Lot Maintenance Causes Student Strife

Over the past several weeks Plymouth has experienced a massive increase in snowfall as compared to last semester. With the increase in snow, cleanup has been very difficult for both PSU students and faculty members. Members of every grade level have expressed their frustration with the current system both in person and over social media.

The University Police and the University Physical Plant websites both have the lot maintenance schedule posted, and the schedule remains unchanged from December 1st until April 1st.

"We have posted the schedule at every shuttle stop, and in every residence hall on campus. We have also handed out or offered a schedule to every person coming to the station to receive parking assistance or a permit." said Gerry Evans, UPD Parking Administrator. "Also, every lot on campus has a sign posted at its entrance with that lots maintenance schedule on it, and the signs are color coded to the permit. The Physical Plant also places signboards at the entrance to lots on the day of maintenance."

Freshman Elizabeth Thagouras expressed her frustration with the lot maintenance schedule, "I get out of class at 12:05 and by the time I rush down to the parking lot they're already towing cars. The fine is also very large especially for a first time offense, $150.00 is a lot for a student to come up with," said Thagouras. 

When the towing takes place in large lots such as 603, (Ice Arena), and 502 (PE Center), the vehicles are towed to the nearest location for the student to retrieve it from. In the instance of 603 the car is towed to 602. Once four or more rows of 603 have been cleared, depending on the volume of cars being towed, those cleared rows may be used for overflow towing. The same situation could occur in 502. The student is charged for that tow because someone had to move their car when they did not.

Physical Plant released several statements addressing student complaints such as Thagouras'. "There are ample opportunities before lot maintenance begins and lots available that students can use prior to the start of maintenance. The schedule notes where students may park when their lot is going to be done," said Evans.

Lot maintenance requires that the lot be empty of vehicles, so that the tow trucks, and heavy equipment used by Physical Plant to clean, salt and sand the lots can maneuver. The vehicles must be out at the start time posted on the schedule.

Freshmen are not the only class who are frustrated with the current system. Sophomore Connor Brown stated his similar distaste, "I think there needs to be better communication between the students, the faculty and Physical Plant, I think its one of those things, if there was a way to get more people to sign up for the text alerts, maybe put the information out there a little more, especially for the first and second year students who might not be as experienced with dealing with lot maintenance," said Brown.

Physical Plant released a statement addressing the issue of students not receiving text alerts to notify them when lot maintenance was going to occur. "Students must remember that social media is not the only resource for information...we have signed up with our phones. We get the messages every time without fail," said Evans.

As the school year progresses into some of the coldest and heaviest snow times of the year, this issue will continue to be a problem for many students and faulty members if things remain as they are now.

"The University Police Department makes every effort to lessen the impact of Lot Maintenance on students. We work with Residential Life Directors, Resident Directors and Community Assistants in the residential areas, and with Physical Plant supervisors in an effort to get the word out to students," said Evans. "It is our hope that the students will meet the level of effort we put into lot maintenance, by complying with the maintenance schedule."

Contact the Plymouth State University Police Department at (603) 535-2330 or Physical Plant (603) 254-8407 for any further questions or concerns.