Friday, August 26, 2011

IVC's Parkinggate: we look forward to the cover-up

From a reader:

When I arrived at 10:08 am Monday and began looking for a parking space prior to my 11:00 am class, I noted that there were students using the faculty lot — and that none of them were being ticketed. I eventually drove over to what turned out to be the Goodwill Lot (a section of our public campus that has been given wholly over to some private group for some reason), which was the only obvious place to park; parked; and walked back over to the faculty lot where I still saw no sign of previous or ongoing police enforcement.

When I later returned to my vehicle that afternoon and found it ticketed, I again checked the faculty lot to see if any cars lacking permits had been ticketed: I saw that none had.

When I mentioned to our Parking Enforcement Diva, or whatever his name actually is (I only know what people call him) over in his parking enforcement cubicle, that this uneven ticketing pattern seemed to constitute what my attorney calls "selective enforcement," he haughtily (haughtily, it were) informed me that the police officers were not selectively enforcing the rules, but were simply doing other duties -- opening doors for instructors, directing traffic, helping students find classes, etc., etc.. Hmmmmm. Helping students find classes. I guess he forgot to mention rescuing small children from wells, interdicting narcotics flow, aiding Libyan revolutionaries and solving the DB Cooper mystery.

I also pointed out that the lack of enforcement in the faculty lot was what led to I (or is it "me"?) and other instructors parking in the wretched Goodwill Lot with its highly not-so-highly-visible "no parking" signs -- the only place on campus, apparently, where the rules were actually being enforced.

SO — get this: apparently Parking Enforcement Diva (again, I don't think that really is his name, just a rude derogation people use to describe him because they don't actually know his name or care to find out) did NOT have the actual police log book in front of him when he described officer activities that morning.

(HINT: DB descended
into a lake and drowned)
On Wednesday, two students informed me in my class that they had observed two officers sitting in their cars near the faculty lot, just before the (highly significant) hour of 11:00 am on Monday.

"Are you handing out tickets today?" one of them asked the officers.

"Well," the officer responded with a loud chortle, "We're supposed to!" They then went back to talking.

Both students parked in the faculty lot Monday with no consequence.

*

Readers tell us that Tuesday and Thursday morning are the worst. On Thursday morning an official of some type was seen waving people into the dirt lot adjacent to the Goodwill shortly after 10:00. One driver, nervous after receiving a ticket earlier in the week, asked the official if he was sure it was legal parking only to be yelled at: Why do you think I am telling you to park here? Soon, that lot filled and the overflow went where it could: the Goodwill lot where all received tickets.
Team Hunky-Dory

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The so-called Goodwill lot has at most two employee vehicles and one-two cars dropping off donations at any one time.

It seems petty to penalize students and staff to trying to do their job during the first week of classes when the adminisrtration hasn't seen to it that there are enough spaces to park. I shouldn't have to arrive at work two hours before it begins in order to park. Nor should I have my concerns dismissed in a rude way. I am just trying to do my job. What does the college president think about this? Oh wait, he never tells us.

Anonymous said...

Just wait until the dirt lots turn into the pumpkin patch in a few weeks - then where will we park?

Anonymous said...

The college president has a lot to do - but I agree, this minor but quality of working condition issue could benfit from his attention.

Anonymous said...

The police have a difficult job too but this policy needs to be revisited and soon. We're not working together on this - we are working against each other and no one benefits. I admit to being puzzled about the lax attention to the staff lots - and I do not think there are enough dedicated staff spots. People should not be punished for doing their jobs. Can you imagine what would have happened had teachers missed their classes or were 30 minutes late?

Anonymous said...

The administration and college prez are out of touch on this issue because they have more traditional work hours unlike students and teaching staff who arrive at different times throughout the day.

They have never understood the needs of those who teach in the evenings - and those who come to class in the evenings when support staff and resources evaporate.

It would be refreashing to hear them comment directly on these issues soemtimes. Perhaps they do in their meetinsg with each other - but this doesn't ever trickle down to us. Again, out of touch.

Anonymous said...

Easy to be the hero here if anyone was paying attention. I love how the blog shows how much people need a place to express themselves - we don't have any other venue.

Anonymous said...

Parking permits only allow you to park, they don't reserve you a place. Try working at UCI where a permit will cost you $800 a year and no place to park. Parking is the least of our problems.

Anonymous said...

Parking at IVC is a small problem - but one that could be easily addressed.

By the way, all the years I taught at UCI - yes, I had to pay (I didn't splurge for the primo parking pass - they do have options) - but I could always find a place to park.

This week at IVC I could not.

Yes we have bigger problems but why do we have this problem at all?

Anonymous said...

Do you remember the year when the temp classrooms weren't ready for the first day?

Roy Bauer said...

That was five years ago. Check it out HERE.

Anonymous said...

They'll never excuse or "forgive" those tickets either. They only do that for the administrative types.

Someone should do a records requests to see the pattern on that one!

The rest of you: write out your checks for $38.00.

Anonymous said...

I disagree the the college police have a difficult job to do.

Anonymous said...

I am assuming that you can read since you are attending a junior college or teaching here. So, when you drive on the campus you will see signs regarding parking at every entrance not to mention all the other signs in the parking lots. Read the sign. R E A D! I know you can. The sign will tell you everything you need to know about LEGAL parking on this campus. Hello......you know that you are parking illegally when YOU choose to do so! What did you expect in lieu of a parking ticket...some type of prize from the "Parking Diva". Grow up, park legally, get to class and work on your reading comprehension. "A MAN who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake."

Anonymous said...

4:17,

Perhaps you need to read rather than simply react. The testimonies suggest responsible behavior meeting and impossible if not irresponsible situations.

The admin has the responsibility to make sure the college functions - clearly the parking lot situation puts people - students, staff and faculty - in situations that even the most responsible find impossible. This was hte case last week.

If they were irresponsible they wouldn't have bought parking passes to begin with. But they did, with the assurance that parking existed. It did not.

Don't worry, you'll get your money. They're responsible that way too. But it's a mighty thin thank you for the first week of work.

Anonymous said...

4:17, you should read more carefully before offering such unpleasant remarks. Were you to do that you'd realize that many arrived at IVC with permits but could not find a parking place, despite arriving early. Early on, this circumstance forced some (including faculty) to park in areas not designated for parking. Many of these people received tickets. Obviously, leadership at IVC was not prepared for the influx of students, and when that occurred, they did not respond or responded very slowly, inadequately. THAT'S the point. Do keep in mind that many students are desperate to attend "first" classes because they are attempting to petition to add them.
One more thing. The term "junior college" was abandoned many years ago because these institutions are not well-described by that term. Many of our students do not seek to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...