Students that commute on campus and park by D Vickers Hall will now notice 41 parking spaces on the south side of Tennessee Avenue from SGA Drive to North Oak Street have been reassigned to faculty/staff parking.

According to Chief Mike Prescott, director of the University Police Department (UPD), this decision was made after the 2011-2012 campus maps were printed. Currently, the maps indicate that this parking zone remains open for upperclass commuters, but Prescott wants students to be aware that these spaces are now faculty/staff only.

“I believe the problem or the confusion is going to come from the fact this decision was made after our maps were printed,” said Prescott. “We’re still checking to see if we can change the map in the computer for the proper designation, but we haven’t gotten a final response yet.”

According to Prescott, the decision to change the parking spaces was made due to the nursing department moving from Southeastern Hall and Mims Hall to its new location in the Kinesiology Building. With this relocation, 50-60 faculty/staff offices are to be added in this area. Also, the change in parking was made due to the renovations of Southeastern Hall and Mims Hall, which will be losing approximately 30 faculty/staff spaces in the South Southeastern lot. According to Prescott, this area is heavily populated with faculty/staff and the UPD receives a number of complaints each semester regarding a lack of parking for faculty/staff members who teach or have offices in this location.

However, Prescott wants to reassure that the needs of the students have not been overlooked. To help alleviate parking demand, around 80 new concrete commuter upperclass spaces were created across from Garrett Hall. Also, approximately 25 spaces in the East Zachary Taylor lot were added where a damaged tree was removed.

“I know those parking lots are a little bit further away,” said Prescott. “But we’re trying to make it work for everyone. It’s for the benefit of the entire Southeastern campus community. It’s for everybody’s benefit.”

Along with these spaces, when the new track is completed, West Cefalu lot will bring in 70 additional spaces for upperclass commuters. Over 40 spaces along Tennessee Avenue that are currently fenced off for construction will also be opened for use by upperclass commuters, possibly by the end of October. However, this date is not definitive and may be postponed.

“When you’re dealing with construction, things change,” said Prescott. “If [students] would bear with us a little bit, as soon as we’re able we’re gonna open up those spaces.”

Until those spaces are open, Prescott advises students to use the Lion Traxx shuttle service to be transported across campus, with four buses running at peak hours and a five to seven minute wait in between buses.

“The buses are available, they work well and it is something students should utilize,” said Prescott.

Along with the parking changes, the University Parking Office will implement special hours due to an increase in students who work late at night.

“We’re looking to extend our hours on certain days to assist those students who come after hours,” said Prescott.

Tentative dates for the University Parking Office to be open include the first month of school, where parking will be open every Wednesday and Thursday until 8 p.m. After Sept. 8, parking will be open every Thursday until 8 p.m.

According to Prescott, students need to be aware of the parking rules and regulations. Beginning on Monday, August 22, UPD enforcement officers will be writing citations for violations, including after hours. To avoid a citation, a hangtag or a decal is required 24/7 when on campus.

“We’re trying to let everyone know in advance to follow our rules and regulations,” said Prescott. “If you’re taking a night class on campus and you are on our property, you have to have a hangtag.”

Along with the new parking changes, for the next three weeks the Physical Plant will be blocking the east side of Galloway Drive from West Dakota Street to Strawberry Stadium due to a construction project, according to Prescott. When making travel plans, this change should be considered.