From Dateline (February 5, 2003)

Proposition 55 - Cal State Fullerton To Receive $50 Million If Bond Passes
by Valerie Orleans

On March 2, voters in California will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 55, the 2004 School Bond. If passed, the bond will provide $12.3 billion to schools throughout the state for repairs, classroom construction and other critical projects.

Closer to home, Cal State Fullerton would receive more than $50 million if Proposition 55 is approved by voters. The funds would be used for two major projects – a building for the College of Business and Economics and necessary equipment for the Performing Arts Center currently under construction.

College of Business and Economics
Through the university’s College of Business and Economics – one of the nation’s largest – nearly 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students receive degrees each year. Alumni go on to become leaders in business or developers of small business enterprises, and constitute a significant portion of the region’s economy. A new building will allow Cal State Fullerton to ensure an optimal learning environment.

Funding will pay for space dedicated to centers of learning, state-of-the-art classrooms, interactive technology, faculty offices and multimedia lecture halls.

“The new building will help us provide world-class education for the future employees and entrepreneurs of Orange County, as well as the surrounding communities,” said Anil K. Puri, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “Our nationally accredited college needs a new building to accommodate the growing number of qualified students seeking higher education.”

Performing Arts Center
Proposition 55, if passed, would fund equipment and other necessities that will make the Performing Arts Center a fully functioning educational and performance facility. Bond measure funds would assist in the purchase of stage lighting and audio systems, classroom computer and specialized equipment, scene shop power tools and related supplies, dance studio sound and video systems, concert grand pianos and percussion instruments, and audio recording equipment.

“We are building a wonderful new Performing Arts Center that will open in fall 2005,” said Jerry D. Samuelson, dean of the College of Arts. “However, without the equipment funds that Proposition 55 would provide, much of the building will not function. Lighting, sound and specialized equipment are very necessary to complete this project.”

Supporters of Proposition 55 include Cal State Fullerton’s Alumni Association, Associated Students Inc., Academic Senate and University Advisory Board.

Although proposition opponents believe that school construction is a priority, they contend that it is not the right time to increase the state’s indebtedness.

Additional information is available on the Web at www.ss.ca.gov or www.yeson55.org. The Associated Students will host a voter registration/Proposition 55 information rally at noon Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Quad.