A proposal for an increase in parking spaces on upper campus, put forth by Gary Bartlett, head of parking and transportation services, received support from United Hall Council when the group voted Oct. 28 on the issue.

The proposal was drafted in response to a need for more parking. There was a decrease in available spots due to the growth of Chippewa Valley Technical College and the possibility of UW-Eau Claire losing 168 parking spots it currently leases from CVTC.

While 950 students apply for residential hall parking spots yearly, only 550 students receive parking permits.

More parking is needed on upper campus, not only for residence hall parking but for off-campus visitors using Health Services, Crest Wellness and Higherground facilities. There is too much happening on upper campus for there to not be an adequate amount of parking.

Bartlett’s proposal places the new lot on the vacant field across from Governors Hall. This is a logical location for a new parking lot because the field appears to be rarely used, except to walk through as a shortcut for students.

The area is an unattractive, dirty field that was used as a mud pit for Fear Factor$. Plus, the field already is used as a parking lot when students move in and out of the dorms at the beginning and end of the semesters.

If students are concerned about a lack of green space on upper campus, there are plenty of grassy areas used much more regularly behind the residence halls.

Although another parking lot is needed, one-third of the new parking spaces should not be designated for faculty, as suggested in the proposal. Plenty of faculty parking spots in the Towers Hall lot go unused daily.

Even though about 400 dorm residents who apply for parking permits are denied spots, the addition of 68 new parking spaces would be a step in the right direction to improving the situation.