By: Daniel Johnson, Staff Reporter | Photo By: Jonathan Gamboa
Listed on the 2012 election ballot are two proposed state bonds that affect CNM directly. Since political vocabulary can be intimidating, the CNM Chronicle has deconstructed these proposals into intelligible language.
State Bond B:
“The 2010 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of library acquisition and construction bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed seven million eighty-two thousand one hundred ten dollars ($7,082,110) to make capital expenditures for academic, public school, tribal and public library acquisitions and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law?”
Reference Librarian Olivia Baca said that Bond B would help academic libraries across the state by giving them $3 million to purchase and update materials and equipment including CNM’s six campus libraries.
Baca said that the bond funds are different than the allotted funds provided by the school which is used for database subscriptions, books, and other resources.
“This is helpful, since the library aids in student academic success,” said Baca.
Electrical Engineering major Kimberly Warner said that even though she is not up to date on the bonds that are being presented she thinks that updating the libraries’ resources is great since she utilizes them.
Fellow Electrical Engineering major Jeremy Hardy said it sounded like a good deal since books can become outdated quickly.
“It is great to access the most current information,” said Hardy. “Out with the old and in with the new.”
The most powerful thing students can do is practice their civic responsibility and vote. The library can help to clarify any questions on different things presented on the ballot, said Baca.
“We are not here to tell you how to vote, but we hope that you do vote,” said Baca
State Bond C:
“The 2010 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of public school facility improvement and public school books and instructional materials acquisition bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed five million one hundred thousand dollars ($5,100,000) to make capital expenditures for pre-kindergarten classrooms and facilities at public schools and for public school books and instructional materials and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law?”
President Kathie Winograd said in an email that the bond would give CNM $10.5 million that would be used to renovate Main and South Valley campuses.
South Valley would receive updates to its oldest building, including energy efficient windows and restroom upgrades, said Winograd.
Main campus’ L-building, which contains the labs for biology, chemistry and physics classes, would receive many long-needed updates, she said.
Chair of the Department of Biology and Biotechnology Susan Johnson said she is looking forward to the outcome of Bond C and praying that it passes. The building has had problems with the H-VAC system, which is used in the chemistry and the cadaver labs, said Johnson.
“The L building has been in need of renovations for several years,” said Johnson “we are bursting at the seams.”
Winograd said that the renovations would be designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification standards.
Engineering major Miquela Apodaca said that she is taking classes in the L building and feels it needs improvements desperately.
“Everything needs some repair; flickering lights to the bathrooms being overhauled,” said Apodaca.
Johnson said that with renovations, the building would be able to hold more classes and students in programs like nursing, operating room technician and respiratory therapy.
Apodaca said that if the bond passes, she hopes Winograd will honor her statements and make those renovations a reality.
Johnson said that she has confidence in Winograd and trusts her to hold to her statements on the renovations if the bond is passed.
“Please get out there and vote for Bond C,’ said Johnson.
