My Plan to Fix TROY's parking.....As if There Was a Problem

NOTE: this is only an abridged version. It was edited to keep our ever decreasing attention spans. This is not the full plan. Open your mind to think about details.

So I've heard that TROY (University) is possibly converting the Parking style to a, Seniority Based system, in which the higher your classification, the closer you get to park. Congratulations TROY, way to think outside the box. This system will literally accomplish nothing, except rearranging lot configuration while hampering the parking decal process, which currently can't seem to get the three types of decals out on time. You want to make this process more complicated? What is to be gained from this system? Seniors who complain a little less, that's about it. Instead what you'll have is a rash of perennially irritated underclassmen. You are shifting the problem, not solving it. NOTE: by problem I mean complaints by parkers and the insurmountable 300 yards they have to walk to class (Yes that was sarcasm). Instead what TROY could do is take a real step in the right direction, and create a much more efficient and sustainable approach to parking and transportation around campus, and here's how........

1) NO NEW PARKING SPACES....This whole plan hinges on reducing traffic flow. Increasing spaces undermines all basic points to this sustainable solution. In turn more spaces equals more cars period. Furthermore, parking lots (Garages included) destroy campus aesthetics which would make TROY's campus look like the University of South Alabama.....and none of us want that.

2) Increase the Parking Decal Price...by a lot. No.... more....more. put the price for a decal at at least $120. I'm not for colleges nickel and diming students, but this does not fall under that category. The increased price discourages purchase further reducing traffic. Also, increased price would make up for loss revenue due to fewer purchases, maybe even increase. There is a term used in conservation called 'shifting baselines'. It's where over time, our view of normal changes. For example we don't think of basketball shorts as being above the knees right. Twenty years ago they were....and they used to be a lot shorter. So instead of underclassman complaining every year about walking far, you get four-five years of people complaining about prices then, after that it's normal. No more complaining.

3) Along the same lines. STUDENTS MUST HAVE OPTION TO REFUSE PURCHASE OF DECAL. They should they're expensive. With this done comes the second phase of the plan (which has to be implemented at the same time or you have a bigger problem than you started with).

PHASE II

Now that parking a car on campus is a nightmare (which is exactly the point, options HAVE, HAVE to be given to get to school.

4) EXPAND THE SHUTTLE SERVICE. It was my understanding that most of the original project was paid for by grants. There is money out there. MAKE IT RELIABLE-In my short stent downtown (which is further away from campus than most students live now) and I took the shuttle, I was never late, It was on-time and very efficient. It dropped me off closer than I could park and that was that.

5) BIKES SCOTTERS BIKE SCOOTER BIKES SCOOTER BIKES and SCOOTERS- It makes no sense for someone to drive a quarter of a mile down Elm, get on that road that no one really knows the name of for another quarter, park and go to class. Waste, Waste, Waste. Bike and scooter lanes. With this comes one big must have expansion. Bike ACCESSIBILITY. Provide ample parking close to class, showers, and secure biking privileges. With the new Arena being built and the old being converted to student rec center, the change can easily be made.

Here are two arguments you might make:

'It's too hot to bike to class'----I bike to class everyday. I live in Miami. I have worse traffic and more humidity. It can and is done.

'What if it rains' there is the shuttle. Plus under this plan, each student is given an allowance of ticket free parking days.

This could work by reducing cars increasing public transportation, we could increase health of students and provide for a more unique college atmosphere at TROY. Something it desperately needs. Watch and comment below........Oh and TROY, I'm available for consultation.