Is it me, or do you have to sacrifice your first born to the parking lot gods in order get a parking spot at Buffalo State College? It seems as if I bought a parking pass, but can never find a spot in any lot even remotely near to my classes. So I park behind the Albright-Knox Art Gallery every day and climb over snow piles, walk down a sometimes plowed path, cross a busy Elmwood Avenue to get on campus so that I can continue to walk to my classes. Now this is not an impossible task, but during a harsh Buffalo winter, it seems like a bitter cold obstacle course to have to endure to get a good education. So, I had to ask myself, “Is it just me? Am I the only one that feels as though I spent $70 on a parking pass for nothing?”

I decide to seek input from 10 of my fellow students, using a 12 question survey. The first thing I noticed was how eager they were to discuss that issue. I quickly received conformation that other students share my frustration. The most common answer to the question, “What do you think of the parking at BSC?” was, “It stinks!” All 10 students purchased parking passes and barely ever find parking in campus lots.

-When I asked where they park instead, senior Chris Lape said, “I don't, I walk from Amherst Street, because it's faster than searching and walking from a spot.”

-Two freshmen told me that they gave up on campus parking and look for spots on the street.

-One person simply stated that, “There are enough spots, if you have time on your hands and are willing to walk.” From the results of my survey I would have to agree. –

-The other 6 participants usually park in lots F, G, M and L which are between Rees and Grant streets.

-Their average school arrival time is about a half-hour to an hour prior to class, with a 10-15 minute walking time from car to classroom.

What about students who really don't have a half-hour before class to take that hike? I have a 5-year-old boy who has to be at school at 9:15a.m. and a class that begins at 9:25a.m., which was the only one available toward my major. For people with time constraints, this poses a huge problem. Some teachers have strict attendance policies, where tardiness results in the lowering of your grade.

The bigger problem with parking in lots in the Grant Street area is the rough neighborhood that you must entrust with automobile.

-Lape reported that he endured, “Lots of damage, sound system stolen, door pried open, rear seat pried forward to get the amp and disc changer…”

-Junior Nikole Flannery says, “My friends car was side swiped many times in the parking lot by other cars.”

-Sophomore Carly Magans witnessed someone vandalizing a student's car.

So what is a student to do when running late and unable to find a parking spot? I asked my survey participants if they ever park illegally, and 8 out of 10 said, “Yes!”

-Several students admitted to parking at the ends of rows, in staff lots and at meters for way over the maximum time allotted.

-One woman has been known to park sideways on snow banks.

-Another gentleman brings an old ticket with him and puts it on his windshield to deter officers from giving him another one.

-A few students suggested buying a membership to the art museum and using their lot.

-Danielle Gonzalez was running late one day, and had to park so far away that she actually hitched a ride to class from another student whom she did not know.

The lengths that students are willing to go to get to class are pretty amazing, but dangerous and problematic.

There must be a better way to accommodate our commuter students who pay good money to get an education. This problem appears to have existed for decades, and probably won't be solved in the immediate future. I received plenty of suggestions, the most popular being creating a parking ramp from one of the existing lots. Building up rather than out would maximize the number of parking spaces available, without adding further walking distance to classes. Survey participants also advised taking a portion of the practice field to turn into a lot, or reopening the tunnels, with better security to provide warmer routes to classrooms.

As students we can also help the situation by taking public transportation, or riding bikes to school provided that you live close enough.

I attempted to discuss this matter with security officials, but was told that they are unable to comment on this issue.

BSC PARKING INFO

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