Starting in the fall, more upperclassmen should have better luck finding a parking space on campus when the new freshmen parking policy will be implemented.

For the first time in A&T history, freshmen will not be permitted to bring vehicles on campus. Yet, they will be allowed to have vehicles during the spring semester if they earn a 3.2 or higher GPA.

The new policy, which has been discussed for quite some time, was finally approved by administration earlier this year.

Akua Matherson, the assistant vice chancellor for budget and panning and one of the key people involved in making the policy, views this as a huge positive for incoming students.

“We have been thinking about it for a few years, but parking is a premium here on our campus, and we looked at ways to endear the student population to the university,” Matherson said. “We want our freshmen students to get acclimated to the campus and everything that the university has to offer.

Of course, being that freshmen make up the majority of the student population each year, it was originally assumed that the policy was solely created to soothe the already bad parking conditions here at A&T.

“We did not institute this policy because there was a freshmen parking problem. We want to make sure that when students come to campus, they become a part of campus. So, we think that by restricting cars in the first semester, it will give them an opportunity to become a part of the walking public and meet people who will be outside of their major and course of study,” Matherson said.

Freshmen students that commute to campus will be allowed to have a special parking permit that will allow them to park in certain perimeter lots such as those located on Benbow Ave., Aggie Stadium and at War Memorial Stadium. There will be accommodations made for students with disabilities and other special circumstances.

“This is our policy and we plan to follow it, but we know that we will always make some exceptions based on a particular student,” Matherson said.

A&T is not the only school to initiate a freshmen parking policy. Other constituent schools in North Carolina have some type of freshmen policy, and several other schools are moving towards implementing one.

“Everybody sees the need to get their students grounded and based in their student and university culture,” Matherson said. “Students must remember that we are not trying to keep them from getting off the campus, but we are about building a better community.”

The reactions from fellow students tend to reflect the attitudes of the administration at large.

“I did not have a car my freshmen year, but I still managed to get around and did what I had to do and had fun too! I also got my work done as well,” said David White, a junior biology major who now has a vehicle on campus.”

White said that not having cars is a good thing.

“Freshmen should be more focused on their work instead of worrying about bringing a car onto campus,” he said.

Johnathan Long, a freshman social work major, shares similar sentiments.

“You have to remember that having a car is a privilege. At the same time, the person’s level of maturity and responsibility will determine whether or not it is a negative,” he said.

A&T Police Chief Curtis Bigelow is optimistic about the changes that the policy will bring.

“We are excited about change and this has been something in the making for years. I like the spin that that the chancellor is putting on it as far as making good grades because it is all about excellence. It is really good for the pedestrians to learn the campus because we are moving towards a pedestrian-friendly campus,” Bigelow said.

There will be a number of campus police on foot patrol with the students, and shuttle routes will also adjust to the change as well. This way everyone will share in the pedestrian experience.

“With the way the construction is going, now is the perfect time to make the switch into a pedestrian environment,” he said.

Bigelow said students would be better off walking instead of driving due to tall of the renovations taking place on campus.

• Jeuron Dove