SUBJECT:

Regents Endorse Proposition 203, Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 1996

For your information, following is an official news release
from the Office of the President - University Relations,
regarding the Regents' endorsement of Proposition 203.

If you have any questions concerning this notice, please
call Pat JaCoby at 534-7404.

Winifred Cox Assistant Vice Chancellor

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The following news release was distributed at Friday's
(January 19, 1996) meeting of the Board of Regents.

REGENTS ENDORSE STATEWIDE PROPOSITION 203

The Board of Regents today (Friday, Jan. 19) endorsed
Proposition 203, the $3-billion bond measure on the March 26
statewide ballot that seeks to provide money for repairs and
construction for California public education including the
University of California.

"This is an investment in the future of California," said
Board Chairman Clair W. Burgener. "There is no question
that California's system of public education has enabled the
state to become one of the world's economic wonders.

"California's students need and deserve modern and safe
classrooms, libraries and other educational facilities.
Proposition 203 provides the means for California to do
this."

Proposition 203 represents the first time that capital
funding for K-12 and postsecondary education has been
combined in one bond measure.

UC will use Proposition 203 funds primarily for seismic
retrofitting and health and safety improvements. Projects
in 1996-97 and 1997-98 include seismic improvements and
renovations for libraries; addressing critical life-safety
and utility improvements for medical center teaching
facilities, laboratories and offices; and constructing and
equipping humanities, music and fine arts facilities.

"Proposition 203 is essential to our ability to keep our
campuses up-to-date and to meet the state's educational
needs now and in the future," said UC President Richard C.
Atkinson.

The Regents' resolution approved at today's meeting at UC
San Francisco authorized "the president and other university
officials to organize a public information program to
explain the importance of Proposition 203 in ensuring that
buildings are seismically safe, that essential
infrastructure is repaired or replaced and that critical
fire and life safety improvements are made at the nine UC
campuses."

If approved by voters, Proposition 203, known as the Public
Education Facilities Bond Act of 1996, would generate about
$2 billion for elementary and secondary schools and about
$975 million for higher education. The University of
California, California State University and California
Community Colleges would each share a third of the $975
million.

The bond measure would help K-12 public schools upgrade and
construct classrooms, libraries and other needed facilities.
Funds will be used to make current classrooms safer in the
event of earthquakes, equip classrooms for computer
technology, reduce class size and meet enrollment growth.