Now that students have passed Measure 1, Sacramento State is setto build one of the largest construction projects in recenthistory. In what was a record amount of ballots cast, more thanhalf of the students voting at Sac State favored a measure thatwill ultimately increase tuition.

The Recreation/Wellness/Events Center will be a major expansionfor the university and is estimated to cost $73.166 million. Themajority of the funding will come through student fees, but aportion of the project will be paid for through sponsors.

University President Alexander Gonzalez said that he was notsurprised by the outcome of the election in terms of support fromthe students for the new project.

“To me, it’s a clear mandate that the students wantthis,” Gonzalez said.

There was widespread, vocal opposition to the center, and theissue was the topic of nearly every candidate debate.

“I’m very disappointed … I think (the RWEC)is a good idea, but it’s at the worst time ever,” saidSac State student Mohamed Hamada, referring to recent budget cutsand fee increases. “It’s absurd to go out and ask forfee (increases) right now.”

Student Brandon Abell also opposed the measure.

“I think it’s too expensive for the students at atime when we are going to be raising fees and cuttingclasses,” Abell said.

Other students like Nicole Sandlin, who helped to promote theproject, was delighted with results of the measure.

“I’ve wanted Sac State to have at least a recreationcenter for a very longtime,” Sandlin said.

“This means Sac State will not be the same university ithas been in the past. I am excited about the future of thisschool.”

Sandlin complained that many of the sporting facilities oncampus are outdated. She also said that creating a recreationcenter will bring more recognition to Sac State, which willincrease the value of a degree from the university.

Head men’s basketball coach, Jerome Jenkins, said that newfacilities would help his recruitment of athletes to theuniversity.

“Once a recruit walks into a facility like that, they willdefinitely want to play there,” Jenkins said. “It justputs us on the map.”

Jenkins claims that the university lost two recruits this yearbecause of “facility problems.”

“Now with this type of a facility … I’mnot going to say I’ll get every recruit, but it makes theprocess easier,” Jenkins said.

Students can expect a $110 fee increase, but only after Gonzalezraises the initial $25 million to start the project.

Gonzalez said that he must receive at least $10 million in cashand the balance of the money must be secured as pledges beforestudents will be expected to pay for the project.

Gonzalez said that he hadn’t raised $25 million for aspecific project before, but he has prior experience generatingfunds from his years working as president of San Marcos State,located in San Diego County.

“One of the reasons that I was brought here, that I wasasked to consider coming to Sacramento State is I did have areputation for raising money,” Gonzalez said.

The estimated timeline for the fee increase is about two years.Students attending Sac State between 2006-07 should expect to paythis fee. The final project should be completed in 2008.

“I’m confident that the community is going to stepup and we’re going to get done what we need to do,”Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also denied charges from ASI board member Xico Gonzalezthat he had paid $100,000 to fund the “Yes on Measure1” campaign.

“I didn’t spend a penny on this initiative,”Alexander Gonzalez said.