SAN FRANCISCO, October 9, 2002 - Proposition 47, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002 on the state ballot this November, includes two projects at San Francisco State University.

If Proposition 47 is passed by a majority of statewide voters, the $13.5 billion bond measure 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.

If passed, Proposition 47 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 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.

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

The last statewide K-12 and higher education proposition was in 1998 when a majority of voters approved an $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 on Proposition 47, visit the Secretary of State Web site at: www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_viguide.htm. Or visit the Legislative Analyst's Office Web site at: www.lao.ca.gov/initiatives/qryPropositions_by_election_11-2002.asp.

To find out more about the measure and how it would impact the California State University system, visit the CSU Web site at: www.calstate.edu/prop47.

One of the largest campuses in the CSU system, SFSU was founded in 1899 and today is a highly diverse, comprehensive, public and urban university.