Lobbying by the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate has succeeded in changing campus parking regulations to better suit off-campus students, but few are aware of the new rules. Certain on-campus parking areas will now be open students at least as long as the Tisch library is open.
The changes affect parking spots on Professors Row from Packard Ave to College Ave, Latin Way from Professors Row to Talbot Ave, and Talbot Ave from Packard Ave to College Ave. Parking is prohibited in these areas from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m., instead of the previous 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. prohibition.
The extended hours, which actually went into effect last semester, will benefit students who live off campus and drive to campus to use the library, campus center and other facilities, many of which are open later than parking is allowed. Additionally, parking outside of color-designated parking lots is now allowed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and on all weekends and holidays.
TCU Senate Vice President Melissa Carson, who spearheaded the project, said that the change proved an easy task. Carson had heard complaints from students about not being able to park on campus during some library hours, especially during exams, and was frustrated herself.
Carson met with TUPD Sergeant Paul Riley, Supervisor of Public Safety and Affairs, and planned out a new general parking policy within an hour. Riley said that the changes were not a problem to make but that the issue had simply never been raised before. Carson called the changes "a big victory for students," for what she calls "the most convenient parking Tufts has ever had."
Although the policy change went into effect last semester, parking signs around campus remain unchanged. The Department of Public Safety and Affairs and the Senate announced the changes to the campus two weeks ago in a campus-wide e-mail.
Senior Sean McDermott, who lives off campus, had often wondered why the library hours and parking hours did not coincide, and said he is happy with the new policy.
"With the old policy you couldn't stay on campus past one," he said. "It's a big problem if you're at the library or staying with friends at the dorms."
Sergeant Riley said he has received no feedback so far, except for a few students asking questions about clarifying the changes. Carson said she is worried that not enough students are aware of the changes to take advantage of them.
The TUPD reevaluates parking policies each year and has the freedom to reverse the changes if it feels the new policy is not beneficial.
