Daily Bruin Endorsements: All 4 propositions deserve “˜yes’ vote

The structural well-being of the University of California system
and UCLA rests in voters’ hands Tuesday, and they should
approve Proposition 55.

The bond measure would provide the state’s schools with
much-needed funds to renovate buildings and construct new projects
necessary to accommodate surging numbers of California students. It
is a companion measure to Proposition 47, passed in November 2002.
With the two propositions, the UC stands to receive $345 million
per year over four years to perform seismic renovations and fund
new construction projects.

UCLA has planned several projects with the bond funds, including
the Geology Building and the Graduate School of Education &
Information Studies Annex. The current renovation of the
dilapidated Engineering 1 Building was made possible by Proposition
47, and Proposition 55 is necessary to further improve campus
buildings.

The Los Angeles Times’ editorial board urged readers to
vote “no” on Proposition 55, showing support for
schools but deciding the state is in too much debt to prioritize
funding. That thinking can only set back a system that needs to
accommodate growth.

The UC is already operating under severe budgetary constraints
from the state, to the point where it can no longer admit all
eligible students.

Affordability has been compromised by rising student fees.
Quality, in terms of the UC’s ability to handle an
ever-increasing student population, rests largely on Proposition
55.