Parking problems in need of resolution

September 25, 2006 —

How many of you have gotten up realizing you have only 10 minutes to get to class and then drive there only to find no close parking spots available? I know I'm not the only one who has driven from the Village to Brown Hall or Science East with only five minutes to spare, only to spend the next 10 minutes trying to find a parking spot.

To complicate matters even more, why is it that when I return from class I can't find a close parking spot over in the Village? I can't find one close to my building because there are some people - in particular, freshmen in Living Center North - who choose to park over in the Village. Now, I understand it's closer, but there's more than enough parking by the First Year Suites and Student Center to accommodate freshmen without them having to park in the Village.

Sophomore Angela Strouse pointed out that "Not only are they taking the parking spots from the residents, they are also putting their safety in the hands of significantly older strangers. What happens when a young female freshman is walking from her car in the West Village through all the housing where alcohol is not banned? I personally think it's just asking for trouble." So, not only is it a problem of space but also of safety.

I've heard enough complaints about the lack of parking spots by our educational buildings and residential units that I have to say something. It is my hope and earnest plea that you are listening to this. We want more parking by Science East and West and Village East and West. Additionally, we would like you to take out those parking meters over in the Village, Wickes Hall, and the Student Center.

I think it's great we are building new additions onto Pioneer Hall, but how about increasing the amount of parking spaces available to students? I'm sure I'll hear that the Ryder Center and Curtiss Hall parking lots are available, but when you're late for class, the Ryder Center and Curtiss are the last place I'm going to want to park.

I'm not trying to rant and rave, but instead I wish to offer some solutions to help remedy the problem.

We can start by eliminating meters or at least stop ticketing people who park at the ones in the Village and over by the Student Center. We can institute a color-coded decal that tells the parking services who is parked in the right lot. They have designated parking places for us already, so how about make the decals match the areas where we are allowed to park and then enforcing it? Lastly, there really does need to be more parking over by the Village, so how about a parking structure? Or, the University could purchase land across Pierce and build more parking over there.

I would like to point out that at some campuses, freshmen are not allowed to park on campus. While I'm not suggesting banning freshmen from having cars, I do think we should stick to our designated area. I also believe someone needs to find ways to bring more parking closer to campus buildings. Besides, they already raise tuition anyway. Why not raise it a little more to provide for something we can actually use?