VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

Parking is the nemesis of many urban areas and academic institutions. Mention the word “parking” or any other words associated with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Parking and Transportation, and many people complain, grunt, roll their eyes or bad mouth the office.

VCU’s parking office says patrons and others at VCU have associated the parking office with disapproving ideas for too long, such as ticketing too many cars or charging outrageous parking prices, but what many fail to realize are the efforts and amount of hard work produced by this office.

Open 365 days a year, the parking office strives to serve and meet the needs of its parking customers. This includes patrolling the parking decks and lots to ensure customers’ safety and security. On days when the rest of the university is closed due to inclement weather or holidays, VCU’s parking office remains open in order to carry out the necessary operations of the university.

“Parking concerns affect the productivity and safety of visitors, students, staff, and faculty, and it is vital that administrators and committees charged with overseeing parking and transportation communicate effectively with the university community,” said Marjorie P. Gilley, ombudsman for VCU’s Office of Parking and Transportation.

What many customers may not know is that parking security personnel and enforcement and safety officers (ESO) not only enforce parking regulations, they also provide motorist assistance and numerous other services to subscribers of VCU’s parking decks and lots. Some of these include jump-starts, help with changing tires, giving directions or transportation to other on-campus locations or area gas stations.

“I’ve contacted car owners for leaving their keys in their car and have driven people to the store for supplies when they needed something,” said Hampton Jackson enforcement and safety coordinator for VCU’s Office of Parking and Transportation.

Staff members from VCU’s office of Parking and Transportation understand the importance of maintaining a safe and secure parking environment for customers, but because VCU’s academic and medical campuses are located in an urban environment, the issue of parking is more complicated.

Both campuses receive many daily visitors outside of the university community forcing drivers to deal with limited and hard to find spaces. Therefore, the parking office must work with city personnel in order to minimize the impact of traffic in the city and on both campuses.

In addition to working VCU related events, ESOs additionally work events for the Landmark Theater, high school graduations and other events for the city of Richmond.

The office constantly receives complaints ranging from angry letters and phone calls from parents and students to visits from irate customers. Even so, the staff remains dedicated to helping subscribers in solving their problems.

“Quality customer service is our primary function and goal, and if there’s something we can do to help, let us know,” said Jackson.

VCU’s Office of Parking and Transportation welcomes any feedback that will assist them in continuing to provide quality customer service to the VCU Community. In addition, their web site provides valuable information regarding the different parking facilities, various services, contact information and parking guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.bsv.vcu.edu/vcupark/.