Winthrop University has begun construction on Thurmond Hall and Byrnes Auditorium which has caused parking to be closed off to students in these areas. This has made students consider the entire parking situation Winthrop has developed over the years.
Although these lots will be under construction, the price of passes will not change. However, some students said that they feel the prices should be lowered especially if spots are not accessible to students living on campus.
“I think $100 is too much money because there aren’t enough spot[s] for the amount of people that live on campus. I think it should be $70 again because it is a total rip off in my opinion” Katrina Gainey, a sophomore social work major, said.
Some students said the price was fair since there are options, but it is not ideal. They also expressed that if there were more spots then the price would be upheld.
“I think $100 for parking is a little much, but that cost could be justifiable if parking spots are added closer to the residence halls. I understand that expanding campus costs lots of money, though, and trying to add more parking spaces would potentially result in another parking price increase” Kalea Young-Gibson, a junior Political Science and psychology major, said.
Many students said that they think parking spots should be more fairly distributed between faculty and staff, commuter and resident students.
“I feel as though parking at Winthrop is average or below average compared to other campuses. There are a lot of faculty spots, but campus truly isn’t that large to begin with” Elle Sullivan, a sophomore International Business major, explained.
Parking around Thurmond Hall should begin to open around the start of classes, however, it could continue into the semester. The Byrnes Auditorium construction has been expected to continue throughout the entire year and potentially even longer.
“They’re going to have to block off spaces as they deem necessary. So, right now, I think they are leaving most of it open and putting the construction equipment on the Kinard side as they plan, but that could change next week if they decide they need some spaces on the Kinard side of Byrnes” Charles Yearta, the Lieutenant in charge of investigations at Winthrop University Police Department, said.
If construction continues and blocks off parking to students many of them have said the inconvenience could cause frustration across campus. However, the construction has not only caused concern about parking spaces, but also in regards to student safety.
“For example, when work was being done on Thurmond this last semester I was walking on the side of the building where less work was being done and there was only one man looking up at another work on the top of the building with no tape or blockers or anything. While I was passing a tree branch fell right in front of me and the worker didn’t notice me until after it had fallen” Olivia Farrell, a junior International Business major, said.
Students said that they feel as though the construction could be better concealed from students and the parking lots at Winthrop should not be altered or lost due to these new construction efforts. A common concern among many students was that Legion should be the one parking lot under construction.
“I think that we definitely need more spaces for students especially around buildings like Thurmond or to at least clear up Legion so that students do not have dents in their cars from the rocks and don’t have to go halfway across campus just to get to class” Farrell said.
