News

Mail & Package Services has holiday stamps! Current inventory includes: Holiday Baubles, Holy Family and Santa and Sleigh. Kwanzaa stamps are expected to arrive by Wednesday and Hanukkah stamps by Friday. These are Forever stamps, so any you don't use this holiday season will still be good next year (even though postage stamp rates will rise on January 27).

With Cyber Monday and the height of online-shopping season upon us, please remember that personal packages/purchase shipments should not be addressed for delivery to your department.

Office mail delivery is only for University-related business. However, if you'd like the convenience of a campus address for personal mail and packages, consider leasing a campus mailbox. In fact, there's no better time to do so because Mail & Package Services is offering a half-price coupon! A personal on-campus delivery address is only $12.50 for a six-month lease or $23.00 for a year-long lease. Boxes are available in both Prospector Building and the Student Union. Coupon offer expires Friday, December 21.

And don't forget that Mail & Package Services and Union Station can ship your gifts. Mail & Package Services is a full-service USPS contract station; Union Station offers shipping via USPS and FedEx. Both locations have boxes and packing materials are available for sale and expert advice on preparing your shipment is always free. (The lines are probably a lot shorter than at your local Post Office, too!)

"THERE'S NO PLACE TO PARK!" is a common complaint expressed, repeated, Tweeted and re-Tweeted. It is absolutely true that during peak class times, spaces closest to the academic core fill up early and sometimes completely, especially those on the East side of campus; that's where more classrooms — and therefore more people — are.

PaTS and the University do not want available parking to hit an unacceptable percentage. That would force permit sale limits, or class status restrictions like prohibiting freshmen from parking. So every semester, space counts are conducted. Space counts are an important indicator of parking sufficiency and where/when parking is in highest demand. The data is also crucial for future planning.

Counts are done every semester over the course of two weeks. Nancy Smith, Field Operations and Event Parking Manager, says that the data gathering process involves dividing campus into thirds and sending out teams to systematically and physically count every open space at two hour intervals; each area's count takes an hour or less to complete. "We strive to be as accurate as possible," says Smith, "making sure not to count when there are games or special events on campus that could skew the numbers."

At this point in the semester, most commuters have accepted campus parking reality: snagging a first-choice space is highly unlikely when you're rolling in 10 minutes before a morning class. But for those who like to play the odds, or who just want to see the numbers, here's the Monday - Thursday summary for Fall 2012 space count averages report*:

Space Count averages, Monday - Thursday

In summary...

This year's count actually shows UNC Charlotte parking is in pretty good shape; there are consistently over 2,000 spaces available, even during peak times. Are many of those spots in East 2, Union or West decks or other close-in, prime-convenience, locations? No! But there is adequate parking, with plenty to spare. Smith notes, "The opening of CRI Deck 1 has added over 1,000 spaces to daily the inventory."

Until that deck opened last September, parking at CRI was extremely limited. So take heart, high-rise residents; when the South Village Deck opens next year, there will be more than enough for you, too! Until then, you may righteously Tweet about how much you hate the trek from North Deck.

The visuals:

*This AuxNews post shows averages for student parking during regular peak class times, Monday through Thursday. Full report available here.

UNC Charlotte’s North Parking Deck received 2nd place honors in the Carolinas Parking Association Awards of Excellence competition in the “Parking Structure – New” category. The award was presented to UNC Charlotte at the Carolinas Parking Association annual fall conference in Charleston, SC on November 1, 2012.

North Deck is a six-story facility with 1,171 parking spaces, used by resident and commuter students and faculty and staff. The structural system is cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete with a brick veneer façade and precast concrete accents consistent with campus architectural standards. Brick elements were cast into the precast spandrels greatly reducing labor costs and enhancing durability. A monumental stairway in the front of the deck provides efficient egress and is a striking architectural feature on the front-facing elevation. Other design features include an integrated, covered bus stop, bicycle racks, energy efficient induction lighting, convenient one-way drive aisles and angled parking, and white painted ceilings to enhance the user experience with daylight-level brightness, even at night. Conduit is already in place for future placement of gates and pay station equipment.

North Deck’s most recent recognition follows an Award of Merit for design and functionality that was presented last summer at the International Parking Institute’s Awards of Excellence program. The deck was designed by ADW Architects, P.A. The UNC Charlotte Project Manager was Brian Kugler with Jen Evans as Construction Manager. Rodgers Builders served as General Contractor.

Lots 8A and Moore/Sanford U to close October 4 - 9

The first phase of the new road is ready to be paved for use during the rest of the academic year. During Fall Break, the contractor will close Lot 8A and the Moore/Sanford U in order to complete the connections from those areas to the new road. If you park in these lots, please use Lot 8 from 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 4 until 12:00 pm Tuesday, October 9. Additional traffic pattern changes will also occur; please follow the direction of the onsite personnel.

Scott/Holshouser Bus Stop

The bus stop for Scott and Holshouser will be shifting towards the service road that goes behind Scott Hall. This change is to allow road work to begin on Phase II of the road project.

Safety in Scott Hall Unloading Area

Construction vehicles, cars, buses, pedestrians, and delivery trucks have made this a highly trafficked area.

• Please exercise caution
• Do not block the roadways
• Remain with your vehicle at all times
• Prepared to move when requested