The author of this piece is an employee of the university and has requested anonymity in order to protect their identity.
Being an alumni of this great university and now an employee, there are many things that I am proud of. This university has continuing success in academics, athletics, medicine and research. Its population and reputation is also growing, domestically and internationally. This is evident by the growing number of students joining our university and the increasing need for faculty and staff.
But this is where one of my frustrations lie.
Now, I know that parking is not a new topic of discussion. I just realized that this semester it has become a bit worse. Granted, as I mentioned previously, I understand Stony Brook’s need to grow with student population, faculty and staff. Don’t you think the accommodations should reflect that as well? As a staff member, I am glad that I have a complimentary parking pass. But there is no place to use it! Sometimes, it’s due to construction that has closed off several staff parking spots, and other times to selfish persons that do not mind getting several parking tickets because they can get more sleep by driving their cars less than a mile to park illegally. In case you are unaware, there is free public transportation around campus.
As with all the staff members in my department, it is normal for us to put in a 10-hour day due to the specific responsibilities we have and skill sets that we offer. Do I really need to drive into the office before 9 a.m. instead of arriving at my scheduled time of noon just to get a parking spot? Do I have to make a longer day for myself so I can get a reasonable parking spot? I spent 45 minutes today driving from lot to lot, making sure that I park in the lot that my parking tag is made for. I finally went into the paid lot, so I would not be late for my scheduled times.
As I have stated, this is just a rant about my frustration. I am sure there are others that share this as well. Dr. Stanley and university administration, I thank you for continuing the growth of Stony Brook University, but please add a parking complex to your list of building projects at SBU.
Jack • Oct 9, 2015 at 12:49 am
This is the level of writing of a Stony Brook faculty member?
“Being an alumni… and now an employee, there are many things I am proud of” is the opening sentence. YICK.
“As an employee and alumni of this great university there are many things of which I am proud” helps. But the entire opening paragraph is just so ineffective. The reader knows from the title that you’re going to complain about the parking situation, so just get to it instead of attempting to cushion the blow with a bunch of weak accolades.
“Now, I know that parking is not a new topic of discussion. I just
realized that this semester it has become a bit worse. Granted, as I
mentioned previously, I understand Stony Brook’s need to grow with
student population, faculty and staff. Don’t you think the
accommodations should reflect that as well?”
You’re claiming the topic is not new, then saying parking has become worse. Thus making it a new topic! Just leave it all out! Then you go and reference something you said three sentences ago and remind us that you previously mentioned it! And don’t ask me what I think, tell me what you think because it’s your letter!
I really expect better from a staff member and this newspaper. The author then says “this is just a rant about my frustrations,” as if even HE thinks it’s so whiny and self-indulgent that it shouldn’t have been published. Then he goes on to say “I’m sure there are others that share this as well.” Share what? The rant or the frustration?! I’m frustrated, but not about the parking!
Is there just a deficit of letters to the editor? Has it come to this? You editors should just write to yourselves and save us the embarrassment of pieces like this.
r • Oct 7, 2015 at 5:18 pm
I agree that there is a great landscape on this campus. I was taken aback by all the construction that tore down all the trees and bamboo forest that our campus was know for. As an employee, we are allowed free parking- why do I need to shell out another $30/month. And the only time I can get any parking in my area is only before 10am. I’m sorry, but a 20 min walk to my car at 10pm or later just does not appeal to me. We should have elevated complexes on current parking sites. Or how about converting empty parking spots like the stadium lot into more faculty/staff parking.
Laurel • Oct 1, 2015 at 8:39 am
I completely disagree with the need for new parking and I hope the university is willing to hear both sides of the argument. At the expense of our beautiful trees and landscape, the quick fix of putting in new parking lots deteriorates the quality of life and tranquility of the landscaping we are fortunate enough to have. Many universities have it MUCH worse. We don’t only have a FREE parking as faculty and staff (most graduate students get included in this), we have multiple options on campus to use this spot. If you arrive at any other hour than when everyone else arrives (i.e. not between 9-11AM), you can get premium parking spots. Any of the available parking spots available with the faculty/staff tag are no more than a 20 minute walk to any building on campus. Instead of advocating for more construction for a concrete slab that remains unoccupied for most of its existence, consider coming to campus a bit earlier to enjoy a peaceful walk from your car to your building. The campus is home to many birds, flowers, and trees that often go unappreciated because we are so anxious to get to our workplace in such a haste. I would suspect this might be more rewarding than a year of bulldozers plowing down what remains of our trees to put in a new parking lot.