Parking expansion expected
By Rob Cathers
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 9/8/06 Section: News
It's not unusual to see students circling a campus parking lot like hawks preying for food in search of that ideal space near a classroom building or residence hall.
To ease the hunt, students may soon see an addition to the resident parking lots, making parking easier and thus eliminating many complaints university officials receive.
Rumors concerning the university's campground as a possible target area for a new parking lot have been confirmed.
"It is possible that the campground will become a parking lot," Carlson said. "We are currently taking a look at how it will work with phase two of the housing project.
"If it becomes final, the project could begin as early as fall for occupancy in the spring."
Carlson said that eliminating the campground is of no big concern because the land is not getting much use.
According to SRU's Web site, the campground is made up of 18 sites on several acres of land for students and families to camp. Turning the campground into a parking lot would free up about 126 needed parking spaces.
The University Police Parking Office would not release information regarding the number of resident and commuter parking spaces on campus.
As the number of students living on campus with a car increases, a larger number of unlucky students have to walk further to their cars, but some students wonder if it would be worth losing the campground.
Rachel DeWolf, a freshman health and physical education major, dislikes the idea of making the campground a parking lot.
"The campground sets our university apart from others. It makes us unique," DeWolf said. "We are supposed to be an environmentally conscious university; it would be hypocritical if they allowed this to happen."
For many upperclassmen, the parking situation has been a problem for several years.
"Since my first year I remember it being a major complaint among students," Shannon Lindey, a senior safety major, said. "Now that I commute to school, I have to usually come an hour early to get a spot for class."
To ease the hunt, students may soon see an addition to the resident parking lots, making parking easier and thus eliminating many complaints university officials receive.
Rumors concerning the university's campground as a possible target area for a new parking lot have been confirmed.
"It is possible that the campground will become a parking lot," Carlson said. "We are currently taking a look at how it will work with phase two of the housing project.
"If it becomes final, the project could begin as early as fall for occupancy in the spring."
Carlson said that eliminating the campground is of no big concern because the land is not getting much use.
According to SRU's Web site, the campground is made up of 18 sites on several acres of land for students and families to camp. Turning the campground into a parking lot would free up about 126 needed parking spaces.
The University Police Parking Office would not release information regarding the number of resident and commuter parking spaces on campus.
As the number of students living on campus with a car increases, a larger number of unlucky students have to walk further to their cars, but some students wonder if it would be worth losing the campground.
Rachel DeWolf, a freshman health and physical education major, dislikes the idea of making the campground a parking lot.
"The campground sets our university apart from others. It makes us unique," DeWolf said. "We are supposed to be an environmentally conscious university; it would be hypocritical if they allowed this to happen."
For many upperclassmen, the parking situation has been a problem for several years.
"Since my first year I remember it being a major complaint among students," Shannon Lindey, a senior safety major, said. "Now that I commute to school, I have to usually come an hour early to get a spot for class."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
harmonicat
George Miklas
posted 9/08/06 @ 7:42 AM EST
The campground does in fact set SRU apart from other universities. I am an avid camper and although I've never yet camped in the SRU campground, I am saddened that it may become another asphalt lot. (Continued…)
Amber Lasure
posted 9/11/06 @ 11:45 AM EST
Our campground should not be an option when it comes to creating new parking spaces. Not only to students use that area to camp and socialize, it is an entrance to our ropes course. (Continued…)
Scott M. Slusser
posted 9/12/06 @ 2:08 PM EST
My primary concern rests with Carlson's statement "That eliminating the campground is of no big concern because the land is not getting much use."
I agree that the campground does not get much use as a campground, but as an educational green space it receives a great deal of use. (Continued…)
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