More and more University students may find that sometimes it's just easier to walk.
Because of an unusual increase in the number of upperclassmen applying for parking permits this year, Gooch-Dillard residence areas have begun using a lottery system for doling out spots. Typically, staying at Gooch-Dillard guarantees having a parking space.
"We usually count on about 40 percent of the students in these dorms applying for parking spots," said Rebecca White, University director of parking and transportation. "The numbers go up and down every year, but this is a good estimate."
This year, approximately 350 students out of 650 Gooch-Dillard residents have applied for parking in their residence areas.
At a meeting with White yesterday at the Gooch building, many students expressed complaints that they chose to live in Gooch because of the guaranteed parking in past years.
"I came to Gooch because I was told they didn't have a lottery," Fourth-year College student Chelyse Stefanik said.
This year, each suite in Gooch-Dillard is allotted one spot to be assigned to one of its members. This accounts for approximately 150 of the 290 available spots. The remaining spots then are allotted by a lottery system.
Another issue addressed at last night's meeting involved how to best run the lottery. While the current system gives no preference to those who work off grounds or those who have lived in Gooch for several years, some students said they feel this is unfair.
"As a fourth year, I think it's unfair that the lottery system was not based on either seniority or academic standing," Engineering student Marco Ciccone said. "I know some second years living in Gooch who have spots when I don't."
Currently, the Department of Parking and Transportation runs the lottery system for the Gooch-Dillard lot. White said the possibility existed for the residence halls to run the lottery, if students could come to a consensus as to how the selection should be conducted.
Students who do not get a spot in the nearby S5 or S6 lots still may obtain permits to park at the University Hall lot. Currently the these permits are $9 less expensive, though White said the difference will widen over the next three years.
"Students will find, in the future, that parking at U-hall will be significantly cheaper," White said.
One student at the meeting raised the issue of the unpredictability of the UTS transport back from University Hall, which White promised to address at the Department of Parking and Transportation. She also agreed to speak with the Charlottesville Chief of Police about the possibility of coordinating the escort service from University Hall.
As of yesterday, 71 people allotted spots in the Gooch-Dillard lot had not claimed their permits. If they do not claim their permits Monday morning their spots will be open to the list of alternates.
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