An open letter to March 2 election voters:

I have a renewed confidence about the future of Cal State Hayward and about the future of public education, thanks to those who voted in the statewide election on March 2.

I was heartened by the voters' decision to support high quality education with the passing of Proposition 55. For our campus, Proposition 55 will provide $28,267,000 for seismic upgrades to Warren Hall, structural work that will protect our students, faculty and staff in the event of earthquake activity.

Engineers have determined that Warren Hall, with its proximity to the Hayward Fault, needs immediate upgrades and have designated this retrofit as the highest priority of any seismic upgrade project on the 23-campus CSU system. The retrofitting of Warren Hall may help save lives. Proposition 55 will provide $690 million for construction, renovation and repair of buildings in the CSU system.

It will fund two years of projects earmarked in the California State University's five-year capital improvement program. The funds for the California State University system will help meet the student's most immediate needs for access to the CSU, including 200 additional classrooms, new and improved laboratories and libraries, and updated technology and computers for student use in the classrooms.

Because of Proposition 55, I'm also feeling more confident about the future of our students in our kindergarten through 12th-grade public schools. The bond provides $10 billion in matching funds to relieve the rampant overcrowding of these California schools by funding the construction and repair of schools throughout the state. Our school children will be able to learn in an environment that is clean and safe.

The voters' confidence, with their latest support of public education in this state, is obviously well placed.

Norma Rees

President, California State University, Hayward