Parking bind continues: too many cars, too few spaces Students given alternatives in UNL’s parking fiasco By DeDra Janssen Staff Reporter While parking problems continue at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, one adminis trator said they could be alleviated if students explored other options. Mike Cacak, parking administrator, said his goal is to inform students of their parking alternatives. “We can’t create more spaces just like that, but we can communicate better to the staff and students what their parking options are,” Cacak said. According to Ray Coffey, UNL’s business manager,during the 1991 -92 school year, about 5,100 commuter parking spaces were sold whiIc only 3,435 spaces were available. A recent study conducted by Walker Parking Consultants of Minneapolis said there was a shortage of 2,000 parking spaces. One Walker official said the Temple lot would be an ideal site for a future parking garage. The Walker study also reported that only 50 percent of students use commutcr/rcmotc lots. “The best deal for incoming freshmen is remote parking,” Cacak said. Remote parking, which is as close as two to three blocks from the center of campus, costs $17 for annual permits and guarantees that there arc always spaces available, Cacak said. He said that remote lots arc or will be lit very well and have bus shelters and emergency phones. Remote lots, which arc only available on city campus, provide a free bus ride to campus in heated and air conditioned shuttle buses. Buses I run continuously between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. with the interval between buses averageing 12 minutes, but there is no set schedule because trains sometimes delay the buses, Cacak said. “It sometimes lakes less time than trying to find a closer spot,” he said. “You can get right out of you r car and get on a bus that w i 11 take you closer to campus than any student will.” Remote permits arc alternatives to com muter or resident parking permits. “These (commutcr/rcsidcnl permits) arc sometimes cal led hunting permits, because you have to look for and find a parking spot, Cacak said.” Both the commuter lots, for students living off campus, and resident perm its for students on campus cost $54 a year. Reserved parking spaces are also available for commuters and residents. These permits guarantee students a parking space and cost $ 155 for annual permits, but is only available on city campus. Students who have not yet purchased per mits, may do so over the counter at the Univer sity Parking Services Office, 1335 N. 17 St., from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 20 through August 14. Permit sales also will bcconducted at the Bob Devaney Sports Center between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on August 20 and 21 and from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m August 24 and 25. This year’s permit costs have been increased by a $2 to S5 supplemental fee to fund a variety of parking safety improvements, including light ing and emergency telephones. New students can receive information about parking and pick up parking applications in the Nebraska Union Ballroom during all New Stu dent Enrollment sessions. 0 We’ve Made It Easy To Get An Education Loan. National Bank of Commerce takes the effort out of education loans with quick turnaround and quality service. To learn more about financing an education through the Guaranteed Student Loan program stop by our Student Loan Center at 1221 P Street or give us a call. 434-4247 NBC National Bank of Commerce 13th&“O"Streets / Lincoln.NE68508 /(402)434 4321 / MEMBER FDIC A it First Commerce bank. _____