First years might find adjustment to college life a little more difficult with the possible elimination of second-semester parking privileges.
Kevin Hanlon and Brandon Possin, Student Council parking and transportation committee members, wrote a resolution calling for the elimination of first-year parking, which the entire committee will vote on at its Sept. 17 meeting, committee chairman Will Sowers said.
The resolution also contains measures requesting improvements in University transportation for first years, including a shuttle system to stop along Route 29 at locations such as Fashion Square Mall and Wal-Mart.
Finding on-Grounds parking has always been difficult, but additional headaches, such as construction at the Aquatic & Fitness Center and throughout the South Lawn, continue to eliminate many on-Grounds parking spaces.
In addition, revisions in Charlottesville parking policies intended to relieve congestion in the popular Venable and Jefferson Park Avenue neighborhoods could mean more upperclassmen will apply for University permits.
Council, in conjunction with the University Parking and Transportation Department and the Charlottesville Police Dept., has searched for ways to reduce the parking deficit for a long time.
The recommendation to eliminate first-year parking privileges was first presented to Council in May of this year, Sowers said
After discussion, the committee will send its proposals, along with recommendations from the University's Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee, to Leonard W. Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer, who will make the final decision.
An official from the Transportation and Parking Advisory committee confirmed that it had sent a proposal to Sandridge.
If approved, the resolution will go into effect for the 2003-2004 school year.
Reactions to the removal of parking privileges differ widely.
Possin claims first-year students should be able to handle the inconveniences such a policy would create.
"If first years can go for one semester without a car we don't think that two semesters would be too much to ask," he said.
First-year College student Daniel Miller agreed with Possin.
"Obviously we'd like to be able to drive," Miller said. "But since most of our classes are close together and there's a great transportation system, realistically it probably wouldn't make that much of a difference."
But first-year College student Todd Aman wasn't as enthusiastic.
"I think it would be a shame. The weirdest part of first year is being without a car, especially after enjoying complete mobility senior year," Aman said.
It would be a much bigger change than people realize"
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