Parking on campus is a big issue right now, but OU president Kevin Eichner thinks that it’s a good problem for the college to have.
“We understand it’s important for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” he said. “More parking depends on fundraising, growth and enrollments.”
Provost Dennis Tyner said it was important to remember that the vision 2020 plan, which was made public last year, includes plans for when and where new parking will be added.
“Parking is tighter this year, we’re at our limits,” he said. “Everybody’s upset with parking because parking isn’t right next to their dorm. The spots aren’t necessarily where the people want them to be.”
Eichner said that many student perspectives are flawed.
“Few institutions have the luxury of being able to park in front of their dorms,” he said. “There are many parking options including on campus parking and side street parking.”
Krystle Noland, assistant caterer and line server in the cafeteria, said that despite the tight space she doesn’t usually have trouble finding a parking space in the staff parking. She also said that she hasn’t seen many instances of irresponsible parking by the students.
When asked about the idea of a parking garage, something Tyner said has been brought up before, she said that she thought it might be a good idea.
“If they did build a parking garage I think it would be better for the students,” she said. “They would have more available parking.”
Tyner said that, while some people may think that a parking garage is a good idea, it’s not happening, partially because of the astronomical cost.
“It’s much more reasonable to utilize the ground space that we do have,” he said. “A parking garage would be nice, but I don’t think it would be nice for everybody.”
Tyner used the example of a parking garage built on the southwest side of campus.
“People on the southwest side of campus would think it’s awesome, but people on the northwest side would think it’s terrible,” he said.
Tyner said due to the much higher retention rate from last year that the school would have to step up their efforts to add new parking.