Parking, enrollment problems still here
Carolina Gonzalez Velarde
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: News
Rio Hondo is once again experience the bothersome beginning of the semester pains of traffic, parking issues, and a plague of long lines. Although these small, daily annoyances will likely clear up within a month or so they are also a larger reminder of the pending dilemma between budget cuts and serving an ever-increasing student population.
During the 2007-2008 school year, Rio Hondo's student population topped off at 33,900. According to sources, enrollment is up ten percent from last year.
The substantial increase that is partly attributed to University of California system's six percent cut in freshman admissions, diverting many potential students into community colleges.
The amount of units being taken is also on the rise with a 14 percent increase from last semester, bringing the total average to 8.3 units per student. Admission staff members note that with the growing student populations, they have seen a widening diversity of age groups at Rio Hondo.
This increase is particularly evident during night classes; students who stay past sunset will note that the campus activity is eerily similar to mid-day classes, minus the sunlight. ASB (Associated Student Body) has already reacted to the rise by working to extend library and business lab hours during midterms and finals for night students.
Perhaps the best visual representation of the influx of new students is the sea of automobiles that overflows from the parking sections into a standstill metal river on Rio's roads.
Security, parking, and eventually, your wallet, warn to resist the frustration-fueled desire to park in restricted zones.
In the past two-weeks, tickets have been given out to students for parking in red zones, staff parking, handicap zones without appropriate sign, blocking driveways, and parking in two spaces.
The traffic problems were evident outside school grounds. The morning congestion caused a multiple car accident outside the main entrance to school. Later that day, the highway patrol stopped dozens of cars making left turns on the right turn only North Drive exist.
Security will begin checking for parking permits on February 17. To attain one, visit the information booth in front of the gym.
Students still experiencing the beginning semester aggravation can expect traffic and student congestion to ease in the coming weeks. Despite the crowded hall ways, students can also take comfort in the fact that despite it's in-the-thousands population, one will still finds themselves running into the familiar faces throughout the day.
During the 2007-2008 school year, Rio Hondo's student population topped off at 33,900. According to sources, enrollment is up ten percent from last year.
The substantial increase that is partly attributed to University of California system's six percent cut in freshman admissions, diverting many potential students into community colleges.
The amount of units being taken is also on the rise with a 14 percent increase from last semester, bringing the total average to 8.3 units per student. Admission staff members note that with the growing student populations, they have seen a widening diversity of age groups at Rio Hondo.
This increase is particularly evident during night classes; students who stay past sunset will note that the campus activity is eerily similar to mid-day classes, minus the sunlight. ASB (Associated Student Body) has already reacted to the rise by working to extend library and business lab hours during midterms and finals for night students.
Perhaps the best visual representation of the influx of new students is the sea of automobiles that overflows from the parking sections into a standstill metal river on Rio's roads.
Security, parking, and eventually, your wallet, warn to resist the frustration-fueled desire to park in restricted zones.
In the past two-weeks, tickets have been given out to students for parking in red zones, staff parking, handicap zones without appropriate sign, blocking driveways, and parking in two spaces.
The traffic problems were evident outside school grounds. The morning congestion caused a multiple car accident outside the main entrance to school. Later that day, the highway patrol stopped dozens of cars making left turns on the right turn only North Drive exist.
Security will begin checking for parking permits on February 17. To attain one, visit the information booth in front of the gym.
Students still experiencing the beginning semester aggravation can expect traffic and student congestion to ease in the coming weeks. Despite the crowded hall ways, students can also take comfort in the fact that despite it's in-the-thousands population, one will still finds themselves running into the familiar faces throughout the day.
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