Paltry parking makes driving to campus challenging The campus has 3,300 spots, but that number is less than one for every six students and faculty By Jared Paben News Reporter Students who have tried driving to campus know that it's often difficult to find a place to park. In fact, for many students, difficult can often mean impossible. According to a 1996 report by BRW, Inc., for the University, the most re cent study of its kind, there are 6.2 students and staff per parking space on campus, a low ratio compared to other campuses. And with some 4,000 visitors flooding into campus daily, a parking problem can turn into a parking crisis. The solution? "Don't bring your car," said Rand Stamm, Department of Public Safety Parking and Transportation Manager. Instead, he recommends riding a bike, taking advantage of the Univer sity's free Lane Transit District bus-rid ing program, or simply walking. While Stamm admitted that it's very difficult to find a place to park on campus, he said the University has "one of the best alternative trans portation programs," citing an abun dance of bike racks, lockers and the free, unlimited LTD riding program paid for by incidental fees. Junior Chris Perdue, who mans the EMU's Transportation Resource Cen ter kiosk, agreed that people should "avoid driving at all costs." The re source center offers information about bus schedules and bike paths and offers bicycle registration cards. There is no cost for the mandatory bi cycle registration, he said. According to the report, most peo ple heed Stamm's and Perdue's advice. Almost 40 percent of people come to campus alone by car, while nearly 30 percent come on foot, almost 16 per cent come by bike, and about 14 per cent come by public transit. And that doesn't mean they don't have cars available, either. More than two-thirds of students have a vehicle they could use, but only one-fifth choose to drive. Turn to PARKING, page 12B Jessica Waters Photo Editor Parking Officer Dawn Kimball writes a ticket to a car parked at an expired timer on University Street in front of the EMU. FIT WITH THE MC BOCf - ANY TIME OF DAY Breakfast 14 Specialty Omelets Buttermilk Pancakes • Eggs Raisin Bread French Toast Homemade Home Fries Espresso • Steak & Eggs Lunch Amazing Salads • Surgers Table Service or Carry Out Unique Wraps & Sandwiches Philly Cheesesteaks Fast Ready to Go Service BOOK YOUR SUMMER IN OREGON 2004 SUMMER SESSION GROUP-SATISFYING AND ELECTIVE COURSES, SHORT COURSES, SEMINARS, AND WORKSHOPS BEGIN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. Summer session begins June 21. Registration begins May 3. The UO Summer Session Catalog with Schedule of Classes will be available in early April. You can speed your way toward graduation by taking required courses during summer. 2004 SUMMER SCHEDULE First four-week session: June 21-July 16 Second four-week session: July 19-August 13 Eight week session: June 21-August 13 Eleven week session: June 21-September 3 333 Oregon Hall 137?) University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1279 Telephone (541) 346-3475 Check our website http://uosummer.uoregon.edu o UNIVERSITY OF OREGON