Director of Facilities, Planning and Management James Brassord, in a letter he sent on Friday to Mayo-Smith and Newport residents, wrote that the Mayo-Smith parking lot was not being used to full capacity by faculty. In fact, only eight out of 21 spaces in Mayo-Smith were being used.
In a decision that will stand until the end of the school year, the parking lot was reallocated to provide for the extra spaces for students in the Mayo-Smith and Newport parking lots.
But Newport resident Christopher Conley '02 said that he does not believe the added spaces will have a significant impact, as there are 17 official spaces in Newport with only six designated for students. "We came into the dorm with a certain understanding and that tacit contract was broken; everybody came under the understanding that they would have parking. It's very unfair," said Conley.
Students who are not able to park in Newport and Mayo-Smith are still urged to park in the Hitchcock, Seelye and Seligman lots, as well as the Hills lot, which was specifically expanded for residents of the two houses.
"It creates a major safety problem to park in the Hills lot. It's a very long walk back to Mayo-Smith and Newport and oftentimes it's in the dark, too. Even though we can have security pick us up, to wait a half-hour for them to come is another safety problem," said Conley.
Mayo-Smith resident Matt Dunn '01 said that he respects the work the school has done to fix the parking crunch.
"I'm very appreciative of the work of the school administration in regard to this matter." said Dunn. "I think these extra spaces are going to have a great impact, but only time can tell."
Brassord said that there is little else that the College can do. Town regulations prevent the College from expanding the Mayo-Smith and Newport lots without town approval. Town approval for the reconfiguration of the Hills lot was not necessary. A plan to lease the parking lot of The United Church of Christ during weekdays was not possible because the church felt the lot was necessary for special events that may take place on the weekdays, according to Brassord.
Meanwhile, students have continued to suggest ways of fixing the parking crunch continue. "I think they're on the right track now, but it should go back to the way it was," said Jordan Lang '03, who is a resident of Newport. "Why should they focus on just our two lots?"
Conley said that Mayo-Smith and Newport should not bear the brunt of the parking crisis.
A report addressing the parking situation from the consulting firm Allan Davis Associates of Norwalk, Conn., is expected sometime this fall. It will be reviewed internally and issued publicly. In addition, the town of Amherst is considering building a garage under the Boltwood parking lot to increase commerce in the downtown area, though Brassord believes the effect of the garage on campus parking would be negligible.
The school was partially able to reopen the parking lots to student parking because of a town allocation of 16 spaces for street parking. The town's revocation of the faculty's parking was the initial cause behind the restriction of student parking.