​Despite tough economic times, community colleges seeking bond approval to help fund repairs and expand facilities seemed to win over voters.

In New Jersey, voters approved a measure for $750 million in bonds for higher education, including $150 million for community colleges. Two-year college leaders in the state—which is still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy—have promoted the measure as an economic plan as well as an educational one because of the jobs and skilled workers it would bring to New Jersey.

Middlesex County College plans to upgrade 15 science labs, some of which are almost 50 years old. In a recent letter to the editor in the Star-Ledger, Dorothy Power, chair of the college’s board of trustees, said that those new labs will bring construction jobs and will serve the state’s science industries.

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“State-of-the-art facilities for biology, chemistry, physics and geology will be created. Central Jersey is the capital of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and there is a need for employees with science backgrounds. It is, therefore, important for our science programs to stay on the cutting edge,” she wrote.

Other New Jersey colleges outlined their plans to use the funds:

• Essex County College, which will receive about $11 million, plans to upgrade its academic classrooms and library, and improve Internet connectivity throughout 200 classrooms.
• Brookdale Community College—which noted that it’s been more than 20 years since the state had a capital improvement bond for higher education—will use its expected $16 million to build out a center that houses the “Communiversity”—a partnership of six colleges that houses associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
• County College of Morris would receive $7.5 million, with a $2.5 million match, to in part upgrade six mechanical-and electrical-engineering labs. 

Expanding job training 

Houston Community College (HCC) in Texas also received good news with voter approval of $425 million in bonds to help renovate and build facilities in high-demand fields such as health sciences and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

In North Carolina, voters passed a $15-million bond for Alamance Community College's new planned advanced applied technology building, which will house several popular programs, including automotive, machining and welding.

North Carolina residents also overwhelming approved (by 73 percent) a $200-million bond for Wake Technical Community College to help renovate and repair buildings, put up new ones and start construction on a new campus. The projects will allow Wake Tech to serve an additional 24,000 students and create as many as 2,000 construction jobs.

“This is a truly thrilling vote of confidence from our community, and one that inspires us to work even harder and reach higher,” Wake Tech President Stephen Scott said in a statement.

In California, voters approved $348 million in bonds for Solano Community College to repair and refurbish facilities for programs such as nursing and biotechnology.

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District also received a boost from voters who passed the college’s $398-million bond measure to address longstanding facility, infrastructure and technology needs. The district will use money from Proposition V to:

• Create veterans support centers at its Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses.
• Create a new workforce training center.
• Renovate and expand educational and career training facilities for science, medical, public safety, green technology and other fields.
• Upgrade technology and energy-efficiency measures to reduce operational costs and direct the savings to classroom instruction.

Not all roses

Despite the upbeat mood at colleges with successful campaigns, not all bond measures passed. California’s MiraCosta College sought $497 million in bonds to expand classrooms and labs for health careers, upgrade electrical systems and improve facilities for veterans. It received 54 percent of the votes, but needed 55 percent to pass.

Maryland voters have approved a measure that allows in-state or in-county college tuition and financial aid for certain undocumented immigrant students. To qualify, students need to have attended a Maryland high school for three years and be able to prove that their parents have paid taxes. State lawmakers had approved the Maryland Dream Act in 2011, but opponents collected enough signatures to force a referendum.

Colleges in Michigan also didn’t fare well. A proposal for a $56-million bond issue to fund technology and upgrade facilities at Macomb Community College failed. A substantial portion of the college’s infrastructure and facilities is more than 40 years old.

“We’re obviously disappointed in the results of the election,” said MCC President James Jacobs. “But we also understand the longstanding economic challenges that Macomb County residents are still weathering, which we suspect may have factored into reluctance to fund even a very small tax increase with a short time limit.”

The college’s board of trustees will evaluate the results of the election and determine any necessary next steps, Jacobs said, adding that the college will continue to offer the best services it can.

“Macomb is committed to providing meaningful career training and transfer opportunities, and we will continue to do the best with the resources we have,” he said.