The Hofstra Chronicle: March 24, 2011 Issue

Page 1

Hempstead, NY Vol.76 | Issue 21

The Hofstra

Chronicle

Thursday

March 24, 2011

Keeping the Hofstra Community informed since 1935

Rent-A-Spot complicates parking MTA changes schedule By Jory Heckman STAFF WRITER

Sean M. Gates/The Chronicle

Rent-a-Spot signs reserve parking spots for students who chose to participate in the program.

By Courtney Walsh STAFF WRITER

On March 14, a Public Safety officer reported that all the Rent-aSpot signs in the parking lot on the south side of Gittleson Hall had been ripped off their posts. The Rent-a-Spot program was launched in November by the Zarb School of Business Department of Management, Entrepreneurship and General Businesses, and Capital One Banking. Three groups of students were given the chance to build their own businesses based on a startup fund from Capital One. Because of the tone of general dissatisfaction of Hofstra University’s student body in regards to parking, one group’s goal was to offer students an alternative to arriving hours early for class in hopes of finding a parking spot. Twenty parking spots on the academic side of campus were selected to be auctioned off to Hofstra students, with bidding starting at $50. All profits were donated to the KIVA organization, which provides loans for entrepreneurs across the globe. “The project was approved for many reasons. It supports Hofstra’s students’ quest for knowledge. In this case, the challenges are in securing venture capital and starting a business, even if it was for two months,” said Patrick Socci, Dean of the Zarb

School of Business. What the Rent-a-Spot team didn’t foresee was the drastically mixed reactions from the student body and faculty. Many believe that Rent-a-Spot isn’t solving problems, but creating further difficulties for Hofstra commuters. “Honestly, I think that reserved spots are an inconvenience to commuters who already dole out more money than they should to go here,” said junior Eric Murphy, a commuter. Other students felt cheated out of spots they had been using for years. “At first I was outraged at the fact that they would take our spots. . .Still, I don’t agree with them using those spots since they were already designated for us,” said Hofstra commuter Aamir Vikas Moharir. One of the spot holders, senior Erica Serrazina, expressed her reasons for participating in the program. “I got a spot for two reasons: One, to support my friend who was a member of the team starting Rent-a-Spot, and two, obviously for convenience—I’m basically on the academic side every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., sometimes later. So it worked out nicely just to have a spot I can go to,” said Serrazina. In regards to the fairness of the program, Serrazina had no

complaints. “Rent-A-Spot is like any other service—to get the better things, sometimes you have to pay.” said Serrazina. Hofstra junior Jeridith Wallace agreed: “I actually think it’s a good idea. Hofstra is the first school that I’ve seen that does not charge students to park their cars. A friend of mine went to [North Illinois University] and there it’s like $400 a year.” Still, many Hofstra students disagree with the Rent-a-Spot program and purpose. “I don’t think they’re solving anything here. It would be much more beneficial to The University and its constituents to build a parking garage. Add spots, don’t just take them away!” said Moharir. Public Safety and group members refused to comment about the vandalism.

For many in the crowd at Wednesday’s MTA public hearing, cutting Nassau County’s access to Long Island Bus services threatens their weekday commute with the headache of limited mass transit. As for Kevin Christman, a Wantagh resident representing scores of Long Island’s physically handicapped, dissolving the Able-Ride service means living as a shut-in until officials make the switch to a privatized system. “You can’t cut these services, because if you do, people like myself and the people that I work with and for won’t be able to work. And we won’t be able to see our doctors, becoming a drain on the county,” said Christman. “I would rather want to continue to be a productive citizen.” Christman, unable to rise from his seat and walk to the podium like most members of the crowd, was almost overlooked by the MTA panel when his name was called from the list of citizens for public comment. The crowd around him stirred until an usher handed him a wireless microphone. Anxiety swelled around the future of public transportation for the physically disabled, particularly when individuals have already been met with inconsistent and inconvenient service in suiting their unique needs. Speaking on behalf of her constituents and her own family, Patricia Ann McDonald, the Mayor

of Malverne, admonished the MTA over the quality of life for disabled persons. In 1986, McDonald’s husband Steven, an NYPD detective, was shot in the line of duty, leaving him quadriplegic and in need of a respirator. “Everything they [the disabled speakers] see is so true,” said McDonald, drawing upon the daily struggles of her husband. Though the McDonalds have a van arranged for doctors appointments and their son’s baseball and basketball games, this resource is not consistent enough for the fallen officer to regain a normal life. “I see how it affects him—not only emotionally, but physically,” said Mayor McDonald. “And I urge you, as human beings, we are blessed to be able-bodied, but for those who aren’t, they need this.” Judy Bowser, who also spoke during the public comments portion, emphasized the cardependent culture of Long Island, something that blindsides those physically unable to operate a car. “These people who rely on Long Island bus will be robbed of the ability to maintain and further their quality of life,” said Bowser. “What will they d—will they leave Long Island? Walking is not an option, and cabs are prohibitively expensive.” Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano did not attend the event. A poster-sized facsimile of Mangano, however, was met with jeers from the audience when a speaker brought it before the podium.

Sean M. Gates/The Chronicle

Rent-a-Spot signs reserve parking spots for students who chose to participate in the program.


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