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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1974)
Page 2 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1974 HtDOMCOfr The Traffic Panel recommended a 100 percent in crease in parking fees for next semester. “Why double parking sticker fees?” asked Jim Deaconson and 11 other residents of Hart Hall. After reading an article in last Thursday’s Batt Deaconson said: “The spokesman for the panel declared specifically that ‘when a student is issued a sticker he will not be guaranteed a place to park.’ Wow! Even now students complain bitterly when they have to park way out at Zachry. But this year the Zachry lot always has extra spaces — next year it is predicted that some students won’t be able to park anywhere, $27 fee or not! In addition to paying double for the same old hassle with the KK, any student who buys a sticker will take the risk of paying double for nothing. ” Robert L. Melcher from the vice president of student services office said, “A parking sticker is a hunting license for parking spaces. Registration is no guarantee of a park ing space. ” And according to the A&M Vehicle Regula tions Policy Statement, “...registration in itself is no guarantee of a parking space near the place where you work, your dorm, or your class. The responsibility of finding a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator, and lack of space is not a valid excuse for viola tion of any parking regulation.” Melcher said registration is for control and security purposes. The stickers make it easy for the University Police to identify the owner. Again referring to the Batt article Deaconson said, “A member of the panel.. .remarked that the panel was ‘defi nitely not going to try to meet the demand’ for the approx imately 3,000 cars the university is predicted not to have space for next fall. The spokesman gave no reason for why they weren’t going to try.” The university provided 9,301 spaces this year for 12,287 registered cars. That leaves a surplus of2,986 cars, if all cars are parked on campus at one time; an unlikely situation. Next year an additional 1,721 spaces should be available for an estimated increase of 1,520 cars. This will mean a surplus of2,785 cars. But this is assuming that PA 61 and PA 62 will be completed. According to Eugene Ray of grounds maintenance, there is an asphalt shortage. This could cause a delay in the construction of these two areas and 880 less spaces. Parking fees have to pay for parking area construction and maintenance since A&M cannot get state money for parking. In 1972, 1,000 spaces for PA 50 were constructed for $269.96 per space. PA 55, also constructed in 1972, cost $307.61 per space for 239 spaces. Negotiations are under way for PA 61 (560 spaces) at an estimated $462.41 per space. The increase has to be met through parking fees. Maintenance costs rose from $2.75 per space per year in 1972 to the present $3.-87 per space per year. Listen up Concern shown state rep contest 'PICK UP YOUR CHECKS AT THE REAR DOOR — THIS ENTRANCE IS FOR REAL VETERANS!' Estimates for next year run over $4, another increase. Parking areas are not built on a pay-as-you-go basis. The university borrows money for the contracts and the parking fees pay back the loans. This brings in interest rate considerations. As Melcher explained it: a 6 percent interest rate on money borrowed to build a $269.96 space in 1972 means an extra $16.20 for that space each year. (An office economics major says the amount should de crease as the principal decreases, but that gets a bit com plicated.) Interest rates are now about 8.5 per cent which means $39.30 interest on a $462.41 space. Put these figures together and the annual cost per parking space maintenance and interest rose from $18.95 in 1972 to an estimated $33.30 in 1974. After looking over this data, a traffic committeeman recommended a $35 student parking fee for the academic year. The panel rejected it. Another motion called for a $20.25 student parking fee for the academic year. The panel rejected it. The next motion, calling for a $27 stu dent parking fee for the academic year passed. The fee is twice the $13.50 student parking fee this year. All the recommended fees were twice what they are this year except for the Hensel and College View areas. A reserved space in the Zachry parking area now costs $48; double that for $96. When the parking lots planned for the fall are com pleted, we will be just about out of grassy spaces to replace with asphalt covers. The alternatives are re stricted campus parking or high-rise parking facilities. High-rise lots will cost an estimated $1,400 to $1,500 per space, said Melcher. If these lots have to pay for them selves, the cost is prohibitive, he added. The proposal is now pending approval of Dr. John Koldus, vice president for student services. He will delay his decision until after he meets with Tom Cherry, vice president for business affairs. Koldus said he wants to study the long range parking situation. If the crunch for parking money is temporary, he maybe able to spread the financial burden over a long period with less annual fees. Listen up Coed caucus gives support to Farenthold Editor: As a student of this great uni versity, I am, of course, greatly concerned with A&M graduates being elected to state offices. Since A&M is a state institution we depend almost entirely on state General Revenue funds and state matching funds to secure federal grants. Bill Presnal is familiar with this complex funding structure because he has served us on the all-important House Appropria tions Committee. Let’s re-elect the man who has worked so effectively for us in the past! We need Bill Presnal as our state representative. Chris Williams Repeat Editor: In order to insure the stulej staff and former student! A&M, of continued growtli prosperity for our universib becomes increasingly impel have strong representativesisj legislature. We must elect that know the issues as wei the ropes. In the difficult session ning in January, nothing eas; place or be more valuable honesty and experience. The man we must elect IhiL is Bill Presnal. The imnttjl future of our university d:>. | on it. Tim Joi Four , been ere affairs |ium c lor its nouncec yice pr fairs. Editor: The Brazos County Chapter of the Texas Women’s Political Cau cus (Women’s Awareness Work shop) is pleased to announce our overwhelming endorsement and support of Mrs. Frances (“Sis sy”) Farenthold for Governor of Texas. Mrs. Farenthold’s record speaks for itself. She was the first chair person of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and has worked long and hard to insure that all people have an equal opportunity to do the work they want to do, and to get paid for their work ac cording to their capabilities. She is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Texans— for the poor, for schoolchildren, for workers, for the elderly. We urge all Texans to join us in voting for Mrs. Farenthold this Saturday, May 4, in the Demo cratic primary. Barnee Escott Kathy Oaks co-Chairpersons Brazos County Chapter Texas Women’s Political Caucus HARRY DISHMAN S:i'< s & Service HIM leva* \\c < S. aero** from campus Please Patronize Our Advertisers We’d like to take you for a ride H«y, Mr. suave and sophisticated... try this on tor size. It s the Raleigh Sports. Think bikes are for kids? Think again! This one’s spe cially made for the guy who’s a mover. Three speeds, safety- quick brakes, genuine leather saddle, touring bag ... every thing you need to travel in style. See your Raleigh dealer, he's got a set ol wheels waiting for you. Come on along! CENTRAL CYCLE & SUPPLY Sales • Service • Accessories 3505 E. 29th St. — 822-2228 — Closed Monday Take East University to 29th St. (Tarrow Street) ' Che Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the university administration or the Board of Directors. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated by students as a university and community neu’spaper. Editorial policy is determined by a majority of the editorial board. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 xuords and are subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, shoia the address of the writer and list a telephone number for verification. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77813. The Battalion, <» published in College Statior student newspaper at Texas A&M, is ion, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September through May, and once a week during summer school. Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per school yei ag 1 The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, $6 per year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% sales tax. Advertisin rate furnished on request. Address: Texas 77843. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for it d in the paper and local news of published matter herein are also reserved. oduction of all news dispatches credited to 1 paper and local news of spontaneou Right of reproduction of all othe repn otherwise credited in the origin published herein. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Lindsey, chairman ; Dr. Tom Adair, Dr. R. A. Albanese, Dr. H. E. Hierth, W. C. Harrison, Randy Ross, T. Chet Edwards, and Jan Faber. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services. Inc, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association Editor Rod Speer Managing Editor Will Anderson Assistant to the Editor Greg Moses News Editor T. C. Gallucci Photo Editor Gary Baldasari Sports Editor Kevin Coffey Ass’t. Sports Editor Ted Boriskie Staff writers Vickie Ashwill, LaTonya Perrin, Mary Russo, Tony Gallucci, Cliff Lewis, Brad Ellis, Hank Wahrmund, Norine Harris, Sally Hamilton, Julia Jones. Makeup , Bob Chaney Photographers Roger Mallison, Alan Killings- worth, Steve Ueckert, David Spencer. INSURANCE — HOME LOANS BUSIER-JONES AGENCY ■-it A J frr Equal Opportunity Housing 1200 Villa Maria — 823-0911 FARM & HOME SAVING ASSOCIATION (Nevada, Mo.) 50 S PARTY ALL NIGHT GAMES — SKATING—$1.50 Movie “Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein” FRIDAY NIGHT MAY 3 SPONSORED BY BAPTIST STUDENT UNION 11 TEXAS A&M NEEDS BILL PRESNAL BILL PRESNAL HAS BEEN REPRESENTING TEXAS A&M in the Texas House of Representatives for the past six years and doing it well. Here is the record: Has passed every bill in the Texas House that A&M officials and stu dents have asked him to sponsor. Has helped A&M increase its funding by a whopping 42% during the six year period he has served. Led the fight to retain an improved Permanent University Fund that, if adopted, will serve Texas A&M even better in the future. Passed legislation authorizing the College of Marine Sciences. Passed a constitutional amendment permitting state employees to serve on city councils and school boards. Presnal isn’t just talking about how he’ll work for Texas A&M. He’s been doing it - and doing it well for six years. LETS RE-ELECT BILL PRESNAL OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN AUSTIN. Pd. Pol. Ad, Bill Presnal Re-election Committee, Lynn Stuart, Chairman, P. O. Box 3905, Bryan, Texas 77801. Advertisement published in compliance with Texas Election Code Article 14.10 (B). Student Publications Dept. Published, The Battalion, College Station, Texas. O! tc a p