Remember the uproar over No Confidence in the spring of 1999? Nearly two years later, we can claim some progress in shared governance. But whatever happened with the root of all that frustration? Where has the fury over parking gone?
We thought some had resurfaced last night at the Student Government Association meeting. The agenda included a resolution put forth by several commuter senators that proposed some changes in the parking system. But after a heated debate fueled by the residential senators, the bulk of the legislation-the reassignment of two general lots to commuter-only parking-was eliminated.
What was left after an hour and a half of debate? Some visitor parking spaces, extra general spots in the Olive-Compton Garage and reorganized student membership on the Parking Advisory Board. This can hardly be considered a dent in the parking problem.
Is the SGA really worried over this issue? They might have designated a committee to discuss concerns and formulate solutions, but we haven’t heard much from them yet. Indeed, in all the debating at last night’s meeting, not a mention was made of the committee’s research or proposals. Does this mean that they simply don’t have any?
After two years of fretting, we hope this isn’t the case. Senators keep grumbling that their constituents are upset with the parking situation, but where is the legislation?
Surely we cannot consider last night’s proposal a breakthrough. The watered-down resolution barely questioned the status quo, and the original wasn’t much of a solution, either. While the many commuter students on our campus would have been pleased with the reassigned lots, the frustration would simply have been pushed onto the residents. SGA has yet to present a meaningful suggestion, and again time is dwindling before next year’s parking assignments are made.
The problem lingers . or does it? Can we truly define a “problem” in the parking situation at SLU? As the administration often points out, plenty of parking exists at this University. The Olive Compton Garage might be at the far edge of campus, but it offers plenty of general spaces.
Maybe the real problem with parking is student attitude. Granted, it is a hike from Olive to Xavier or the Village, but what can be expected at an urban university with limited space? Consider the plight of students at a sprawling state school or a city campus that spans several blocks. In comparison, we should be grateful for adequate parking within a reasonable distance. Since new surface lots seem unlikely any time in the near future, both commuters and residents must warm up to the idea of using that “other” garage.
Regardless, SGA should take some constructive action on this issue. If they maintain that revision is still needed in the parking program, then offer a concrete solution-not fluff-and offer it now. But if they, too, are ready to accept the Olive Compton Garage, then make that dreadful walk a little easier to tolerate. Work with the Department of Public Safety for a more efficient escort service and increased patrolling.
But do something, because the stigma of parking will never leave this campus with merely inflated rhetoric.
