2008 Woodie Awards
Parking lots not the problem
Susan DiBiase
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Opinion
A recent Chanticleer editorial stated that the majority of JSU students are against expanding the stadium and in favor of expanding the parking lots.
They're wrong about the parking lots.
Take a look at the lots above the Stone Center, behind the library and in front of the coliseum during peak class hours. If it's a clear day you will see a vast expanse of unused asphalt shimmering in the hot sun. If it's a rainy day you will see sheets of water flooding off the impervious surfaces into storm drains and out to sea, rather than replenishing our drinking water springs and local forests.
Do we really want a world with better habitat for cars, or would we like better habitat for people?
JSU could become a more walkable and bicycle-friendly community. We could meet our friends under the shade trees, enjoy prettier walking paths away from the traffic and take core classes in buildings that are closer together.
Or we could keep driving from class to class to fast food restaurant, mindlessly surrendering to poor health, lethargy and a degraded world. It just depends on what kind of life students decide is worth creating.
They're wrong about the parking lots.
Take a look at the lots above the Stone Center, behind the library and in front of the coliseum during peak class hours. If it's a clear day you will see a vast expanse of unused asphalt shimmering in the hot sun. If it's a rainy day you will see sheets of water flooding off the impervious surfaces into storm drains and out to sea, rather than replenishing our drinking water springs and local forests.
Do we really want a world with better habitat for cars, or would we like better habitat for people?
JSU could become a more walkable and bicycle-friendly community. We could meet our friends under the shade trees, enjoy prettier walking paths away from the traffic and take core classes in buildings that are closer together.
Or we could keep driving from class to class to fast food restaurant, mindlessly surrendering to poor health, lethargy and a degraded world. It just depends on what kind of life students decide is worth creating.
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