Online Forty Niner: v8n1: Ourview: Boycott parking

If you hate walking then I can see why this would be a problem. But for those of you who don't mind adding five more minutes to your already 20-minute walk then I implore you to boycott Parking Services. Even if you're a loyal shuttle passenger, one could still park off campus and only walk five to 10 minutes to a shuttle stop.

Here are some additional reasons. While most incoming students complain about the freshman 30, you'll be sitting pretty having either maintained your current weight or have lost a few pounds. Hiking across campus can turn into a small cardio-workout especially when it's warm and you're running late for class.

Another reason, though personal, has to deal with Parking Services' employees. I'm a starving student and have a car that represents that life style. Affectionately nicknamed "the cockroach," my car, like its namesake, is a survivor and it repulses many. Still I'm attached to my automobile and stick up for it every time people attempt to verbally step on it. On one day in particular a Parking Services minion was faithful in dealing out tickets to campus students. I was walked behind him as we approached "the cockroach" and the minion began to laugh evilly, "Whose drives this piece of s--t? They ought to put it out of its misery."

I immediately stood up for "the cockroach's" honor but the minion only laughed at me. I took that insult personally and vowed never again to give Parking Services any of my money.

Now for everyone ready to join me in the boycott, I will divulge the locations of off-campus parking. Palo Verde Avenue, Atherton Street and Bellflower Boulevard can all be parked on. However, like CSULB's parking lots, off campus parking can be jammed during peak hours and days.

Furthermore, don't park on the residential streets surrounding the campus. Many of them only allow two-hour parking and don't allow overnight parking without a permit. However during my explorative days I found San Anseline and Lave don't have the same restriction.

So save money--boycott Parking Services.