A little birdy told me that Oakland University is attempting to make an improvement to parking. After writing my article, I figured giving Oakland some positive vibes is the least I could do. According to Oakland University Campus Communication, the Bear Bus, Oakland University's Police Department, and Student Congress have joined forces to help students get to class in the frozen tundra that we call Michigan. Now, even though this is just a small improvement, Oakland listening to student complaints and making a change is a huge deal.
The plan for this bus route is simple and will begin January 17. The "Bear Bus Express Route" will take students from parking lot P-35 and P-37. The route will take students to either the Math and Science Center or the Engineering Building. If you are confused as to where these parking lots are, they are on the south side of campus, just past the Engineering Building parking garage. The construction of the new dorm complex is just across the street. What does this mean for students? Well for starters, students will not have to climb the large hill up to the Engineering Building... score one for OU students. Second, students will be able to get to class faster and avoid driving around for a parking spot, a.k.a putting a death to parking lot stalking. Students and Faculty can simply sit in their cars, wait for the bus to arrive, and avoid walking around in the cold. Another plus, another on campus job opportunity for students is available due to this improvement. If you live on campus and do not have a car, this is the perfect opportunity to explore a new job opportunity on campus.
After finding out about this change, I am proud to see that our University is attempting to make even the slightest improvements for our campus. While the bus only runs from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, I am sure that the bus will add more times if the bus is utilized by students frequently. What do you all think about this improvement? Is this a step in the right direction or can the University do more? Comment below with your thoughts!