From the President’s Desk—Tackling the Parking Challenge

From CURRENTS, MARCH, 2008

Some of you have probably heard me say that when I first assumed the
Presidency, several of my peers advised me that one of the top items on my
agenda would be parking. They were correct, and the issue has been a
particular challenge on this campus, given our less-than-90-acre footprint, our
topography and of course, our continued enrollment growth.

I am pleased to report however, that we are in the process of taking some
new steps in addressing this thorny problem. The changes are going to
require some flexibility and understanding on the part of all members of the
campus family, but they are essential if we are to manage the challenges.

First, my deep thanks to Police Chief Roseann Richard and the members of the Parking Committee she chairs who labored long and hard to analyze our current parking picture and propose solutions. Members included Kim McNutt, Carlos Portillo, Roger Jaeckel, Susan Reynolds, Bob Stewart from the Academic Senate, 2007-08 Student Corp Commander Julian Moore and cadets Sean Diaz and Joey Schlosser. As the result of their deliberations, they presented me with three major recommendations. I reviewed these carefully and have agreed to their adoption effective with the start of the fall 2008 semester:

First, no permits will be issued this fall to students in their first year of attendance, whether freshmen or transfers. (We do recognize that there may be some first-year students with extenuating circumstances. They can apply for a waiver of the new policy via the Public Safety Office.) This was the most difficult choice I faced, but the current inventory of campus parking space, matched against our growth, dictates its adoption.

We currently have about 300 student spaces, and the freshman population alone is about 250. In addition, construction of a new residence facility across from Bodnar Field this fall will remove about 45 spaces from our inventory for at least a year. We hope
to regain some spaces elsewhere on campus, but overall will face a net loss.

After further review, I have also approved a new charge of $3 for daily parking permits of up to four hours and $5 for periods of over four hours (with a daily midnight expiration.) Permit machines in B and D lots will accept bills (no credit cards) and eliminate the need for coins.

Finally, all faculty and staff members who currently have permits paid for through payroll deduction will soon be issued new permits which will, as before, need to be clearly displayed on vehicles. More information about these new permits will be forthcoming in March.

Some have suggested we use some or all of the new acreage we recently acquired outside the campus gate near the Rt. 29 entrance. Unfortunately, doing so would require that we clear, grade, drain, pave, fence and light a sizable area and provide full-time security for individuals and their vehicles. Given the current state budget situation, that simply is not feasible for the near to mid-term. The construction of a single or multi-level parking garage would be prohibitively expensive with current cost estimates of about $17,000 per space, plus ongoing management and maintenance.

The bottom line is that there are no easy short-term answers to this issue. I believe the choices made are realistic and fair given our current circumstances and urge your understanding and cooperation.

The Parking Committee will continue to study this problem as we move forward. If you
have thoughts on possible long-term solutions, feel free to forward them to Chief Richard for review.