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The structural well-being of the University of California system and UCLA rests in voters’ hands Tuesday, and they should approve Proposition 55.

The bond measure would provide the state’s schools with much-needed funds to renovate buildings and construct new projects necessary to accommodate surging numbers of California students. It is a companion measure to Proposition 47, passed in November 2002. With the two propositions, the UC stands to receive $345 million per year over four years to perform seismic renovations and fund new construction projects.

UCLA has planned several projects with the bond funds, including the Geology Building and the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies Annex. The current renovation of the dilapidated Engineering 1 Building was made possible by Proposition 47, and Proposition 55 is necessary to further improve campus buildings.

The Los Angeles Times’ editorial board urged readers to vote “no” on Proposition 55, showing support for schools but deciding the state is in too much debt to prioritize funding. That thinking can only set back a system that needs to accommodate growth.

The UC is already operating under severe budgetary constraints from the state, to the point where it can no longer admit all eligible students.

Affordability has been compromised by rising student fees. Quality, in terms of the UC’s ability to handle an ever-increasing student population, rests largely on Proposition 55.