California voters face a series of initiatives on the Nov. 5 ballot and one specifically impacts the San Francisco State University community.

Prop. 47, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002, is a $13.5 billion bond measure that if approved would fund a range of K-12 and higher education projects throughout California.

The largest chunk of the general obligation bond -- $11.4 billion -- would be dedicated to kindergarten through high school facilities. Another $1.65 billion would fund higher education with the largest piece going toward community colleges at $746 million. The California State University system would receive $496 million and the University of California system $408 million. San Francisco State University would receive $14.8 million.

Public education in California relies on voter-approved state education bond measures to fund most of its facility needs. If approved, the cost of Prop. 47 would be paid through state revenues, not tax increases.

If approved, the bond measure would fund the following SFSU projects:

Telecommunications Infrastructure

As part of a CSU system-wide update of its telecommunications network, this project will fund the installation of fiber-optic, copper wire lines to the SFSU campus. As a result, access to high-bandwidth multimedia resources -- including online video and audio streaming would be available in many laboratories and classrooms. In addition, connections to the Internet and system-wide computer networks would be faster and more reliable. Cost: $14,593,000.

Hensill Hall Renovation

As part of an ongoing seismic retrofit of Hensill Hall, this project will furnish laboratories and classrooms with new desks, tables and equipment to better serve the many students and faculty who rely on the building's facilities. Cost: $225,000.

The last statewide K-12 and higher education proposition was in 1998 when a majority of voters approved the $11.7 billion bond measure. SFSU received $25.4 million from that bond and the funds were spent on seismic upgrades to the Psychology Building (completed in the spring) and seismic upgrades and retrofitting to Hensill Hall (ongoing).

For more details on Prop. 47, visit the Secretary of State Web site. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the voter's guide. Or visit the Legislative Analyst's Office web site.

To find out more about the measure and how it would impact the California State University system, visit the CSU Web site.

To vote on Nov. 5, you must register no later than Oct. 21. Voter registration forms are available at local post offices or at the county registrar of voters' office. You must re-register to vote each time you move. To complete an on-line application form click here.

In addition, Vote America is a nationwide effort to engage citizens in the democratic process by encouraging them to register and vote in the Nov. 5th election. Vote America has designated the week of Sept. 30 as Voter Registration Week. Special programs and activities are planned for each day of the week to encourage Californians to register and vote. On Oct. 2nd, the focus will be on voter registration for California's college and university students.