‭In recent years SAU has had a strong increase in enrollment. Many students are having ‬difficulty finding parking when commuting to the Business, Science, and Agriculture buildings for class. Even though the campus continues to expand there is not enough vehicle space to fit 
everyone. There is also lack of parking around all of our athletic facilities. The 
parking available now is not suitable for opposing schools and spectators attending home competitions. To resolve these issues and for SAU’s benefit, the next project to campus should be
adding a parking garage. Another solution that could be of help is more of a “go green” option by starting a bicycle rental program. Both options will help make commuting easier for students, 
which is one of the many objectives for Mulerider Improvement Initiative. 
 With so many students having a lack of options for parking spaces, many adverse effects 
arise. Of those effects, those of tardiness to class and absence from events are common. One 
solution to this ongoing problem is the construction of a parking garage. The garage can be an 
asset as it will not only give an alternative for parking spaces, but counter the effects of traffic 
build-up as well. Another benefit for constructing it would be a better quality of time 
management for students. The ideal place for its construction is close to the lecture halls, which 
provides an equal amount of time to get to the designated classroom in a timely manner. In 
regards to traffic, the parking garage will also prevent a morning rush buildup as it will be an 
undoubting destination to find space.
‭ ‬A more cost effective solution to the sparse parking at Southern Arkansas University 
would be through the implementation of bike rentals spread throughout campus and in front of 
each of the dorms. A bike rental program would allow students to approach a kiosk, swipe their 
student ID, and unlock a bike for a predetermined time, then simply return the bike to a kiosk located near their destination. Students would be allowed use of the bike hourly, daily, or for a semester if they decide. The university could either elect to charge per day, or allow a student to pay a maintenance fee in order to have a bike pass for the remainder of the semester.