OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CORVALLIS, OREGON 97331
The Daily Barometer
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DAILYBAROMETER
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2015 VOL. CXVII, NO. 82
@DAILYBARO, @BAROSPORTS
Abigail ERickson
| THE DAILY BAROMETER
Cars park along the side of the street near an A1 parking lot that is only partially full Tuesday. Since fall term when the university adopted the new zonal parking system, there have been concerns about the expense of high-demand lots and cars crowding on-street parking to avoid the fees.
Zonal parking debate continues
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Commuters, community members raise questions about campus zonal parking By Abigail Erickson THE DAILY BAROMETER
Bonnie Johnson has lived in the neighborhood north of the Oregon State University campus for 20 years, but only recently has she noticed problems with the parking by her house. According to Johnson, students
who commute to campus by car will park on her street rather than pay to park on campus. In contrast, the northern A1 parking lots sport several empty parking spaces on a daily basis, according to Johnson. “I watch people circle my neighborhood at 6 a.m. looking for a parking space,” Johnson said. “I think if the permits were more affordable for students, we wouldn’t have this problem.” Johnson isn’t the only one who has raised questions or concerns about the affordability of on-campus
parking. “I found the lower prices for C zones a lot more convenient for sure,” said Camden Mullins, a sophomore in graphic design. “A zones just seem ridiculous though as far as pricing.” In fall 2014, the price of an A zone permit was $495, a B zone permit was $330 and a C zone permit was $95. Parking permits become cheaper every term as the year progresses. Currently, the price of an A zone permit is $371, B zones are $248 and C zones are $71.
According to Meredith Williams, associate director of Transportation Services, the prices of the zonal permits were initially determined last spring by the transportation solution task force. The task force was in place for seven months before disbanding, and its purpose was to represent the students, faculty and staff at OSU in matters of parking demand and affordability. Determining the prices of parking permits was collaborative, according to Williams.
“There was also the matter of keeping permit prices up to our maintenance needs,” Williams said. “This is the first year we can fund our reserve fund, which helps cover maintenance demands.” Williams said that it was mostly demand that determined the cost of parking permits. The task force noted where the highest demand for parking was, and the lots were priced accordingly. See PARKING | page 2
Broken items find new life at Repair Fair Spotlight on campus health n
From common appliances to holes in expensive clothing, Repair Fair volunteers fix what others might give up, replace
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By Minelle Merwin THE DAILY BAROMETER
By Chris Correll THE DAILY BAROMETER
The college lifestyle can be hard on a student’s possessions. Whether it’s a microwave that has heated one too many burritos or a jacket forming a tear within a few days of buying it, the strain of everyday use costs people quite a few of their belongings, and it can cost even more to replace them. Helping students avoid unnecessary spending is part of why freshman biology major Shannon Ritz lends her time and energy to Oregon State University’s Repair Fair, a public service event hosted by campus organization Waste Watchers. The Repair Fair, based on a trend of “repair cafes” in Europe, is part of the over-arching RecycleMania month that takes place at OSU every year through February and early March.
Lyndi Petty leads ASOSU’s wellness task force to promote student health on campus
courtesy of campus recycling
Sophomore zoology major Jasmine Armas fixes torn jeans during a Repair Fair. Ritz, using her talent as a seamstress to mend clothing, joined Waste Watchers to promote a culture of restoration and repair. Twice per term, she and other volunteers take products that appear to
be ruined and restore them right there at the fair’s tables. Ritz said clients are often surprised by how quickly and efficiently their things can be fixed. See FAIR | page 2
At a row of labeled desks, situated in the Associated Students of Oregon State University office of Snell Hall, Lyndi Petty, tall with blonde hair and red rain boots, grins as she introduces herself and discusses her plans as this year’s director of the ASOSU wellness task force. The wellness task force, according to Petty, varies year to year depending on the needs of the campus as a whole. “It’s whatever (the director of the task force) feels is relevant that year. My main concerns have been sexual assault awareness and alcohol abuse, which often goes hand in hand,” Petty said. “Our campus takes health seriously. That’s why we’re here — for the students.” Petty agreed that for students not
Ali Gibson describes life off the basketball court Sports, page 5
directly involved with ASOSU, the organization can seem somewhat mysterious and intimidating from the outside. Being introduced to the ASOSU office by her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sister Victoria Redman, who is currently the Memorial Union president, made it easier for her to get involved. This same introduction is how she met Andrew Futerman, last year’s environmental affairs task force director, who she then interned with, giving her a feeling for what it was like to be able to make a difference on campus. “(Futerman) was so passionate. It was amazing to see how one person could influence so much and bring everyone together,” Petty said. “His passion really inspired me to keep going. And the environmental side is still definitely a passion of mine as well.” Petty is a biology major, looking to continue on to the Oregon Health and Science University to become a See PETTY | page 3
Editorial: Additional feedback needed for zonal parking Forum, page 7