OK … Let’s Talk Parking

Editor’s note: This is a revised version of an editorial in Patriot Pulse, the magazine of Talon Student Media. The magazine can be picked up from orange racks around the university. 

Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”

Let’s start by saying that wherever you go, college students will always be upset by two things: parking and Wi-Fi. Every college in the nation is trying to figure out better parking.

To catch you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about UT Tyler’s parking situation.

THERE’S NO PERFECT ANSWER

UT Tyler is growing at a record pace, which is a good thing, but growth can be hard to keep up with. Over the years, the university has considered a lot of ideas to deal with parking issues, but they all have setbacks.

Parking garages are a great way to maximize space but are insanely expensive. State law prevents government funds from being used for parking, so building a garage could increase student fees — by a lot.

The campus is densely packed and hilly, making the options for adding new parking lots slim. There are open areas on the outside of campus that could become a parking lot, but that’s not where more parking spaces are needed.

A new parking lot was added this semester that is providing about 100 spaces. This is a designated faculty and staff lot located near the bell tower.

This addition has freed up some room in parking lots mainly used by students in nursing, biology, education, psychology and music departments.

THE PROBLEM ISN’T JUST SPACE

The university has investigated our parking problem. One of the things they found is that scheduling too many classes at the same time plays a huge role in parking congestion.

This year, they are experimenting with a new class-scheduling strategy they believe could reduce parking during peak-demand times by 10% to 20%.

This is a campuswide effort with a lot of moving pieces, so the university is monitoring it throughout the year to make sure the desired outcome of lowering parking demand during peak times is achieved.

SPEAK UP

If you want to have you voice heard about parking at UT Tyler, consider visiting a Student Government Association meeting. The SGA has worked closely with the university administration for years to find an amicable solution.