The Higher Education and Public Libraries Bond Proposal
November 4, 2003
'More than ever, Maine people are turning to the state's universities and colleges to help them enhance their educational preparedness and economic potential. Countless studies have documented that Maine's hopes for growing the state's economy and improving our quality of life are closely tied to the quality and strength of public higher education. Passage of Question 5 will improve our ability to serve our students and the people of Maine."
University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph W. Westphal
October 9, 2003
On Tuesday, November 4, 2003, Maine voters approved Question 5, a $19 milliion bond for improvements to facilities and teaching resources at Maine's community colleges, public universities, state maritime academy, and public libraries. Here's how the money was allocated:
$12 million for the Maine Community College System
- $11.4 million would be used to repair and upgrade college facilities to accommodate growing enrollment and new course offerings, as well as enhance access for students with disabilities, and improve energy efficiency.
- The remaining $600,000 would be used to update instructional equipment.
$4.5 million for the University of Maine System
- $2 million would be used to renovate a former manufacturing facility, the old L&A Molding building located at 61 Westminster Street in Lewiston. The building is adjacent to Lewiston-Auburn College, which is part of the University of Southern Maine. The local economic development authority, Lewiston Development Corp., will lease the building to the University System for a modest fee. Proceeds from the bond issue would fund remodeling of the building to make it suitable as a teaching and learning center to meet LAC's increased demand for academic programs and services.
- $2.5 million of the bond proceeds would be used to make improvements to science labs at Maine's public universities. The labs in question are those that are used by students as part of their academic studies. Improvements would focus on safety aspects and modernization of the labs and is part of a multi-part effort to upgrade teaching facilities.
$1 million for Maine Maritime Academy
- Funds would be used for renovations and improvements to academic buildings and technological advancements at MMA, which is located in Castine.
$1.5 million for the Maine State Library
- Funds would be used by the Maine State Library to award grants to construct and renovate public libraries in Maine and to improve community access to technology.
The ballot question will appear as follows:
"Do you favor a $19,000,000 bond issue to make repairs, upgrades and other facility improvements and enhance access for students with disabilities and upgrade classroom equipment at various campuses of the University of Maine System; the Maine Maritime Academy; and the Maine Community College System, which was formerly the Maine Technical College System, and to provide grants to construct and renovate public libraries and to improve community access to electronic resources?"
More information about Question 5 and other items appearing on the November 4 ballot may be found at the following website:
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/
For information about local polling places, hours of operation, absentee ballots, and voter registration, please contact your town or city clerk.