To the editor:
The editors were correct in attempting to address UB's parking problem ("Something must be done about parking on campus", Friday). However, the proposed solutions consisted mostly of adding more parking spaces. This is not a viable option.
Our current situation is a classic economic shortage: demand for parking exceeds supply. We have two approaches to fixing this; we can either lower demand or increase supply.
The author mainly suggested the latter. But adding more parking is simply not feasible at this time. Our state and our university continue to face budget cuts in light of the nation's economic hardship. Classes are getting less plentiful and more crowded. Many elements of UB 2020 will either be cancelled or delayed. In short, we don't have much money to spare. When departments and programs are being scaled down across the board, redirecting funds for a new parking garage would be wildly irresponsible.
Luckily, we have another option: decreasing the demand for on-campus parking. The author suggested limiting parking for freshman and on-campus students. These are good ideas that should be seriously considered.
Right now, everyone pays for parking, regardless of whether or not they have a car. As a result, students have no incentive (other than the parking hassle) against driving cars onto campus. To address this, we should have students pay for their parking passes. This will create financial incentive for students to use alternative forms of transportation. We also need to promote incentives in the form of convenience by installing more bike racks and advocating for more NFTA routes on the campuses.
Parking is a serious issue, but cutting into the university budget is not the answer. Instead, we ought to encourage other modes of transportation by adding financial and convenience incentives to students who don't contribute to the parking problem. The people that truly need on-campus parking spots will find them, and parking can become less of a nightmare.
Paul Stephan
Sophomore
Undecided major
