Students wanting to park at Baker University Center might experience sore feet and empty change jars after construction in the area closed one parking lot and restricted another to only faculty and staff permits.
The lot located behind Porter Hall and Grover Center closed Sept. 13 and will remain off-limits for a year. Last year, the lot was designated dark green, which meant it was open to faculty and staff with a permit from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and open to the public all other times. When it reopens, only 30 spaces will be restored, said Richard Shultz, director of Implementation.
During Summer Quarter, Parking Services changed the requirements to park at the surface lot west of Baker Center over the garage from dark green to light brown, which allows only faculty and staff members to park there at all times.
We wanted to make sure we had ample parking for faculty and staff during [construction]
said Kim Wortman, director of Campus Services. Faculty and staff parking spaces are in much need throughout campus and with [Baker Center] being a central area we felt that would serve the area better.
In addition to the 100 parking spaces in the light brown faculty lot, 50 of the 200 spaces in the lower level are reserved for faculty and staff. Parking in the garage is monitored at all times and is available to anyone else for 50 cents an hour or $50 a month.
Student Senate President Tim Vonville said he understands the need for faculty and staff parking, but he questioned the decision to keep the parking lot off-limits to students.
I feel it's pertinent to have spots for faculty Vonville said. But after hours those lots clear out.
After 5 p.m., the closest free parking options for students are at dark green lots by Walter Hall and Clippinger Laboratory. After 6 p.m., students can park free at meters on South Court Street and West Mulberry Street, behind Bentley Hall.
It's easy to see that after 5 p.m. the surface lot clears
Vonville said. I appreciate that there's a garage
but still ' 50 cents an hour? Should students even have to pay?
Although students complain about not being able to drive to the university's premier meeting place, OU officials don't feel there is a crunch for parking.
This is predominately a walking campus
and I don't see many students driving their cars
Shultz said. I don't see this being an issue for students. [Baker Center garage] is the most reasonable parking in the area
50 cents an hour for a covered garage.
The garage was only at 14 percent occupancy until Summer Quarter, Wortman said, and an increased awareness in the lot's existence has contributed to an increase in potential parkers. Parking Services had not registered any complaints about the potential lack of parking spaces.
Word is getting out that there are spaces available
Wortman said. There was an earlier time where people were unaware that the garage was even there. I think the new parking garage
including the deck on top
will provide ample parking.
Stephan Oechsle, adviser of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, said that the organization had to stop meeting at Baker Center because of parking constraints.
We stopped using Baker as a meeting location because of being unable to park on Baker's surface lots
