OCR Text |
Show PACE 4 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY NOVEMBER 28, 1988 FEWER PARKING SPACES: IS THAT WHAT WE NEED? At the onset of another of Cedar City's cold, bitter winters, Thunderbird finds little comfort in the Utah Department of Transportation's actions to insure the safety of student drivers regardless of the inconveniences it will cause those who attend SUSC. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, UDOT workers posted signs and markings restricting parallel parking on a large portion of 200 South. Parking spaces have never been more at a premium than they are now, making the timing of UDOT's decision quite The Although rte Tievi fAWc'lMG RfiSTR-iaioN- Nsege iMcotweKifNr, TdeY oPeNeo rue door eNTPgetAa(L5. ironic and quite disturbing. Parking problems have been a major concern at SUSC this year, forcing campus security to heavily enforce parking regulations. The situation has been so controversial, in fact, that student leaders have resurrected the ASSUSC Traffic Appeals Committee to hear student complaints regarding parking citations. The ASSUSC Constitution makes provisions for such a board, but the judicial body has been dormant for nearly half a decade. Only this year has the parking problem reached such proportions that ASSUSC leaders deemed it necessary to reactivate the committee. But UDOT's restrictive actions, SESqr will quite likely propel the parking TE although THuiPER?iRt controversy throughout winter quarter. Some of UDOT's restrictions, we agree, are warranted. The hill near the Music Building on 200 South makes parking unsafe there, and regulations have previously existed to prevent drivers from parking in the area. But the level portion of the road the area across from Juniper Hall extending to the PE Building has provided legal parking as long as anyone can remember. Of all times, why ban parking there now? The issue of danger in the area is questionable. When discussing the frequency of accidents in the area now banned from parking, one UDOT official pointed out, "I'm not sure it's any higher than any other particular piece of road." SUSC administrators who support the restriction are trying 'Access' is a recurring column through which to assuage student anger by promising future expansion of the members of the campus community may address residence hall parking lots and the possible construction of a themselves to topics of concern andor interest. This lot south of campus nearthe president's horre. Providingmore week's column is by WAYNE ANDRUS, a convenient parkirg is a good idea, but these lots should have in biology and physical sophomore been constructed before parking restrictions came along, not education. majoring well-intende- d, DRieo Ac F iT TPCTiaNS fflo Master Plan threatens to overcrowd campus after. The Thunderbird realizes that parking congestion can lead to accidents, and we admire UDOT and campus administrators for seeking to ensure our safety. But now is simply not the time for such dramatic decisions as that which now prevents parking along one of the most convenient and accessible spots on campus. 7 M STUDENT NtVYS AND VIEWS Of SOUTHERN UTAH UAffc VOLUME 83, NUMBER Editor Nicole Bonham Associate Editor Lynn Holt Design Editor Danny Stewart Photo Editor Tyler Brown Copy Editor Anne McCloskey Entertainment Editor Cary Ziegler CWLitl c ItLMK HI i 11 Sports Editor Brent Richey Operations Manager Lynn Dennett Production Manager Raquel Eves Ad Representatives Nicole Floyd Micheile Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body ot Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the College s The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird department of communication are the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflea the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird a s a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be printed Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Friday for inclusion in the following edition The Thunderbird editorial and advertising offices in SUSC Library 103 Mail at SUSC Box 7758 9304 Cedar City, UT 84720 Phone (801) i don't know if stand alone, but for one am a little upset about the shortsighted thinking that went on during the development of the SUSC Master Plan for future physical growth. One of the most attractive aspects about Southern Utah State is its campus. The campus is laid out in a homey kind of way; old buildings, nice landscaping and green trees. But what Southern Utah State has over the rest of I I I the state's schools are the several open grassy areas in the middle of campus to relax and entertain students. The Master Plan outlined in the Nov. 7 issue of The Thunderbird shocked me. The planners for the future of this great college were going to, in essence, rape the college that have come to know and love. The plan called for an expansion of the current business building and the construction of a new library that would take up the entire lower quad. And, if that wasn't enough, they plan to use the upper quad as well. This, to me, is a step in the wrong direction. I think that the planners of this college's future should look at the campuses of other colleges in the state. For instance, look at the differences between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University campuses. When BYU started its most recent surge of growth back in the early 70s, the campus had lots of open SUSC. At that time, areas, much like our present-da-y I the decision was made to build buildings on those student open areas to make room for the increased to population. Very little newjand was acquired BYU s a As result, campus BYU's out growth. spread has an atmosphere of being overcrowded. I On the other hand, the U of U has done what U really planned think SUSC should do. The U of ahead. They didn't just build on the open spaces on campus they bought new land so that the campus could have open spaces and still have adequate classroom space for its students. The University of Utah's campus is far more relaxing than the campus at BYU because of its open spaces. also think the planning committee should do I The growth dictated by SUSC's Master Plan is, to me, a step in the wrong direction. additional planning in other areas. If this organization was to really plan for the future of our college, it would take into Account SUSC's know several population. high married-studefriends who are married with children, something not uncommon with a lot of students in Utah. At the present time, SUSC has just one married student housing complex, and it has been condemned several times. And Oak Hall doesn't have enough room for children. The planning committee needs to look into building another married student housing facility. There is a need for it now, not just in the next five years. Yet, for some reason, the planning committee has failed to recognize the need for such additions to our campus. nt I |