Students Express Parking Woes and Show Resistance to Pedestrian Campus
Jonathan Smith
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: News
Parking is a major problem at South Carolina State University. Some student's say it's stopping them from getting to classes on time and parking fines are putting a dent in their wallets. "I've accumulated 600 dollars worth of tickets since I've been here at State," said Senior Sports Communication major, Romeo Edwards. "It may be my fault because I didn't purchase a parking decal, but whats the point when there is never a place to park."
At SC State, students say there simply aren't enough parking spots for all of the students, and it's $6.00 to park off campus. "Something needs to be done so that there is adequate parking on campus, maybe a new parking lot," said Senior Sports Communication major, Terrell Harmon.
Despite all of the parking problems, Associate Director of Planning and Construction, Alfred Lindsay feels that the university has reached a solution. If you haven't already heard SC State wants to implement a Pedestrian Campus. This initiative will restrict movement of automobiles to certain areas of the campus and it will involve students parking further away from designated class areas, but Lindsay beleives that it will have many benefits. "The purpose of the Pedestrian Campus is to create a more friendly, quiet, and green conscious environment," said Lindsay. Despite his faith in the project, out of 100 students surveyed at SC State, 90 percent feel that this is not a good solution to the parking situation. "Although the concept would be a good idea, what about students who have to walk farther around the campus to get to point A and B," said Freshman Social Work major Lotosha Myers.
Joining the 10 percent surveyed that are for the pedestrian campus is Corresponding Secretary for the Student Government Association Kirsten Nash who said she totally agrees. "I agree with the pedestrian campus because there are so many people that don't go to this school who are on our campus, riding around all day, which places fear on our students. Also the concept of walking would make it feel like a normal campus."
Although most students may feel some animosity towards Lindsay, he stated, "I am only trying to enforce the rules that were already underway from the "Final Master Plan" submittable as of December 2002. The Pedestrian Campus has also been pushed by not one, but two Presidents, Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. and Dr. George Cooper.
So besides the longer walks to class, will this change really be effective? According to Lindsay, it will. Lindsay stated that on a prior field trip sponsored by former president Hugine, he has visited six campuses with this current parking system, and all of the campuses were more friendly and very effective.
Though most students would not prefer parking a mile away from their classes, in light of mother nature and safety plans are underway for the Pedestrian Campus.
At SC State, students say there simply aren't enough parking spots for all of the students, and it's $6.00 to park off campus. "Something needs to be done so that there is adequate parking on campus, maybe a new parking lot," said Senior Sports Communication major, Terrell Harmon.
Despite all of the parking problems, Associate Director of Planning and Construction, Alfred Lindsay feels that the university has reached a solution. If you haven't already heard SC State wants to implement a Pedestrian Campus. This initiative will restrict movement of automobiles to certain areas of the campus and it will involve students parking further away from designated class areas, but Lindsay beleives that it will have many benefits. "The purpose of the Pedestrian Campus is to create a more friendly, quiet, and green conscious environment," said Lindsay. Despite his faith in the project, out of 100 students surveyed at SC State, 90 percent feel that this is not a good solution to the parking situation. "Although the concept would be a good idea, what about students who have to walk farther around the campus to get to point A and B," said Freshman Social Work major Lotosha Myers.
Joining the 10 percent surveyed that are for the pedestrian campus is Corresponding Secretary for the Student Government Association Kirsten Nash who said she totally agrees. "I agree with the pedestrian campus because there are so many people that don't go to this school who are on our campus, riding around all day, which places fear on our students. Also the concept of walking would make it feel like a normal campus."
Although most students may feel some animosity towards Lindsay, he stated, "I am only trying to enforce the rules that were already underway from the "Final Master Plan" submittable as of December 2002. The Pedestrian Campus has also been pushed by not one, but two Presidents, Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. and Dr. George Cooper.
So besides the longer walks to class, will this change really be effective? According to Lindsay, it will. Lindsay stated that on a prior field trip sponsored by former president Hugine, he has visited six campuses with this current parking system, and all of the campuses were more friendly and very effective.
Though most students would not prefer parking a mile away from their classes, in light of mother nature and safety plans are underway for the Pedestrian Campus.
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