Parking and Trasportation

Randy Vercauteren, director of Parking and Transportation Services, opened with an update on the institute’s parking and transportation situation. Currently, RIT has 11,526 commuters. According to Vercauteren, administration has no immediate plans for expanding parking in the near future. He noted that parking lots D, E, F, J, L, N, S, R and V are the most popular lots from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Parking lots G, H, M and T, however, are only 75 percent full during the same time period. He also mentioned that in 2008, they gave out over 41,000 citations. They are “not trying to collect money, but trying to change behavior.”

In other PATS news, golf carts are no longer allowed on pedestrian walkways unless it is absolutely necessary. As for bicycles, there is still pressure to reduce the number of cyclists on pedestrian paths. “We are looking at a culture shift,” urged Vercauteren, noting that peer pressure is a good way to help bicyclists change their behavior to use proper paths.

Super Bowl Extravaganza

Student Government is planning an event during Super Bowl XLIV, Feb. 7, to bring the RIT community together. The event will take place at the Gordon Field House and will start at 5 p.m. It will be free for RIT faculty, staff, students, alumni and family members. You will be able to enjoy the big game on two 20-by-15-foot projection screens while resting on the comfy couches. Pizza, wings and possibly even a beer garden will be available.

SG is planning on having inflatable activities that everyone can enjoy. Attendees will receive free SG t-shirts and get a chance to win $5,000 worth of prizes.

SG Discussion

At the end of the meeting, SG discussed class registration. According to Matt Danna, president of SG, registration speed increased this year by 300 percent, but the registration process is still something that needs to be revised. Danna noted the possibility of changing registration time from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. SG was evenly divided on this issue, and further research is required to see if this is a good option.

Jacqueline Robinson, vice president of SG, brought the myRIT portal to the discussion table. She remarked that they want students to use it more often, but the main perceived reason students go to the portal is to look at their financial information.