One week into the fall semester, UB officials say they are pleased with the pilot program that bans freshmen from parking along the academic spine, though some students argue the system is ineffective.
Responding to consistent complaints of insufficient on-campus parking, UB is testing a new policy that prohibits freshmen that live in the residence halls from parking along the spine from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week.
Students acclimated to the campus are well aware of the parking situation of past years, but officials say the problems have more to do with getting a "good space" than being able to park at all.
"There is an adequate amount of space, it's just a matter of allocation," said Maria Wallace, director of Parking and Transportation Services.
The new system opens an estimated 450 spots along the spine equivalent to the size of nearly all three Jacobs Hall lots combined, according to Wallace.
While the ban brings new hope to irate commuters and livid upperclassmen, it has also evoked mixed feelings from resident freshman drivers who haven't known it any other way.
Some students said they are indifferent to the new rules.
"I don't really need to drive to class, but there aren't many parking spots anyways," said Michelle Cantlay, a freshman undecided major.
Others, like Andrew Werner, a freshman theater major, said the new system simply doesn't work.
"I've been here for a week and have waited far too long for a bus," said Werner. "And to add to the situation, how about a full bus arriving someplace and still stopping even though it can't take more people, but it's required to stop?"
Questions about the busing system have and will continue to be a discussion point for students and administration. Along with the freeing of space, the policy will create a new dependency for resident freshmen on the newly christened UB Stampede and shuttles.
"We have 24 new buses, which have received positive reviews in our first week back at school," said Christopher Austin, coordinator of adjudication and transportation. "And the Park and Ride shuttles have tripled in use, but are still running smoothly."
In an effort to increase campus transportation efficiency, the Park and Ride program provides the outer parking lots with a shuttle to bring students to their final destination. It's available at the Center for Tomorrow, the stadium, and Arena and Alumni parking.
Just like any other parking violation, the freshman ban from the spine will be strictly enforced and fines will be issued, according to officials. A resident freshman vehicle can be easily identified by the magenta tag - and consequently ticketed - but some leeway is allowed by the transportation department's warning policy. Students will continue to receive parking warnings through Sept. 9, but from then on enforcement will be strict.
The situation is not entirely on concrete, but the resident parking restriction has so far met the expectations of transportation Services.
"It was a pilot, but we're keeping it for now," Wallace said.
Email:
spectrum-news@buffalo.edu
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
