Lot 21 by tennis courts open to students

Students again have access to parking in Lot 21 east of the tennis courts, Tim Rockey, dean of continuing education training network, who oversees parking at this college, said today.

The lot has 171 parking spaces, but only about 150 are usable because of the renovation of Scobee Planetarium and construction of the Challenger Learning Center, he said.

In spring of 2012 the lot was open to students and faculty, but on April 16, the lot was closed to students, and parking citations were issued.

David Mrizek, vice president of college services, told The Ranger April 16 that the lot was originally for faculty and staff only but was opened to students because construction of the parking garage limited student parking in 2006.

He said when construction was completed in January 2008, the lot was supposed to be closed to students, and signs were posted to inform them they were no longer permitted to park in the lot; however, ticketing was never enforced and signs were removed.

Rockey said the lot was reopened to students Monday because vehicles of faculty and staff did not fill all of the spots throughout the day.

“We constantly monitor the lots, and it was fairly obvious that Lot 21 had a lot, probably at any time, 10 or 20 vacant spots, and at the same time students were going round and round trying to find parking,” he said. “It just made sense.”

Rockey said the decision was supposed to be implemented last week; however, there were problems with communicating the actions to security guards who oversee access to the lot.

“It looks like it’s working fine now,” he said.

Lots 20 between the tennis courts and Candler Physical Education Center and 22 south of Nail Technical Center remain faculty and staff lots.  Entrance to both of those lots is through Lot 21.

Rockey said Julie Cooper, public information officer, will notify students of the change Thursday through the weekly email newsletter SAC Talk.