UA Student Fans: A Bond like No Other

There is nothing that brings the people of Alabama together more than Alabama football. It’s more than a simple pastime to the thousands of fans here at the University of Alabama; it’s a way of life. There are thousands upon thousands of Alabama fans that span the entire nation, and nowhere is there a greater concentration of these fans than here in Tuscaloosa. Out of all these fans however, there is a group that stands out from the rest. A group that shares a common experience that cannot be easily be replicated. That group of fans is the student fans of the University of Alabama. One may wonder what brings this group of students together so closely. What makes them different from other UA fans? Alumni are, by necessity, excluded from this elite group of fans because of how the experience changes and evolves into something new every year. Being a student fan means the forging of a bond between each other that cannot be found elsewhere. It is not simply because students all sit in the same section at the football games; it is because they all represent the same thing: The University of Alabama.

Football season is a time of great excitement for all fans of the Crimson Tide, and this is especially true for students of the University of Alabama. There is a feeling of excitement and anticipation of fun that charges the air throughout the campus. Every student of Alabama can feel it all throughout the week leading up to game day. This sense of fun and excitement hits its crescendo on game day. It’s felt by all who visit Tuscaloosa on a game day at the University of Alabama. The thing that makes student fans a step above even the most die-hard fan of the Crimson Tide is the immense feeling of school spirit. The entire student body feels this every time they attend or watch one of Alabama’s games. It’s this immense sense of pride at watching their school win or lose game after game that bonds this group of people together.

Lamar Kirkman is a graduate student at UA who has been a die-hard Alabama fan since he was a child, he was unable to attend UA for his undergraduate years, but has now received the chance to do so in his graduate classes. I asked my brother what it was like being a fan of the Crimson Tide compared to now being a student fan. He said, “There’s a big difference in seeing UA on T.V. and being a part of UA and you can feel it.” (L. Kirkman). Immediately I understood what my brother meant by saying “you can feel it.” I heard a change in the tone of his voice there was a definite feeling of joy. Lamar Kirkman was now a part of the exclusive group many Alabama fans will not be able to experience. He was now one of the 28,000 students who represent the school he loved so dearly. What drew my brother to join was not just his unwavering loyalty to the football team. It was the prestige that came along with being a student of The University of Alabama.

Not every Alabama fan is a student of the university; alumni are excluded from the student fan group, even though they were a part of it at one point and can relate to the experience. In order to find out exactly what the difference is between being an alumni and being a student fan of Alabama, I talk my mother and father Anita and Edric Kirkman, who both graduated from UA in the early 1980’s. I ask them what it is like to be a fan as alumni compared to being a student. My father told me “A lot has changed at the UA since I was there; it is like a completely different campus…I wish I could have gone to school here now, compared to the way it was back then.” I asked him about his experience of being a student fan, “There is nothing like being in the mix and being a part of the Crimson Tide, the students are the voice of UA.” (E. Kirkman). I could tell by talking to my dad that he was somewhat envious of my brother and me because we are reliving his old days of being at the Capstone and being “in the mix.” He told me that now that he is older looking back at his college days, that there was a special bond between him and his fellow classmates and once that time had passed that bond would never be the same.

Everyone in my family was at one point an Alabama student fan. My parents were able to witness what it was like to be a fan as a student and what it is like now as alumni. Both agreed that being a student fan is special and should be taken advantage of if given the opportunity. It is the pride of knowing that they are a part of UA that’s makes the student fans stand out from the rest. It is that pride that bonds them on a deeper level than the rest of the Crimson Tide’s fan base. It is that sense of pride that they will be reminded of every time they say “Roll Tide!”

Alabama Atheists and Agnostics: Misunderstood?

“You don’t need God to be good,” “You’re not alone if you don’t believe in God,” and Voltaire quotes like, “Those who believe in absurdities commit atrocities,” these were just a few of the controversial sayings in chalk scrawled by AAA or Alabama Atheists and Agnostics (“Alabama Atheists and Agnostics chalkings erased”). For obvious reasons, student religious groups and AAA members have been butting heads ever since its creation in 2007. Although, establishing and maintaining an anti-religious group deep in the heart of the Bible belt hasn’t been easy, AAA has a surprisingly large following here at the University of Alabama. But because of their controversial, and some say condescending, messages, the University and its students have thrown AAA into the line of fire. What started as an opposing group of students smearing ice cream onto AAA’s ads escalated when university faculty joined in on the rampage. Being misunderstood and feared of the unknown are what drive students to lash out against AAA when in truth, their ideals aren’t as farfetched as one may think. The Alabama Atheists and Agnostics is a tight-knit group of individuals striving to promote open-mindedness and to provide a safe haven for those who don’t identify with organized religion.

Before we can dive into the fundamentals of AAA, it is important to understand the roots of Atheism and the basic beliefs associated with it. The first self-proclaimed Atheist movement started around the 1700’s and today it is the largest growing religious group in the world. The word “Atheism” comes from the Greek word Atheos, which means the belief in no God, higher being, or deity, atheists believe in logic over belief. Disagreement with Bible doctrine, debate over the creation of Earth, and belief in Darwinism are the dominant pillars of Atheism. Many Atheists also identify with philosophers such as Voltaire, Diderot, and Thomas Pain who were persecuted for their radical ideals throughout history. They don’t focus on single religious figures or doctrines as being faulty, but are against materialism and blind acceptance of the status quo (“History of Atheism”). As with the religion itself, the members of AAA are diverse in their beliefs. According to AAA Vice President Peter Sloan,” Our membership is very diverse…In fact, not everyone in our group identifies themselves as "atheist" or "agnostic." The only requirement for membership is that you be a student at UA and have an open mind!”(Sloan).

Unfortunately not all students are as open minded as the AAA and with the chalk incident on campus last week, it’s apparent that not all students are ready to accept the group. Their somewhat volatile messages offended many students, and not just the devoutly religious ones. It only took a few hours for students who strongly disagreed with the messages to vandalize them with ice cream and water. University faculty and employees also started erasing the messages and not surprisingly, left all pro-Christian messages intact. When asked about his outlook on the group and its future, Sloan replied:
“I think we are still in the early stages, so it's hard to tell. I do think that atheism is becoming much more acceptable in general though, and our group is a small, local part of making that change. We have had extensive coverage in the CW all semester, and we were even on the local TV news the other night… We need to get our name out there as much as possible. People need to know that atheists and agnostics are just like them.” (Sloan)

The AAA also encounters the unique situation of being in the state of Alabama, which lies in the heart of the “Bible Belt”. This has caused tension between the group and the rest of the University since AAA’s creation. Sloan also commented on this subject, “I think we have had some resistance from the University, and certainly from our fellow students, and I'm sure it's because we are in a "red state" like Alabama… If there is one commonality among all our members, it is that they are so surprised and thrilled to have finally found a group like this. It's been really rewarding getting to know the members.” (Sloan) AAA provides a safe place for those who are confused about religion, have no religion at all, or are simply lost and trying to find their way. Not only do they discuss Atheism, but they also incorporate and analyze teachings from religions around the worlds. “Some religious students are confused about the need for non-religious people to gather and discuss faiths that they might not hold and doctrines to which they might not adhere.” (Facebook.com) AAA attempts to respect all people’s stands on religion and is very accepting to new ideas. They try to take those who feel like they're alone in their beliefs and unite them into one.

Overall, Alabama Atheists and Agnostics is a great way to express your feelings on religion and not be scrutinized over it. Despite their seemingly radical beliefs and abrasive advertisements, this group has potential to become incredibly successful in time. They are a newly formed group whose numbers grow daily, but gaining support from the University hasn’t been easy. They encounter persecution from people who disagree with their wide variety of non-religious beliefs. Being in the state of Alabama has only highlighted the misunderstanding surrounding Atheism and spirituality. Though they are still young, and the chalk incident was a major setback, many are starting to feel that it’s ok to come out and move away from their Christian roots and express what they truly believe in. To find out more information about the group, look up their Facebook page titled, Alabama Atheists and Agnostics.

Works Citied

Arnold, Sam. "Alabama Atheists and Agnostics | Facebook." Facebook.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2009. .

Bursch, Karissa. "Alabama Atheists and Agnostics chalking erased." Crimson White [Tuscaloosa] 30 Sept. 2009.

O’Hair, Madalyn Murray. “History of Atheism.” AmericanAtheists.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2009. < http://www.atheists.org/atheism/history_of_atheism>.

Sloan, Peter. "Alabama Atheists and Agnostics." E-mail interview. 26 Oct. 2009.

When it Rains, It Floods

Dear TDOT,

If it rains, it floods! Anyone that has walked anywhere in Tuscaloosa while it is raining or has rained in the past 12 hours knows what that means. It is amazing to me that you allow this problem to progress. As the TDOT Storm Drainage Division, I believe it is your responsibility and obligation to handle this problem. Increased maintenance and additional piping are positive changes that will lead to the overall success in the drainage of Tuscaloosa as a whole as well as the University’s campus. Tuscaloosa’s flooding problem effects many people in a number of ways and can lead to financial and health risks, there are many possible solutions out there and they need to be executed without hesitation.

Fixing up our drainage system is not something that can wait. While the solution to Tuscaloosa’s flooding problem may be costly, the cost of doing nothing will be much greater. I would rather have our public resources used to prevent damages caused by flooding then fixing the damages after flooding has already taken its toll. If you live in Tuscaloosa, you are affected by flooding in some way. It affects many people’s wallets, time, safety and if you walk to classes like me, your shoes! I preformed a survey asking students if they thought flooding was a problem on campus. The result was no surprise. Nineteen out of 20 students checked very bad and the other student checked bad. The slightest drizzle causes large puddles everywhere. I can’t tell you how many times what seems like a light rain has caused water to pile up everywhere making it next to impossible to get to class without destroying my shoes. The average cost of 4 inches of flooding in a household is $11,480 the cost of each sidewalk square to be replaced from erosion due to flooding is $80, not to mention landscaping fees due to flooding as well as underwater flooding which can cause serious health risks to entire communities. Our personal safety is also at risk. Thousands of college students walk to class everyday. When water piles up on our roads it causes cars to hydroplane. I’m sure you don’t want the death of students on your hands and cars can easily hydroplane into an innocent student when it could be easily avoided. With the number of houses, sidewalks and landscapes in Tuscaloosa constant flooding it is eventually going to take toll and be extremely costly.

You solicit that your mission is, “Dedicated to the efficient operation and maintenance of all pipes, channels, creeks, inlets, and other drainage structures within our jurisdiction. In addition, we perform new construction projects to correct drainage problems for the citizens of Tuscaloosa. To protect and improve local water quality, we strive to ensure that only rain goes down the drain.” Actually I don’t believe much of anything is going down the drain. When it does actually storm, the streets turn into the Nile River and the quad transforms into a swamp. It is unacceptable that you promise your dedication to drainage in Tuscaloosa and yet we still have flooding from sprinkling.

So what should you do about this? My first thought would be to send people down there to clean the piping and make sure water is able to flow smoothly down the drains. This is a simple, cheap way to help. Drains are often blocked by illegal landscaping and fencing. Simply driving by and removing any objects blocking drains will help. While these are simple, easy ways to attempt helping out I don’t think they can fix the problem alone. Basically we need to rethink the whole design of the Tuscaloosa drainage system. Additional gutters need to be added at the points of water build-up on streets. Obviously water flows downhill. So, why do I see more drains up by the recreational center then down by the quad, where all the water flows down to and piles up. The street’s water pile up, could also be decreased by fixing the curbs. Larger, deeper curbs could hold a greater amount of water and would also allow the water to run smoother down the curbs to the drains. Sump pumps need to be available in large fields. When that water just sits there in the mud and accumulates different organisms and fungi, it can be harmful to people’s health and also causes a very repulsive smell.

I do believe this problem is your responsibility to address, but you do not have to do it all on your own. As you may know, the University has a great engineering program. If you made suggestions to the engineering board, I’m sure they would be happy to help. Not only would it be helping them by solving the flooding issue but the engineering majors could obtain great real world experience in engineering by calculating solutions to this problem. This could also make your job a lot easier.

Flooding is a problem for everyone. It would make many lives easier if it is improved. If it is not addressed soon it will lead to extremely large economic problems and possibly death. There are solutions out there and people that can help. Please fulfill you obligations and improve the lives of us all in Tuscaloosa.

Sincerely yours,

Group 8

UA Biking Solutions

Dear Department of Transportation:

Few students remember the days of driving through campus freely. This is because the University of Alabama has become a walking campus. Since the new Crimson Ride bus system came to campus four years ago, students have started walking and biking more and more. Biking is a quick and efficient way to get around campus, but there are certain issues that many bikers run into. These include the lack of bike racks and bike paths, which cause students to bike in the streets, which upsets drivers. The lack of bike racks and paths is troublesome for students who ride their bikes, but the drivers in the streets can be a problem to them as well, seeing that there are so few bike lanes on the roads.

As students hurry from class to class, a big problem can be the lack of bike paths on campus. Though there are a few bike paths on campus, there are still many areas that lack enough space for bikers, like the Quad, which leads to over-crowded sidewalks and close encounters between bikers and pedestrians. One student, who wishes to remain nameless, says that on several occasions she has nearly been run over by a biker trying to navigate through pedestrians on the sidewalk. Bike riders often have to veer off into the grass and slam on their breaks in order to avoid a collision with a pedestrian who isn’t paying attention to where he or she is walking. These near collisions could easily be avoided if there were more bike paths in these crowded areas, like the Quad. These paths should be separate from the walking paths; this would ease traffic on the sidewalks. Another place bike paths would be beneficial is on the side of the road. In many areas on campus, there are no bike lanes on the side of the road, which forces students to bike in the road or on the sidewalk. This can be dangerous because the students biking must try to avoid pedestrians as well as cars.

Not all roads have this problem however. Many roads on campus have a lane for bikes; the only problem is that there is nothing separating the bike area from the road. This can cause problems for bikers at night. It’s no secret that many students like to go out at night and have a good time, but the problem many bikers deal with is when drivers try to be funny by swerving and honking at the bikers late at night. This can cause the bikers to panic and possibly crash. By putting a barrier between bike lanes and roads, bikers will be better protected from these reckless drivers.

When a biker finally navigates his or her way through traffic, they are faced with a new problem: parking the bike. Upon arrival to class, many students have problems finding available bike racks. With such a large percentage of the student population biking to class, finding a spot to park your bike can get rough. Though more bike racks have been added, popular places such as the Ferg are still in need of more bike racks during busy times of the day, like lunch. Many students have had to resort to more creative places to lock up bikes, such as railings, trashcans, and trees. More bike racks at these high-traffic areas could easily ease the problem. Another thing students have to do is park their bike several buildings away from their actual class. This is due to the problem that bike racks are scarce and not located at every building. Putting bike racks in more locations could also ease the crowding, because students will use bike racks closer to their classes, freeing up the ones they would otherwise be using.

These problems may seem complicated, but they have fairly simple solutions. More bike paths and barriers between the paths and the roads will help the bike riders get to their destinations quickly, and more importantly, safely. More bike racks at more locations will ease the congestion and provide more places to park bikes. These complaints are not unfounded, and the solutions are not unreasonable. Thank you for taking the time to hear us out, and we hope you consider the solutions we have offered.

Sincerely,

UA bike riders

"Tear Down this Hall"

Dear President Witt,

The purpose of this letter is to address aesthetic and maintenance of Paty Hall . Paty Hall has been established as an all male dorm since it opened its doors in 1962. It has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years and was even used as the University of Alabama’s only 24-hour dining hall. The few remaining services that are still intact include: living quarters for up to 450 men, a large computer lab downstairs, and the Paty package center. While there are many memories that have been made there, it is time for the University to tear down and rebuild a new Paty Hall.

One of the major problems with Paty is its constant deterioration; the building has become obsolete and the major renovations that are necessary prove it. The building is currently forty-seven years old and any resident can tell you it looks every bit as old as it is. It is an archaic building that no longer fits the portrayal that the University of Alabama wants to have for its residence halls. Many of the immovable furnishings in the dorm rooms look like they have not been replaced in decades. The sinks are chipped, and the dressers are so old that it is hard to pull the drawers out without making a tremendous amount of noise. The closet doors are so severely damaged that it appears that they have taken a thorough beating. If a resident, is lucky the worst thing about their closet is that the wood is chipping away. Many residents have had to deal with holes that have been punched into the wood and dented metal handles. The doors that have holes in them should be replaced, but are not. Instead, they are simply covered up by another thin piece of wood that is screwed on to cover the worst of the damage.

The ceilings in Paty Hall are decaying and are made of material that will occasionally flake down upon unsuspecting students. Many of the doors in Paty Hall are warped and no longer fit into their respective doorframes. Whenever a resident unlocks their door to their room they have to push and nudge the door in order to open it. Also, when incoming freshmen visit their dorms for the first time, they often claim that their rooms smell bad, and that their leaking air conditioning unit causes mold to form on the carpet below. These kinds of damages are not only unacceptable, but are also hazardous to students’ health, considering the lung damage that can transpire from having mold in the dorm rooms. Having continued renovations on Paty Hall would be a wasteful investment for the University.

Safety and sanitation are both major concerns residences have in Paty Hall. One complaint many residents have reported is the finding of cockroaches in their dorm rooms. Cockroaches can carry diseases and can be detrimental to the students well being and comfort level. Another common complaint of Paty residents is the bathroom. While it is often not preferred to have a community restroom, most people can deal with having to use them. Community showers at Paty Hall however, are often unsanitary and will remain so for days, despite having janitorial cleanings. The showers are not comfortable because of the constant change in water temperature; this change is caused every time someone flushes a toilet. Another major problem with the showers at Paty Hall is that if too many showers are running at one time, the steam will set off the fire alarm. This will often happen in the middle of the night, forcing the sleeping residents to evacuate the building and lose vital hours of sleep. The fire alarm has gone off so many times at Paty Hall that the firemen do not rush into the building anymore, because they assume that it is yet another false alarm. A major problem could occur if there were a real fire, because the fire department would be use to the frequent false alarms and may not react suitably. All of these problems can be fixed if the University of Alabama simply rebuilds Paty Hall. It has been renovating and fixing up the extremely old building for years now and it is necessary that Paty Hall be rebuilt.

The location of Paty Hall sits in the shadow of the new and very modern dorm halls such as Lakeside, Ridgecrest, and even the Blount Living-Learning Center. All of these buildings are what the University of Alabama wants the new freshman to think of when they are considering where to live on campus. Since freshmen are required to live on campus, their choices are limited to the dorm halls. When offered the choice between the new and modern dorm halls and Paty Hall, many students will often make Paty Hall their last possible choice despite the price difference.

Although Paty Hall has had a long and rich history on the University of Alabama’s campus, it is imperative that it be torn down and rebuilt so it can fit in with its surrounding new and modern age residence halls. It has become futile to spend money on refurbishments in Paty Hall that have done little to improve the overall building as UA has done for the past several years. Instead, Paty should be reborn as a new residence hall that is the epitome of on-campus housing equal to that of Lakeside and Riverside. UA is a very prestigious university and it is a shame that some of the residence halls like Paty Hall do not reflect those of one. The modern age is moving fast and the University of Alabama must modernize Paty Hall in order to move with it.



Sincerely,

Capstone Comments

Negativity

“I hate my life!” “I hate waking up early.” “I never get enough sleep.” “My roommates are so annoying.” “I hate walking to class. It’s awful.” “Ferocious squirrels on the quad try to attack me on a daily basis. “The food in the dining halls is inedible.” “I’ve already received five parking tickets.” “My classes are so hard.” “I actually have to study for tests, write my own papers, and do my own laundry.” “I think that I’m gaining weight.” “It’s always raining here.” While these complaints seem more like small inconveniences, they are signs of a negative mind-set. Negativity can not only hinder a student from bettering him or herself, it can also spread to other students that are exposed to it. Nevertheless, simple changes in one’s perspective can be made to prevent one from developing a negative outlook.

Overwhelmed by the amount of work demanded by each class, students often count their problems rather than their blessings. Recently, I was in the elevator with a freshman girl, who called her mother and begged to be moved to a different dorm because she didn’t want to continue to take the one credit hour Freshman Learning Community class that is required for her dorm. This request is quite impractical, for moving to a completely different dorm requires much more effort than attending a class for one hour each week. Also, rather than taking responsibility and completing the course, she’s forcing her mother to make an unnecessary effort to accommodate her for her lack of effort. Similarly, one of my close friends constantly complains about her chemistry class. However, she spends more time complaining about it than attempting to understand the information. She never attends the tutoring sessions, and her grade continues to decline. As college students are preparing for their futures, it is essential for them to learn how to cope with adversity in order to succeed in life. Another important theory to remember is that “a negative attitude is self-defeating. We won’t find solutions to life’s problems by looking for someone or something to blame” (Chuck Galliozzi). Thus, complaining does not promote success.

While a negative attitude restrains success, complaining also contributes to alienation. As people complain, “they spread gloom and misery everywhere” (Chuck Galliozzi). Most people do not enjoy the company of others who constantly exert negative energy, for it often hinders their personal contentment and productivity. A survey found that “9 out of 10 people say that they are more productive when they are around positive people” (Rath p.46). Also, people often perceive negative people as selfish because they are constantly ranting about their problems without considering the contentment or problems of their peers. For example, if Sally is excited about receiving an “A” on her test, and Nancy approaches her with a complaint or negative statement, Sally is now concerned with Nancy’s problem rather than ecstatic about her own accomplishment. As negativity is not a favorable trait to be around, people often avoid their negative peers.

While complaining restrains productivity and social progress, optimism promotes productivity and social progress. If you find yourself constantly making negative comments or having negative thoughts, reevaluate your outlook on life. When I interviewed student Connie Zhang, she stated, “Whenever something goes wrong, I don't let it ruin my day because I know that the situation could always be worse” (Connie Zhang). Also, whenever an assignment seems overwhelming, think of practical ways to complete it. Set goals for yourself that you know you will be able to achieve and remain confident in your own capabilities.

Another tool for obtaining a more positive attitude is social activity. Meeting people and making new friends is encouraging and boosts morale. One way to attract and maintain friends is bucket filling, a method in which one makes a simple effort to acknowledge another person in a positive way. Tom Rath claims, “Whenever we choose to fill others’ buckets, we, in turn, fill our own” (Rath p.25). This method is self-fulfilling, in that one often feels productive and content after boosting another person’s self-esteem. A positive attitude contributes to success and attracts peers.

While complaining often leads to failure and alienation, optimism often leads to success and popularity. Anyone can acquire this optimistic outlook on life. An increase of positive energy on campus will increase contentment and productivity. Also, this rise of optimism will decrease the amount of complaints heard around campus.

Works Cited

Galliozzi, Chuck. “‘Negative Thinking.” Personal Development. 15 Oct. 2009

<http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/negativethinking.htm>

Rath, Tom. How Full Is Your Bucket?.New York: Gallup Press, 2004.

Parking At Ferg Can Get Funky

As current students here at the University of Alabama, we are a group concerned with problems and issues that have a profound effect on the lives of our fellow students. Although there are several campus issues that need to be addressed, we are focusing on one problem in particular that we feel must be fixed as soon as possible. While the problem of student parking on campus is widespread, we are concerned more specifically with the dilemma student’s face when it comes to parking at The Ferguson Center. Although, as you will see, there is insufficient parking for students at the Ferguson Center, we have discussed and developed the simple solution of building a four-level parking deck where students can park for free.

If one were to ask any student on campus where he or she should park while visiting the Ferguson Center, the student would most likely respond by laughing. It is a universal fact that when visiting the Ferguson Center, one is better off walking there. Although it seems contradictory, there is no reasonable parking available for students at the Ferguson Student Center. Currently, the parking lot across the street from the university’s student center consists of five 30 minute parking spots available to anyone and another one hundred plus parking spots for faculty only. This leaves students attempting to look for a parking spot at the Ferguson Center with a choice: wait for someone to leave the thirty minute parking or risk receiving a fifty dollar ticket by parking in one of the numerous, empty faculty spots. Students looking to visit the student center in between their classes obviously do not have time to wait for one of the thirty minute parking spots to become available and so they are forced to take a risk by parking in one of the available faculty spots. Who can blame them when there are always plenty of faculty spots open? Like clockwork, rain or shine, students who have taken the bait and parked in an available spot can expect to return to their car and find a freshly printed ticket neatly placed beneath their windshield wiper. William Harvey, a sophomore at Alabama, said, “The week before school had even started, I went to go buy my books at the Ferg and the few thirty minute parking spots were obviously taken. It was raining, so I parked in one of the other empty spots and ran in to get my books. I got back to my car in fourteen minutes and I still had a soggy ticket on my windshield.”

The parking garage near the Ferguson Center is not a logical option for students either as students planning on parking there must be willing to pay three dollars each time they visit (“Maps and Directions”). It seems irrational that students visiting their own student center should have to pay to park there. A student could potentially pay over fifteen dollars every week at the Ferguson Center for parking alone. The majority of students do not have that kind of money to spend on parking, especially after having to spend over a hundred dollars on a parking pass just so they can make it to class. It is not that Alabama students do not want to visit their student center, it is simply the fact that they cannot get there in a practical way.

Another problem is the fact that most students who work at the Ferguson Center do not have a place to park and go to work because they are viewed as part of the normal crowd of students who come and go. If they were to try and park they would be issued a ticket if he or she does not have a permit for that area. For example one of our group members is a employee at the Ferguson Center and he has to park all the way by the Recreation Center and hope to catch the bus in time to ride to the Gorgas Library and from there walk to the Ferguson Center to make it to work on time. If he is working into the evening he has to either walk or wait for the Perimeter North Bus which takes longer than the buses in normal route during the day. If he ever tried to park by the Ferguson Center he risk getting a parking ticket even if its almost evening time in which they wouldn’t issue him a ticket. If he does get a ticket, being an employee at the Ferguson Center is not a good enough reason to lift any parking charges. It’s too much of a hassle to try and get a Faculty Staff parking permit because not everyone involved with work at the Ferguson Center is considered Faculty or Staff.

There is obviously a parking problem at the Ferguson Center, but a simple solution does exist. We propose that a four-level parking deck be built above the faculty parking lot across the street from the Ferguson Center. The upper three levels of parking would be available to all students for a two-hour period for no charge. Cars left in the garage for longer than two hours would receive a seventy-five dollar ticket. This would eliminate the problem of students having to pay to park at the Ferguson Center and the time limit would prevent students from leaving their car for unreasonable amounts of time. The ground level of the garage would remain reserved for faculty only, thus preventing faculty from losing the parking that already exists for them. Faculty would swipe their ACT card at a gate upon entering in order to obtain entrance while keeping guests and students out. In addition to serving as parking for students during the week, the University could make the parking available to guests on game days for twenty dollars. Guests would be required to move their cars before midnight or risk receiving a seventy-five dollar ticket.

In terms of raising funds for the parking, the money earned from game day parking charges could be used. For example, if the four-level parking garage had one hundred spaces on each level, game day parking could potentially gross up to $8,000 each week. With an average of seven home games each season, over $56,000 dollars could be raised each season from game day parking alone. Apart from this, if the University does not believe that this is a sufficient plan for paying for construction, they might try using the money students have been paying in years past for parking at the Ferguson Center. If that still is not enough, they could then use the money students have been ticketed after being lured into the trap of parking in one of the plethora of available faculty spots.

There is clearly a major problem when it comes to parking at The Ferguson Student Center, but building a parking deck is an efficient solution. We believe that with your help and the help of the other board members here at The Capstone, this problem can easily be solved and we can begin to focus our attention on some of the other issues on this campus. Change begins with one step, and we believe that this could be the beginning of a march towards the improvement of this university and, thus, the college experiences of Alabama’s students.




Works Cited
Harvey, William. Personal Interview. 10 Oct. 2009.
"Maps and Directions." The Ferguson Center. The University of Alabama, Web. 12 Oct 2009.
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Testimony of parking experience from student Albert Jones