Spring Break
Students need easy parking over a pretty campus
Katie Bushey
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: Commentary
In other words, the apartments situated on or near Hunting Lodge Road require no extra travel for buses. Freniere added that, "the fact that Norwegian Wood, Renwood, Walden and other complexes are not between UConn facilities means they won't get service."
Although a shuttle bus that picks up students right outside their doors is out of the question, there are definitely some alternatives the university can look into. Chelsea Bartscht, a 5th-semester psychology major who lives in Renwood Apartments, suggested a commuter lot near Carriage House or Celeron Square apartments. That way students could still take advantage of the apartment shuttles at less cost to the university.
"I think it would cut back on wasted time and gas for students," Bartscht said. "I think there needs to be changes to decrease the amount of traffic in central campus. Go green!"
Bartscht's idea would mean that instead of driving into campus itself, students would instead take the shuttle, leaving their cars at lots outside of campus. An idea such as this would save gas and time for students who often spend more than 15 minutes looking for parking spots. It would also save gas by alleviating traffic congestion on, for instance, Hillside Road.
While that idea may sound far-fetched, at least it is an idea. There is no immediate solution to the growing traffic problem on campus, but something needs to be done. Our campus is not designed to support a high volume of traffic, and that is painfully obvious to any student who has been 10 minutes late to a class because X Lot was full. The university may say there is nothing that can be done about the parking, but aren't we taught as college students to think outside of the box? Shouldn't we always look for the unexpected solution? UConn is overlooking a problem that is just screaming for attention. Do not take no for answer. Parking may seem like a silly thing to start a battle about, but this university is more than capable of fixing it.
Although a shuttle bus that picks up students right outside their doors is out of the question, there are definitely some alternatives the university can look into. Chelsea Bartscht, a 5th-semester psychology major who lives in Renwood Apartments, suggested a commuter lot near Carriage House or Celeron Square apartments. That way students could still take advantage of the apartment shuttles at less cost to the university.
"I think it would cut back on wasted time and gas for students," Bartscht said. "I think there needs to be changes to decrease the amount of traffic in central campus. Go green!"
Bartscht's idea would mean that instead of driving into campus itself, students would instead take the shuttle, leaving their cars at lots outside of campus. An idea such as this would save gas and time for students who often spend more than 15 minutes looking for parking spots. It would also save gas by alleviating traffic congestion on, for instance, Hillside Road.
While that idea may sound far-fetched, at least it is an idea. There is no immediate solution to the growing traffic problem on campus, but something needs to be done. Our campus is not designed to support a high volume of traffic, and that is painfully obvious to any student who has been 10 minutes late to a class because X Lot was full. The university may say there is nothing that can be done about the parking, but aren't we taught as college students to think outside of the box? Shouldn't we always look for the unexpected solution? UConn is overlooking a problem that is just screaming for attention. Do not take no for answer. Parking may seem like a silly thing to start a battle about, but this university is more than capable of fixing it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Off-campus Student
posted 9/29/08 @ 8:38 AM EST
As an off-campus student I can empathize with the author's arguments - I commute from Coventry every day and battle to find parking as well... Actually I really don't have any trouble finding it at all - every morning I park in F-lot and go to work and then at mid-day walk to my grad office near Horsebarn Hill. (Continued…)
The Word
posted 9/29/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
Trust me, there is parking, you just have to find it. F-Lot is always an option and W-Lot
S. TAYLOR
posted 9/29/08 @ 12:03 PM EST
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE REGARDING THE VERY REAL NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS. RIDESHARING AND BICYCLING IS NOT ALWAYS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE WITH LATE NIGHT CLASSES AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. (Continued…)
Craig
posted 9/29/08 @ 2:45 PM EST
I have no issue with everyone saying that we need more routes for the off-campus population. I understand it would be difficult and cost prohibitive, but at the end of the day the off-campus student populations are still students and still deserve more off campus routes or more buses. (Continued…)
Post a Comment