University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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between classes with nothing to do. A survey taken by the Office of Insti- tutional Studies in 1972. showed that, with the exception of better parking facilities, commuters thought improve- ments in lounges and eating facilities and dining hours were most important. Also on the list, with almost as high a priority, were study rooms, special lunch-dinner arrangements to promote meeting other students, and a commuter club that would sponsor social activi- ties. Last on the list was more lockers. Z, L., Anya 'J F' . ml.sif'ffQ WiK 'G . G mm: :e ' A commuter lounge was established two years ago in the YWCA, but it was unsuccessful. UNO one could find the YWCA, said Flanagan. The commuter organization was suc- cessful, however, in implementing a computerized carpool in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Studies. Using university computer facilities, the organization was able to set up a carpool and get preferred parking for those utilizing the carpool. Anyone submitting an application would receive a printout of names and f L wil-.TT Y Y V phone numbers of persons living near him who had similar schedules. The carpool is open to faculty and staff as well as students, but the organi- zation found that fewer faculty and staff used the computerized carpool, and some of those that did didn't want to ride with students. The carpool is also open to people who don't have a car but need a ride. The carpool was only moderately popular when it was first started almost two years ago, but the energy crisis Luiw v., --f-ammeaseafw-fu'

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organization, and that a proposal for another office under the division would also have to be studied. But Appleton did commit one staff member this year to working on com- muter concerns and promised additional staff for next year. One possible solution, he said, would be to expand the Residential Life Office to include staffing in all residential areas-commuters, residence halls, the Row and apartment dwellers. ,If such a plan were implemented, Appleton said the commuter staff would work on such concerns as improved listings of off-campus housing, car pools and scheduling of events and classes. The students also took their proposal to President John R. Hubbard and Zoh- rab A. Kaprielian, vice-president for academic administration and research. where they received strong support for the future. While a Commuter Affairs Office such as the model proposed by Flan- agan may not be immediately feasible, the university has taken a major step in improving commuter life. But the commuters are working on smaller projects, such as eliminating the large, 8 a.m. class required for biology majors and having it rescheduled at 9 or 10 a.m. The group is looking into better lounges and study areas for commuters, as well as class scheduling so that com- muters don't have to have blocks of time 1 t u u 1 1 i l v .l : '1 'N i .Mi

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followed, and the carpool hit its peak. Interest in the carpool has since di- minished, but about 500 people still participate. Anyone participating in the carpool is also given preferred parking when he buys a carpool pass as long as he has two additional passengers, but some students have said that they park in the preferred parking area even though they are not in the carpool. The most obvious concern of the commuter is the parking facilities, but in recent years the problem has gotten worse. While enrollment at the university has increased, the parking facilities have not, and it is often necessary for the student with a 10 a.m. class to arrive on campus at 9 a.m. to find a parking place, even one at the corner of Vermont Avenue and jefferson Boulevard. A parking structure by the residence halls was completed several years ago, but it was later restricted to dorm residents and faculty members, except in the late afternoon. The university contracted to use parking lots near the museums and on Figueroa Avenue before construction of the Hilton, but students complained that the lots were too far away and that security was insufficient, especially at night. . Plans for another parking structure in the lot bounded by 36th Street, McClintock Avenue, 36th Place and Vermont Avenue are being drawn up, but until it is completed, it looks like there's no relief in sight for commuters. -MARJIE LAMBERT