Student Says Vote for $750M Bond Act Vital

Dear Editor,

On Nov. 6, New Jersey voters will be asked to approve the first major investment in New Jersey college facilities in 24 years. The Building Our Future Bond Act, which will be on the ballot as “Question 1,” would provide $750 million in capital improvements for academic and research facilities at the state’s 49 colleges and universities. The funds would be targeted for academic buildings and could not be used to construct sports facilities or dormitories. Also, each college is required to match the funds they receive by 25 percent.

As a college student, I am confident this investment will help prepare New Jersey students for the global marketplace; attract businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs; and power the state’s economy by creating construction jobs. 

New Jersey is one of only five states in the nation that has spent no money on capital improvements for higher education in the last five years. Meanwhile, neighboring states such as New York and Connecticut are investing hundreds of millions of dollars each year in their institutions of higher learning. That sort of investment is bound to attract more and more New Jersey college students in the years ahead. We have to assure that our colleges retain these students as well as the corporate investment that will also be attracted by top-flight facilities. 

This is one of the few initiatives that have drawn unprecedented support across the aisle. Governor Christie, both parties in the Legislature, labor unions and business organizations all agree: Building Our Future is right for New Jersey.

Lina Maria Alfonso ‘13
County College of Morris