Finding a spot to park on campus can be a tricky business, even when there is not a football game going on. During and before games, it can be almost impossible.
Commuter Services and UTA proposed several solutions to the parking problem for today’s game, which may be especially difficult to park for since the game falls at the end of a school day.
Amy Wildermuth, associate vice president for faculty, sent an email to U professors last week, asking them to consider moving afternoon classes on Thursday game days to quiet areas of campus, modifying their class schedule or webcasting.
Though most students are enthusiastic about the game, some say that they would be disappointed if their classes were canceled or shortened because of the game.
“I come to school to learn,” said Nic Smith, a senior in English.
He said the situation was frustrating but understood why the request was made.
The email also urged professors to consider carpooling or taking mass transit to prevent traffic congestion.
Alma Allred, director of Commuter Services, released a similar email, “strongly” recommending the use of alternative transport.
Though students and professors have free access to UTA transit, that option will be more readily available to other fans commuting in for the game, thanks to a new policy instituted by UTA. This year, the transit system will accept tickets to U football games as transit passes, so fans will have free transit to and from games.
UTA spokesman Remi Barron said the initiative is a “good [way] to get people out of their cars and onto mass transit.”
UTA anticipates an increase in ridership as a result of the new policy and will be adding extra cars to TRAX to fit more game-bound fans onto the trains.
The policy will remain in effect all year, providing basketball and volleyball fans with the same convenient and free transport to games.
Allie Vangeison, a junior in nursing, said the policy is a good idea and suggested that it could result in a decrease the number of DUIs issued after games by offering drunk fans a quick and free way home.