As St. Bonaventure University class sizes have grown larger over the past few years, with the freshman class alone containing more than 500 students, the struggle to find parking spots has become a significant issue. To help accommodate the spreading concern of being late to classes or getting a ticket, because there seemed to be nowhere else to leave the car, the Facilities Department, the Office of Safety & Security and the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration have teamed up with local paving contractor J.S. Wilby Construction to build new parking lots.
According to Jared Smith, the Associate Director of Facilities Operations, the plan to construct new lots sprang to life during the winter and spring months of 2019.
Altogether, the university will gain a new parking lot located on the east side of campus, a new parking lot located between Doyle Hall and Hopkins Hall and an additional row of parking located in the front of Hopkins Hall.
“The parking lot located by Francis Hall was built to accommodate the students living in Francis Hall this year, and for the future School of Health Professions students, faculty [and] staff” said Smith. “The new parking lot between Doyle and Hopkins will be for events (QCA, Doyle Hall, etc.), faculty/staff and some student parking.”
Senior business major Devan Cavanaugh is one of the students on campus who is satisfied with the project.
“I think they did a nice job with what they had” said Cavanaugh.
However, some students, such as senior strategic communication student Genaro Colón, believe the school could have done more.
“It doesn’t help me find parking for class” Colón said.
In response to students who are displeased with the lack of parking outside classrooms, Smith would like to remind them that the university administration has taken action to combat the situation. A row of faculty parking was changed to student parking in the Murphy lot last year, and the overflow parking lot by the tennis courts was upgraded over the summer, which has yet to fill up this year.
“The problem seems to be with people wanting to park closer to buildings, not in the actual amount of available spaces” said Smith. “The parking committee every year reviews the current parking situation and makes recommendations.”
While the new lots will not prevent students from parking hundreds of feet away from class, it is still great news for incoming students that plan on dorming in Francis Hall or Doyle Hall. The administration hopes to see the parking lot between Doyle and Hopkins finished by the end of October.
By Vanessa Donadio, News Assignment Editor
donadivj16@bonaventure.edu
