VOTERS PASS HIGHER EDUCATION BOND REFERENDUM

With a solid 73 percent, voters approved the higher education bond referendum in Tuesday's election, generating $900 million worth of college construction and renovations at all state colleges and universities. The measure provides more than $44 million for Old Dominion University.

"This is a truly significant moment in Old Dominion University history," noted President Roseann Runte in a letter to faculty, staff and students. "We can now plan our future growth in a rational fashion. Let us rededicate ourselves with purpose to our mission, knowing that the people of Virginia believe in higher education and support us."

Under the bond, Old Dominion will receive a total of $44,269,802 for much needed renovations to instructional facilities and new construction of research and teaching buildings. Renovation projects include: Technology Building ($9,158,050);
Batten Arts & Letters Building ($9,631,552); Hughes Hall ($5,600,000); and Alfriend Chemistry Building ($731,000).

The university will also move forward with two new buildings for teaching and research: the Physical Sciences Building, Phase II ($13,000,000), and the Tri-Cities Higher Education Center in Chesapeake ($6,149,200).

Some 1,120,169 Virginia citizens -- or 73 percent -- voted in favor of the referendum compared with 420,055 -- or 27 percent -- voting against.