Changes in signs, zones and an endless supply of vehicles all add to the parking problem we have here on campus.
Now, the removal of parking on Grove Street has made it impossible to park there at all, Sundays excluded. This alteration, however, was made in part by the city of Westerville. It was made so that emergency response vehicles have the ability to drive through quickly.
Because of poor signage in the parking lot north of Garst Hall and the Rike Center, it is unknown to many that the lot is specifically for faculty and staff. Enforcement was at ease prior to the recent sign upgrade, but the following morning, students were issued tickets before timely notification was given.
The DeVore and Triad parking, which is linked to that lot, has always had parking issues — too many cars and not enough space. People have resorted to parking elsewhere, even off campus, and this simply should not be happening.
Remember walking to your car to find a yellow ticket on the driver’s side window for the violation of a rule you were unaware of breaking?
How about that Sunday night you drove back from home and pulled up to your building’s lot, only to turn around and park unnecessarily far away because of the lack of spot availability?
Included in the last issue of the T&C was the university’s plan for more parking. The only addition The Collaborative Inc. has hinted at is to demolish Garst Hall, Engle Hall and Scott Hall, build new residence quarters and add parking. Where exactly do they plan on adding parking if they are simply rebuilding the demolished residence halls? Only time will tell.
Otterbein needs to look at this problem head on and deal with the issue at hand. There are major flaws with the parking zones, and we are not working at an efficient level. We need to contact the faculty and work together — student involvement is key.
For the time being, I suggest a few simple rules to go by when attempting to park on campus.
1. Park closer to your own dorm, and if you plan on not using your car for many days, possibly transfer it to a less desirable lot, such as the stadium parking.
2. Carpool more. Not only is it better for the environment, but it keeps the number of cars at Otterbein down; even a little help goes a long away.
3. Even though your parents may have just purchased you a new Hummer H2, try not to take up multiple spaces. If I had a nickel for every car I’ve seen that was parked skewed, I would have paid off my tuition years ago.
4. Try to obey the speed limits and watch for pedestrians; your riced-up Honda Civic is only getting the attention of the campus police.
5. Commuters, I would suggest you pick a lot on either side of the stadium. People actually pay good money to live in the residence halls and expect to find parking nearby.
6. Always look for sign changes and email notifications.
7. It would also be in your best interest to purchase a decal for your vehicle the moment it enters Otterbein’s campus. It’s been a popular occurrence to wait until you recieve a ticket to go to the station to pick one up, seeing as you can get out of paying for your first ticket by simply buying the parking decal.
8. If you switch cars, be sure to grab the decal off of your old window and update the Police Department on your vehicle change. If you forget, you’re required to purchase a new one.
9. Contact the campus police at 614-823-1222 if you have any questions regarding parking zones and permit issues.
