Spring Break
Ticket to Ride
While some students don't mind walking to get around, most can't stand to part with their vehicles
Jay Grabiec/ Staff Reporter
Issue date: 12/2/05 Section: News
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Although students can walk anywhere on campus, there are many students who don't think they can live without their cars.
Drew Jacobs, a sophomore psychology major, has received more than 20 parking tickets and had his car booted twice and towed once during the last three semesters. Inadequate parking for underclassmen is a major concern for Jacobs.
"I have to walk a half-mile to park my car behind the stadium, and when I actually did that, it got towed on Friday for driving school or something. They didn't tell me I couldn't park there," Jacobs said.
Having a car is an expensive luxury; parking tickets can range from $20 to $40. Jacobs paid $120 for having his car booted and towed, but he still has a car here. He pays for gas, tickets, parking permits and maintenance with money he earned over the summer.
"It's nice to have a car because you don't have to rely on people," he said. "There isn't a lot to actually do in this town, so if I feel like I need to go somewhere then I go there. I have a lot of friends at U of I and SIU."
Tyler Enloe, a sophomore pre-engineering major, is the proud owner of a 1993 Buick Century. Last year, Enloe did not have his car, but it did not seem to pose a problem for him. Now, he lives off-campus and likes having his car to get around.
"Having a car saves a good amount of time getting back and forth," Enloe said.
He also thinks there is not enough parking for underclassmen.
"Parking for underclassmen is so far away for students that have to go to the Physical Sciences Building or Old Main," Enloe said. "It's nice to have for the ladies, 'cause you can just pick them up, take them here and take them there. It helps out in that way."
Although Enloe spends $15 to $20 a week on gas alone, he thinks it is worth it to get the extra perks of having his own car here.
Although students like Jacobs and Enloe would rather have their own car, it is more feasible for some to go without one. Martin Shaughnessy, a senior biological sciences major, has gone without a car for 14 semesters and has had no problems getting around.
"It's easy to get around; everything is pretty much within walking distance. If you need to go to Wal-Mart or something, you can find a ride with someone," Shaughnessy said. "Even if I had a car I'd still walk to class anyway."
Other car-less students are not as content. Kyle Basnett, a sophomore undeclared major, thinks it would be nice to have a car at school, especially now that cold weather is setting in.
"It's pretty easy to get around on campus, but if you want to go anywhere off-campus, then it's not good because I have to walk a long way," Basnett said.
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