Mississippi State University is “The People’s University,” but a sizable group of people have been ignored: the students who must park in the gravel pit by McComas Hall.
Three years ago the lot expanded, yet that was the answer then. Since that improvement came about, it seems as if the administration hasn’t given anyone a definite answer for the present: will the lot be paved soon or not?
Obviously, there are a few problems with having to park in gravel. First, it’s not practical for students who use wheelchairs. There’s not a sidewalk to speak of. Second, if a car tire flings the gravel, the rocks could easily damage someone’s windshield. Third, there are no clearly marked places for parking in the gravel, causing some students to park wrongly and receive tickets. Finally, it’s not exactly a safe area to walk in.
Landscaping should be set aside in favor of just getting the area paved for practicality, safety and clarification.
Understandably, the administration works on a budget, and we can’t expect them to pay for everything we want immediately. However, other parking areas have been paved or re-paved, such as the lots near McArthur and Evans Hall, and Malfunction Junction was completely redone, partly so people could have more space to tailgate at football games. On top of all that, money was spent to gate certain areas.
Just like everyone else, the people who park in the gravel lot paid more for decals this year. To sustain one parking space for a year, the administration said that about $30 would be needed for each spot.
However, parking decals for this zone are $50 like the other ones. What it comes down to is students paying more money for insufficient parking. After all, how much money does it take to maintain parking spots in gravel? Probably not as much as a paved place.
This isn’t about instant gratification, but the administration definitely knows that rumors have pervaded MSU for the past couple of years about paving the lot. If it doesn’t, then no one has been listening to the students.
In other words, even if the administration has been intending to do something about this issue, intentions are useless without answers or actions.
That’s all we want. One simple answer. Either tell us the lot will be paved, or tell us that it won’t.
The Reflector editorial board is made up of opinion editor Jed Pressgrove, news editor Sara McAdory, assistant news editor Wade Patterson, sports editor Ross Dellenger, entertainment editor Tyler Stewart, managing editor Dustin Barnes and editor in chief Elizabeth Crisp.