Letters to the Editor

The last straw on parking

I write to voice my concerns regarding the recent removal by the Department of Transportation Services of several courier-parking-only spots on Chapel Drive, across from Marie Mount Hall.

I first attended the university in 1994. At that time, it seemed much easier to obtain a student parking permit, many more of the lots were open after 4 p.m., and most importantly, the muggings and robberies were just not happening.

I am a returning student and finishing my degree in the fall. Safety is always on my mind, and yet the parking options that are open to me are extremely far from where my classes are held. My night class on Monday dismisses at about 9:30. Those courier spots are coveted by the women in our class. In fact, the handicapped spots are the only ones that are empty all the time.

And now, two of the courier spots have been taken away for more handicapped parking, which I cannot understand. Furthermore, the unused meters with one-hour time limits are always vacant.

I drive down Chapel Drive and see so many unused, vacant parking spaces close to class.

It is infuriating to think that my tuition has gone up 40 percent in the past couple of years, and yet I am forced to walk long distances to park on an unsafe campus where students are getting mugged on a regular basis. I write this as an appeal to Transportation Services to make more, not fewer, spaces available to the tuition-paying commuters. Give us back our two courier spots, or make the meters free after 6:00 p.m. Help us get the quality out of the education for which we go into debt.

Courtney Poulos Senior Journalism

Return Art Attack to students

The problem with Art Attack is not the money. I don't think $5 is really a monetary issue for college students - we pay just as much or more to get into the Thirsty Turtle on a Friday night. The issue is how, year by year, this is becoming less and less of a "by the students, for the students event." What started off as a showcase of student art and music is now just another way for the university to get a quick buck out of us.

The students don't even have the opening spot on the bill, which is typically the winner of Battle for Art Attack. Instead of listening to music made by my peers, I will (or possibly, won't) be listening to Cobra Starship or some other B-list band. I think SEE needs to reevaluate the meaning of Art Attack and give the students their festival back. Focus on the immense talent at this university rather than whatever washed-up '90s act it can find.

Kenny Leftin Senior Computer science

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