2008 Woodie Awards
Parking, smoking addressed at open forum
by Rebecca McQuiston
Issue date: 10/7/08
Section: Campus News
There has been a lot of discussion about the parking situation on campus as implications of a possible parking ramp or deck are being debated as a solution.
During Thursday's open forum, Minnesota State President Richard Davenport, MSSA president Ryan Anderson and others addressed parking and transportation concerns of MSU students
Vice President of Finance and Administration Rick Straka compared the expense of building a ramp to basic surface parking.
A surface parking lot costs about $1,500 per stall to grade, asphalt, curb and drain the land, while a ramp costs about $20,000 per stall, he reported. The surface parking lot would be built on the perimeter of campus with a robust shuttle system that would still be less expensive than building a ramp.
A question arose about what administration is doing to increase the convenience of the bus system through campus. Straka said MSU has been working with city and county officials to tie MSU's transportation system in with the city bus system. Student government pays for a bus route out of activity fees, and there is a city bus route through campus. A shuttle runs every six to eight minutes from the lots.
"One of the best kept secrets on campus is what a robust shuttle system we already have in place to get from our distant parking to the core of campus," Straka said.
Davenport spoke about moving forward to a more pedestrian friendly campus over the next five years. He said the university is headed toward creating a more beautiful campus with landscape, gardens, architecture and artwork.
"We can't do it when we have a concrete jungle like we have here," Davenport said. Parking will be on the perimeters of campus as to not interfere with this plan.
Smoking on campus was also on the agenda at the forum. Administration has been taking into consideration designated protected areas for students to smoke in.
"The biggest factor in determining the total cost is the number of shelters, the size of the shelters and the placement of the shelters," Straka said.
Currently there is a no-smoking policy at MSU within 15 feet of entrances. Davenport was asked if he thought this policy was being enforced or was being taken seriously and at what point would fines be given.
"I don't believe it is working," Davenport said. He entertained the idea of an alternative program that would lead to self-enforcement rather than fines for smoking on campus. He admitted this was a rather new policy and should have had a campaign and been promoted more.
"The student population is so split on the issue that we need to come to a solution," said MSSA Vice President Murtaza Rajabali.
Rebecca McQuiston is a Reporter staff writer
During Thursday's open forum, Minnesota State President Richard Davenport, MSSA president Ryan Anderson and others addressed parking and transportation concerns of MSU students
Vice President of Finance and Administration Rick Straka compared the expense of building a ramp to basic surface parking.
A surface parking lot costs about $1,500 per stall to grade, asphalt, curb and drain the land, while a ramp costs about $20,000 per stall, he reported. The surface parking lot would be built on the perimeter of campus with a robust shuttle system that would still be less expensive than building a ramp.
A question arose about what administration is doing to increase the convenience of the bus system through campus. Straka said MSU has been working with city and county officials to tie MSU's transportation system in with the city bus system. Student government pays for a bus route out of activity fees, and there is a city bus route through campus. A shuttle runs every six to eight minutes from the lots.
"One of the best kept secrets on campus is what a robust shuttle system we already have in place to get from our distant parking to the core of campus," Straka said.
Davenport spoke about moving forward to a more pedestrian friendly campus over the next five years. He said the university is headed toward creating a more beautiful campus with landscape, gardens, architecture and artwork.
"We can't do it when we have a concrete jungle like we have here," Davenport said. Parking will be on the perimeters of campus as to not interfere with this plan.
Smoking on campus was also on the agenda at the forum. Administration has been taking into consideration designated protected areas for students to smoke in.
"The biggest factor in determining the total cost is the number of shelters, the size of the shelters and the placement of the shelters," Straka said.
Currently there is a no-smoking policy at MSU within 15 feet of entrances. Davenport was asked if he thought this policy was being enforced or was being taken seriously and at what point would fines be given.
"I don't believe it is working," Davenport said. He entertained the idea of an alternative program that would lead to self-enforcement rather than fines for smoking on campus. He admitted this was a rather new policy and should have had a campaign and been promoted more.
"The student population is so split on the issue that we need to come to a solution," said MSSA Vice President Murtaza Rajabali.
Rebecca McQuiston is a Reporter staff writer
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