Seton Hall University - Galleon Yearbook (South Orange, NJ)

Page 26 text:

... Getting To Class Is Never Just A Leisurely Walk Across Campus . . . ” By Bill Grau Sheila Murphy pulled her white Cutlass into the gas station, filled her gas tank and handed over half of the paycheck from her part- time job. The task finished, she wheeled out of the station onto Springfield Avenue in Cranford and pointed herself in the direction of South Orange. A similar scene was taking place in Staten Island. Pat Hampton gulped down a quick breakfast, grabbed her textbooks and jumped into her car. Fifty minutes later, she pulled her Dodge Dart into a Hamanities Building parking space and dashed to her first class. Sheila and Pat join the ranks of 80 percent of Seton Hall’s day students — the commuters. Reasons for commuting rather than opting for a dorm room vary. Sometimes there just isn’t room in the dorms. Many students work full or part-time jobs near their homes to defray tuition costs and have to travel every day. “Most students also consider Seton Hall to be the most prestigious school within their immediate area,” said Commuter Council President Ed Ferrugia. “Since they have a quality institution within easy commuting Record amounts of snowfall (below) made driving to school hazardous for commuters during late winter months. 22 Commuters distance, they don’t see the need to move away or live on campus.” Others simply cannot afford the expense of going away to school. Many purchase second-hand, smaller cars, while others grab the bus or train instead of facing the daily challenge of avoiding traffic jams and arriving on time. Unlike the resident student, whatever the mode of transportation, one thing’s for certain: getting to class is never just a leisurely walk across campus. The ultimate risk of the commuter is, of course, finding a parking space. Seasoned commuters know better than to waste time looking on campus if they arrive after 9 a.m. There are 2,240 spaces in the four main lots but over 400 are used by residents and another 450 by the university staff. When the lots are filled, the games begin. Parking on South Orange Avenue and side streets is limited to two hours so the race is on to move chalk-marked cars before the limit is up. It sometimes helps to have company in those situations, but Ferrugia estimates that 85 percent of commuters travel alone. Efforts to start organized University car pools have thus far fared miserably — despite the fact that pools of three or more are guaranteed a parking space. So far, only one car pool has been signed up, but efforts for next year have been stepped up. The advantages of car pooling are obvious. Dave Kennedy of Passaic drove to school with another student for the first time last semester. He admits, “It was a great way to save money by cutting gas costs.” But most students seem to prefer to travel with their car radio as their sole companion. “You’ve got to remember that there’s not always someone in the immediate area that you can commute with,” said Shelia Murphy. “Besides, you get used to being by yourself — you just turn your eight-track player a little louder and read your textbooks while waiting for red lights to change.” To make commuter life easier, a University Task Force on Parking was established in the Fall of 1977 by University President Robert Conley to deal with problems that included unjustified parking tickets and towing. The twelve Task Force members include students, faculty, staff and Seton Hall Prep representatives. The Task Force recommended l

Page 25 text:

Commuters 21

Page 27 text:

What parking lines? Inadequate plowing of campus lots made parking next-to- impossible. Students parking in the Walsh Gymnasium lot were forced to leave their cars in main roadways, blocking the exit of other cars. With ticket in hand, Bud Barry (left) debates a parking summons with four members of the University Security Force. Barry was given a two dollar fine for parking in a “No Parking” zone. that the present $10 parking decal be maintained, but suggested that the University charge evening students, faculty and staff members who presently do not pay. They also recommended that reserved spaces for faculty and administration be eliminated, with the exception of priests who live on campus. The Task Force also is studying plans for resurfacing and expanding the lots. Ferrugia said, “Hopefully when students return to the campus in the fall they will find less congested lots and a parking sticker price that has not increased.” Jj, Commuters 23