Dear Editor:
In response to End segregated parking on campus (and many other parking related columns and letters), the biggest problem with parking on this campus is not the lack of parking, but lazy students. Ms. Adolphson stated she arrived at the parking structure at 12:30 p.m. for a 1:00 class. Now, as a teaching assistant whose students seem to be chronically late every semester, I applaud her for actually coming to school in plenty of time to make her class; it is better than a lot of students do.
But instead of sitting around waiting for a spot, she and hundreds of others could go to a parking lot, which they know will contain open spots (the lot across from the Recreation Center and the Arena parking lot come to mind). A walk of about five or seven minutes is all it would take to get to their class. Perhaps those who live within a mile or so a campus should just consider walking in the first place. Walking a mile really doesn't take very long and has the benefit of not requiring looking for a parking space, not to mention the health benefits.
Now, I am not saying there are not problems with the parking situation on campus. Most problems, however, could be fixed with assigned parking spaces. No more people waiting for spaces or in the wrong spot (if they are in the wrong spot, tow them). And no more dashing from lot to lot, decreasing traffic between classes. In the meantime, people need to stop thinking they have the God-given right to park right next to the building they are going to and plan on doing a bit of walking. There is more than enough parking on this campus if everyone would stop being so lazy.
Steven Cochran
graduate student, geology
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
