Bond referendum campaign kicks off Sept. 5 at NSU

State and local elected officials will join representatives from area colleges and universities at Norfolk State Thursday, Sept. 5, for the statewide kickoff of the higher education bond referendum campaign.

Both Lt. Gov. Timothy Kaine and Attorney General Jerry Kilgore are expected to be on hand for the event, which gets underway at 1 p.m. at the L. Douglas Wilder Center. President Roseann Runte, along with a number of ODU administrators and students, will attend the rally.

The referendum, which will be on statewide ballots Nov. 5, will ask Virginians to vote on the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $900,488,645 for urgently needed upgrades, renovations and new construction at public colleges and universities, as well as for improvements at state museums, historic sites and cultural attractions.

Old Dominion has several projects that are tied to the referendum, including the following renovations:

  • $9.1 million for the Technology Building;
  • $9.6 million for the Batten Arts and Letters Building;
  • $5.6 million for Hughes Hall; and
  • $731,000 for the Alfriend Chemistry Building.

    Passage of the referendum would also mean financing for two new facilities:

  • $13 million for a Physical Sciences Building, Phase 2; and
  • $6.1 million for a Tri-Cities Higher Education Center in Chesapeake.

    The referendum does not affect Virginia's coveted "Triple A" bond rating, and the bonds would be repaid in 25 years or less without raising taxes.

    Virtually all of the state's elected officials and community leaders support the referendum, as do nearly 100 percent of the members of the General Assembly, both Republican and Democrat. In addition, business and civic groups across the commonwealth have pledged their support.


    • TOP