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Volume 41, Issue 3
September 30, 2003
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September 30, 2003
Parking problem may just be lazy students
Stacey
Vincent
Contributing Writer
The student population at MCC appears to overwhelm the limited
on-campus parking every day as students circle the lot.
“It’s not our fault the school has decided to admit more students
then they can handle,” said Stephanie Leslie, an MCC student.
Many students claim they have no choice but to park illegally just so
they can get to class on time.
“The situation is just ridiculous and something needs to be done,
and by something being done I don’t mean punishing students with
tickets they don’t deserve,” said student Kelly Fritzen.
However, students might just not be looking in the right places for parking
spaces.
Rob Laubacher of college safety and a couple of his colleagues find that
the problem is really not as severe as students contend.
They believe the students are making it out to be worst than it really
is.
“There is always parking available in Lot D. Students are just too
lazy to walk that far,” Laubacher said.
Steve Corich, director of college safety, recognizes the problem.
“We’re on a 20-year plan,” Corich stated in regards
to the school’s plans to build four new parking structures, one
at each corner of the campus.
“We’re waiting on government funding and in the meantime classrooms
are our first priority,” said Corich.
Corich said the first couple of weeks are always the worst.
The traffic traditionally dies down after the first couple weeks of the
semester, making parking less of a problem, Corich said.
However, more than three weeks into the fall semester, 408 warnings and
161 citations were issued, according to the traffic enforcement summary;
compared to the first week, in which only 327 violation parking warnings
and 64 tickets were given out.
These tickets can cost anywhere from $5 to $50.
Most commonly, tickets are given out for not having a parking permit or
parking in employee-designated spaces. Fines for these tickets are $5.
It is extremely important to pay the tickets within the first 15 days
after receiving the ticket, because after that the cost will double. Long-term
unpaid tickets result in students being unable to enroll for classes and
receive transcripts.
Fines can be paid in the cashier’s office or by mail.
Alternatives have been suggested until more parking structures are constructed.
Try pairing up with a friend who shares a similar schedule.
Take turns carpooling throughout the week. Or take the bus.
Other helpful hints were given by students here on campus. Get to school
earlier in the morning, when more spots are available.
One student said she waits and watches for students to leave class then
follows them through the parking lot until they reach their car.
And remember, there is parking behind the school in Lot D. For the few
extra yards, on-campus parking is available and more cost-effective than
parking illegally.
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