2/9 UPDATE!

Hello everyone! I apologize for being MIA for a few months. Classes this semester have been kicking my behind already! I met with Mr. Andrae (the Director of Auburn University Parking Services) today to discuss future plans for commuter parking on Auburn's campus. All of these decisions pend University/presidential approval. This is CRUCIAL since a new SGA president just got elected yesterday, so hopefully, Mr. Andrae can meet with Dane Block at the end of February to discuss tentative goals for parking on campus by the next Fall semester. Here are some things that might be considered, pending University/presidential approval: *Expanding the West Parking lot - if considered, a Tiger Transit route would be provided to students to directly get to the center of campus. In essence, an "Express route." *RE-paving the Expansion/CDV lot to allocate for more spaces *Paving for spots near the construction of the new Performing Arts Center across from the Jule Collins Museum **Please note that these ideas are not in effect yet, and these are not the only ideas that Mr. Andrae has. This will cost a lot of money. A single, general parking spot on Auburn's campus costs approximately $5,000. A structured parking spot (i.e. a parking deck spot) costs approximately $20,000 per spot. If these ideas are put into effect prior to the 2019 academic year, students might need to pay for a parking pass with a $20 increase. As a student, I wonder - I pay about $5,000+ in tuition and fees per semester at Auburn... so why do I have to pay more? After speaking with Mr. Andrae since September, I understand now that Parking Services has a "General Fund," where they cannot use these monies to personally "create" spots on their own. They must get University approval and then approval from Facilities Management to create "new parking spaces." There's a lot of micromanaging here, and unfortunately, Parking Services is stuck in the middle and often gets the backlash for it. Being a student, I understand the frustration behind parking and paying money for a spot that is technically not reserved for us. However, if these ideas are implemented, it is GUARANTEED that COMMUTER students will have a spot SOMEWHERE with a convenient, timely way to get to campus. This means (in my personal experience as a commuter student): 1. No more arriving to campus 1+ hour(s) early to find a parking spot 2. No more relying on only the Park and Ride transit route to get to the center of campus when you can't find a convenient parking spot 3. No more wondering if parking is going to jeopardize your attendance to class ***An update for students that utilize the Park and Ride transit route: The 2 stops at the Intramural fields have been centralized into one stop in the middle. Also, the stops on New Row have been centralized to one stop between Theta Chi and ATO. This will allow the route to run quicker to bring more students onto campus in a timely manner. These are just some general ideas that Mr. Andrae has been pushing for several years, and this petition has brought much attention to this issue that presses commuter students on a daily basis. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please feel free to e-mail me (mpl0011@auburn.edu) or Mr. Andrae (dza0015@auburn.edu). Mr. Andrae is ON THE STUDENT'S side, and if you know me, I tell it like it is - I ask that you guys understand that Parking Services is simply doing their job, and Facilities Management is behind this trouble that commuter students deal with every day. If you are a student or a frustrated parent, I ask that you bare with us as these changes are considered. Our voices are being heard, and we currently have to play the "waiting game." Thank you for reading, and I will continue to post updates before the Fall semester begins.