.5 billion per year through 2010 to maintain existing higher education facilities and to provide for expected enrollment increases. Proposition 55 will provide $1.15 billion a year for two years. Proposition 55 will allow our public colleges and universities to make seismic and other safety improvements to older buildings as well as build new labs, classrooms, research facilities, and necessary hospital teaching facilities. Proposition 55 will give students more access to technology including laboratory equipment and computers they need to match academic programs in other States and to compete in the modern workforce. Proposition 55 will provide necessary funds to expand educational opportunities for California's increasingly diverse population. Proposition 55 is a direct investment in the local economy, which will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and add billions in local economic activities throughout California. Proposition 55 contains strict accountability provisions, including independent annual audits, cost controls, and other requirements that guard against waste and mismanagement, and Proposition 55 funds can only be spent on school repair and construction.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY - November 13-14, 2003