Dear Activist:Finding my name at the end of the “Race for a Space” article in the October 30 issue of The Activist prompted me to write in to provide further input. My understanding is that a denial of state funding for the creation of a new building forced a postponement, which included the plans for either a garage or new lot, of at least two years.
I did participate in the subcommittee that was created to confirm a need for an increase in parking fees, despite the postponement, and make recommendations to faculty regarding our findings. In the course of investigation, it was expressed that student fees were in no danger of increasing.
Although the subcommittee has submitted a final report to Building and Grounds for review, I have expressed concerns that income, expenses, and deficit numbers shown within the parking lot budget, which were presented to the subcommittee, were inconsistent with numbers shared five months earlier from the same source. I have not yet received explanation as to the details of these discrepancies, and the Student Government has requested greater transparency in financial documentation in Resolution RW.6015. We hope to improve the level of communication in these matters to reduce misunderstandings.
In the meantime, all you stall stalkers, keep in mind that parking at Raymond Walters for students is paid through the general fee, which is half that of main campus’s general fee, and Clifton students have to pay as much as $300 per quarter to park in garages that get them a quarter to a half mile from classes! Our back parking lot gets you closer to an entrance than most of the front and side parking around Muntz and SAHB, as well.
This isn’t high school, guys, so be happy stalkers.
Kelly Tanis
RWC Student Government Representative