If you have a car on campus, you’re probably familiar with the free-for-all parking available on the basketball courts between the Reilly Center and the Richter Center. As if students didn’t have enough to deal with as it is, they also have to deal with parking safely if they attempt to get a spot in this lot.
Most of the safety issues would be cleared up if there were parking lines on the court to begin with. Students shouldn’t be allowed to utilize this space for parking considering there aren’t designated parking lines. Is this deemed “safe” for students to park?
Your first answer might be no, but then the university would have to deal with one of two problems: either pay for the paint and labor to create parking lines on the court or not use the space for parking and have fewer parking spaces for students to use.
Another safety issue regarding this lot is the damages it could cause between students or damages to their cars. For example, it’s hard for students to decipher whether or not their car could or could not fit into a specific spot without parking lines.
If a student is desperate for a spot in the middle of negative temperatures during January, they’re going to do whatever is possible to get a spot, even if it means damaging another car.
Aside from the initial safety issues regarding this lot, students have to deal with parking violations left and right on this campus. Unsurprisingly, the basketball courts are one of the targeted spots where tickets are given to students.
It’s not clear when students are and are not allowed to park in the lot. Wouldn’t it be better for security and students if there were clear signs as to when student parking is allowed and clean parking when those students arrive?
Bottom line: this is a simple issue that the university can fix with a few cans of paint and some maintenance for a weekend project. This would solve a lot of the issues regarding parking and would create a safer place for students and their cars.
This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff.
