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Students take back seat when it comes to parking
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Students often complain about the parking situation, which
continually gets worse as Boise State’s enrollment climbs.
However I don’t see the students protesting in masses or
drafting petitions seeking any type of change. The students let out
a collective sigh every time the price of permits increases, but I
wonder where the students were during the decision process.
A group of students has formed the Campus Parking Alliance and
are working on becoming an officially recognized club. I was
elected by the current members to be president and work on
improving the current situations.
I have a couple of questions, which should be asked by students.
Why does the Parking Department charge a special rate for the
garage permit when they built the structure on top of general
permit spaces? Why does the Bronco Athletic Association get a
standing invitation on just about every parking lot east of the
Administration lot during the football season?
The second question is the first problem the club address. I
don’t see the logic in selling resident parking permits to
students and tell them they have a reserved lot in front of Chaffee
Hall, except for the days the Parking Department decides to have
them moved in order to cater to large events like football.
Looking on the web page of the Parking Department under
reservations you will find it costs the BAA about $150 dollars to
reserve the Stadium lot. It is disappointing to see Boise State
sell out the students for such a small dollar amount. This fee
covers an area where the resident students of Driscoll, Morrison,
and Chaffee Hall park their vehicles.
During a game the spaces allotted to the dorm parking is cut in
half forcing the residents to play musical parking spaces. Those
who don’t find a space are forced to take their vehicle as
far away as the administration parking lot.
When you compare the difference in sources of revenue for the
Parking Department it breaks down with seven home games next year
bringing in $1050 for the use of those resident parking spots.
According to Director of Parking Jared Everett, earlier in the
fall semester the department had sold 379 permits for a lot, which
only has 351 spaces. 100 of those spaces are currently being used
for the construction of the new dorms leaving only 251 spaces for
the 379 cars that have permission to park in them.
About 100 cars are forced to move so the BAA can use part of the
residents parking for each home game. The permits for those 100
cars brings in $6,900 in revenue for the Parking Department, which
is over six times the amount the BAA brings to the picture.
The students need to rally and join the Campus Parking Club and
challenge the BAA for their territory. This year the BAA was able
to handle the games without those 100 spaces being used by the
construction crew. I say if the students rally we can get those 100
spaces added for resident use on game day.
If students join the Campus Parking and we are able to gain
support, than we can make recommendations to the parking advisory
board to have a few rules changed which would make students first
priority – not second-class.
Skaggs is president of Campus Parking Alliance and student
lobbyist for ASBSU
James Skaggs
special to The Arbiter
