Following the University’s 2020 plan to allow for more short-term visitation to campus, Parking Operations originally re-purposed some commuter and staff/faculty lots into meter lots in the 2016/2017 academic year.
Meter Lot Relocations
This year Coulter Lot, which came under scrutiny for being changed into a metered lot, was changed back to a faculty/staff lot after safety concerns caused by the increase of pedestrian and vehicle traffic flow at the intersection between Noble and McKee. The 88 metered spaces were divided into two lots, 66 spaces are placed on Memorial drive, near the University Center, and 22 are in front of the McKee building across from Noble.
Meter Lot by the U.C. Photo by Chandler Keller.
However, some WCU students still question the need for metered spaces.
“I paid $288 for a pass that doesn’t guarantee me a spot and if I can’t find a space I have to go and pay more money at a metered lot,” said, commuting senior, Larson Byrd. “I’ve already spent a lot of money this semester at the metered lot.”
Along with the original $288, Byrd says she has paid at least $9 a week during the fall semester (2018) on metered spaces.
Contrary to some opinions, Parking and Transporation Director Fredrick Bauknecht reassures that metered lots are more for enforcement purposes rather than to make money.
“So, if you know, you bought a pass for two hours you’re going to self-enforce yourself and in two hours you’re going to make sure you’re gone,” said Bauknecht.
This enforcement allows for more short-term visitation, which then increases chances for more available parking spaces close to campus amenities, like the cafeteria or gym.
Parking Meter outside McKee. Photo by Chandler Keller.
Commuter parking lots are located on the perimeters of campus. This school year, commuter permits were originally the same rate as a junior living on campus, regardless of the buyer’s year. However, the university sells more commuter passes than the spaces that are available.
“We oversell commuter cause not everyone is, here, on campus at the same time. There is always coming and going,” said Bauknecht adding that, for faculty, staff and residents they make sure to sell permits by the space.
Metered lots afford anyone, especially visitors, the luxury to park close for the cost of $1 for every half hour. Bauknecht states that they needed to create a short-term parking option in the center of campus for students who need to “run in and out real quick” or visitors who want to come to campus to have lunch or work out.
Byrd, who lives in an off-campus apartment complex less than 5 minutes away, says that due to the distance and limited availability of commuter parking, she must leave for campus an hour early if she wants to find a spot in commuter and make it to class on time.
All students are required by most professors to be on time to class. Although the tardiness policy is left to a professor’s discretion, some can be as severe as counting two tardy appearances as one unexcused absence.
Reid Lot (after 5 p.m.)
As Bauknecht explained, Reid is metered lot from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. but after 5 o’clock, visitors and students can park there for free. This goes for anyone except residents and freshman. This is because it provides a space for the local high school swim team to hold practices, and offers services like recreational swim classes for elderly and swim lessons for children.
“We make all our decisions from the 2020 master plan. One of the things they [the university] asked for was so that visitors can come to campus and be able to participate,” Bauknecht said. “So, that’s why we started the meter lots.”
The majority of short-term meter lots are located near the center of campus, close to campus amenities but, also close to classroom buildings. Most are enforced 24/7 but all are enforced from 7 a.m.to 5 p.m.
In addition to the available short-term meter lots and Reid after 5 p.m., Parking operations now offers a new option for long-term visitors.
Visitor Meter. Photo by Chandler Keller.
Long-Term Visitor Meter
Visitors staying longer than 24 hours can now purchase the $1 a day visitor pass from a meter located outside the office of Parking Operations and Transportation. Before the 24/7 operating meter was put in place, long-term visitor passes could only be obtained from inside the building, during office hours.
Thanks to the new meter, guests who visit on the weekend will be able to purchase a pass even when parking operations is closed. Some students found this as a convenient way to park as long as the need for only a $1 remains.
