Back to School 2010 – Persistent parking problems

More Back to School tomorrow UNMC Today continues it’s Back to School series on Tuesday with an interview with Micki Gonzalez, an employee in the UNMC Bookstore who for 26 years has worked to acquire and distribute the white coats that will be handed out to new students at ceremonies around the state this week.

As students return to campus and fall classes kick off this week, UNMC Today takes a look at some of the new and not-so-new developments underway this semester.

Today we start with the not-so-new as Tina Spencer, manager of UNMC Parking Services, covers some of the common parking issues the campus faces each fall and ways to alleviate such issues.

Always an issue

The most common complaint from employees this time of year is about students who park in employee stalls, Spencer said.

The fact is, she said, students and employees only officially park together in one campus lot — No. 6 at 41st and Dewey streets. And even in that lot, students are only to park in stalls that are clearly marked.

Student lots The following parking lots are reserved for student parking. A few stalls in Lot. No. 6; 9 15S; 19; 20; 39; 49; 51; 52; and 54.

What do we do if students park in our lots?

First off, Spencer wants employees to exercise a bit of patience for the first few weeks of the school year as students learn the ropes. Also:

• If employees encounter students parking in employee lots, staff and faculty members should politely inform the students that they have parked in lots reserved for employees; and
  
• If you notice a student’s car in your lot — call UNMC Parking Services at 559-8580 to let them know.

What if I my lot is full when I go to park there?

If you can’t find a parking spot in your own lot, Spencer said you should park in the next nearest employee lot and call UNMC Parking Services at 559-8580 to let them know your car is in a different lot. This will help you avoid a ticket for parking in an unassigned lot.