Two parking spots behind the Art and Art History Building that were traditionally used by students to unload their often heavy art supplies have been transformed into handicapped spots this semester, triggering an uproar in the department.
Josh Kavanagh, associate director of UNM's Parking and Transportation Services, said the change was a temporary measure to provide adequate handicapped access to the University during the ongoing construction of the Cornell Parking Structure.
"This change has proven critical to keeping the College of Fine Arts and the SUB accessible to persons with disabilities during the construction," Kavanagh said.
Ultimately, Kavanagh said, the Cornell Parking Structure will "do a lot to address the short-term parking needs in this area of campus."
Sabra Basler, a transportation information/project facilitator at UNM, said although visitors to the University are the targeted customers of the structure, anyone who wants to pay the daily rates of 50 cents per half hour and $10 per day maximum will be allowed to park there.
Sam Pillsbury, a senior art studio major, said the situation is absurd given the logistics of taking an art class and not being able to get closer than a block to unload his materials.
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"I understand the need to be accessible to the handicapped, but we pay a lot of tuition and special fees to take these classes," Pillsbury said. "It is insulting that the University does not think it is important to help us out."
Pillsbury said the sentiment shared by most of the students affected by the decision is frustration, to the point that they are considering circulating a petition to have the parking spaces converted back into a loading zone.
"This may not seem like anything big to some people, but think about the students who are left lugging huge amounts of supplies around campus everyday," Pillsbury said. "We are being affected by a decision that we had no part in. Someone needs to stand up for what is right."
Joe McKinney, a University planner, said he recently received a letter from Art Department Chairman Martin Facey expressing his discontent about the situation and he agrees that the conversion of the two parking spaces has left many students in a predicament.
McKinney said he has met with Facey and Kavanagh and suggested that one of the spaces be turned back into a loading zone.
He added that the parking situation is "very problematic" and anyone looking to park in the two spots, located about 100 yards off of Redondo Drive, has to pass over a busy sidewalk and through an often-crowded walkway.
McKinney said if it were up to him the two spots would be eliminated completely.
Facey could not be reached for comment.
"I can see the point of turning the spots into a handicapped zone, but the impact of losing them is being felt by the entire University art community who use this building," said Steve Lindsley, a senior art studio major. "I think it's great that the University is catering to the handicapped community, I just wish they would do something to accommodate us as well."
Kavanagh said he is aware of the students' situation and the University is actively working to find a way to accommodate everyone's parking needs.
However, the long-term use of the Art and Art History building parking space has yet to be determined, he said.
