At Convocation, Students Question Parking Plan
March 3, 2010
Students asked why Cal U
uses animated images in its commercials and expressed a need for more
pencil sharpeners, but about one in four questions dealt with the paid
parking plan that will go into effect this fall.
President Armenti explained
that paid parking is unavoidable. There is not enough space to
accommodate the growing number of students, faculty and staff who
arrive on campus each day, and parking fees are needed to finance the
new multi-level Manderino Parking Garage and upgrades to the Roadman
Park and River Lot parking areas.
The President emphasized that students will be represented on the
parking and transportation committee overseeing the parking plan. And
although many colleges do not allow first-year resident students to
have cars on campus, Cal U will continue to give freshmen access to
parking spaces.
"I have always been in
favor of this," President Armenti said. "Without a car or
having a friend with a car, a student can feel isolated."
To help with planning, the University has hired Chase Management
Associates, a parking consultant that has worked with universities such
as Harvard and Stanford.
"Even before we closed
Hamer Lot for construction of the Convocation Center, we have needed
additional parking areas," he said. "We are doing
everything we can."
President Armenti also
emphasized student involvement when answering questions about campus
dining options and the new University website. Any student is eligible
to serve on the Food Service Advisory Committee, and student focus
groups played a role in developing the new website.
"It was designed by
young people to appeal to young people," said President Armenti.
"It's amazing, and I encourage all of you to get
involved."
The President aired three
television commercials promoting Cal U. Like the University's
first two award-winning ads, the newest TV spot uses animation. The
style sets Cal U's ads apart from other college advertisements.
"There are trends, and
the most interesting ads you see these days are going to be animated in
some way," he said "We're the first university to do
it, and it works. People remember it."
Once the current
construction projects are complete, students can anticipate major
renovations to Old Main, Coover and Keystone Halls, the President said.
No timetable has been set for those projects, in part because state
funding continues to decline.
"We are being
privatized against our will," President Armenti said. "We
are preparing for this reality."
The President made it clear
that students are the reason for everything done at Cal U.
"We put the students
first, and our success comes from your success," he said.
"If you don't succeed in getting where you're going,
then we have failed, so we're very much invested in your success.
We are committed to you receiving a world-class education."