by Jessica Beebe UPEI parking lots are get- dents and staff ignoring tickets and has been dealt with.” By October 16, we will determine ting tight for space. getting upset with Security, they’re “Starting October 2, _ if parking needs to be extended this

Students are parking any- where they can. With the use of parking permits, several are won- dering why parking lots are over- flowing

Margaret Doyle, student, has great difficulty trying to find a parking spot.

- “On most days, I have to come as early as one hour before my class starts in order for me to get a spot,”said Doyle. “Finding the spot is not the only problem, It’s getting out afterwards that can be the real problem.” Doyle explained that cars are oftened parked alongside the driveways which makes exiting the parking lot difficult.

Doyle also fears the winter.

“If it’s this bad now, think how dangerous it will be once the parking lot is ice and snow,” she said.

Carley Rayner, student, is also annoyed with UPEI parking.

“Most of the time I have to park in the Farmers market parking lot because the University parking lot is full,” says Rayner.

She added, “it sucks because we had to pay a lot for the parking passes and | still have to park so far away!”

Students are not the only ones who have something to say about the parking situation. Dr. Richard Lemm, English Professor, believes that because of the increase in enrollment, the parking problem has never been this bad. “Over the past 12 years I’ve been

teaching hére, this is the ‘most —

” !

crowded it has ever been He also feels that more sup-

port should be given to Security. — --“] support strict‘rules that security is enforcing,” “remarks Lemm. “It’s frustrating to see stu-

just doing their job.” _ He added, “It’s also very frustrating to see cars parked in

places where they shouldn’t be

when in most cases, there’s spaces further down!”

Neil Henry, Vice-President of Finance and Facilities, discussed the procedures that are involved to maintain an organized parking sys- tem.

“We try to keep it in bal- ance,” explains Henry. “There are more parking permits issued out than there are actual spaces, that’s the way we’ve always done it. Last year the total permits issued was 1,501 [for staff and students] although there is only 1,177 spaces. This is because there are both part-time and full-time stu- dents, therefore they all park at dif- ferent times.”

He feels that once the first

month is through, parking will be -

more under control. “September is a very busy month,” said Henry.

“We are trying to get everything -

organized and the students are get- ting themselves settled for the year. By October, we should have every- thing under control.”

“No parking enforcements are being made yet but in the case someone has parked where they shouldn’t have,” Henry said.

Henry continued, “security has been placing pink ‘Polite

‘Notices’ on their windows. These notices explain that enforcement . will begin in October. As for right

now, only illegal parking, such as

_parking in front of a fire hydrant;

Security will be writing up parking reports four times during the day,” he added. “This will help us see such things like when the parking lot is the fullest and to ensure that everyone is parked orderly. This is also when towing will begin and tickets will be issued.” - There is also talk of expan- sion to allow for more space. “Parking has always been a problem,” said Henry. “A couple of

‘years ago, the C parking lot was

expanded and we are discussing the need to make another expan- sion.”

“It’s hard because there are so many other expenses right now and it takes a lot of planning,” added Henry. “It’s a very big deci- sion but because of the increase in enrollment, it’s definitely needed.

fall or next summer.”

Henry concluded by say- ing, “There is no form of public transportation on the island, there- fore many of the students have no alternative but to drive a car to uni- versity. We run a ‘roadway’ in effect and it can get pretty danger- ous at 8:30 in the morning. We are working hard to organize the park- ing system so that it is systematic for everyone.”

To help staff and students understand the rules and regula- tions of the parking system, yellow ‘Traffic & Parking. information’ brochures were given out with the issued parking permits. These handouts include all the informa- tion needed to park at UPEI. Such details as regulations, enforcement, and overnight parking.O

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