2008 Woodie Awards
Student parking debate grows
Katie Via
Ryan Hayner
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/27/07 at 6:32 PM EST
Last update: 9/27/07 at 6:30 PM EST
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One of the most discussed issues by Plattsburgh State students this year is campus parking. While some students believe there is simply a lack of spaces, others feel that increasing class size is to blame and that additional lots should be made to support the growing campus.
Walter Hallett, office manager of University Police, said there are 852 on-campus parking spaces and only 784 parking permits issued. There are, however, only 665 off-campus parking spaces with 1,046 parking permits issued.
While this seems to play poorly for off-campus students, Hallet said, "It's assumed not everyone's on campus at the same time." According to the 2006 national parking standard for college campuses, PSUC is above average in the ratio of off-campus student parking, he said.
Viewing the issue from the standpoint that the campus is expanding too rapidly, Richard Higgins, director of admissions, said: "We have slightly more students this year, but I wonder if it's really causing an ill effect on parking."
There are currently 6,270 undergraduate and graduate students compared to the 6,217 last year-an increase of only 53 students.
So why are some students having such difficulty finding parking?
"I have all morning classes, so I rarely have problems parking," said Heather Taylor, an off-campus student. "Sometimes when I leave and come back it's difficult, but there's always a spot. It may not be near the closest building, but it's a spot. Maybe if people didn't want to park right close to their first class, they would have an easier time".
While some students echo this opinion, many others do not. Katy McNamara, an on-campus student said, "My friend has gotten three tickets because she parked on the grass-not because she was trying to get close to her building, but because it was the only spot."
A lot of students are parking on the grass," said Hallet, "and the appeals board isn't very lenient about [it]." As many as 100 parking tickets are appealed each day, but the majority of them do not get overturned.
Walter Hallett, office manager of University Police, said there are 852 on-campus parking spaces and only 784 parking permits issued. There are, however, only 665 off-campus parking spaces with 1,046 parking permits issued.
While this seems to play poorly for off-campus students, Hallet said, "It's assumed not everyone's on campus at the same time." According to the 2006 national parking standard for college campuses, PSUC is above average in the ratio of off-campus student parking, he said.
Viewing the issue from the standpoint that the campus is expanding too rapidly, Richard Higgins, director of admissions, said: "We have slightly more students this year, but I wonder if it's really causing an ill effect on parking."
There are currently 6,270 undergraduate and graduate students compared to the 6,217 last year-an increase of only 53 students.
So why are some students having such difficulty finding parking?
"I have all morning classes, so I rarely have problems parking," said Heather Taylor, an off-campus student. "Sometimes when I leave and come back it's difficult, but there's always a spot. It may not be near the closest building, but it's a spot. Maybe if people didn't want to park right close to their first class, they would have an easier time".
While some students echo this opinion, many others do not. Katy McNamara, an on-campus student said, "My friend has gotten three tickets because she parked on the grass-not because she was trying to get close to her building, but because it was the only spot."
A lot of students are parking on the grass," said Hallet, "and the appeals board isn't very lenient about [it]." As many as 100 parking tickets are appealed each day, but the majority of them do not get overturned.
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