NM Daily Lob 090211

Page 1

DAILY LOBO new mexico

The new kid on campus see page 4

September 2, 2011

friday

The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895

PATS responds to customers’ worries

DRIVE FOR RIGHTS

Director: cash meters coming to the Cornell Structure By Chelsea Erven and Luke Holmen news@dailylobo.com

UNM Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) said they will respond to complaints about new credit card parking machines by getting machines that accept cash. Daily Lobo readers wrote comments and letters voicing their frustration on the inconvenience of credit card parking machines. “These parking kiosks might be convenient for Parking and Transportation Services but they suck for us,” UNM staff employee Glenda Wyndorf wrote in a letter to the editor Wednesday. Robert Nelson, Interim director of PATS responded to complaints in a letter today.

“We like to hate the administration, but they seem like they are actually being responsive for once.” ~Nancy Brown UNM Student “PATS is aware that some customers have been inconvenienced by this transition,” he wrote. “To better serve our customers, PATS is in the process of obtaining electronic pay stations that will accept cash. Within the next few weeks, cash-accepting technology will be available on the main level of the Cornell Visitor Park-

ing Structure.” According to Nelson the customers’ feedback was the main reason PATS decided to incorporate cash accepting machines, but there are currently no plans for cash machines in other parking lots. “At this moment we are not expanding this service to the other lots, but we are going to continue to listen to the opinions of our customers and we could see that expanding in future,” he said. Daily Lobo readers also complained about having to pay in hour increments. “Your one hour minimum payment required, plus transaction fees for phone payment, is nothing short of abject greed on UNM’s part,” one reader commented online. “And if the machines are “unable” to offer parking increments of less than an hour, then it’s PATS’ own stupid fault for buying them in the first place.” Nelson said PATS is looking at options for allowing customers to pay in increments of less than an hour, but that change would be more difficult. “We don’t have that technical capability at this point with these machines,” said Nelson “That is a problem and we are going to have to come up with a new solution.” UNM student Nancy Brown said she was surprised PATS had their ear turned toward public opinion. “We like to hate the administration, but they seem like they are actually being responsive for once. I just heard about this in the paper and already they are changing something. Honestly that is pretty refreshing. I think allowing cash parking and credit card parking will make it easier on

A NEW HOPE

Juan Labreche / Daily Lobo Three year-old Lourdes Barranco holds a sign while her mother Rocio Barranco and her four-month old brother, Pedro Barranco sit next to her protesting the Governor’s new legislation that would ban illegal immigrants from possessing driver’s licenses in the state of New Mexico. The protesters could be heard chanting, “¡Susana escucha, estamos en la lucha!”

Opener game first with alcohol by Chelsea Erven

news@dailylobo.com

Dylan Smith / Daily Lobo Head coach Mike Locksley instructs freshman Daniel Adams during a practice at University Stadium. Locksley looks to put two identical 1-11 seasons behind him when they open up the 2011 season on Saturday.

see Football PAGE 5

Inside the

Daily Lobo volume 116

issue 11

The Lobos play the Colorado State Rams Saturday in the first official game of the season while some fans will be enjoying University Stadium’s recently-received liquor license. UNM received its liquor license for the PIT and the University Stadium in early July and will now allow alcohol in certain suites that cost up to $40,000 a season and $1,000-per-game seats. “It’s not like booze is going to be flowing down the mezzanine,” University spokeswoman Susan McKinsey said in July. “It’s not like Isotopes Park where there is beer everywhere.” Still, the UNM Police department and Albuquerque Police Department are ready to handle any drunken

Lingering pain

Class can wait

See page 3

See page 7

“Intoxicated people are not allowed in the stadium, and (employees) are all trained to make sure that doesn’t happen.” ~Lt. Robert Haarhues UNMPD Spokesman

behavior. “Officers will be there ready to handle the issues or problems that may arise,” APD spokesman Patrick Ficky

said. UNMPD spokesman Lieutenant Robert Haarhues said all University Stadium ushers and employees are trained in how to spot intoxicated fans. “Intoxicated people are not allowed in the stadium, and they are all trained to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he said. Haarhues said there will be a heavy police presence at Saturday’s game, but he is more concerned about tailgaters and drinking in the parking lot, than those allowed to buy alcohol in stadium suits. “This is something we plan for every year,” he said. Athletics spokesman Frank Mercogliano said he didn’t know how alcohol in the University Stadium could affect the atmosphere of the game.

TODAY

92 |69


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
NM Daily Lob 090211 by UNM Student Publications - Issuu