SBP Candidates Face Parking Issues

Student Body President Justin Young said the next student body president will continue dealing with this year's parking issues, as well as work on long-term issues related to development and changing campus transportation goals. "The biggest issue this year has been the decision to make a nighttime parking plan a possibility," Young said.

In October, the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee began discussing a proposal to eliminate on-campus parking for students living in residence halls. TPAC also has been considering charging for night parking on campus to balance the Department of Public Safety's budget.

Young said student government has actively addressed parking issues this year by creating a Web site and passing a Student Congress resolution. "It's not as simple as saying 'No, this isn't going to work this way,'" he said as advice to his successor.

Candidate Brad Overcash said he is opposed to night parking permits.

"I think that this University should be accessible to students, and I think permits for night parking would limit that."

Overcash also opposes the elimination of on-campus parking for residents and said students should not be limited by where they can walk.

He said TPAC's actions this year have been unfair and difficult to respect. "I don't think TPAC has any validity on anything they say now."

In response to these issues, Overcash said he would create a student board to address parking issues. He said he would also like to see the on-demand P2P service improved to include fraternity and sorority houses as well as nearby apartments.

Candidate Charlie Trakas said he is opposed to charging for night parking if there are alternative solutions.

"If other sources of revenue could be raised, I'm not in favor of it," he said.

But Trakas said he favors eliminating on-campus parking for students living in residence halls. "I would like to see no parking on campus for students who live in a dorm," he said. "These people can take a bus somewhere or bike somewhere."

Trakas also said student government could have done more to fight proposed parking policy changes.

Regarding public transit, Trakas said he would try to mend bus route overlap.

Candidate Correy Campbell said a minimal charge for night parking on campus is the best way to gain revenue.

"I do believe that in order for us to expand and build parking decks, we have to get the money somewhere," he said.

Campbell is not in favor of eliminating parking for on-campus students and said he would demand a reason from the administration if an official decision was made.

He also said he thinks TPAC and student government have done commendable jobs dealing with parking issues. "I think they're doing the best possible job they can," he said.

On the issue of public transportation, Campbell said he would like to ensure that everyone has access to a bus stop.

Candidate Jen Daum said she favors night permits under circumstances where safety is a concern, like for nurses who work at night. "I'm not in favor of charging for night parking in all lots," she said.

Daum added that she is completely opposed to eliminating on-campus parking for residence hall students.

Daum said the student voice has been marginalized this year on issues like parking. But she said she would work to open lines of communication. "I think Justin has worked very hard, but I would do things differently," she said.

Daum said she would like to see bus service hours expanded and wants to ensure safety on campus for students using public transportation.

Candidate Bennett Mason said he is opposed to charging for night parking, and thinks a more feasible solution would be to raise the price of all parking permits by $9 to $12 per month. "That would cover the deficit without charging for night parking," he said. Mason also opposes eliminating resident parking. "We are paying customers," he said. "We are not just guests here."

Mason said he credits student government with pushing back the residence hall student parking decision and prompting the appointment of a new TPAC chairman.

Mason said he has been impressed with advances in public transportation around Chapel Hill in recent years, although he said there is still work to be done.

Candidate Fred Hashagen said he is against any decision that would lead to night parking charges or the elimination of parking for on-campus students.

"I oppose any limitations of on-campus parking for students," he said.

Hashagen also expressed his discontent with the way TPAC has operated this year. "I think TPAC was a nightmare for students," he said.

Hashagen also said he was unhappy with student government's student parking efforts. He said he would push for the U bus to provide transportation to area activities like malls or movie theaters.

Hashagen also said he favors an expanded Point-2-Point service.

Candidate Will McKinney said he does not think students should have to pay for night parking on campus and that he is opposed to the elimination of parking for students who live on campus.

"I think it's important for students to feel at home at the University," McKinney said. "I think that it is unfortunate they have not looked at more long-term solutions." McKinney said he supports the efforts the Young administration has made this year in regards to parking, and will continue to build on Young's results.

Concerning public transportation, McKinney said he thinks every bus stop should be well-lit and have a call box and that buses should have expanded hours.

Write-in candidate Nathan Katzin said he is not in favor of charging for night parking. "Parking is enough of a problem as it is, and there are better ways of getting revenue," he said.

But Katzin said he favors the elimination of on-campus parking for residents, saying public transportation curbs pollution. "It is a much more environmentally conscious approach," he said.

Katzin said because he is not passionate about parking issues, he would hire someone to address parking issues. But he said he wishes buses would run more often or 24 hours a day. When asked about TPAC, Katzin made reference to a rap artist with a similar sounding name.

"I've been a big fan of Tupac," he said. "I think he's still alive."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.