The Senate was nearly divided civil war-style at last night’s Student Government Association meeting. The reason for division: Parking.
The lengthy meeting resulted in two pieces of legislation being approved. A bill to increase funding for the Great Issues Committee passed. But the subject of heated discussion was the parking resolution submitted by commuter senators.
The resolution presented by eight senators “to bring commuter grievances and possible solutions to the attention of the SGA.”
One of the aspects of the resolution asked for parking lots to be designated solely for commuter parking as there are four lots designated solely for residents. This could provide commuters with the security of having a place to park on the west side of campus as opposed to walking 15 minutes from the Olive-Compton Garage.
Joseph Chambers, undergraduate commuter senator, pointed out that commuters make up the majority of the campus. “It’s not fair that someone from St. Charles should drive an hour and then walk eight-tenths of a mile,” he said. “They’d have to leave 20 minutes earlier in the morning.”
Academic Vice President Becky Shelby sided on behalf of the residents. “I live in the Village. When I go to class in McDonnell Douglas Hall, it’s just as far of a walk,” she said. “We’re not that big of a campus that I think it’s an issue.”
The resolution was amended not to include a parking lot designated to commuters.
Commuter Senator Jessica Hahn, one of the co-sponsors of the bill, said that residential students do not need access to their cars as commuters do.
Heidi Bookwalter, Griesedieck Hall senator, felt differently. “A lot of residents have jobs, internships . They need their cars just like commuters.”
Executive Vice President Lauren Gretz asked for an end to the contention between residents and commuters. “Sometimes it [stinks] to be a commuter. Sometimes it [stinks] to be a resident. I think that this jabber back and forth is useless. Just pass the resolution.”
After discussing parking for more than an hour and a half, several amendments added to the legislation and three co-sponsors requesting their names be removed, the resolution passed.
SGA President Jay Perry said that students are not using the current parking situation to its potential. He agrees with faculty and students who feel there is not a parking problem, since technically there are enough spaces on campus if all of the garages are used, including the Olive-Compton Garage.
“It was good intention gone bad tonight. I think that it was a good start in terms of what we needed for parking,” said Perry.
Perry was disappointed to see the debate divided into residents versus commuters.
Graduate Commuter Senator Jim McNichols said that he did have some negative feelings about the debate. “I wish that some senators would put aside personal experiences to look at the best interest of most of the students,” he said.
The other piece of legislation allotted spot funding for the Great Issues Committee.
Due to the airfare for some of the notable speakers, including rapper Chuck D and politician Ralph Nader, the committee requested additional financial support from SGA.
Paul Woody, Arts and Sciences senator, said that the committee has worked strenuously to bring both big- and small-name speakers to the campus. “It is money that is necessary, money that is needed, money that will be well spent,” he said.
