Why is parking such a challenge on campus?
Kelsey Tressler
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
"There's such a lack of parking at this school. Also, the parking tickets frustrate me, and there's no differentiation between commuter parking and regular student parking," Catherine Rosekelly, senior, said.
Director of Campus Safety Bill Carew acknowledges that parking is a challenge on FSC's campus.
According to Carew, there are enough parking spots for students, but they are not always convenient.
"Students have a class at nine o'clock, and they show up at 8:55 looking for a spot right outside their building." Carew said. "The complaints are legitimate, but if you get here early, there are spots."
Administrators have been monitoring the situation and plan to renovate many existing parking lots. There are no plans to build new lots.
"There will be maintenance to the parking lots over the Christmas break," Carew said. "We plan to make spots more identifiable."
Part of the problem stems from poorly marked parking spots, according to Carew. The tire lot behind Hollis could fit more cars if the spaces were properly distinguished.
FSC will not be paving the grass and tire lots, but there are plans to expand some of them. FSC aims to have more parking in those areas near the grass and tire lots.
Parking tickets have been an issue this semester due to the lack of recognizable spaces. Many students have contested tickets by saying that the spots are not clearly marked.
"It's been challenging, and we've been benevolent with those," Carew said.
Ticket prices rose from $20 to $50 for parking in faculty parking spots last year, and other parking tickets rose from $20 to $25. Carew said that this is consistent with what other similar universities are doing.
FSC has discussed making a lot for commuter parking, but there are no plans to create one.
"We're not sure where to put a commuter parking lot, and we can't just assign parking to one group," Carew said.
School events are also an issue when it comes to parking. Sometimes parking lots are closed off for visitors, which is a problem for students.
"We tried to let students know so they can plan for it, but we know it's still inconvenient," Carew said.
Students are not the only ones inconvenienced by parking. Faculty and staff also have a hard time finding parking spaces.
"Everyone is upset, but safety has to walk too," Assistant Director of Campus Safety, John Fox said. "It's not just students."
The rumors about a possible parking garage are not true.
"I would love a parking facility, but there's just no space," Carew said.
Director of Campus Safety Bill Carew acknowledges that parking is a challenge on FSC's campus.
According to Carew, there are enough parking spots for students, but they are not always convenient.
"Students have a class at nine o'clock, and they show up at 8:55 looking for a spot right outside their building." Carew said. "The complaints are legitimate, but if you get here early, there are spots."
Administrators have been monitoring the situation and plan to renovate many existing parking lots. There are no plans to build new lots.
"There will be maintenance to the parking lots over the Christmas break," Carew said. "We plan to make spots more identifiable."
Part of the problem stems from poorly marked parking spots, according to Carew. The tire lot behind Hollis could fit more cars if the spaces were properly distinguished.
FSC will not be paving the grass and tire lots, but there are plans to expand some of them. FSC aims to have more parking in those areas near the grass and tire lots.
Parking tickets have been an issue this semester due to the lack of recognizable spaces. Many students have contested tickets by saying that the spots are not clearly marked.
"It's been challenging, and we've been benevolent with those," Carew said.
Ticket prices rose from $20 to $50 for parking in faculty parking spots last year, and other parking tickets rose from $20 to $25. Carew said that this is consistent with what other similar universities are doing.
FSC has discussed making a lot for commuter parking, but there are no plans to create one.
"We're not sure where to put a commuter parking lot, and we can't just assign parking to one group," Carew said.
School events are also an issue when it comes to parking. Sometimes parking lots are closed off for visitors, which is a problem for students.
"We tried to let students know so they can plan for it, but we know it's still inconvenient," Carew said.
Students are not the only ones inconvenienced by parking. Faculty and staff also have a hard time finding parking spaces.
"Everyone is upset, but safety has to walk too," Assistant Director of Campus Safety, John Fox said. "It's not just students."
The rumors about a possible parking garage are not true.
"I would love a parking facility, but there's just no space," Carew said.
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