A crowded campus leads to a rise in traffic jams and an overall lack of available spaces. Frustrated students say the parking system is in shambles, but the administration maintains it is doing students a favor.
On the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, the type of parking pass you buy determines where you park. There are 16 general lots and 17 reserved lots on campus. Decals range from $90 to $220. General decal holders park at any general lot, while reserved decal holders park at reserved locations or any general marked lot should theirs be full.
There are 5,982 parking spots registered to UTC. Cindee Pulliam, Director of Auxiliary Services, says there were 2,858 reserved lot decals sold, leaving an estimated 3,124 spots in the general lots. However, with a record enrollment of over 10,000 students, some 4,000 could be left without a parking space on any given day. And in fact, many students park at the Engel and Finley stadium lots, riding shuttle buses to campus.
Students are frustrated, and the general consensus about parking on campus is negative. Senior Louise Elliot suggests that the university's Parking Services' website is indicative of the situation as a whole. “UTC Parking Services has a link on their page titled ‘Tips on how to avoid parking tickets and related information,’ but of course the link is broken,” Elliot said.
Many argue that the options, or premiums, they are given should guarantee them a spot within a mile of their classrooms. And some students say UTC Parking Services employees have gained a reputation for preying on them—hiding around corners, waiting for their chance to strike. Parking staff maintains that it is only doing its job.
Pulliam believes the current system is working. “Right now, I think we have a very democratic system,” she said. “If you want to pay a premium, then you get a premium spot.” When asked where she parked, Pulliam said her spot was right outside the auxiliary services building, “and yes I pay, just like everyone else,” she added.
thatmollygirl on Nov. 10, 2009
Traffic is an issue on any college campus. Many schools elect not to allow freshmen driving privileges. Here at Georgia State we pay $200 for a day-only lot, whereas the lots that are available 24-hours are either $95/mo or $400/semester. Students have begun to rely on other modes of transportation such as scooters or bikes and there were even initiatives rewarding those who chose this method. While parking may be an issue, there is a shuttle and it's not nearly as bad as it could be.
amac25 on Nov. 10, 2009
thatmollygirl is right. Parking at Georgia Tech costs a lot more! They also had a rule about freshman not being allowed to have cars. I know UTC has a lot more commuters, but maybe they could say no cars if you are a freshman living on campus.
britishrose528 on Nov. 10, 2009
this is a great article evan! good job!
evanbissonette on Nov. 13, 2009
I asked Mrs. Pulliam about the no parking for Freshmen aspect, but she said that if they pay, they can park wherever they like, even if they have a spot somewhere near their dorm. So at this time, they weren't considering this option.