The Daily Bulletin Archive

Faced with a housing crunch and years of universal complaints about the lack of parking spaces close to campus, Buffalo State will institute a parking ban for first-year resident students this fall. The new policy, decided by the Parking and Transportation Task Force on October 22, 2007, and endorsed by United Students Government (USG), could free about 300 spaces.

Both Enrollment Management and USG are pleased with the decision.

“I doubt this change will have much of an impact on enrollment,” said Mark Petrie, associate vice president for enrollment management and a member of the task force. “This could have a positive effect of students spending more time on campus.”

“Parking has been a constantly debated item for years at USG meetings,” said Allison Brady, executive vice president for USG. “Parking, food, and housing are always our biggest concerns. The fact that the administration took a step to address this issue shows that students are on their agenda.”

Serving on the task force with Petrie are Tim Ecklund, associate vice president for campus life; Kris Kaufman, director of residence life; Lesa Loritts, director of admissions; and Jayme Riter, director of parking services. Together with USG, the task force administered student surveys as early as 2004 and worked with an outside consultant to investigate the impact such a policy would have on parking and admissions efforts.

Many schools throughout the nation, including most local colleges and universities, already have such a policy. Brady said that when she worked as an admissions ambassador two years ago, many visiting parents asked if there was a parking ban for first-year students. “It’s as if they were expecting to hear that there was one,” she said. “They were surprised to learn that freshman residents could park on campus.”

Petrie and Brady agree that because the ban does not begin until fall, the change will not affect many current students.

“Many students I talk to feel uneasy about parking across Grant Street, so I think the student body will really welcome the change,” said Brady. “If I’m not mistaken, I think 300 free spots is almost the size of the entire G lot.”

“Commuters will especially love the open spaces and will probably feel a bit safer parking closer to campus buildings,” added Jamie Jueckstock, USG’s vice president for communication.

Incoming students will learn about the parking ban via the admissions process, their housing contracts, and the Buffalo State Web site. Exemptions from the ban may be granted for medical reasons, employment, and the need to travel to off-campus academic programs. The Parking Appeals Committee also will consider other exceptional circumstances.

“If parking is absolutely needed by a student, we can investigate a way around the ban,” said Petrie.

Despite his optimism, Petrie said he is keeping his eye on one recent trend in higher education. “Even local students are wanting to stay on campus these days,” he said. “We’ll have to see what, if any, impact this has on enrollment. But overall, I’m not too concerned from an admissions standpoint.”

USG members also see the potential for many positives as a result of the ban. They expect more students to stay around campus on weekends and more to use their NFTA bus passes.

“Every little bit helps,” said Brady. “I can see more students going out for nearby food and shopping…and most importantly, attending on-campus events. So this ban might even boost school spirit. All in all, it’s pretty much a ‘win’ for everyone involved.”