By ADAM P. BARR

Staff Writer

Campus administrators have made leaps in parking improvement, but parking problems persist for motorcycles.

Motorcycle parking across campus is generally zone one, which includes the parking areas close to the learning facilities.

"There are only a few riders who have zone one motorcycle parking permits, and the rest are zones two and three," John Rourke, a senior medical technology major and motorcycle rider, said.

"It's aggravating to see all of the open motorcycle parking on campus," Rourke said.

Campus motorcycle parking is a problem, Rourke said.

"The [motorcycle] riders around campus have urged the campus administrators to make motorcycle parking a free zone area," Rourke said.

Campus administrators and the Student Government Association have addressed the issue, Tech Police Chief Stephen Quinnelly said.

Quinnelly said the parking and traffic committee made a ruling saying there will not be free zone parking for motorcycle riders at the university.

The campus administrators have strived to produce a parking plan that accommodates all students.

Dickie Crawford, the dean of student life, said parking and zoning change from quarter to quarter to better fit the needs of the students on campus.

Zone one parking for the residence halls in the central part of campus are female residence halls.

Crawford said, "Females are not as likely to ride motorcycles to the campus as males."

Students have spoken out in the years past for closer parking to the learning centers around campus, Quinnelly said.

"We strive to meet all reasonable motorcycle and automobile requests for parking," Quinnelly said.

The administration is making moves to ensure the traffic problems throughout campus are as minimal as possible.

"We strive for a pedestrian-friendly campus," Quinnelly said.

The university has supplied many new parking areas and spent millions of dollars doing so by purchasing property surrounding campus which continually provides more spaces for automobiles and motorcycles.

"I will hear all concerns about parking and invite those with issues to come talk," Quinnelly said.

Logistics regarding zoning change with different needs of new students every year, Crawford said.

Quinnelly said students who have a viable plan to better the parking and zoning of campus are welcome to submit a resolution.

Student numbers at Tech are growing, and parking is continually growing to better suit campus life, Crawford said.

"It is a continuous effort to supply short walking distances to class for students, and the new crosswalk bridge coming should make walks to class for motorcycle riders and car drivers within five to ten minutes."