The start of a new semester is filled with change: new classes, new routines and new faces. After a three-month break from school, It’s a big adjustment returning to campus and taking on all it entails. Additional changes, especially ones that aren’t communicated well, can be jarring.
The last thing on a student’s mind is to make sure they can still park where they always have.
Communication regarding the recent changes to parking is lacking and students are suffering because of it.
A few student organizations should not be the only source of communication regarding parking changes. We have not seen any information shared regarding these changes besides the articles we published and a social media post from Student Government. Students who don’t follow us or Student Government have a high chance of being unaware of the changes.
Through chatting with our fellow Lopers, it’s clear that this is the case.
Officials should not rely on students hearing about these changes through word of mouth or by other students.
We wanted to see more communication from the UNK Police Department and University officials prior to the start of school. An email was sent to students in April to announce that permits were available for purchase, but it didn’t explain the changes.
Lot 8, which is east of Nester Hall, was completely open to student parking last year. Part of the lot has been switched to staff parking. Returning students have received tickets because they weren’t informed about the switch. The sign near the lot was updated, but something as small as that is easy to miss when it’s not a dramatic change and a student is used to parking there.
Permits came with a parking map but those can be confusing.
Plus, that section of the lot sits unused when employees go home. With parking as slim as it is, students would benefit from being able to park in that section like before. Students already feel like there’s not enough parking.
Parking officials created “priority” permits, or permits that allow students to park closer to their residence hall. In theory, this strategy sounds promising. With UNKPD enforcing 24/7 ticketing and not overselling permits, one would expect to find a parking stall close to their dorm. Yet, our staff members have reported seeing no change in the availability of parking – having to park off campus despite dishing out a hefty sum of money for a permit.
Finding a parking spot should not be an issue when students are paying for one, especially with the price increasing by $100 this year. That’s no small fee for a college student.
We understand that it’s hard to make everyone happy when it comes to campus parking. There’s no easy solution, but minimal communication should not be adding to the problem.
If changes are made to parking in the future, officials should be the ones distributing messaging regarding them. Students not only want to be in the loop but need to be.
