FEATURE
JANUARY 23, 2017
Campus departments make effort to improve security and parking facilities
Lighting, surveillence cameras and parking to continue being incorporated into growing campus Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
and improved technology is als a part of the integrated security. “This is, however, an extraordinarily safe campus,” Kaplan said. “Therefor any few incidents that occur are a big deal.” It is a long process to get the planning, company bids and committee meetings in order to have efficient resource allocation, according to Kaplan.
Boise State plans to expand student satellite parking in addition to security changes on campus. Photo by Taylor Humby.
Considering the ever-shrinking free space available in Boise, parking has long been a point of discussion among students at Boise State. Parking garages lots and of varied shapes and proximity are scattered throughout Boise State’s landscape as the University attempts to keep up with its growing student population. Throughout the last few years, conversations surrounding Boise State’s parking situation have taken on a new layer—the safety of students as they walk to and from their cars. Responding to these concerns, Boise State parking and security services have begun implementing changes to the security and parking systems on campus. Increased security: Steps to improve the security of parking spaces at Boise State were spurred on by two incidents regarding vandalism and an
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assault in the Lincoln parking garage last year. John Kaplan, executive director of Campus Security and Police Services, said they hope to have the first group of cameras installed by this coming summer. Increasing the amount of lighting and surveillance around campus and the parking structures has also been an ongoing process, according Kaplan. “We have been awarded Department of Public Works funding, called permanent building funds, to upgrade our surveillance system,” Kaplan said. “It’s what we call an integrated security system because we wanted to integrate with the door access, cameras, panic alarms and fire alarms.” In the long term, there will be cameras in and around the parking structures. Director of Transportation, Parking and Safety Systems, Samuel Patterson, explained that LED technology has also assisted to improve roadside lighting. LED
Parking: Access to parking is an important aspect of the student experience, according to senior graphic design major, Camille Poynter. Poynter has opted to park in Ann Morrison park as opposed to on campus due to rising parking pass rates. “I didn’t even try to get a parking pass, they’re ridiculously expensive and all my classes are in the fine arts building,” Poynter said. “There is always the risk of not getting to class on time, but I recommend it as an option.” Junior kinesiology major Olivia Filicetti has had a difference experience. “I park in the Lincoln Garage because it is convenient to many of my classes in the kinesiology building and to the Rec,” Filicetti said. “I can usually find a spot.” At the start of the academic school year, three locations off campus were added as free “satellite” parking options for students to accommodate for these varying student needs. The lots located on Elder Street, Boas Soccer and Tennis Complex and Donna Larsen Park have been viable options for students looking for free parking. “We have 250 students with parking passes to these lots, including a few residents who park overnight at the Elder Location,” Patterson said. The student feedback, according to Patterson, has been positive. “Having a free option has been great across the board. It gives students an option,” Patterson said. With an increasing student admissions rate, both Patterson and Kaplan agreed
there is still a lot of progress to be made. “We will most likely continue with the student satellite option into next year. We are working with a three to seven year plan for another option and within the master (plan) there is the plan for another garage on the east side of campus,” Patterson said. According to Kaplan, the needs and demands of the students continue to be a priority as the campus population continues to grow.
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We have been awarded Department of Public Works funding, called permanent building funds, to upgrade our surveillance system.
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- John Kaplan, executive director of Campus Security and Police Services “We have to remain flexible depending on the feedback, student needs and growth. Considering the amount of space we lost due to the new liberal arts building and the football games and events of the fall, I’ve been pretty happy with where we are,” Kaplan said. As another solution to growing residential rates, the ramp on the third floor leading up to the fourth floor has been made accessible for residential parking in the Lincoln garage. Patterson explained if this is not enough for a student in a given situation, they are always welcome to call the transit center to notify of the absence of parking. The east side of the Lincoln Townhomes are also available for residents. Kaplan explained that as long as demand for parking location continue to increase, adjustment will be made in order to fulfill those demands.