As first-year students we were encouraged by administrators and current students to ìpop the Wooster bubble” and resist confining ourselves solely to campus by exploring the opportunities offered by the College community and the surrounding areas.† However, with no form of transportation provided by the College, this has proved a close to impossible task.
Many students are left with the sole option of walking to the downtown Wooster area or the local grocery store, and with the winter months and colder weather approaching, this convenience is quickly diminishing ó soon DrugMart will be the only option for those without a car. Also, with the first academic semester well underway, there are very limited options and opportunities, because of the lack of transportation, for escaping the stresses of campus life.
Some students offer the suggestion of having your own car on campus to eliminate this dilemma, yet for many students this is an impractical and unrealistic solution.† Not all students have access to a car that they can keep permanently on campus, and furthermore, for those who do have a car they could bring, parking is costly.† Also, the consequences of leaving your car exposed to the elements and unused for long periods of time, can be detrimental to the vehicle.† While having your own car on campus would be convenient and helpful in ìbursting the Wooster bubble,” the reality of how often it would be used makes the cost, both to the student and to the vehicle, unjustifiable for some.
Many other colleges find realistic ways to address this transportation dilemma on their campuses that work well for both the school and the students.† The College of Wooster could follow their examples by having shuttles available to both downtown areas and the Milltown Mall Shopping Center area (with Walmart); even the occasional shuttle to Buehlerís for weekly groceries would be helpful.† As students we arenít asking for daily accommodations; weekly, or strictly weekend opportunities for transportation would be welcomed and helpful.† Any school provided transportation would be much appreciated with flexibility in regards to frequency.
Another option could be for the College to rent out cars to the students, similar to the ZipCar program that some other college campuses have available.† While this option may be expensive for the College initially, the amount of use that they would see would, in a sense, make it worth the Collegeís investment. With a program like the ZipCar program, students here at the College would truly be able to get off campus and more fully involve themselves in the surrounding communities and the experiences that they offer.
Our intention in bringing up the issue of the lack of transportation available on campus is not to overwhelm the administration, but to point out a concern among the student body.† Furthermore, we maintain a realistic vision of what transportation upgrades the College could and would be willing to make.† Any transportation opportunities would be an improvement, and again, would be much appreciated.
5 responses to “Transportation lacking”
I know it has been awhile since Emily and I have published this piece, but I wanted to make sure people knew that we can back ourselves up and that we are not just whiny freshmen.
I first want to respond to Jessica’s points, to say that we did go to the WAC just to make sure that we were not being ignorant freshmen. The shuttle system that you refer to has slowed down dramatically in the past two years, with only very infrequent trips to Walmart. Second, even though parking passes on campus may not be as expensive at Wooster as they are at other institutions around the Country, cars are still expensive. As you point out, we are in an economically hard time, which in my opinion, would make it even harder on a family to be able to have a car parked on campus. Third, I am aware that when money is tight, unnecessary things need to be cut first. However I strongly that campus provided transportation is not one of those non-essential services. Not all people on campus are able to walk downtown or to Walmart, so it is unfair to discriminate against these people in this way. Also, if college students had more access to down town, the students could help the town through this hard time. Then, by building up the town, students would also be building on the college. As a perspective student, I took a school’s surroundings into account when deciding where to enroll. If we can help boost down town and help it thrive, there may be more or a bigger variety of students who would consider Wooster on their search.
To respond to Jameson’s remarks, I do not think asking for a little transportation should be considered lazy. I myself have had two knee surgeries and I do not want to have to worry about a third while trudging back from Buhler’s carrying heavy bags on my bad shoulders. Also, being a female in a new environment, I do not always feel safe walking to these places even when with friends.
Thank you all for listening (whether you agree or not)!
Renting out cars to students would be a huge expense/liability for the College, considering how most college students drive/treat their cars. The insurance costs alone would make this totally unfeasible.
Compared to other institutions, the price for a yearly parking pass at Wooster is not that bad. A fellow alumni and friend of mine pays upwards of $750 for her parking pass at Arizona State University.
When I attended the College, WAC regularly sponsored shuttles to and from WalMart, downtown, the Cinemark theaters, etc. Are the authors still first-years and unaware of this fact? It may also be that WAC hasn’t yet planned any shuttles, or they weren’t well publicized, or they have discontinued this service. I think it’s unfair of the authors to complain about the College’s supposed hypocrisy and present student shuttles as a new idea– the College has offered this service before.
In a recession, non-essential services get cut first. The College of Wooster already provides students with meals, shelter, on-campus entertainment and WooMart for basic necessities if off-campus vendors are inaccessible. A personal taxi service is not part of your tuition, nor is it your right as a college student.
-Jessica `07
Transportation IS lacking. I don’t know what kind of weather you’re used to (Jameson) but considering how many people slipped on ice around campus last year alone, I don’t think it’s wise to suggest students spend half an hour trudging through snow and ice on unsalted sidewalks to pick up groceries from Wal-mart. Especially since the groceries then have to be carried back.
Jameson,
Walking downtown in negative degree weather in ice and snow can be dangerous, and walking to the Wal-Mart area is dangerous in regards to weather and traffic.
I feel as though the College, that has its student’s best interests in mind, would be more than happy to accommodate students to get them out into the community safely, thus stimulating the economy and relationship between Wooster town and Wooster campus.
It is not ridiculous to ask for an occasional shuttle or car rental program in order to obtain all these objectives.
-KC
You can’t walk to town in the winter? That’s ridiculous. A little snow and ice is no excuse for the vast majority of Wooster students. Even Walmart is close enough to walk to. Just stop being lazy bums.