Faculy and Staff Q&A

Carmela Thompson has served as director of parking and transportation at UB since 1992. She previously was assistant director of admissions. A member of the university community since 1987, she is working on a Ph.D. in educational administration, organization and policy.

What's the most challenging aspect of being director of parking and transportation at UB?

Balancing the varying, and often conflicting, needs of multiple user groups can sometimes be difficult. Parkers on campus come in three categories: faculty and staff, students, and visitors. Each group is different as it relates to their parking concerns. Student parkers are more transient than faculty/staff, requiring an appropriate level of turnover in spaces throughout the day. Visitors are the most transient and generally the least informed about parking accommodations, rules and regulations. They can be our biggest violators, yet also represent that group for whom a more lenient, "warm and fuzzy" approach is warranted.

Regardless of the group, one thing is certain; everyone wants to park as close as possible to their destination. With only a limited number of conveniently located spaces, there needs to be an enforced method of sharing to ensure equal and fair distribution of resources. Enforcement, then, is viewed as a "necessary evil." Nevertheless, it always is difficult to explain to a person who has been displaced, ticketed or has had to circle a lot for minutes, that our office represents a "service"' to the campus community. When you add to the mix limited financial resources, governance and bargaining-unit issues and the concerns of special-interest groups, such as the physically disabled, environmentalists and service personnel, the challenges of space management seem insurmountable and often without a solution to which all can agree.

What are UB's biggest parking trouble spots?

By far, the parking lots along the south side of the academic spine represent our biggest trouble spots. Everyone wants to park there, especially folks who enter the campus at Flint or Conventry roads. These lots are the first to fill and oftentimes we find vehicles waiting in line for an available space, even when spaces are located in the lots on the north side of the spine (north of Capen Hall). The Michael-Farber lot on the South Campus also can be a trouble spot, particularly during peak clinic hours. That lot functions as a faculty/staff lot, a visitor lot and a patient parking lot for a wide range of clinic activity.

Where do you park?

While in the office, I park in one of the Spaulding lots. Should I have to leave Ellicott for business elsewhere on the campus, I park in a service space. I've also paid at meters on occasion!

Is parking a problem at most college and university campuses?

Yes. There are several elements to campus parking that make it different from other parking environments such as airport, hospital, municipal or private parking concerns. Regardless of size, most campuses struggle with issues of permit parking, signage, audit and access controls, competing audiences, space management, enforcement and collections. However, "parking is parking" wherever you go, so the differences at times can be subtle or invisible. For most it's a simple case of the economics of supply and demand. Some campuses can control demand simply by altering the price of parking. Supply, for most campuses, however, is fixed.

Is public transportation under-utilized at UB and how can we encourage people to take advantage of it?

Faculty, staff and students who come to the campuses via Metro Rail find a real advantage in having its primary hub at our South Campus. For this group, public transportation is effectively utilized. Blue Bird buses also aid the campus community in meeting its transportation needs. Perhaps the greatest void is in rural and suburban service. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) recently released, as part of its new HUBLINK proposal, a regional service concept designed to address the declining ridership and increased automobile travel in suburban areas. Having redefined its mission as providing mobility throughout the region in the most effective manner, rather than only operating buses or trains, NFTA's HUBLINK seeks to re-invent, redesign and restructure the public transportation system. Amherst is among the regions being addressed, positioning UB as a primary benefactor.

How about Rideshare, the program that helps people arrange carpooling?

About 90 UB faculty, staff and students have expressed interest in carpooling to UB through the UB Rideshare program. This free, voluntary carpooling service was organized by the UB Environmental Task Force and is coordinated by the NFTA. Rideshare uses PC-based geographic information software to match commuters who have similar points of origin and daily routines. Participants may ride, drive or share the driving every day of the week or just a few days a week. Once NFTA receives a Rideshare application, the system prints out a list of potential matches and phone numbers for each rider. Applicants can contact one another and make arrangements. To obtain a Rideshare application, call 645-6066 or apply electronically via the Web site at http://wings.buffalo.edu/news/newsbureau/rideshare

What's the funniest parking story you ever heard?

Unfortunately we hear more stories designed to elicit sympathy rather than humor. Nevertheless, we couldn't hold in the laughter when an unsuspecting visitor explained that she parked in a space reserved for "A" permits, because the sign read, "A Permit Required." She explained that she indeed had "a" guest permit. And there's the Teaching Assistant who mailed $3.24 for her parking permit-all in pennies! We always get a chuckle from fitness enthusiasts who get parking tickets because they can't find a space close enough to avoid walking a distance to Alumni Arena, where they're en route for their daily workout!

What do you tell people who complain that they can never find a parking space at UB?

There's always a valid space available somewhere on the campus! Try the Center for Tomorrow lot and utilize the shuttle; it's a shorter wait than standing in line for a parking space. Crofts has lots of empty spaces, too, and the shuttle stops there. Also, check out the lots on the north side of campus; or consider parking in the Fronczak visitors lot; you can pay for one day, one semester or one year at a time. Use public transportation or carpool. When all else fails, try to arrive earlier.

What is something people don't know about you and should?

My greatest love at the university is its students. I've spent my entire professional career, 18 years, recruiting and working to make the student experience academically and socially rewarding. While I enjoy many of the challenges of my current position, I often miss the student contact.