U-T Tyler Continues Addressing Parking Problem

TYLER � UT-Tyler is still working to fix the parking problem for students. Recently, KTBB and our news partner KETK reported on a shortage of some 400 parking spaces. In an e-mail, university officials say they have restriped some lots and opened temporary parking areas. Also, beginning Monday, a shuttle service will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. This will take place for two weeks, to see how it goes.

This is the e-mail sent to students about the parking problem:

All Students:

By now you have obviously experienced the parking issues that we have had at the beginning of the semester. The situation has been improved with the restriping of certain lots as well as opening temporary parking areas, but with increased enrollment, the parking lots are still crowded. The University administration and the police department understand this and we are working to improve the situation.

Beginning Monday, September 17, we are experimenting with a shuttle service that will run from 8:30 am through 3:30 pm each day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks. The pickup location will be at Rose Heights Church which is at 2120 Old Omen Road, about 1/2 mile north of the university. For those of you who wish to participate, please park your cars on the north end of the lot, farthest from the church. The shuttle will pick up passengers from there and drop them off in parking lot #8 at the Ratliff Engineering Building. The shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes. Parking lot #8 will also be the location to board the shuttle to ride back to your car.

We are interested to see how much participation we get from students. A permanent shuttle service is one thing that is being considered so this trial period will assist university administrators in making that decision.

Park, ride, and avoid having to search for a parking spot!

Mike Medders
Chief of Police