Countdown to Bond Referendum Now Underway; Kickoff Sept. 4
By Daniel Walsch
Virginia’s 2002 higher education bond campaign will have an official
kickoff Sept. 4 with an event 2 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College’s
Annandale campus. On Sept. 5, a rally at George Mason will be held at noon.
There are slightly more than two months remaining for voters throughout the
commonwealth to decide whether they wish to support this $900.8-million package,
which, if approved, will result in funding for a wide range of building projects
for all of Virginia’s colleges and universities. George Mason is slated
to receive $79.6 million of this total. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The university’s portion will cover the expense of a new research building
at the Fairfax Campus, a new classroom building at the Fairfax Campus, a new classroom
building at the Arlington Campus, and four renovation projects that include Thompson
Hall, West Building, and the entire utility infrastructure at the Fairfax Campus.
Over the next eight years, the number of college-bound high school graduates
in Virginia is expected to increase by 32,000, and these capital projects will
enable George Mason to take a significant share of this increase. Without the
additional space, neither George Mason nor its sister institutions of higher learning
in the commonwealth will be able to accommodate many of these college hopefuls.
As a result, it is anticipated the great majority of them will either be forced
to go to college out of state or not go at all.
“It is no exaggeration to say that much rides on the passage of this
bond referendum,” says Thomas Hennessey, chief of staff to George Mason’s
president, and cochair of the university’s bond steering committee. “Its
passage will determine how well Virginia’s colleges and universities will
be able to keep up with the educational wishes and hopes of future students.
“Another important point to remember,” Hennessey continues, “is
that members of the General Assembly will use this referendum as a benchmark on
how well and how much voters support higher education. Passage of the bond could
very well determine the level of support the General Assembly gives us in the
years to come.”
If the bond passes, the construction of a dedicated research facility and
renovation of West Building and Thompson Hall will be the first of George Mason’s
projects to be funded, Hennessey says.
George Mason’s neighbor, Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC),
is slated to receive $35 million in funds. These monies will go toward various
renovation and construction projects at NVCC’s campuses in Alexandria, Annandale,
Loudoun, and Woodbridge.
According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, passage of
the bond will also have positive impact on the commonwealth’s economy. It
is projected that the bond package will generate more than $1.5 billion in economic
activity by 2008 and create nearly 14,000 new jobs. Additionally, passage of this
bond will not mean an increase in taxes, nor will it affect Virginia’s “triple
A” bond rating.
Passage of the bond, Hennessey notes, also will help boost Northern Virginia’s
economy. “Since we know that graduates of both George Mason and NVCC tend
to remain in our region, the chances of our institutions’ providing area
businesses and corporations with a better trained workforce are increased if the
bond passes and the two are able to enroll additional students,” he says.
Administrative, student, and faculty representatives from each of Virginia’s
colleges and universities are involved in a comprehensive informational campaign
designed to inform voters of the bond referendum and its potential impact on the
commonwealth. Hennessey and Helen Ackerman, vice president for University Relations,
are serving as cochairs of George Mason’s bond steering committee.
Can You Help?
We need your help in educating Virginia voters about the bond referendum.
If you would like to speak to community organizations, please call Traci Claar
at x38846 by Aug. 31. If you would like to distribute palm cards and sample ballots
at your local polling place on election day, please contact Barb Lubar at x38847
by Oct. 22.
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