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Ottawa Citizen

Carleton University's parking pass limitations anger students, unions

Article content 'By denying parking permits on the sole basis of U-Pass status, Carleton University is effectively forcing our students to choose between reliable transportation and essential accessibility,' the statement reads. Article content 'We call on Carleton University Parking Services to immediately reverse the changes brought forward with regard to restricting permits to those with a U-Pass waiver, and make student parking permits accessible to all students, regardless of their status.' Article content CUSA also released a petition opposing the parking pass restrictions this past week. The petition garnered more than 1,000 signatures as of July 24, according to Joe-Ezigbo, who added this was 'only the beginning.' Article content 'We'll be looking at collective action and demonstrations if they refuse … to come to the table on this issue,' he said. 'Right now, I think the main thing is that we need to be able to bring the university to the table and have a real conversation as to what needs to happen from here to move forward.' Article content Article content Joe-Ezigbo said he had not yet been in direct communication with university representatives about the parking limitations, and Carleton University did not respond to questions about whether it had engaged in conversations with student groups about the situation. Article content 'I think that this decision was one that wasn't very well thought through by the university,' Joe-Ezigbo said. 'I'm very hopeful that we can bring about a positive resolution to this.' Article content Article content The parking limitations disrupt commuting plans for students such as second-year Morgan Pickard, who normally drives to campus from her home in Stittsville. Article content 'There's just so many cons to the busing system that I worry (busing) might affect my classes or if I have an exam,' she said. 'I couldn't imagine taking the bus early in the morning.' Article content It takes Pickard 30 to 40 minutes to drive to campus, but it can take up to two hours with OC Transpo, she added. Her commuting plans for next year involve splitting her week to take the bus some days, carpool on others, or pay the daily $12 parking fee. Article content Article content 'It will definitely affect me financially,' she said. Article content For some students, like fourth-year Stephon Farrow, who benefits from the New Ways to Bus system — Route 48 now takes him directly from his home to Carleton — the parking limitations won't impact their commute. Article content 'Being able to park on campus is a privilege and not a right,' he said. 'It's a limited resource that does need rationing.' Article content But the majority of students, Joe-Ezigbo said, are 'just frustrated' about the change. Article content 'I'm not somebody that typically gets annoyed by a lot of things, but this is something that I'm really passionate about,' Joe-Ezigbo said. 'It's something that has the capacity to affect a lot of students' lives, and it just isn't fair.'