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Virginia Tech
Governance Minutes ArchiveFebruary 16, 1993
DRAFT PARKING/TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Minutes February 16, 1993 Meeting was called to order at 10:18 AM. Members in attendance were Richard Alvarez, Pat Ballard, Wayne Bishop, Chris French, George Lux, Gail McMillan, Valerie Myers (Minutes), Dave Nicks, Carl Polan, Widget Shannon, and J. B. Sutphin. Absent: Ben Dichoso and Curtis Lynch. Announcements: Polan welcomed the numerous visitors in attendance and stated that while it was an open meeting, if a visitor desired to raise a question or make a point, it should be through a Committee member. A motion was made to approve the Minutes of the January 19 meeting. Motion was seconded and carried. Polan opened the floor to Dave Nicks to present introductory remarks and present the motion. Nicks stated that graduate student parking is an issue that has been looked at for several years. The resolution by GSA requests that graduate students on assistantship be included in the faculty/staff classification for parking. Nicks stated the several services that graduate students on assistantship perform for the University-teaching, research, service to undergraduates and professors. He then introduced Tonya Higgins and Patricia Summers, each who stated how graduate/staff parking privileges would help them fulfill their teaching obligations. This was followed by some discussion of parking spaces and the accuracy of numbers. Nicks then read aloud the GSA resolution and indicated that two Commissions, Student Affairs and Graduate Studies, had supported the resolution. The motion by Nicks was "that graduate students on assistantship have the option of obtaining faculty/staff parking privileges and that an appropriate number of commuter student parking spaces in Commuter lot B, Litton-Reaves lot and Cassell Coliseum be redesignated to accomodate graduate students." Motion was seconded by Chris French and opened for further discussion. Committee Chair Polan read a statement that gave some perspective of information collected two years ago, when the Committee last voted on the issue for privileged parking for graduate students. A survey of peer institutions revealed that Michigan State did permit graduate students to park in faculty/staff areas. Four or five other institutions had set aside an area for graduate students better than for undergraduates. Polan also conducted a survey directed towards either department heads or graduate program directors - in those Departments that have large numbers of graduate students. Question 1 - "Would it benefit your Departmental effort if graduate students were permitted faculty/staff parking privileges?" The answer was no, especially if it meant displacing faculty and staff. Question 2 - "Is it a burden on graduate students because of where they park?" The answer was usually no, or probably not. Some felt a third category of parking might be advantageous if it could be allocated and managed. Ballard stated that the major problem is the geographic location of parking spots. Lux added that the comments he has heard indicate that there is a desire on the part of graduate students to be able to move from location to location on campus during the course of the day. There are faculty who desire to do the same thing. Shannon stated that she has worked on campus for 13 years in the Graduate School. The Graduate School has done two separate surveys to determine the reasons that were given for liking, hating, or not attending Virginia Tech at all. Parking was mentioned only once. McMillan emphasized the parking problem around the library and expected it would be worse even if we alloted enough additional space for graduate students. Nicks stated that he is not trying to say that we should set aside a certain number of parking spaces for graduate students, he would just like for this Committee to recognize that there are certain types of students who deserve this privilege. He proposed 3 possible options as follows: 1 - that we give privileges to students on assistantship; 2 - there are over 355 who teach classes unassisted - why shouldn't they have that privilege; 3 - create a third tier in the commuter lots for graduate students (front row). Alvarez stated that future construction includes an addition to the back of Cowgill, a new infill is being added to Biochemistry building, a new boiler is being planned that will take part of Stanger lot, the Major Williams building is being converted, there are plans for a 45,000 square foot services building over near the CEC. These will all be a factor in this Committees plans for parking. Polan stated that there are a lot of options that can be considered that current meeting time will not allow. Lux called for question. Vote was taken on motion. Motion failed. Nicks then moved that the Committee support the principle that some number of students on assistantship be afforded some sort of privileged parking. Ballard seconded. Alvarez wanted to make sure that we understand the various other categories of students on campus and would want more information on demographics. Nicks stated that the reason graduate students on assistantship were singled out is because of the mission of the University. Polan stated that in his Department, there is nothing clear cut. There are GRA'S, GTA's, some foreign students. It seems to him that this would be a very discriminatory issue. Shannon added that the fourth category of student are those students that are not on assistantship but are on wage for any number of reasons. A lot of students that are on wage are doing the same things that they were doing when they were on assistantship. Nicks stated that this Committee, by history, has been categorically opposed to any type of privileges for graduate students. Ballard stated that she can understand where the perception comes from and added that no one on this Committee opposes, in theory, but in reality it is not feasible at this time. Nicks stated that is why he proposed a third tier in the commuter lots. McMillan said that maybe a broader resolution should be considered; to limit it to graduate students on assistantship is unfeasible. Alvarez added that he deals with the reality of having to park everyone and control existing spaces and dealing with the unpleasantries; if parking were adequate on campus, he would agree that all graduate students should have special parking privileges. Nicks offered an amendment stating that this Committee supports a third tier of parking for graduate students on assistantship. Polan called for a second to the amendment. No second was made and amendment died. Question called for on original motion. Vote was taken and motion was defeated. Polan stated that there are alternatives that should be discussed at a later time. Nicks requested that if any member of the Committee would like to make statements to him, that they did not feel they could share openly at the meeting, to please contact him. Subcommittee Update on Outlying Areas - McMillan distributed a recommendation from the ad hoc Subcommittee. She read the recommendation aloud to the Committee. Lux made a motion that this be tabled until the next meeting. Motion was seconded and carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:03 PM.
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