Additional parking spaces allocated for students

To accommodate students request for additional parking close to campus, Valdosta State University officials have announced that 53 spaces, formerly designated for faculty and staff parking only, have been allocated for students to use on Georgia Ave., and at the University Center.

According to Jill Ferrell, director of Parking and Transportation, 33 spaces are now available for students to use in the Conference Lot, located on Georgia Ave., and 20 spaces are open on the south end of the University Center.

Ferrell said that spaces in the Conference Lot became available after several offices were relocated, including the office of Financial Aid. Additional spaces were made available at the University Center, when construction was completed on the south side of the building.

"We are currently looking at other locations on campus that would allow for additional student parking opportunities close to main campus," Ferrell said. "In the meantime there are still more than 300 spaces open daily at the Sustella Street parking lot that is directly behind the student recreation center."

To assist in coordinating parking and transportation concerns a "University Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee" is being formed to help identify the parking and transportation needs of the campus and evaluate various options.

The committee will consists of three representatives each from the Council on Staff Affairs, Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association; and one representative from both the City of Valdosta and the local community, plus a chair.