|
NEWS
| february 13, 2004
Physical Plant
Plan for faculty lot rejected
But parking committee says there
is a need to discuss improvements to shuttle system as remote permit
sales remain stagnant.
By Brad
Rollins
The Shorthorn Managing Editor
The university parking committee rejected
a request Thursday from two professors to convert a lot near the
Business Building for faculty use.
Public accounting professor Tom Hall and economics professor Ryan
Amacher told the panel that there were not enough parking spaces
for staff and faculty working in the building.
The professors had hoped to convince the committee to allow faculty
and staff to park in Lot 45, south of the Business Building. The
lot is currently used for students. Failing that, they requested
a portion of the lot be closed. Neither were available late Thursday
for comment.
The panel declined the request but noted that discontent over parking
has climaxed in recent semesters, coinciding with an increase in
permit prices for students, faculty and staff. Members said improvements
to the shuttle bus system might encourage students to park in far-off
lots.
A round of lot closings and redesignation scheduled for the fall
are expected to intensify the need, said Student Congress President
Josh Warren, who is a member of the committee.
“I think most people agreed that they had a point —
faculty and students both have parking concerns — but we thought
such changes would require a little more discussion,” Warren
said.
He said he would ask officials to prepare a presentation on parking
for an upcoming SC meeting.
Parking officials have said the parking capacity on campus is adequate
for the university’s needs. But they say students will have
to become accustomed to parking farther from their classes and using
the MavMover shuttle system.
The committee was told that interim President Charles Sorber had
approved slashing the price of remote student parking permits from
$60 to $36. Regular permits cost $72 and senators passed a resolution
last semester urging the discount, saying it would encourage more
drivers to use remote lots.
Nevertheless, only six students have purchased remote permits since,
while thousands more have preferred to pay more for access to closer
parking.
The shuttle system operates on campus Monday through Friday, 7:30
a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students who use the bus can park at Maverick Stadium,
and the buses run approximately every 15 minutes.
|
| |
| Josh Warren,
SC president and
parking committee member, expects parking lot closings
to intensify parking needs. |
|
|
