By Guest Commentary By Dr. Piedad Robertson
I’m grateful for an opportunity to inform Santa Monica Daily Press readers about Measure U, a bill that would fund safety and modernization improvements at Santa Monica College that will appear on the Tuesday, March 5, primary ballot.
As we head into this final weekend, I’m proud to tell you that our volunteers and campaign staff have spoken to more than 25,000 Santa Monica and Malibu residents about Measure U; our students and faculty have addressed more than 50 community groups, providing information and answering questions.
I’d like to share their observations about Measure U with you: “One hundred percent of the money raised by Measure U stays in Santa Monica and Malibu — available to Santa Monica and Malibu students forever. Not one dime leaves our community,” said City of Santa Monica Councilmember Herb Katz.
“Our students deserve to attend classes in buildings that are earthquake safe,” said housing activist and architect Ralph Mechur.
Louise Jaffe, past PTA president, offers the following thoughtful response about Measure U: “Since September 11, there’s been a lot of flag-waving and a lot of talk about things Americans can be proud of. For me, Santa Monica College definitely makes the list: an institution of first class higher learning that invites, welcomes, and supports the full community — regardless of race, ethnicity, economic status, gender, age, or achievement — in pursuing their personal interests, goals, and dreams through learning.”
Joyce Jurin, Chair of the Emeritus College Advisory Board Policy Committee, echoes Louise: “Emeritus means so much to our students and gives focus and meaning to their lives every day — intellectually, physically, and in terms of mental health and social involvement. I fully support the efforts to give Emeritus College a home and I want Measure U to pass. My committee members who live in Santa Monica join me in this express of support.
The college bond measure has been reviewed by the Editorial Board of the Santa Monica Mirror. Here is their conclusion: “We support Measure U and urge District voters to approve it because (1) in concert with the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District and area private schools, SMC gives our children wide-ranging educational opportunities at very low cost; (2) it offers residents of all ages access to a rich college curriculum as well as vital vocational training at the same low cost; (3) its presence in the community enriches it in both tangible and intangible ways; (4) it fuels the local economy; and (5) it is in need of major renovations if it is to maintain and continue to improve the quality and diversity of its curriculum.”
Our own State Senator Sheila James Kuehl, a Santa Monica resident, has not only endorsed Measure U, but has this to say: “Measure U will make it possible for Santa Monica College to continue offering outstanding services to our community for years to come.”
Beth Shir Sholom’s Rabbi Neil Commes-Daniel, St. Anne’s Father Michael Gutierrez, A Church That Studies (ACTS)’s Rev. Joe Metoyer, Church in Ocean Park’s Rev. Sandie Richards, St. Monica’s Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, First AME Church By The Sea’s Rev. Ron Williams, and First Presbyterian’s Rev. Bill Wood have not only endorsed Measure U, but appear together in our campaign literature to emphasize its importance to our community’s youth and families.
We spoke before the Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education in January at their invitation. The board adopted the following resolution unanimously: “Whereas Santa Monica College modernization and facility improvements will be viewed as an investment in the welfare of the entire lifelong learning community; and whereas Santa Monica College has long been a valued partner with the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District in defining the superior educational landscape of our communities; therefore be it resolved that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education SUPPORTS Measure U.”
We met with the executive board of the Santa Monica Parent- Teachers’ Association in early February in an extended conversation about Measure U that included facility improvements and a discussion about traffic and safety. We received the unanimous endorsement of this group.
We met yet again with the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, the full governing body for the PTA, and received a commendation for our immediate actions to improve traffic flow and parking opportunities for parent drop-off near our neighboring schools. The Council of PTAs provided us again with a unanimous endorsement: “Santa Monica Malibu PTA Council strongly supports Measure U.”
In late February, we met with the editor of the Malibu Times, and received the endorsement of the Malibu Times’ editor Arnold York in this week’s issue: “I strongly support Measure U. This is the way a bond ought to be written. It’s a bond for specific projects, all of which are local. The money can’t be used for administrators’ salaries. It requires annual performance audits to ensure that funds have only been spent on approved projects. It requires an annual financial audit. It requires an independent oversight committee from a cross section of the community. There is a cap on how much can be assessed in any year and it’s paid locally. It proves the Legislature knows how to write a good bond and it’s totally different than the pork barrel bond called Proposition 40. Most of all, it’s a one-timer to fix what many think is long overdue, and the college district hasn’t and won’t be coming to us again and again for more money.”
We have met with the Chamber of Commerce in Santa Monica and have received their unanimous endorsement. We have met with the Chamber of Commerce in Malibu and received their unanimous endorsement. We have met with the Malibu Board of Realtors and received their unanimous endorsement. We have received the endorsement of ACTION, the Santa Monica-based apartment owner’s association. We have received the unanimous endorsement of the Rent Control Board. We have received strong and vocal support from the leadership of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights. We have received the endorsement of the members of the Commission on Older Americans. We have received the endorsement of the Santa Monica Democratic Club. We have received the endorsement of our collective bargaining units on our own campus, the Faculty Association and CSEA, and the endorsements of our shared governance units, including the Academic Senate, the Classified Senate, and the Management Association. We have received the endorsement of our General Advisory Board, made up of 170 members of our local community, and the endorsement of the SMC Foundation, and independent board of College supporters.
And finally, and of great symbolic importance, we have received the support of the Associated Students at SMC. Let me end with SMC student Jeff Gordon’s words. Jeff is the current student body president at the College and a tireless worker for the campaign: “I was born and raised in Santa Monica, and my mother, uncle, aunt and sister all went to SMC before transferring to UCLA. Measure U offers us an opportunity, as Santa Monica residents, to say thanks to the college for what it’s done.”
Please vote “Yes” on Measure U on Tuesday, March 5. Every vote is important. Thank you for your time.
Dr. Piedad Robertson is the president of Santa Monica College.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 1, 2002. Read the original PDF.