Finding a parking spot on the Texas State campus isn’t exactly easy. Higher enrollment creates a greater demand for parking, and the university hasn't been able to keep up. Ashley Coke-Mendez has more in this Bobcat Update.
Texas State University is notorious for its lack of parking. Finding a place to park is very difficult, which results in students taking the bus. Commuters especially find the situation frustrating.
Interview
There are only so many lots on campus that provide parking for commuters, and most of these lots fill up by 7:30 a.m. The red restricted signs dominate most of the parking lots around campus, which provide parking for only faculty and staff. Violation of any parking code results in a fine.
The new Matthews Street parking garage -- located by The L-B-J student center -- was built to ease the parking problem, but it is a restricted and residential parking garage only. In order to park on campus, students have to buy a parking permit, and it doesn't come cheap.
The L-B-J parking garage is the only one on campus that is open to commuters who don't have permits. Parking is available for three dollars an hour or a maximum of ten dollars a day.
Some students choose to leave their cars at home. Buses run from San Antonio and Austin but also come with a substantial fee.
Interview
The limited parking causes overloaded buses, parking along narrow streets and the increasing usage of bicycles, motorbikes and scooters. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ashley Coke-Mendez
Bobcat Update, a student-produced newscast recapping events at Texas State University, and is available for viewing on YouTube.
8/31/10
8/30/10
Rachel Nelson
With the clamor of construction equipment on campus and barricades marked with warning signs, it’s obvious that Texas State is growing. Rachel Nelson tells us about the impact of such growth in this Bobcat Update.
The new Matthews Street Parking Garage opened for use in August and addresses one of the most commonly talked-about issues students face: parking.
The new structure cost almost 25-million dollars and provides 956 new parking spaces, but some students feel it’s still not enough. Business Finance junior Michael Behl is one of many students who's been hit with a parking ticket this semester.
***PLAY BEHL INTERVIEW CLIP***
The Texas State Tram System is an option many Bobcats take advantage of to avoid the hassle of parking.
***PLAY WYBLE INTERVIEW CLIP***
This semester, students should be aware that the parking services office has moved from the Nueces building to the Matthews Street Garage, located at 202 Student Center Drive.
***PLAY SECOND BEHL INTERVIEW CLIP***
According to the Parking Services web site, all student, faculty and staff may park in all perimeter lots until September 10 without a permit. But anyone planning to park on campus should purchase a permit as soon as possible to avoid receiving a ticket.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Rachel Nelson
The new Matthews Street Parking Garage opened for use in August and addresses one of the most commonly talked-about issues students face: parking.
The new structure cost almost 25-million dollars and provides 956 new parking spaces, but some students feel it’s still not enough. Business Finance junior Michael Behl is one of many students who's been hit with a parking ticket this semester.
***PLAY BEHL INTERVIEW CLIP***
The Texas State Tram System is an option many Bobcats take advantage of to avoid the hassle of parking.
***PLAY WYBLE INTERVIEW CLIP***
This semester, students should be aware that the parking services office has moved from the Nueces building to the Matthews Street Garage, located at 202 Student Center Drive.
***PLAY SECOND BEHL INTERVIEW CLIP***
According to the Parking Services web site, all student, faculty and staff may park in all perimeter lots until September 10 without a permit. But anyone planning to park on campus should purchase a permit as soon as possible to avoid receiving a ticket.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Rachel Nelson
8/29/10
Mandy Garcia
A construction project underway at Texas State is designed to help alleviate a long-standing problem. Mandy Garcia tells us in this Bobcat Update that a new parking structure will soon be opening.
Faculty and students have no choice but to make some adjustments because of work zones on campus. Each day the sound of construction can be heard. These projects are necessary to accommodate the more than 31-thousand-500 students now enrolled at the university, including a record number of incoming freshman this year. Upperclassman Haley Howle says it's difficult to even find a bike route to class:
Haley SOT 6 seconds
For those who want to avoid parking on campus, buses are an alternative but not a perfect solution because they're crowded at peak times. Transfer student Phillip Ferrell says getting to class isn't easy.
Phillip SOT 9 seconds
U-P-D assures students of an improved and construction-free campus for the spring semester. [CREATE A NEW CLOSING. I HAVE DOUBTS THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS.]
For Bobcat Update, I'm Mandy Garcia.
Faculty and students have no choice but to make some adjustments because of work zones on campus. Each day the sound of construction can be heard. These projects are necessary to accommodate the more than 31-thousand-500 students now enrolled at the university, including a record number of incoming freshman this year. Upperclassman Haley Howle says it's difficult to even find a bike route to class:
Haley SOT 6 seconds
For those who want to avoid parking on campus, buses are an alternative but not a perfect solution because they're crowded at peak times. Transfer student Phillip Ferrell says getting to class isn't easy.
Phillip SOT 9 seconds
U-P-D assures students of an improved and construction-free campus for the spring semester. [CREATE A NEW CLOSING. I HAVE DOUBTS THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS.]
For Bobcat Update, I'm Mandy Garcia.
Eric Jeffers
Texas State University students are back for the fall semester, but many are having trouble finding parking around campus. Eric Jeffers has more in this Bobcat Update.
Road closures and campus construction are pretty common at Texas State, causing many commuters to scramble for parking spaces. Some students have shown up late for class because they couldn't find parking, and others -- to avoid that fate -- have resorted to parking in restricted zones.
*Shannon Interview*
The university opened the Matthews Street Parking Garage this semester, located next to the new parking services building. University officials hope the garage will alleviate congestion on campus and offer more convenience to commuters.
Students are encouraged to find alternatives to parking in the central campus area. For example, they can ride a bike, carpool or use the shuttle to get around.
*Karla Interview*
Parking services wants to remind students that they do need a sticker to park on campus and they should park in their designated zones to avoid parking tickets
For Bobcat Update, I’m Eric Jeffers.
Road closures and campus construction are pretty common at Texas State, causing many commuters to scramble for parking spaces. Some students have shown up late for class because they couldn't find parking, and others -- to avoid that fate -- have resorted to parking in restricted zones.
*Shannon Interview*
The university opened the Matthews Street Parking Garage this semester, located next to the new parking services building. University officials hope the garage will alleviate congestion on campus and offer more convenience to commuters.
Students are encouraged to find alternatives to parking in the central campus area. For example, they can ride a bike, carpool or use the shuttle to get around.
*Karla Interview*
Parking services wants to remind students that they do need a sticker to park on campus and they should park in their designated zones to avoid parking tickets
For Bobcat Update, I’m Eric Jeffers.
Natalie Pendergrass
Along with the many stresses of college comes one in particular for Texas State students, parking. Natalie Pendergass has more in this Bobcat Update.
With just a few days into the fall semester, students have already realized parking is an issue. The campus has several construction projects underway, which reduce the number of lots available on a campus already lacking in parking spots.
Mass Comm student Michael Fallis says parking is a big hassle:
(Bite: "Texas State campus has experienced reoccurring construction, making students reevaluate their parking situations. Each year the student attendance increases, as the number of parking spaces remain the same.")
Alternatives exist for those who want to avoid parking their cars on campus. Students can use the university's tram system or ride a bike:
(Interview with Jason)
The Bobcat Tram has had a heavy response, as more students rely on the buses for transportation.
(Interview with Jeremy)
For now there's not much choice for students, so it's best to arrive early and prepare for delays. For Bobcat Update, I'm Natalie Pendergass.
With just a few days into the fall semester, students have already realized parking is an issue. The campus has several construction projects underway, which reduce the number of lots available on a campus already lacking in parking spots.
Mass Comm student Michael Fallis says parking is a big hassle:
(Bite: "Texas State campus has experienced reoccurring construction, making students reevaluate their parking situations. Each year the student attendance increases, as the number of parking spaces remain the same.")
Alternatives exist for those who want to avoid parking their cars on campus. Students can use the university's tram system or ride a bike:
(Interview with Jason)
The Bobcat Tram has had a heavy response, as more students rely on the buses for transportation.
(Interview with Jeremy)
For now there's not much choice for students, so it's best to arrive early and prepare for delays. For Bobcat Update, I'm Natalie Pendergass.
Kate Gisi
Parking at Texas State University is more expensive this semester. And, as Kate Gisi tells us in this Bobcat Update, the higher price is prompting some students to look for alternatives.
----
Commuter parking passes now costs 95 dollars more per semester. And if a student doesn't want to pay that price, what are the alternatives? Biking to school is an option. It benefits the environment, saves gas and there's money saved from not buying a parking permit.
Mass communications senior Carissa ____ says she likes to bike to avoid fines.
(SOUND BITE)
Bikers seem to have few complaints when it comes to parking. Several bike racks are available on campus, and when those are full, bikers simply find a railing or tree to lock their bikes.
Mass communications senior Robert Fisher is convinced that riding to school is the best method. (SOUND BITE)
So, if you'd like to avoid the hassles of parking, it might be time to dust off your ten-speed.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Kate Gisi.
----
Commuter parking passes now costs 95 dollars more per semester. And if a student doesn't want to pay that price, what are the alternatives? Biking to school is an option. It benefits the environment, saves gas and there's money saved from not buying a parking permit.
Mass communications senior Carissa ____ says she likes to bike to avoid fines.
(SOUND BITE)
Bikers seem to have few complaints when it comes to parking. Several bike racks are available on campus, and when those are full, bikers simply find a railing or tree to lock their bikes.
Mass communications senior Robert Fisher is convinced that riding to school is the best method. (SOUND BITE)
So, if you'd like to avoid the hassles of parking, it might be time to dust off your ten-speed.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Kate Gisi.
Monte Ashqar
A new semester begins, and with it comes that perpetual issue of where to find parking on campus. Monte ASH-CAR has more in this Bobcat Update.
Finding available parking on campus continues to challenge students at Texas State.
Students who commute often ride buses to campus, but they soon discover that it's necessary to arrive early.
(Insert Haylee’s Sound bite here she says in it that she has to leave early to get to school on time).
Parking on campus is zoned. The red zones are designated for faculty only. Commuters have specific lots where they can park. And those who live in dorms may only park where residential permits are allowed.
Using the university's tram system can be frustrating because the buses fill up fast. Getting on board is NOT a sure thing, and, as a result, some students arrive to class late.
Businesses near the university don't allow parking in their lots for non-customers.
Attendants monitor the parking and will call a wrecker if they find cars left by students who've gone to class. One alternative is to pay for parking at the L-B-J Student Center where commuters are welcomed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Monte Ashqar.
Finding available parking on campus continues to challenge students at Texas State.
Students who commute often ride buses to campus, but they soon discover that it's necessary to arrive early.
(Insert Haylee’s Sound bite here she says in it that she has to leave early to get to school on time).
Parking on campus is zoned. The red zones are designated for faculty only. Commuters have specific lots where they can park. And those who live in dorms may only park where residential permits are allowed.
Using the university's tram system can be frustrating because the buses fill up fast. Getting on board is NOT a sure thing, and, as a result, some students arrive to class late.
Businesses near the university don't allow parking in their lots for non-customers.
Attendants monitor the parking and will call a wrecker if they find cars left by students who've gone to class. One alternative is to pay for parking at the L-B-J Student Center where commuters are welcomed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Monte Ashqar.
Greg Spier
Now that classes have resumed at Texas State the parking lots are crowded. And not helping the situation is the fact that some lots have been closed for construction. Greg Spier tells us more in this Bobcat Update.
Many students find getting to class on time is a difficult chore. Parking is difficult to find, especially for commuters.
(1st interview clip, the one with the SUV with the ticket)
An alternative to buying a parking pass is to pay upon arrival. The parking garage next to the L-B-J Student Center is set up that way.
Many students have figured out how to avoid bringing their cars to campus altogether. The Bobcat Tram provides a free ride to the university, but the busses fill up quickly at certain times of the day.
Another way to beat the hassle is to bum a ride with a friend. The solution is to have a friend or relative drop them off.
(2nd interview clip, about being dropped off for class every day)
Parking problems are likely to continue for quite some time at Texas State. They're hard to avoid when some parking lots are closed and one remains unfinished.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Greg Spier.
Many students find getting to class on time is a difficult chore. Parking is difficult to find, especially for commuters.
(1st interview clip, the one with the SUV with the ticket)
An alternative to buying a parking pass is to pay upon arrival. The parking garage next to the L-B-J Student Center is set up that way.
Many students have figured out how to avoid bringing their cars to campus altogether. The Bobcat Tram provides a free ride to the university, but the busses fill up quickly at certain times of the day.
Another way to beat the hassle is to bum a ride with a friend. The solution is to have a friend or relative drop them off.
(2nd interview clip, about being dropped off for class every day)
Parking problems are likely to continue for quite some time at Texas State. They're hard to avoid when some parking lots are closed and one remains unfinished.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Greg Spier.
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