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	Vol.7, No 22, October 6, 1999
	Parking still major problem for students By Jose Corado Daily Forty-Niner As the first few weeks of the semester roll away, many students are still not happy with the parking situation on campus. Students' main concerns include the amount of time needed to find a parking space, not finding a space close to classes and having to arrive to campus earlier than normal. "It's a hassle to park on campus," said Amir Khan, a civil engineering graduate student. "Sometimes even in the evening you can't find parking." Khan wheels around the parking problem by riding a bicycle to school. During the first week, the 2,800-space Parking Structure reached 90 percent of its capacity. Other parking lots close to Upper Campus were full. "Easily we had between 9 [thousand] and 10 thousand students in the morning and afternoon peak hours," said Ignacio Carrillo, associate director of Parking and Transportation Services. It all means that during peak hours, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the campus parking facilities are almost filled to capacity -- 10,000 spaces. Because enrollment has climbed in the first few weeks, the university has taken precautions to minimize the parking problem. Word has spread that a new parking structure would be constructed on Veterans Administration Hospital property, but Carrillo said that will not happen. "There is no structure in the foreseeable future," Carrillo said. "Maybe if the campus grows we'll have another one. But right now there is no need nor money." So what is available for students to ease parking hassles?    One solution is the Campus Connection program, which takes students to different on-campus stops. A half million people use those shuttles every semester, Carrillo said. The shuttle drives by the dorms and many classroom buildings. Another route also runs through neighborhoods near Atherton Street and passes by Brooks College.  Students and employees wishing to ride this shuttle, also known as the Campus Tripper, need an area resident identification card.  The card can be obtained from the Parking and Transportation Services Office by providing proof of residency in the following zip codes:  90808, 90814 and 90815. Campus Connection shuttles that have on-campus stops run Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Campus Tripper runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. "The campus shuttle should incorporate more stops to their off-campus route to better serve students near the route," said Danny Vivian, an international business junior. "I have to hike about three blocks in the opposite way of campus just to catch the shuttle." Another service students can benefit from is the Student Carpool program.  To qualify for the program, a minimum of two students must carpool to CSULB on at least two days. There are a few carpool spaces left, Carrillo said. Students who carpool can use lots 11 and 17.  Students wishing to obtain a carpool permit must come with their carpool partners to the Parking and Transportation Services Office.		Campus eateries recive citations Car accident victim back in classes Sci-fi writer shares life experiences Computer fair provides answers, savings Three women killed on  freeway remembered by family members Parking still major problem for students Football is not needed Dub All Stars bring history back to campus Skunk Anansie smells good State schools unite to change Big West Ice Dogs open season with tight win at home Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.