The university expects students to either walk to Alden or park at the meters. On a good day, this is not a problem. But at a school with approximately 27,000 students, there are simply not enough meters to go around, especially during finals week.
Though I try to avoid the finals week chaos of Alden Library as much as I can, last semester’s exams forced me to make many late night trips to the library. I start out by attempting to get the majority of my work done at my apartment, but sometimes living above a bar proves to be too tempting. When the music gets too loud, I have to throw in the towel, pack up my bag and head off to a quieter place to study.
Usually this means arriving at Alden at odd, post-midnight hours. Given the late starts to my studying sessions, driving to Alden from my apartment rather than walking always seems like the best option. Though the journey by foot isn’t too terrible, the recent increase in reports of sexual assault on campus this year makes the 15-minute walk to the library alone at night seem reasonably unsafe.
But all it took was one trip to the library to discover that finals week poses a major challenge to finding a parking spot. Nearly every meter along the edge of college green quickly gets taken, forcing me to park in free spaces outside of Scott Quad.
Most dorm parking lots require visible permits Monday through Friday until 5 p.m., but because my library trip was at the ripe hour of 1 a.m., I figured no permit for parking should be necessary, right?
Wrong. The little ticket waiting for me when I returned to my car after a grueling three-hour study session told me that not only was the Scott Quad parking lot an exception to the “No Permit Needed After 5” rule but it also came with a $30 fine — a fee double the normal $15 ticket.
Needless to say, I was tired, frustrated and annoyed. Without a single parking lot on campus explicitly for library patrons, where does Ohio University suggest students park?
The university expects students to either walk to Alden or park at the meters. On a good day, this is not a problem. But at a school with approximately 27,000 students, there are simply not enough meters to go around, especially during finals week.
So before leaving my apartment, I am forced to weigh my options: risk a ticket or take on the risks of walking alone at night.
Though OU’s campus is relatively safe by most standards, if by chance anything were to happen, I know I would immediately be met with questions and judgment.
“Why were you walking alone at night?”
“Why didn’t you head down to the library with a friend?”
“It’s kind of your fault. You know what could happen when you walk around by yourself.”
The list goes on.
But I shouldn’t have to choose between studying or safety. Alden Library needs more parking options for nighttime studiers, especially during popular exam times in the semester.
Hopefully by the time spring finals roll around, keeping myself safe won’t cost me a $30 fee.
Maria Fischer is a junior studying journalism. Email her at mf628211@ohio.edu.
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