No more designated faculty parking, free game for everyone

By Janell Williams | Staff writer

Parking has always been an issue for students at Augusta University. This fall that issue expanded to professors as well as a new mandate has taken away all faculty- designated parking on both campuses. 

While many professors are not bothered by the change, it did raise questions for them as to why it was being implemented now and in such a short notice. 

Faculty were notified of this change during the first week of courses. By this time, some of them had already arrived on campus to find that their once- accessible spots were now painted over and open to the public.

Most professors, such as Matthew Buzzell of the AU Theatre department and David Bulla of the AU Communications department, are fine with the change now, as they have not yet had any issues with finding parking. 

“Of course not now, but when the weather cools down, I even walk to campus.” Buzzell said when asked if he feels that finding parking may worsen over the semester. 

“While I would like to have spots close to the old science building and Allgood Hall that are designated for faculty only, I can live with the change as I need as many steps walking as I can get each day.” Said Bulla.

He, and many other faculty members, like Pamela Hayward of the AU Communications department, have been very neutral on the issue. 

“I arrive on campus around 10 a.m. so I do not have a problem finding parking. I even find that the lot I park in has been less occupied.” Hayward said when asked how she adjusted to the new change. 

According to the university-wide staff memo from Dale Hartenburg, this change took effect as a result of an expected “busy” parking lot on the campuses and, partially, the new parking permit system. 

The memo states that, on both campuses, there were labeled lots and shuttle signage that are outdated as they still referenced ASU and MCG. It was also discovered that there has never been a faculty-designated parking area on the Summerville campus, only a few spots in each lot. Because of this, with the new permit system, anyone would be able to park in them. 

With the new GPS system, when a tag is scanned, it will read whether or not the driver’s permit is valid, but there is no way to tell if the person is a student or faculty member. This being said, Hartenburg felt this solution would give everyone full access to all available parking spaces on the campuses.

Parking does not seem to be much of an issue for faculty members as-is and they seem to be adjusting quite easily. 

Contact Janell Williams at Jwilliams30@augusta.edu.