I am writing this on behalf of what I would imagine entail the many disgruntled yellow parking pass commuter students that have to deal the new – and beyond absurd – parking accommodations that have reached an all-time low this year. What has been done, some of us may ask? My answer is … nada.

I think the persons in charge have come up with ways not only to make commuter parking more of a hassle, but also, as an added bonus, made once-mediocre traffic accommodations even worse.

For starters, one of the “new things” commuters might be familiar with is that always-has-been-poor-excuse for a parking lot adjacent to the Chick Evans Field House that now has a blockade in front of the main lot opening with security guards (with chairs now!) directing traffic in but not letting traffic out the same way. (This is the same lot a majority of the commuters fight for, as it is nearest many of the main classroom buildings.) Outgoing traffic now has to “pile up” in an already-narrow exit lane to make a right turn onto Stadium Drive, increasing the traffic in that area by at least 10 times. This slew of traffic now hampers incoming traffic and prospective parkers attempting to make a left into the lot going eastbound on Stadium Drive. More importantly, the whole plan prevents traffic from moving out of the original entrance of this lot, at the same time preventing normal traffic from exiting onto Lucinda Avenue. It makes no sense!

Now, I have heard the reasons for this mess include better accommodation for the shuttle buses, which I have no issue with. However, the shuttle buses run on a schedule and therefore are not constantly coming in and out of this cul-de-sac bumper-to-bumper as we are led to believe. Last year, cars exiting the field house lot and the shuttle buses using the same street had slight delays at peak times, but usually the traffic flowed well. It obviously was nothing like what we see now.

As for commuter parking lots, adjacent faculty parking is typically about a maximum of 80 percent full. This includes the parking garage. I can’t tell you how many times I couldn’t get the last spot on the fifth level of the garage – yet I saw dozens of open blue permit spots.

Last but not least, I hope I am not the only one who has noticed that, while getting the left green arrow westbound on Lucinda Avenue (turning onto Annie Glidden Road), walkers receive the “OK to cross” signal. What is wrong with this picture? This should be explored immediately. I predict not only more backed-up traffic but also potential accidents.

All in all, this is what we pay $40 to $60 for. Money well spent, isn’t it?

Joseph Paul Anthony Hund

Junior, communication