5 minute read
Message from the director
BY JOSH STONE, CAPP
Welcome to another fall semester! Over the past week, it has started to cool down significantly, and the leaves will soon begin to change. After a rather long summer of heat, I am grateful for the weather change! Since our last newsletter back in May, Parking and Transportation has completed and undertaken many tasks.
D Deck is done! That is not a joke; D Deck construction that started back in July 2018 wrapped up by the end of the past fiscal year, June 30, 2021. I know I speak for everyone involved when I say our lives have gotten easier since construction concluded, and subscribers are enjoying the wider parking spaces on the deck. In addition, the carbon fiber projects on the Henry Street Decks and Laurel Street Decks wrapped up, and these decks have reopened.
Our new EV charging stations have been installed and should be active by the first week of October. Our rebate application has been accepted, and we will soon submit documentation to take part in that program. Seven new dual-port ChargePoint stations have been installed, with five on N Deck and two on West Broad Street Deck. We can ’t wait to have folks take advantage of them and for us to finally be able to track usage and other essential metrics.
In our July staff meeting, I introduced the Accredited Parking Organization program through the International Parking and Mobility Institute. Since that meeting, I have worked with our business analyst to divide the criteria and assign them to each unit. We also met with each unit individually to talk through the process and next steps. Our goal is to have reviewed the criteria and know where we stand in the application process by December 22, 2021.
Hiring has remained a challenge throughout the summer; however, I am pleased to say that applications have been steadily increasing since September 1. In the coming weeks, we plan to hire up to three ESOs, one ESO supervisor, one account representative, a special event coordinator, and several hourly employees for parking operations and RamBikes. In addition, I am pleased to announce that Stacy Marzec was promoted to MPC senior operations supervisor, and Jay Bolling was promoted to accounts supervisor this quarter.
Throughout the fall, you can expect to see us focus on the APO process, hiring/training new employees, planning summer 2022 construction projects, and prepping for another virtual campus forum, which will be held sometime in November.
I want to express my appreciation for everybody during these COVID times and for adhering to the university masking policy. I also appreciate everyone in Parking and Transportation either reporting their vaccination or filing for an exemption before the required date. It is greatly appreciated.
P&T FINDS STRENGTH IN THE MIDST OF COVID
August marked the beginning of the fall 2021 semester, and P&T transitioned seamlessly to yet another pandemic academic year. With new guidelines in place amid the resurgence of the virus, staff members stepped up efforts on-site and remained flexible to ensure operations resumed with minimal to no disruption.
"I spent a lot of time thinking about ways that I can keep our customers as safe as possible and provide the highest level of service, " comments Steven 'Mitch' Thomas, shift supervisor.
While the semester has not arrived without its fair share of new experiences, tests and trials for teams, everyone has conquered them all with willing hearts and hands. Additionally, customers have shared in this humility by affording moments of grace when small issues do happen to arise. Kendra Jenkins, accounts representative, notes of her own experience, "Although we have faced many challenges and new obstacles, the semester has had a great beginning. Customers have been friendly and understanding as we navigate campus after COVID.
While the pandemic has ultimately altered the way teams have interacted with each other and customers as a whole, it has also surprisingly deepened social connections and relationships within individual teams as well as a department. “We are stronger individually and as a team, " echoes Jenkins, which is one benefit that is hoped to endure even after the pandemic is long behind us.
JOSH TACKLES ALL THINGS PARKING ON WW&L PODCAST
SPECIAL EVENTS START FLOWING IN
Josh Your S T tone, houg di ht r s ect po or, dc ha ast d the . Duri op ng por the tun ser i i ty es t , o h pa ost r s ticip Phil at ip e in Wa an episo rren and de for Laura WW Skul &L’ s P man f ar ro k m Weldon, Williams & Lick interview key thought leaders in the parking industry about strategy, advice and tactics. They also dive into the big business of parking and what makes the industry move. Josh was able to share more about his career journey from ski instructor to parking king and shared his thoughts on pursuing CAPP certification, past job experiences, and, of course, all things VCU parking. To view the interview in its entirety, visit https://wwlinc.com/resources/blog-my-id/.
After a relatively stagnant season, special events have now reemerged. With 15 events just in October alone, the Altria Theater is filling its calendars with concerts, shows and tours, which means the time to dust off those signal wands and safety vests has officially arrived. Not to mention VCU men's basketball will also return to welcoming spectators at their first game on October 16. While staffing has posed somewhat of a challenge due to COVID, the team is encouraging existing staff to step in when they have availability. “We are in the process of onboarding special event attendants, but scheduled slots are still open to current P&T staff. Over-time is also approved to work events, event experience isn't necessary, and we would graciously accept anyone who is interested in signing up, ” notes Stacy Marzec, senior operations supervisor and interim special event coordinator.
