New TAPS system helps manage limited parking

Oregon State University's Transit and Parking Services has started a new online service that allows students to obtain parking tickets.

In order to make the current system more manageable, the new service provides students and faculty the opportunity to obtain their parking permits without going into the TAPS office, thus allowing an escape from long lines and bothersome paperwork.

The inconvenience of strenuous paperwork is no longer necessary, and TAPS encourages students to contact them directly with questions or complications. These were the main reasons the system was established.

The online system essentially lets staff and students buy parking permits, pay tickets and traffic fines and ask questions on the TAPS website.  Visitors must go through the "conference" link on the TAPS website, as it has not been set up for non-OSU students at this time.

Other reasons given were the increased amount of students, and parking spaces that continue to  dwindle.  Little by little, parking lots are bowing out to the construction of new buildings or dormitories.  

When students were asked directly about the new system, they were actually pretty positive.

"It's helpful, more accessible and less isolated than the current location of TAPS at Adams Hall," said M. Tonga Hopoi, ASOSU president.

Combined with an increased student population and less parking space to work with, not to mention the chaos involved in the parking process itself, TAPS found the new online system necessary.

The parking situation isn't expected to get any better due to the goal for OSU administration for the student population to reach 35,000 by 2015.

"It's a very tough situation, so we're really hopeful for this new system," said Hank Kemper, TAPS Supervisor.

Kemper has worked for 25 years at OSU, all of which have been in the TAPS department. Kemper states that parking has always been an issue.

"We're in a tough spot," Kemper said. "We're trying to accommodate the needs of the students and the needs of Corvallis."

OSU administrators are already talking to city officials about allowing students to park in certain areas of Corvallis.

With the parking lot behind Wilson being eliminated for a new dorm, more parking tensions are expected to arise.

"It's always the north side of campus, where all the classes are," Kemper said.

According to Kemper, the eventual goal of this process is to actually make a pedestrian-core campus.  In other words, the vast majority of people would be walking or biking, while cars would be parked on the very outer edges of campus.

"I think there can be a lot to gain in terms of providing better parking services for students. For the lack of spaces on campus, that's a barrier that as a community we'll need to figure out because it's clear as day there needs to be more parking, and better and more means of transportation on campus like the Beaver Bus, Corvallis Transit System, OSU Shuttle, etc.," Hopoi said.

Though students who don't drive are not affected by this, parents or friends who come visit are.  Decreased parking means decreased convenience and more walking time.  This is apparent during moving in and moving out periods.

 Select students from ASOSU represent the student interest section of the TAPS committee. There have also been several surveys sent out to gather data on this matter.

"I think it's a horrible idea [to eliminate more parking], and they're not really considering the current amount of students we have, just focused on cramming as many students in as much as possible," said Joseph Chronise, third-year business major.

Despite this negative reaction, Kemper assures current and future students that parking will be compensated.

"When administrators plan these things, parking is on the low end of the totem pole. The resources and services the new buildings provide normally make up for it, but students need to actually be able to get to campus," Kemper said.

For information about the new system or parking plans, visit the TAPS office located in Adams Hall.   

Amanda Antell, staff reporter

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