University Senate

 

Parking and Transportation Committee

Annual Report

April, 2006

 

 

The Parking and Transportation Committee met monthly during the months of September 2005 through April 2006 with the exception of January 2006. 

 

 

Committee Members are as follow:

 

Lynn Magee, Chair

Linda King, Co-Chair

Marilyn Berger, Biology

Kathleen Brennan, Clinical Education

Greg Cohen, Emory College Student

Adah Douglas-Cheatham, Liaison, College Staff Consortium

Deb Floyd, Law School

Mike Gladle, Environmental Health and Safety

Leslie Greer, The Emory Clinic

Daniel Hillesheim, Graduate Student, Chemistry

Amy Misner, Goizueta Business School

Alan Weinstein, Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology

Timothy Williams, Emory Hospital

 

Ex-Officio Members

 

Bill Collier, Parking and Community Services

Mike Poole, Emory Police Department

Phil Sauerbrun, Parking and Community Services

Laura Ray, Transportation and Parking

Adel Clements, Transportation and Parking

 

 

The committee goals for the 2005-2006 academic year were as follows:

 

· Continue to review and enforce parking rules and regulations for the entire Community.

 

· Continue to work with the Parking Office to review frequency of shuttle stops, bus size and rider ship.

 

· Continue to study Neighborhood shuttle routes. Within a 3 mile radius of campus there are approximately 5,000 faculty and staff that work in Clifton corridor. Study demand of neighborhoods (apartments on routes)

 

We are pleased to report that the committee met its goals and has the following to report

 

The written and oral appeals process has been modified to accommodate various employee work schedules.  This new process will ensure an expedient use of time for everyone.

 

In November 2005, Laura Ray joined the staff of Emory as our first Associate Vice President for Transportation and Parking with 21 years of transportation experience.  She was asked to review and improve our current shuttle system.  By March 2006 Ms. Ray presented an update of the proposed shuttle service.  This update presented proposed new shuttle routes to enhance transportation on the Clifton Corridor addressing our committee goals and the needs of many commuters.

 

During a visit in early February of this year Mr. Mandl informed our committee that the University will no longer subsidize parking fees for employees.  Effective in February 2007 a significant increase in parking rates will occur with the possibility of equalized parking.  During this meeting Mr. Mandl reminded us of the letter he and Provost sent to the Emory Community last April indicating the possibility that it may be necessary for Emory to reduce (or eliminate) the subsidy, in order to provide additional investments in alternative transportation and shuttle services.

 

As a committee we are pleased to know that Emory is participating with area organizations to review congestion in the corridor and the impact of traffic congestion in the Atlanta area.  We also understand the reasons for change and want to work with the new shuttle initiative but ask that the following key recommendations be considered

 

-                      continue to review efficiency of the new shuttle system

-                      widely publicize shuttle enhancements for all employees

-                      offer incentives for satellite parking

-                      consider equalizing parking rates over several years

-                      continue preferred parking at a higher rate

-                      provide supplemental increases for employees on the lower pay scale

-                      special consideration for employees enrolled in classes and that have child care needs

-                      increase van and car pool options including allowing students enrolled in the option to receive the same benefits as staff

-                      continue to offer telecommuting options for employees and provide flexibility in work schedules for those participating in one of the alternative transportation programs

 

We recognize that this is a chance of mindset for the entire community and is in line with the vision we all have for Emory.

 

Committee Membership

Linda King agreed to serve at co-chair

Daniel Hillesheim (grad) and Greg Cohen (under-grad) agreed to serve as student representatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parking and Community Service

               

New entrance/exit ramp for Fishburne and B. Jones Parking decks were completed

                Distribution of 6,000 Emory Healthcare permits went smoothly

                On-line student registration was successful

               

Alternative Transportation options continue to improve and expand under the direction of Laura Ray.

 

 

Report Submitted by:

 

 

Lynn Magee, Chair and Linda King, Co-Chair