What is the General Obligation Bond for higher education and how does it concern me?
On Election Day, Nov. 5, Virginians will have the opportunity to vote on a $900 million bond referendum to fund construction and renovation projects at colleges and universities throughout Virginia. If the bond referendum passes, George Mason will receive $80 million for seven projects, including a new classroom and office building at both Fairfax and Arlington Campuses and the university’s first research-only building at Fairfax. It will also pay for the much-needed renovation of two of our oldest buildings, Thompson Hall and West Building, and renovations to improve handicapped access at all campuses. The need for space is critical. Virginia expects an additional 32,000 qualified high school graduates to be applying to college over the next eight years, but without new space, many of these students will have to go out of state to school–or perhaps not go at all.– Helen Ackerman, vice president for University Relations, (703) 993-8861, hackerma@gmu.edu.
