Parking our perceptions
Sarah Metcalf
Issue date: 4/17/06 Section: Campus Life
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Student and faculty complaints are constant when it comes to parking on the Yuba College campus. Either the parking decals cost too much, there isn't enough good parking, or it's too difficult to purchase a one-day pass. The perception is always gloomy.
The reality is actually a bit brighter. Yuba College parking has improved considerably in the past two years. The entire west parking lot had a $1 million makeover this year, and call boxes were installed throughout the campus. Only a few years ago every student had to pay full price for a parking decal for the entire semester, no matter how often they came to the college. No day passes were available at all.
Today, though inconvenient to obtain, day passes are at least an option. Also, students can buy the day passes in bulk, so those who know they will be returning need inconvenience themselves only once a semester.
But what about those who hadn't planned on stopping by the campus for a day? The convenience of a self-serving parking meter is obvious to those who discuss the option and available at most other community colleges throughout the state.
The fact of the matter is that everyone wants them, especially the Chief of Police, Christopher Wilkinson. So why doesn't the Yuba Community College District cough up the funds needed to purchase the meters for all its campuses?
Answer: the district apparently does not have the money to take on the endeavor. One of the machines, according to Wilkinson, costs a minimum $8,000. Then labor and repair costs must be factored in.
"I'm all for it. I really am," said Wilkinson. "I think it's long over due."
Many wonder where all the money goes when parking decals and passes are purchased and tickets are paid. In the long run, it is supposed to go back to the students. Each campus in the district has its own account where payments go toward improvements on the parking lots, such as purchasing self-serving parking meters, and throughout the campus.
The reality is actually a bit brighter. Yuba College parking has improved considerably in the past two years. The entire west parking lot had a $1 million makeover this year, and call boxes were installed throughout the campus. Only a few years ago every student had to pay full price for a parking decal for the entire semester, no matter how often they came to the college. No day passes were available at all.
Today, though inconvenient to obtain, day passes are at least an option. Also, students can buy the day passes in bulk, so those who know they will be returning need inconvenience themselves only once a semester.
But what about those who hadn't planned on stopping by the campus for a day? The convenience of a self-serving parking meter is obvious to those who discuss the option and available at most other community colleges throughout the state.
The fact of the matter is that everyone wants them, especially the Chief of Police, Christopher Wilkinson. So why doesn't the Yuba Community College District cough up the funds needed to purchase the meters for all its campuses?
Answer: the district apparently does not have the money to take on the endeavor. One of the machines, according to Wilkinson, costs a minimum $8,000. Then labor and repair costs must be factored in.
"I'm all for it. I really am," said Wilkinson. "I think it's long over due."
Many wonder where all the money goes when parking decals and passes are purchased and tickets are paid. In the long run, it is supposed to go back to the students. Each campus in the district has its own account where payments go toward improvements on the parking lots, such as purchasing self-serving parking meters, and throughout the campus.
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