Cover
photo by Tracey Roman
Students
prepare for fall parking disaster
By
Kimberlee Morrison
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Students at Cal State Long Beach could be facing serious problems this fall
if they are planning to park on campus.
Construction of the first of two new parking structures began over the summer,
creating a loss of approximately one-third of the parking in one of the university’s
biggest and most frequently used lots.
According to Parking Services Director Thomas Bass, although a significant
amount of parking spaces in lot 11 will be lost during construction, there
will be a net gain of 1,500 spaces.
Prior to construction, there were 12,500 parking spots. Bass said the university
was experiencing a deficit of approximately 100 parking spaces for students.
This combined with increased enrollment caused the necessity for more on-campus
parking, said Bass.
“We wanted to meet near future and long term needs as student enrollment
continues to increase,” said Bass.
Unfortunately for seniors and other students — particularly those in
journalism, engineering, and other programs on the east side of campus — graduating
before spring of 2006, they will have to suffer through the 750-space loss.
Masters physical therapy student Kara Costello said the construction in lot
11 would be a major inconvenience for her. She expressed fears that she may
have to park on the other side of campus.
Parking usually is especially problematic the first couple of weeks of the
fall semester. According to Bass, this is because students haven’t figured
out where their classes are or alternate transportation options such as carpooling.
Russell Pierce, a senior psychology major, said he was expecting problems but
that wouldn’t be any different from the previous few semesters.
“Parking here is always abysmal,” he said.
Some students claimed having classes before 9 a.m. helped alleviate some of
their parking problems.
“I have early morning classes,” said Costello. “[So] it shouldn’t
be too bad.”
For others though, finding parking could likely become more difficult until
construction is complete. In consideration of this, the university began offering
shuttles to and from Veterans Stadium at no cost.
Fortunately, students at Long Beach City College (LBCC) only use approximately
1,500 of the more than 4,500 spaces in the stadium parking lot. According to
Bob Johnson, Veterans Stadium and LBCC rental manager, CSULB’s usage
of the parking lot should have no adverse effects on parking for students at
the community college.
“Veterans Stadium is almost two blocks away from Long Beach City College,” commented
Johnson. “They tend to look for parking closer to campus.”
Currently there are 400 spaces reserved for CSULB students at Veterans Stadium,
but if the need arises for more spaces, Johnson said CSULB students could use
as much of the parking lot as necessary.
For students taking classes in the evening, there could still be problems because
the last shuttle to the stadium from CSULB leaves the university campus at
5 pm.
Hector Gonzales, a junior biochemistry major does not see himself using the
Veterans Stadium alternative.
“I’d rather just leave early or carpool with friends,” Gonzales
said.
Gonzales did, however, recognized the necessity for construction of increased
parking, but expressed wishes for an alternative to the loss of such a huge
chunk of spaces in the lot closest to his classes.
Pierce understood the need for additional parking, but also understood that
someone would have to suffer for the improvement.
“They’re doing the best they can,” said Pierce. “I just
think the parking problem may be a symptom of a larger problem.” |
