by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
Although congressional races are getting most of the attention in this year's elections, UNM has an $18.5 million stake in another part of the ballot.
The 2006 Bond B for Education would give money to the University for new buildings, including $7 million for a math and science building.
The money is important for students, said Susan McKinsey, University spokeswoman.
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"It's not for salaries and it's not for benefits," she said. "It's for infrastructure, which will benefit students directly."
The bond is on the ballot every other year.
General obligation bonds are loans given by the public to the government at a fixed interest rate. The government uses taxes to pay back the bonds.
McKinsey said the bond is one of the top five important issues for UNM on this year's ballot, along with political races and Bond C, which would give money to
libraries.
"If you lose one bond, it sets you back for years because you lose your momentum," she said. "This bond would give money for buildings that are used by students for their education."
The math and science building would include biology, math and geology classrooms, a 200-person auditorium and offices for math faculty.
UNM's chemistry and biology labs in Northrop and Castetter halls are more than 30 years old.
Money from a student-funded bond issue is being used to renovate biology labs, but there are still not enough on campus, said Vera Norwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Norwood said she wants students to vote for the bond.
"This is an opportunity for voters to have a direct impact on the undergraduate education at UNM," she said.
