Most U faculty and staff members have an easy time finding places to park on campus. There are, however, are a few wrenches in an otherwise convenient setup.
“Most of (the faculty) are here early in the morning, way before students get here,” said Abby Dohanos, an academic adviser for the communication department.
Dohanos said the only time she has any trouble finding a parking spot is during student orientation, when parents are allowed to park anywhere on campus, which she said is “totally understandable.”
Thirteen percent of all parking spaces on campus are designated for faculty and staff, but 9 percent of those8212;289 total8212;are saved for specific people.
Faculty and staff are able to buy parking permits for one of the 3,300 A-zone spots, which are generally closer to buildings and reserved for them. However, because Commuter Services sells the same slots to full-time employees who want to pay $1,540 for a 24-hour private space, there are fewer locations for faculty who have already paid for the $264 A-zone permits.
“When it’s open to everyone then it’s like water,” said Alma Allred, director of Commuter Services. “It all evens out. But when you have reserved spaces, it starts to disrupt.”
But there is a refuge for faculty who don’t mind a brisk walk.
Tony Ekdale, a geology professor, uses the north parking lot above the Merrill Engineering Building. He said he’s never had any trouble finding a place to park in the 30 years he’s taught at the U.
David Dobson, a math professor, also uses the vacant lot to park his car. However, he said he wishes the campus planners would add more parking spots for motorcycles and scooters8212;spots that are almost always filled on campus, he said.
“In the past year, a lot of people have been converting to scooters and at times I can’t find a spot anywhere,” Dobson said.
He’s even attempted to get away with parking his Honda motorcycle next to a packed motorcycle spot, only to be ticketed.
“You think they might seasonally open up a few parking spaces for motorcycles…when the weather’s so nice outside,” he said.
The campus Master Plan seeks to rectify some of the parking space issues with more parking lots, such as an underground parking lot under Presidents’ Circle. Dobson said he is looking forward to having the space and is glad that the U is throwing pedestrians a bone.
“The less traffic and automobile (issues), the better,” he said.
Lennie MahlerStaff parking is made available to employees on campus but for a fee they can purchase even closer reserved spaces. Many employees are hoping the underground parking lot under President?s Circle will solve some issues with these spaces.