WILSON
THE BILLBOARD FALL 2019 ISSUE 4
New
By Hannah Middaugh
WILSON COLLEGE
Parking
At the end of spring semester in 2019, Wilson announced that the old VMC building and the art barn were to be torn down to create a new parking lot. Hopes of having the new lot finished and ready for use by the time the fall semester started were quickly squashed by layers of unpredicted issues. “Originally, when we knew we had the money for the new VMC and that we were going to tear the old one down along with the art barn, we knew at that point that we wanted parking there,” said Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Dean Mary Beth Williams. “It took them longer than anticipated to remove those two facilities. So, once they did remove those two facilities, what we were going to do was to add on to the existing parking lot that was already there. What we found out, was that due to the nature of the size of the parking lot and where it was, we had to account for run-off, or water drainage. We had to install a drainage system underneath the former barn and VMC, so that delayed it significantly. So, we finally get the drainage system underneath it and we were going to lock it into the new parking lot. Only we found out that when they paved the original parking lot at the front half, they only did it to the depth about one inch of asphalt. So, what happens is, it looks fine for a few years, but when you tie in another one into this one inch of asphalt, our existing one would crumble. What happened was we had to take out the existing Brook’s lot and pave a whole new lot.” All of these delays led to the lighting and the call box being delayed in their installs as well.
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Lot
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019
Frustration
Along with the delays for the derstand. A day does not go by new parking lot, the stripes for that I don’t hear someone comthe parking spaces were done plain about parking and I apolincorrectly. Dean Mary Beth ogize,” Dean Mary Beth stated. Along with the construction commented, “Right now, if you go into the lot, the lines are of the new lot in Brooks, a new not striped to code. And there parking lot beside the new VEC is no lighting, which means was finished. Dean Mary Beth that it is too dark for people to said, “The good news is that we were able to park in. Even complete the lots if you could where the tenpark there, nis courts were, we’re not in and we were able ADA complito make two of ance because those lots recof the lines reational space are striped that is available incorrectly.” to students. So Dean Mary even though the Beth also said Brooks lot hasn’t that the lines been a win, the should be reother side has striped within been a total win.” the next couDean Mary ple of weeks Beth continued along with on saying, “The the call box other thing that installation, I will say is a and the lightBrooks Lot Sign Photo By Hannah Middaugh win for parking ing bases should be installed within the next right now is we have a very two weeks while the lighting good parking committee and themselves should be arriving committee structure. We have in December. And without the two students on the commitlines being striped correctly, it tee, two faculty, and two staff. is unclear how many spots will They are very, very efficient. be in the lot, but it should be I’m sure not very many people twice than what it was before. appreciate what they do, but The lot is expected to open they do a really great job.” With these new parking up for the spring semester. “Originally the lot was to lots, come new structures to open in August, and then we Wilson’s campus. “Another pushed it to September, and thing that we’re doing is we’re then we pushed it to October, going to a different ticketand now it is being pushed to ing system that will hopefulJanuary. It is a total pain and ly streamline that process a I recognize that. There are little bit more because I know several issues with that all people have been frustratkind of stemming back to our ed,” Dean Mary Beth stated. When asked about what the original construction company and the contractors that we new lot in Brooks will be used hired for the lot, but it is not for, Dean Mary Beth replied, for a lack of want. I hear com- “We only change lots at the beplaints from faculty, staff, and ginning of every year. So, the students on a daily basis. So, existing parking committee if people are frustrated, I un- judges the following year. So
last year, when we knew that lot would be open, what we were going to do was extend it as Brooks One. Brooks One is faculty and staff 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. After 5 p.m. it opens up for commuters, and then after 7 p.m. it opens up for residential students. It was going to be the same condition as the existing lot. That being said, the committee this year may change that and decide that it needs to be different. But last year’s parking committee decided that even though they were extending it, that they were keeping the same rules on Brooks One.” She continued on saying, “It’s a big lot. Of course, faculty want it for faculty, students want it for students, commuters want it for commuters, residential want it for residential. So, everyone wants it. That’s the reason on the committee that we have one residential student, one commuting student, faculty, and staff so everyone could have a say. Even though I get asked this all the time by the neighbors and the church, it is not for non-Wilson parking.” Dean Mary Beth also said, “The parking committee ultimately reports to me, and I manage all of what happens when people pay fines, or they pay for their permits. What that actually pays for is for our ticketing system, our signs, the permits, and it pays for the painting. So, this was an expensive project that was paid for by our community, so we need to get it right. But I don’t manage construction projects. I’m just the bearer of bad news about them. If anyone has any questions, they can always ask me, and I can pass it on to the parking committee. And if someone wants to be on the parking committee next year, we always take two students.”