How Bad is Parking? Part 2

Last night, we started the answer to your question:

How Bad is Parking?

Tonight, we'll address the parts that are not your fault.

#1 - The system is flawed.

First, I would argue that the general vs reserved lot system doesn't work for us. There are lots of possible alternatives to this idea, but the one I prefer these days is dividing the lots into commuter and residential lots. It just makes a lot more sense to me. That said, the organizational structure of the lots is not the biggest flaw in the system. The biggest flaw is - OF COURSE - all about the Benjamins.

#2 - UTC Parking Services is self-funded.

What does that mean? It means that parking gets no money from the UT budgetary cycle. It means that all the times you've complained about us building the fancy new library when what you think we should be spending that money on is another parking garage have been futile because "that money" is not ever coming to Parking. But the money trail gets more complicated once you start to look at it. As a self-funded industry, parking makes all its budget from permit sales and tickets. If you make a bad choice and get a ticket, super! More money for the coffers. If you get frustrated with the General lot situation and decide to spend money you don't really have on a Reserved tag, excellent! More money for the coffers. If you don't like it and go complain and ask them to work on fixing it (as students have done for every year I've been at the University), they will act sympathetic but proceed as normal because IT WORKS FOR THEM. They are making their budget with things just as they are, so they have exactly zero motivation to fix it.

#3 - You have to have a parking permit.

Well, actually, you could choose to leave your car at home if you are a residential student and do college like countless college freshmen before you have done, but since we both know you won't do that and that you commuters truly have no choice, you are stuck. Just like with the ridiculously expensive textbook market, you are part of a system that knows you are a captive consumer. You will pay whatever you have to and deal with whatever frustrations you must because you have to. 

These things are all (relatively) true. But, I take slight issue with the last idea of you being a captive consumer. I still believe you can do something about it. Either by choosing to park in one of the outlying lots and utilizing the bus system or by creating a real-live activist movement at UTC, you can make it better.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I believe in you. And I'll sign your petition if you make one.

Cheers,

Dr. Y

How Bad is Parking? Part 1

The time has finally come. It is time to answer your question:

How Bad is Parking?

Welp. It's bad. By now, you undoubtedly know the routine. There are never enough spaces in the relatively close General lots; the Reserved lots sit somewhat empty, and professors like me cruise in and grab one of those spots while you sit waiting for somebody to come out and move their car. Or you park illegally and get a ticket and then complain about the ticket.There are a lot of problems with this scenario, but not all of them are UTC's fault. Let's start with where you are in error.

#1 - You think you need to park your car right next to your class. Even if you live on campus.

This is a serious issue, and we need to address it. If you live on campus, and you are driving your car to class, AND you don't have some particular medical reason for doing so, please let me speak directly to you...... STOP DOING THAT! You are clogging up the system, and you are making it a lot harder for commuters (those people who don't live on campus but still have to get to damn class) to actually park where they are supposed to park. Leave your car and walk. Yes, even if it is cold and/or rainy. Commuters, you, too, are guilty of thinking your car should be within sight of the building in which you are having class (slight exaggeration here). So, both y'all are to blame for the fiasco and both y'all sound ridiculous complaining that there's never any parking when there are plenty of empty spots in the outlying lots; y'all just don't want to use them.

#2 - You park illegally and then complain about the ticket.

Even if you think there is NO parking, if you park illegally, it is your own fault if you get a ticket. It is still a choice you are making. It may not feel like one at the time, but it is.

#3 - You don't adequately take advantage of the bus system.

Go read this post for more on the bus and its excellent offerings.

Come back tomorrow, and we'll talk about the parts that are not your fault.

Cheers,

Dr. Y

Can I Get Help If I Need It?

Oh, wise one. You knew this day would come. You knew that there would come a day, oh midway through the semester when your professor would hand you your midterm grade, and you would need to know the answer to this question:

Can I Get Help If I Need It?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. and Yes. We want to help. We want to see you succeed in our classes and at UTC in general. We know it is hard. So, here's what your options are.

1. Go talk to your professor. Don't just drop an email. Go to the syllabus and find where it lists his/her office hours, and then GO TO THE OFFICE and tell him or her what's going on. Ask for help. See what can be done. Usually, a lot can be done. You just have to take the initiative.
2. Go to the Center for Advisement and Student Success (CASS). The tutoring office is in the Collins Street Annex Building, Room 104. You'll need to fill out a form, but their tutoring is free and fantastic. Go here for more information and to get the form. Here's a list of the classes they cover:

   • Biology 1110, 1120, 1130, 2060, 2080, 2100, and 3250
   • Chemistry 1110, 1120, 3010, and 3020
   • Economics 1010, 1020
   • Engineering 1030 and 1040
   • Math 1000-2000 levels 
   • Nursing 2260
   • Physics 1030 and 1040

3. Go to one of these additional resources if what you need help in isn't listed above.
4. Go to the library. Those people are amazing, and they have workshops on research and citations and google and Microsoft Office and so much more. Plus, they're smart.
5. Go talk to your professor. Yes, I know I already put this one. But it is so important, and it is possible (nay, likely) that one meeting won't get the job done. Use those office hours. Go back until you understand. Go back until you feel like this person has done everything he or she can do to help (within reason, of course). Go back.

We want to help. And we know, perhaps better than you, that a midterm grade is just that. It doesn't have to be the end of the world. It does NOT mean you should just stop going to that class and take your F. It really, truly, I promise you, completely DOES NOT have to mean whatever horror story you have imagined in your head. You're on the right track by asking. Now, just make it happen!

Cheers,

Dr. Y

LOTR or Star Wars?

I guess this question isn't so much weird, but it is a bit wacky, so.....

Lord of the Rings or Star Wars?

This question is an important one. Kind of a deal-breaker. If you are dating someone who disagrees with you on this question, you might decide to stop dating that someone. And you're kind of dating UTC, aren't you? For some of you, your first year is spent trying to decide if you want to make a long-term commitment to this school. So, let me be unambiguous:




I hope we can stay together.

Cheers,

Dr. Y

What Time Does the Bus Run?

Ten ages ago, when I last posted here (sorry), I promised you a post on parking next. And well, friends, it's coming. BUT not today. Today, I'm going to answer a question somewhat related to parking:

What Time Does the Bus Run?

Let's start with the basics. The bus that runs through and around UTC is a city bus (CARTA), but it is called the Mocs Express. It is a free shuttle to all riders, but you should know that your MocsCard gets you free rides on any of the Chattanooga City buses (see full map here). The shuttle buses make constant loops (supposedly every 6 minutes) between the hours of 7:30 am and 8:30 pm. One of the ways this relates to parking is that you can park in a decent parking lot by Engel Stadium, and the shuttle will pick you up there and drop you pretty much as near as you'd like to your classes. Here's a list of the stops, courtesy of the UTC parking website (try to ignore the misspelling of Engel. I can't, but maybe you can.):

• E. 5th St. & O'Neal St. (next to Engle Stadium and General Lot 45)
• E. 3rd St. & Wiehl St. (at Erlanger Hospital)
• E. 3rd St. & Hampton St. (at Erlanger Hospital)
• Fortwood St. & Palmetto St. (across Palmetto from Reserved Lot 16)
• Vine St. & Palmetto St.
• Oak St. & Palmetto St.
• McCallie Ave. (across from the Doctor's Building)
• McCallie Ave. & Baldwin St. (Hunter Hall)
• McCallie Ave. (in front of the Quad)
• 8th & University St.
• 8th & Baldwin (Probasco South Campus)
• McCallie Ave. & Douglas St. (in front of Fletcher Hall)
• McCallie Ave. & Houston St. (in front of the Metro Complex)
• Houston St. (in front of the Metro Complex)
• Oak St. & Houston St.
• Vine St. (in front of New Village Apartments)
• Vine St. & Douglas St. (next to the Alpha Delta Pi house)
• E. 5th St. (behind Maclellan Gym)
• E. 5th St. & Baldwin St. (between the University Center and Holt Hall)
• E. 5th St. (at the east end of Holt Hall)
• Palmetto St. (in front of the Administrative Services Building)
• E. 3rd St. & Hampton St. (Erlanger Hospital)
• E. 3rd St. & Wiehl St. (Erlanger Hospital)
• E. 5th St. & O'Neal St. (next to Engle Stadium and General Lot 45

As you can see, this is a fairly easy and comfortable way to get to classes. I've used it many times (parked at Engel for about two years until recently), and it is a nice service. Need more help? Here's the handy instructional video we got in our email this week:




The problem, of course, is that you can't be sure when it will run. Every six minutes is kind of a crap shoot of information. The digital signs will tell you when the next shuttle is expected, but you can't see them until you're at the stop, and and sometimes, the six minutes part is just a bold-faced lie. I've definitely arrived at the stop a minute later than normal having missed the shuttle I usually catch only to find the next one won't be there for more than 10 minutes according to the sign. This is a problem, and it is one students should address with the Parking Services people. When I finally do get around to writing more about parking, I'll talk more about this issue. For now, though, the best option is to use CARTA's bus tracker on your phone. It will tell you the same info as the signs, but at least you can stay inside longer, which can be helpful on a day like today when it is a wee bit chilly out. Ride the bus, UTC. Ride the bus.

Cheers,

Dr. Y