Circling the Siena parking lots for thirty minutes before finding an open spot. Taking creative liberties with the idea of a “parking spot” and wedging your car into any open patch of pavement. Fuming over someone else’s parking job in a space that could’ve easily fit two cars. It’s a familiar story for several Siena students who commute or have cars on campus. Finding an unoccupied set of white parallel lines in the Siena parking lots has felt nearly impossible these past few weeks, especially for a school where commuters account for 24% of the total student body.
So, how exactly did Siena back itself into such a tight spot with this issue? This story actually begins three years ago, when the Siena admissions office admitted the largest student body in school history.
This senior class is made up of over one thousand students, all of whom are eligible to bring cars on campus. With the added strain of the junior and sophomore classes, as well as Saint Rose transfers, there are more drivers on campus than ever before.
Additionally, the construction of Nobel Hall adds further strain to the issue. According to Ronald Matos and Michael Hicks, the director and associate director of Public Safety, respectively, additional personnel and machinery were brought to campus in the past month in an attempt to finish Nobel Hall by Spring 2025. With the additional trucks and trailers, construction exceeded the 65 spaces they were originally allotted by Siena, and spilled over into student parking.
Students have understandably expressed their frustrations about this issue. While some suggestions, like an Anonymous Fizz user’s cry to knock down Nobel Hall and construct an eight story parking garage in its place, are less helpful than others, many students have appealed to Public Safety and Siena administration to resolve the issue. The Commuter Student Association met with Public Safety mid-September to discuss the issue. According to CSA president Hibriel Hilvano, “Public Safety Lieutenant Matt Breig…made it clear to CSA that Public Safety is aware of the parking situation and is currently trying to fix the problem at hand. …each week, Matt solicits our input on parking conditions and whether or not they have improved or worsened, as well as any ideas we may have for further improvement”. CSA, along with the other students that brought light to the issue, played an integral role in sparking administrative response. In general, the administration is aware of and more willing to address issues when students collectively draw attention to them. As Hilvano states, “the student body overall has done an excellent job of bringing awareness to the situation among Public Safety and administration, and they are aware of challenges we face”.
As exemplified in this instance, the administration is aware of and increasingly willing to address issues when students collectively draw attention to them in an organized, methodical manner.
Angry Fizz posts can only spark so much change, and the real change happens through organized meetings with the decision-makers behind the administrative policies (though this takes much more effort on the students’ part). While CSA could conveniently represent the student body regarding the parking issues, there are many organizations on campus that can easily bring other student issues to broader attention. The Student Senate alone has an Academics Committee that regularly meets with the President and faculty regarding academic programs; a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee that works closely with the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center; a Food Committee connected to AVI and the dining entities on campus; and a Campus Improvement and Sustainability committee working to improve facilities.
The students that sit on these committees are well-connected to their respective administrators and represent a great starting point if you have an issue you want addressed. Additionally, Senate meetings are open to the student body and occur every Tuesday from 4:30-6pm in SSU 241. Many times, administrative inaction stems from a lack of information or student input, rather than a twisted desire to see students continually suffer.
Despite Siena’s best efforts, parking remains a pervasive issue. According to Public Safety, parking lots are the busiest on Tuesday and Thursday between 11am-2pm, and students shouldn’t give up their parking spot just to grab lunch or leave campus briefly if they plan to return on these days. Recognizing this struggle, Public Safety is offering a parking hotline for students unable to find a parking spot.
Through the use of security cameras stationed at each lot, public safety officials can find open spots and direct students to them in real time. To reach a dispatcher, students should call the regular Public Safety phone number (518-783-2376).
Though students may have to partake in the “Parking Olympics” for the rest of the semester, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Once Nobel Hall is completed and trailers are moved, more than 30 spaces will be cleared up for student use. Additionally, the number of cars on campus will decrease with the graduation of the class of 2025.
If any students wish to specifically be more involved with the parking appeals process, there are currently open spots on the Traffic Appeals Committee. Interested students should reach out to Mr. Hicks at mhicks@siena.edu for more information. A special thank you to Hilbert Hilvano, Mr. Ronald Matos, and Mr. Michael Hicks for their comments on this article.
In a Tight Spot: Siena’s Issue with Parking
