University’s belt tightening passes the buck to students

Gavin Samples

This semester is a semester of change. The University removed parking from the list of fees charged with our tuition. In a separate issue, the University stopped handing out free Scantrons. What were administrators thinking? Our student body is comprised of individuals who really don’t want to do anything unnecessary.

Having to go to the police station to show a paid parking receipt used to be enough. I really believe parking passes were removed from tuition because it was easier than addressing the parking problem at our University. It seems they would much rather us park wherever - with or without a sticker so they can issue tickets.

I stopped parking in front of the business building whenever I can because I have found it easier just to park on the street and walk to class. Varsity Place, a private apartment complex that caters to students, does more than provide housing. Their parking lot is being used daily by individuals who have no intention of leasing an apartment.

I asked a few students this question: Do you think it is better or worse now that the University has discontinued the parking fee from tuition?

Carl Griffin, a senior marketing major, said it was a bad idea. “Individuals who do not have a sticker are beginning to steal them from those who have spent $30. To make this less of an issue, it should be added back into tuition. People are less likely to steal something they can just pick up at the office,” he said.

Instructors tell me that parking is a bigger issue now that passes are an “out of pocket thing” for students, many of whom don’t even bother to purchase one.

Another unpopular move is making students buy their own Scantrons, an issue that may not mean much if you are not a student in the College of Business. Historically, in the College of Business and Technology, Scantrons were provided to test takers, but someone decided to stop the practice to save money. Students are frustrated.

I asked how much money we are really saving by withholding lil ol’ Scantrons, but no one could answer my question. There is nothing like coming to class after studying all night and then realizing there are no Scantrons. No one in class can help you, and the only option is to trek to the University bookstore located in the far corner of the campus next to Ornelas Hall.

I found out that the College of Business only provided Scantrons for a year. Dr. Mary Fischer, associate dean of the College of Business and Technology, told me it was possible Scantrons were provided to students for additional years other than last year.

Some students want answers.

“Today it is Scantron forms. Tomorrow will we be told to bring our own toilet paper as well?” Bracy Sweat said in an e-mail sent to University administrators and the Patriot Talon. “How is it that we have stopped providing Scantrons but the dean’s and faculty support offices got remodeled?” Good question. I think we should begin selling Scantrons in the business building to eliminate the journey to the tip of the campus. It would be easy to have a basic cash drawer in the administrative office or the Campus Computing Center where Scantrons can be purchased.

As for parking permits, add them back into tuition. These are obviously issues that are not going to disappear overnight and I will probably be right here talking about them again, but until then hopefully small things of this matter will cease to plague me and my fellow students.