Making a Difference

[Admin]

Good morning!

Last month, our quarterly Pizza with the Presidents event attracted a record crowd, well over 1,000 people. It was a remarkable show of strength by our students and the questions were topical and important. But many of the concerns were issues that are ultimately decided by our elected officials. On November 7, you can make your voice truly heard.

Do you think about candidates' positions on higher education? What about bond measures that can build new facilities on college campuses, even Cal Poly Pomona? If California’s college students were carrying their opinions to the polls, they would be among our state’s most powerful political bodies. This is a fact!

No one understands that power better than senior citizens. This is a group that votes en masse, reviewing every candidate and initiative to ensure that their issues are addressed appropriately. If a candidate even suggests something like reform in social security or new property tax initiatives, they are likely to face a political funeral on Election Day.

One issue on the November ballot could have a huge impact on Cal Poly Pomona. Proposition 1D is a statewide bond measure that will dedicate $10.4 billion dollars to update facilities in all levels of education -- K-12, community colleges, the CSU system and the University of California. Should this bond pass, our university could receive nearly $32 million to build a new facility for the College of Business Administration.

Please educate yourself about 1D and its impact on all of California, including Cal Poly Pomona. There is support information for the bond at http://www.yeson1d.com/ and opposition information at http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/vig_06/general_06/pdf/proposition_1d/entire_prop1d.pdf

And then speak your mind – VOTE. Remember that you always have the power to make a difference.

Michael Ortiz
President
Cal Poly Pomona