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THE VISTA
September 5, 1991
Propriety lost on parking lots he American obsession with a good parking space defies all logic and common sense. Intelligent, sophisticated people are reduced to expletives, hand gestures and sometimes even fisticuffs for the privilege of being 15 feet closer to the door. At the University of Central Oklahoma, commuters are no less civil or rude. On this campus any slot will suffice—as long as it is legal. Even spots in the cheap seats are sought after as zealously as those in the front row. And there is a valid reason parking spaces are so hard _to find: There aren't enough of them. Approximately 14,500 students attend UCO, 1,250 of whom live on campus. The remaining 13,250 students commute. However, there are 3,508 parking spaces designated for commuters—that's roughly two parking slots for every seven commuters. Of course, all commuters aren't on campus at the same time but the ratio is lopsided enough that a legitimate parking space is a prize to be coveted. There are no alternatives to the parking problem either. Off-campus parking is non-existent. None of the streets bordering the campus (University, Ayers, Bauman and Second) permit parking. And the side streets in all directions restrict or ban parking at the curb. A commuter has to travel east of Blackwelder and west of Jackson, sometimes west of Broadway, to find unrestricted, on-street parking. And the situation gets worse. There is no city bus service to the campus, although Mass Trans expanded area service this year. And walking is for daredevils. With few stretches of sidewalk approaching the campus, pedestrians compete with automobiles most of the way. So commuters jockey and wait and maneuver for any spot they can find. And if class time approaches, many take what they can get—a staff slot and a ticket. And fines for commuters using faculty/staff parking spaces increased by 50 percent from $10 to $15. The fine for parking in resident spaces doubled from $5 to $10. But that's another story. If the university has a "wish list," tiered parking garages on all four corners should be added to it. Otherwise, remote, off-site parking with shuttle service to the campus could be a viable alternative to parking lot duels for the slot by the door. V
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Editor in chief Man. Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor AP Wire Editor Advertising Mgr Ad Sales Production Mgr. Writer
Vol. 90, No. 2 (USPS 661-700)
Judy LeBlanc Marie Bigger David LoB augh Bill Kramer Sam Powell Peter Roberts Eric D'Arriba Craig Beuchaw Penny Owen
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Letters
Letters to the editor are not only welcomed, but encouraged. All letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will not bepublished. Letters must also include the author's address and phone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit in order to fit space limitations and to comply with libel laws. Every effort will be made to preserve the integrity of the letter. Address letter to: Editor, The Vista, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Okla. 73034 or deliver in person to the editor, Communications Building, 100171 107. This publication, printed by the University of Central Oklahoma Print Shop, is issued by the University of Central Oklahoma as authorized by Title 70 OS 1981, Section 3903. 5,000 Copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $300 (8pp),$400 for 12pp.
Don't Kill For Me!
he letter in the Aug. 29 Some argue that killing crimiThe Vista advocating nals would save money for the taxexecution of a few hundred payers. Studies show that capital thousand criminals in this country murder trials, allowing for the reis disturbing, and it cries for a re- quired appeals, cost the state more sponse. Maybe some statistics, money than does imprisonment rather than more emotion, would for life. be in order. The United Nations has urged In a definitive study a few years ago, it was shown that death pen- all nations to abolish the death alty states in this country had an penalty, and most of the enlightaverage murder rate of 7.1 per ened and progressive countries . 100,000 population, while states have done so. England and Cawithout the death penalty had an nada, or instance, turned down efaverage of 3.6 per 100,000. forts to reinstate the death penalty (Where murder by the state is car- in 1987. So what is the answer to the ried out, people consider human life less precious, and they be- crime problem? Obviously, killcome more violent.) Kansas --- ing more people isn't it. Better just to our north --- refused to rein- educational opportunities, better state the death penalty in 1987. It mental health programs, a more has a lower murder rate than do its efficient parole system, job trainneighbors who have the death ing, equal opportunities for employment, prison reform, homes penalty.
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for the street people...Maybe the answer lies here. As to the allegation that prisoners have lavish lifestyles complete with the Playboy channel to watch, I would be willing to visit any prison in the state to see for myself. Can someone supply the names of the institutions? The names of the prisoners? The writer of the letter said we must execute hundreds of thousands to protect our wives and daughters. Well, I have a wife and daughter, and I suspect they will continue to do just fine without such action. As to Emil Young, who was mentioned in the letter, he died this week. Feel better? —Dennie Hall journalist
I couldn't stand the pace at home so .•• By Jo Pydynkowsky Guest Columnist
I graduated on May 10th. The morning of May 11th I was ecstatic. School was finished and, for the first time in four years, or eleven semesters straight, I had time to do anything and everything I wanted. No books, nl classes, no lengthy assignments, no teachers ... just lazy bliss. I should have known it would cost me. Bliss lasted one week, minus four days, then panic set in. That's PANIC, with a couple screams for emphasis. Everytime I left the house I looked for my book bag. Cruising past the date book became an hourly ritual. Was I supposed to be someplace? Wasn't there something I was supposed to have done today? I began standing around after serving dinner as though waiting for a grade. I did ironing and windows, two chores I have NEVER done, as though they were for extra credit. Without school, I was
lost. I had become a scholastic junky and I needed help. A friend suggested I try watching the daily soap operas. That lasted two days and I realized I was seeing all men as potential terrorists, arsonists, drug addicts, murderers, kidnappers, lechers, mobsters, or adulterers. I think those soap writers are sadistic exscholastic junkies. Maybe I could do something with my children? I found them playing in the back yard. "Would you like to play a game?" I asked. They looked at each other, then smiled and looked at me. "Daddy says we aren't allowed to play with strangers." I added children to my list of DON'Ts. I spent the next few months looking for a job which, with Oklahoma's current economy, was akin to being a teacher and expecting a raise in pay. John Sununu will sprout wings first. I decided to take mother's ad-
vice and work with what I had. I enrolled in graduate school. It was the first day of school. I knew that. I even knew the date and time. Reality had returned. My children knew my name was Mom, the crunching of rice crinkles underfoot as I crossed the floor made the kitchen sound cheeful once more, and it felt like home with my book bag ready and parked in front of the door. My husband actually smiled as he headed to work wearing one of the many new shirts I'd bought to replace the ones I'd ironed. The house seemed to breath a sigh of relief, also. All was right with the world - or was it? Sitting around all summer and doing laundry had been a mistake. My pants didn't fit. I threw them on the bed and headed for the refrigerator. It gave my ego a real high to write LAUNDRY on the list underneath IRONING, WINDOWS, and CHILDREN. I didn't care, though, I was on my way back to school.
