CSU trustees endorse Prop. 55

By Sandra A. MacNevin
Director of Governmental and Public Relations

The new Madden Library
The challenge of the modern university library is to provide the very best technology and, at the same time, to preserve traditional collections and services. more

The Board of Trustees of The California State University unanimously endorsed a resolution supporting the K-16 education facilities bond that will appear on the March 2, 2004 primary election ballot.   On March 2 voters will be asked to approve Proposition 55, a $12.3 billion bond to renovate and repair deteriorating classrooms, libraries, and laboratories, as well as provide additional construction and technological upgrades.    

The successful passage of Proposition 55 will relieve overcrowding, make safety repairs, and upgrade California 's elementary, middle and high schools, community colleges and universities.     In the coming years, nearly one million new students will be entering California 's already crowded schools.   California 's state colleges and universities alone are expecting more than 700,000 new students by 2010.     In addition, Proposition 55 will provide funds to repair and upgrade many older schools and facilities, including university laboratories and research facilities.   

While the majority of the funds ($10 billion) allocated from the successful passage of Proposition 55 will go to the state's K-12 schools, $690 million in funding will go to the CSU, $690 million to the UC, and $920 million will be allocated to the state's community colleges for renovations and new construction to accommodate student growth at higher education institutions throughout the state and our own region.

The successful passage of Proposition 55 will also have a significant impact on our own campus.    If Proposition is approved by voters on March 2, California State University , Fresno , will receive $91 million to renovate and expand the university's library.  The Henry Madden Library on the campus of Fresno State is the largest academic library in the Central California Valley and the largest academic library between Sacramento and Los Angeles .

The library is used not only by Fresno State students and faculty, but also by the students and faculty of other educational institutions, a wide range of members of the community, government agencies, and businesses throughout the region.

The proposed addition to the Madden Library will remedy space deficiencies and allow for the further development and integration of library services that are responsive to the needs of 21st century students and faculty, including state-of-the-art information technology systems, improved facilities for the library's extensive collections, the addition of 5,000 reader stations, and the addition of technical and public service areas. 

The existing library facilities were constructed to serve 13,000 full time equivalent students, with  Fresno State currently enrolling 22,361 actual students, thus severely straining the capacity of the existing facilities and the ability of the library to serve adequately our students, faculty and other constituents from our region.

All the proceeds from Proposition 55 must be used for capital-outlay projects.   Funds must be used to build new schools, reduce classroom overcrowding, repair older classrooms, construct laboratories and other facilities, wire for technology, and address earthquake and other safety needs.    All construction funds provided by Proposition 55 must comply with strict accountability requirements, including mandatory audits, in order to safeguard against waste and mismanagement.  

For additional information on Proposition 55, see the Chancellor's Office website at www.calstate.edu/Prop55/index.shtml .

There is no known organized opposition to Proposition 55 at this time.   For a nonpartisan analysis of Proposition 55 and other initiatives that will appear on the March 2 election ballot, please see the website of the state's Legislative Analyst at www.lao.ca.gov/initiatives/qryPropositions_by_election_3-2004.asp

PROPOSITION 55: THE LOCAL PICTURE

According to the Fresno County Office of Education , Proposition 55 would provide approximately $255 million in new construction funding and $70 million in modernization funding for K-12 districts. That means funds for construction or expansion of approximately 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools and two high schools, plus community school classrooms, special education facilities and other support facilities. The modernization funds will renovate and upgrade facilities in approximately 46 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and eight high schools, plus community school and special education facilities.

Here are some specifics of how local schools will benefit

In the Fresno Unified School District :

• $43 million for new construction, including four new elementary schools, six library/media centers and two new cafeterias.
• $26 million for repairs at 20 schools, including repairs of approximately 200 classrooms, repairs of bathrooms, enhancing security, removing asbestos, ADA access improvements, upgrading electrical capacity and installing new heating and air conditioning, new flooring and mold remediation.

In the Clovis Unified School District :

• $40 million for new construction of an intermediate school and a high school.
• $6 million for an elementary school.
• $3.5 million repair of restrooms, ADA compliance enhancements, HVAC repairs and upgrades at Kastner Intermediate.
• $600,000 for repair of seven classrooms at Temperance-Kutner Elementary.

In the Central Unified School District :

• $25 million for new construction of two elementary schools and one middle school, renovation of 16 other schools and technology and safety upgrades.

In the State Center Community College District:

• $38.6 million for new construction of academic facilities, including classrooms and labs at Willow International Center .
• $11.6 million for repair and upgrade of applied technology buildings at Fresno City College , including making buildings compliant with building code, electrical upgrades, and technological upgrades.
• $3.6 million for repair of Student Services Building at Fresno City College , including asbestos abatement, updating technology and improving access.

At California State University , Fresno :

• $91 million to renovate and expand the Henry Madden library. The existing facilities were constructed to serve 13,000 full time-equivalent students, but the university enrolls now over 22,000 actual students (or 18,168 FTE students).

At UC Merced:

• $9.29 million for construction and equipment - logistical support/service facilities.
• $1.53 million for preliminary plans - social science and management