Mississippi State University made traffic and parking modifications around campus to help prepare for the academic school year, and its record enrollment.
The addition of South Hall necessitated more parking, so a new lot has been constructed near Hathorn and Cresswell Halls and will serve the residents of the entire South Zone.
Another larger lot near the intersection of Hardy Road and Blackjack Road will provide more parking options. Because the construction and redesignation of these two lots reduced parking options for commuter students, an expansion has been made to the Commuter East lot.
Several lots have also been re-striped, making individual parking spaces more clearly defined.
Students who frequent Fraternity Row gained more parking options with a parking lot being expanded to the north of the Sigma Chi house. A three-way stop sign has been added at the intersection of Presidents Circle and Bully Boulevard.
Leslie Davis, sophomore biochemistry major, said there have not been too many difficulties getting from place to place on campus so far this year.
“I have noticed that this year, more people are heeding speed limits, which of course makes traffic slower but more pedestrian friendly,” Davis said.
The money from students’ parking fees feed into an annual budget of at least $500,000 which is invested annually in the upkeep of university lots and streets.
During the 2009-2010 school year, the Department of Parking Services invested $786,499 on such programs. This year they plan to invest $1,311,000.
Director of Parking Services Mike Harris said the money from student parking fees helps offset the cost of shuttle buses, so students and faculty can utilize this convenient service for free.
Harris said his department also raises funds by renting out the shuttles for various student functions. The hourly rate for their use keeps this valuable service functioning across campus.
Harris said he also wants to make students aware the shuttles serve all lots and residence halls on campus. And while parking can be frustrating for the first week or two of school, Harris said he asks drivers to be patient as details are finalized and projects are completed.
Taylor Waters, freshman mechanical engineering major, said sometimes it can be difficult to find parking on campus before 5 p.m.
“There should be a few spaces in each zone for students from other parking zones,” she said, noting especially how crucial this is for students who may need to get to the Longest Student Health Center for medical care.
The Department of Parking Services is excited to present a valuable new tool just instated on Tuesday.
Transit.msstate.edu provides visitors with two resources. The first is a live bus map, which shows where all buses on the campus are at all times.
A red icon means that the bus is currently stopped and a green bus icon indicates that it is in transit.
On the home page, there is an arrival times link that shows students exactly when and where buses will be arriving on campus.
“We are still tweaking it, but right now it seems to be working well,” Harris said.
Because of the versatility of smart phones today, students who are enjoying an evening out in Starkville are able to track night route buses using their iPhone or Blackberry.
Campus authorities are confident that these new services and strategic upgrades will make MSU’s campus more driver and pedestrian friendly.