Important parking guidance for students
This is the opinion of Evan Mattson, SJU senior.
This past summer, I met with SJU Life Safety to discuss CSB student parking and safety at SJU. The Senates conducted a survey asking Bennies questions regarding parking at SJU, with a total of 71 responses. After my meeting with Life Safety, I decided to communicate some answers to the CSB student body.
Firstly, CSB students, during the school day, are only allowed to park in Flynntown Lot. Over 37% of CSB students are unaware of where they can park at SJU.
The recommendation from the Senates was to open North Palestra Lot for CSB student parking during the day. However, Life Safety said two important items: First, due to the limited number of parking spots available after SJU students, it does not stop the problem at hand. Second, SJU seniors are losing Flagpole Lot for the second year because the faculty lot behind Tommy is down to 20% of the original capacity due to the new building. So, it was found pretty much impossible to open North Palestra Lot for CSB students.
However, SJU Life Safety did come with good news for after-4 p.m. parking. CSB students are allowed to park in any lot other than guest lots (like the guest lots in front of the SBH) from 4 p.m. to Midnight Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. Friday through Saturday.
SJU Life Safety also offers escorts to vehicles, a service that only 36.6% of Bennies were aware of. To get ahold of them, call 320-363-2144.
Additionally, there is some other important information, both for CSB and SJU students. To appeal a parking ticket at SJU, you need to go to www.csbsju.edu/sju-life-safety-services,
select “Traffic and Parking Bureau,” “Appeals Process” and click the embedded link called “Appeals Form.” The SJU Senate Parking Appeals Board reviews all parking tickets, which is made up of the SJU Senate Judicial Board. Over 50% of CSB students were unaware of the appeals process.
The Senates and SJU Life Safety hope to continue working together to better shape parking and safety at SJU. Some of the advocacy items for the Senates are having senators show up to the safety walks, having one appeal form and a standardized website for Bennie and Johnnie parking. A big-ticket item is a parking ramp at SJU because, due to the inability for the school to take up any more green space, this is the only way to get more parking.