ASI Senate stalled on parking plague

Published in the CSULB Daily 49er Thursday, Sept. 13.

The woes of campus parking plague those brave enough to attempt it, but the Associated Students, Inc. Senate was made more aware that the challenge continues into the night and is, according to some students who spoke up at Wednesday's meeting, a safety issue.
At the beginning of Wednesday's Senate meeting, political science and economics double-major Christopher Chavez gave a passionate speech urging the Senate to create some resolution within the near future that could aid students by extending the hours of the campus shuttle services.
"We're all aware of the situation with parking, and due to my classes starting rather late, I have to park in the Marina parking lot," Chavez said. "That's acceptable. However, there's a slight problem with the fact that everyday I usually get out of school at 9:15 p.m. - four hours after the shuttle drop-offs are done."
The 20-year-old said he's forced to take a bus, bum a ride from a friend or walk to his car, which is located at Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway, because the shuttle's last drop-off is at 5 p.m.
"Not only is that an inconvenience, but it's also a safety concern," Chavez said. "I don't really think the shuttle should run late for me. But for other students, maybe the shuttle could extend its hours to at least 7:30 p.m."
No immediate comments were made from any of the senators in response to Chavez's concerns.
Mike Hostetler, associate vice president for Student Services, said, "I personally wouldn't want to walk all that way."
Hostetler also said the campus, although waiting for a final number, has overshot its goal by possibly reaching a population of 37,000 students this semester.
"If the walkways seem more crowded and there are less seats in your classroom, you're right," Hostetler said. "When this happens at a university, I think we need to hear stories like [Chavez's] and respond. I admire what [Chavez] said."
Senior English education major Marisol Diaz said safety should be a priority on campus and students shouldn't have to pay for it.
"I always take classes at night and I believe safety is an issue," Diaz said. "I think it would be great if the shuttle operated later."
After the meeting, in response to the student pleas, ASI Senate Chairwoman Lucy Montano said, "My next step with this issue would be to contact the director of Parking and Transportation to receive an update and see what's going on and find out why parking is so hectic."
Along with the parking issue, Hostetler also announced he is searching for help in understanding the student representatives' view regarding academic technology on campus. He said that the university has not "ridden the wave of technology," but is trying to catch up.
"The university will work hard this year on developing a strategic plan concerning technology," Hostetler said. "A very small group has been selected to start meeting and talking about the plan."
The meeting also dealt with appointing Sen. Ruben Cordova to the chair senate audit committee and Shanna Tyson as academic senator, although she was not in attendance Wednesday.
Montano said she thinks the students who want to be involved with ASI are serious, but sometimes they have restricted time schedules.
"Maybe we don't enforce showing up at the meetings enough, but they usually have good reasons," Montano said. "Sometimes I worry though."