Students need a place to park

Many may have noticed the buses that are new to ECU transit with "Go Green" written on the side.

These were put into use in 2008 and promoted because they are hybrid vehicles that run on diesel gas. Bus schedules have obviously changed as well, with bus routes being combined to help conserve.

While this is all very ideal in theory, the fact is undeniable that the amount of students at the university is growing. ECU's campus is also known for its beauty - I agree that the campus is breathtaking and I love it. However, the one thing that I have noticed that sets ECU's campus apart in a more negative way is that there is barely any parking.

UNC Wilmington has several large parking lots that stretch throughout campus. Many of them are right next to buildings that house programs like the education building and the science building. Students can park in these parking lots with specific passes and it typically runs by seniority. The upperclassmen have access to parking lots that are further into campus so they do not have to walk as far.

N.C. State, although for a certain price, still has parking available to students in the form of lots along Hillsborough and Western Boulevard as well as huge parking decks.

Here, in Pirate Nation, for those who do not live on College Hill but are off campus, which is a significant amount, the only option for a parking pass with the university is a C2 pass. This provides the only option of having to drive to Minges, park in the only major parking lot provided for students throughout the entire day and catching the bus to campus.

Not only does this process take at least 30 minutes to guarantee a prompt arrival to class if the class is across campus, but it is rather inconvenient.

The parking lot by Mendenhall has been changed as well and limits drivers with C2 passes to a shorter amount of time when they are eligible to park. They can no longer park after 3 p.m. but must wait another hour. While some may say it is only an hour, it can make a difference for a 3 p.m. class or meeting. So what is the suggestion?

I think students who are just as disturbed about the parking should petition or suggest the idea of a parking deck to the SGA and see some of our student fees and funds put to good use. Instead of spending years trying to fix a fountain, a parking deck, even a three or four story one, would be beneficial and could offer an extra couple of hundred spots.

It would not change anything aesthetically around campus because it can be altered. The contractors can use the same paint or building materials or style of molding for the parking deck as the surrounding buildings.

If the parking deck were to be built near the downtown area, there are many several-story buildings like the dorms so that a parking deck would not tower over everything else.

Understandably, not everyone will be able to have a parking spot exactly where they desire and it will not be free. It is also a consequence of living off campus that transportation time may be extended or inconvenient. However, it is not unreasonable to ask the campus to change along with the student body and provide a more appropriate solution to an increased number of students.

And to keep in compliance with the "Go Green" movement, I'm sure more students would be willing to carpool if they knew that they would have a higher chance of obtaining a parking spot near campus!

This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.