Measure U, a $160 million bond issue unanimously undressed by the Faculty Association Executive Committee, will be on the March ballot in the Santa Monica-Malibu community college district. if passed, Measure U would fund needed major renovations as well as several new structures on the main SMC campus.

The FA Executive Committee passed a unanimous resolution late last fall in support of this major bond issue, and urged all faculty to make individual contributions to the campaign effort. the Committee for SMC is looking for volunteers to do phone banking, door knocking, and public speaking in support of measure U. Please call Luis at 310-899-6767 if you would like to volunteer for one of those activities. Make your contributions payable to "Committee for SMC" and mail them to the Committee for SMC, 11661 San Vicente Blvd, Ste 700, Los angeles, CA 90049. Other local groups on record in support of measure U include the SMC Associated Students, CSEA Chapter 36, the Academic Senate, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

Last year the District hired 3D/International to study the college's facilities and to make recommendations for a facilities plan that would take care of major college facilities needs. After 3D reported to the Board that it would take about $196 million to upgrade the college's main campus to take care of real needs, the Trustees voted unanimously to put a $160 million bond request on the March 2002 ballot.

Other sources of capital improvements funding for SMC include general fund revenues, certificates of participation, private donations, or individual capital projects that are funded by the state and subject to state approval. none of these sources are nearly adequate enough to fund SMC's real needs. There is no organized opposition to the measure, and since no one filed a "no" argument with the elections clerk, only "yes" arguments will be included in official voter pamphlets. There are worries from some neighbors that new construction on campus would increase traffic, but more parking would be available on campus from Measure U construction, thereby taking more cars off of neighborhood streets.

Endorsement of Measure u by the Representative Assembly is expected at the February 28 Assembly meeting.