Campus parking, dorms not an issue

CSULB already has enough space. We are not making good use of the land and resources we already have.

The Parkside Commons complex houses nine building, only two stories high; not very economical. More floors can't be added, "unless the buildings were constructed with that," said Tom Berg, a licensed civil engineer, because the foundation won't support more weight.

But they can be expanded horizontally. Yes, the sprawling grassy fields around the dorms are beautiful, but they don't have to be quite so sprawling.  Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos hold only 204 students each, according to the Housing and Residential Life. On a campus of more than 30,000, that's just not enough.

As far as parking is concerned, however, there is more than enough. Lot 15 sits half empty as students attempt to cram their cars into the parking structure because it is a few hundred feet closer to their classrooms.

We don't need more parking. We need a better way to get from the parking lots to the buildings. Our shuttle system is a sorry sight. Constantly full and consistently late, shuttles often travel in tandem as one that was late holds up the others.

Increase the frequency and capacity of the shuttles and suddenly parking on the far edges of campus isn't so bad.

Until CSULB can use its own resources properly, there is absolutely no excuse to even consider barging in on a cherished landmark. We should lease the land to prevent others from doing the same and when the day comes that the campus absolutely must expand, we will still have the option to build there.

As long as there are other options, let those who fought for world peace keep their garden. It barely begins to repay our debt to them.