By Kensi Freeland
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Transit and Parking at The University of Arkansas has made some modifications to the way they usually do things. This is due to COVID-19, as well as other things.
No longer sending out emails of when to vacate parking areas during gameday, is one of the more controversial changes.
“Every year we get complaints from some students, some faculty, and some parents, that say they don’t want to get all those emails,” David Wilson, Transit and Parking Communications Director, said.
Wilson said this decision had been talked about for the past couple of years and was not made because of Coronavirus.
The committee had been thinking of a less intrusive way to remind people of when to move their cars. The homepage for Transit and Parking includes a link to sync your outlook calendar to their notices. This way allows for only people who want the emails, to receive them.
Wilson said fewer people have bought parking permits this year since classes are mostly online, so that equivalates to less revenue for Transit and Parking.
“A lot of people think we have a lot of money, but the truth is we handle a lot of money, we don’t have a lot of money. All the money that goes into our department goes right out through expenses just to keep everything done,” Wilson told me.
The money from permits and citations goes to things like parking lots and garage maintenance. One of the biggest expenditures is what is owed for existing parking garages.
Another change is that Razorback Transit Routes will not allow as many passengers as normal. They now also require all riders to wear a mask or face covering.
“You don’t want people shoulder to shoulder on a bus ride if you can avoid that,” Wilson said.
Like most University departments, there were staff changes made. Due to fewer people being on campus, fewer staff members are needed to hand out citations. Wilson said these workers were trained in other areas, rather than being let go.
Things for Transit and Parking should return to the usual when campus is back to running like normal.