Parking should be free for students, or at least less expensive
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Come this May, it will have cost me $11,000 dollars in tuition alone to attend school this year. Factor in books and supplies and you are looking at around $12,000 in one year of education costs, a lot of money to become well learned! However, in my opinion, education is always a worthy investment.
What really frustrates me, however, is the fact that despite my $11,000 investment in Grand Valley and my future, Grand Valley can not supply me with a parking space. No, I am not satisfied with 20 free commuter passes, I think my tuition and dedication to the university deserve more than that.
I am well aware of the economics of the situation. There exists a limited amount of parking, demand for spots is high, and costly passes help alleviate some of that demand. We generate revenue from selling parking passes, over $3,100,000; and we collect just under $200,000 from students who receive parking tickets. This is well and good, but my tuition costs still went up this year, so I wonder how influential the revenue from parking passes and parking tickets truly is.
I think there are ways to bring parking costs down for students, and allow easier access to parking on campus. If demand is such that parking simply cannot be free, then parking should cost no more than $50 a semester (parking rates are currently $340 a year).
Another way to allow for more accessible student parking? Eliminate unnecessary costs at our school. One such example is the GVPD. Does the GVPD really need expensive Segways for campus? Can they not travel in cars, by bicycle, and on foot? If we think about it, I believe we can find many other smaller financial cuts that help make up for the revenue Grand Valley would lose by charging less for parking tickets.
I am not one hundred percent positive that the parking change could be effectively made, but I do know that at $11,000 tuition costs, we should demand that someone try. We should also not expect Grand Valley to do all of the research and work on parking issues because, lets face it, we go to an amazing school that keeps administrators busy in other important areas.
I love Grand Valley, but their student parking system leaves a lot to be desired for, and it’s time for us to try and change that.
ccolleran@lanthorn.com
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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