A whiny, lazy, cheap, and ignorant people problem

There isn't a parking problem at UAlbany. There is, however, a people problem: a whiny, lazy, cheap and ignorant people problem.

In the last year, I have seen at least three articles referring to "parking issues" on campus. I've heard many students whine about how far they had to walk, parking making them late and that UAlbany needs to "do something" about it.

First off, let me say you get what you pay for, which is why we have a "cheap people" problem.

At most other campuses, the students pay more for parking every year than we do our entire UA careers. For example, I transferred here from SUNY Potsdam. There, I was paying $95 a year for the parking fee and an additional $10 for the decal.

Yes, they charged a separate fee for the decal.

They do that at SUNY Oneonta, too. There, students pay $5 less … but only if they pay for the fall and spring terms together. Otherwise they pay $50 for the fall and $45 for the spring.

At St. Rose, they pay $40 a year.

RPI, 15 minutes away in Troy, is the worst. Residents pay $135 a year. Commuters pay $80 and are restricted to parking in one specific lot. If you want to pay for a parking garage pass, that will cost you $375. No, I am not kidding.

That brings me to our ignorance problem.

First off, you probably never thought about the cost or looked it up.

But more importantly I'd like to mention all of the idiots who waste their time circling the lots looking for the closest spot. Let me explain just how much time you're wasting, because I tested the theory.

On Monday, I showed up on campus around 2:20 p.m. for my 2:45 class. I went to the commuter lot, thinking maybe I would land a spot because I was so early.

No such luck.

That makes sense because the people who parked there were still in class until 2:35.

I circled around a few more times and decided to head over to that little lot across from Empire near the Business building. Nothing there either.

So I went back to the commuter lot and waited in that line that people form, waiting for their prey to filter from the campus, stalking them as they walk to their cars.

I finally got a spot around 2:40, after twice being beaten by other cars to the space I had waited in that stupid line for. I got to class six minutes late.

Over all, it took me over 30 minutes to park and walk to class despite having one of the "best" spots on campus.

Now, Thursday morning I was coming from Schenectady and had a bit of a late start. I arrived on campus at 10:06 a.m.

Knowing that Dutch always has plenty of spots open even if they're not really close to the campus, I drove straight there, parked immediately and started making the hike to class. It was a seven minute walk to LC2, but I was a whole minute early for my 10:15 class.

This is where the laziness comes in. I've heard it a million times. "All the parking on campus is so far away!"

Really? How is a seven minute walk "really" far?

Are you one of those people who drives to the gym and parks in the front row of the lot just to run three miles on the treadmill?

Honestly, no wonder there's a freshman-15. Seriously guys, don't be afraid of a little exercise. And if it's being on time you are worried about, try getting out of bed earlier or leaving your apartment 10 to 15 minutes sooner than you do.

Not only will you NOT be late, but I guarantee you'll get a better parking spot.

Finally, let me ask what you would like UAlbany to do about it?

Turn all of the grass along the walkway from Dutch to the podium into premium parking spots?

Build a parking garage on Collin's Circle?

Or how about we hire some valets? That'd probably cause an incredible tuition hike, but hell, at least you'd still have something to complain about.