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November 23, 2009 —
The president’s forum last Monday revealed a few upcoming solutions to SVSU’s parking troubles.
The administration and staff in the Alumni Lounge also responded to student concerns about campus dining lines, class registration problems and days off for employees and students.
Steve Hocquard, assistant vice president of Campus Facilities, said a new lot will be built east of E Lot near the Ryder Center. Another lot will accompany the construction of the new Health and Human Services Building.
In addition, with construction moving past the heavy-machinery phase, spots previously taken by bulldozers and electric shovels are now free for student use.
Michael Kerkau, accounting and industrial management senior and president of Residence Hall Association, said that RHA had found another solution to the residential parking issues on campus, “however small.”
This semester, the organization surveyed residents to determine which changes to parking they would most want. Katelyn Bennett, premed and psychology junior and executive vice president of RHA, said the surveys have been very helpful in clarifying students’ interests.
Solutions that students embraced included opening all residential lots during the weekends to visitors with a pass and increasing the number of spots reserved for visitors.
Crowding in on-campus dining facilities has also caused students to voice concerns.
Jason Wolverton, Dining Services marketing manager, said the opening of the new dining facility in the Education Building will spread out business and shorten lines.
Many students have also been unable to register for the classes they need as classes fill quickly for the winter 2010 semester. Burk Foster, University ombudsman, said he has provided assistance to students who couldn’t register for their required classes.
“I helped a junior biology student who had none of the classes he needed available,” Foster said. “Professors are usually willing to work with students to prevent this sort of situation.”
University President Eric Gilbertson said he was not surprised.
“Biology is one of our growth areas. That’s why we just built a new lab,” he said. “When we are trying to register for 1600 sections, there are bound to be difficulties. Thankfully, we’ve got time to adjust before the semester starts.”
Students and faculty alike were also wondering what days they would have off.
“In a spontaneous outburst of good feeling, I announced at a faculty-staff luncheon that we wouldn’t work the day before Christmas Eve,” Gilbertson joked. “Ever since then, I get up to the podium and people begin salivating for a day off.”
Gilbertson confirmed there would be no classes Monday, Jan. 18, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
He chose not to reveal the fate of Dec. 23.
“I like to keep the suspense,” he said.