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Liverpinion
The
Park it!
Dear Precinct,
I was interested to read in November’s issue of Precinct
the latest whining from people who think they have a
divine right to park their cars wherever they like - double
yellow lines, on pavements, restricted parking zones.
We now have our own equivalent of the National Rifle
Association (NRA). The NRA considers that every
citizen has the right to bear arms regardless of the
consequences - here it seems that every car owner has
the right to park regardless of the circumstances. At a
time when the planet faces the incalculable threat of
global warming it seems that the only thing on the mind
of your average motorist is “where’s my parking space.”
Dr Steve Crowley
Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences
On the buses
Dear Precinct,
After reading the opinions in the November copy of
Precinct, I was appalled to see a member of staff produce
the statement - “I object to fighting for a space with a
student who lives two streets away on a perfectly good bus
route.” As a member of staff that has recently also ceased
to be a student, I find this to be not only a ridiculous
statement but also a very insulting comment.
While I appreciate that it may be frustrating for
members of staff that have difficulty finding a parking
space, it’s a simple fact that unlike staff permits, student
permits are not granted in anything other than essential
circumstances. I’m sure the statement is somewhat
hyperbolic, but it certainly isn’t the case that a student that
‘lives two streets away’ (or any other ridiculous situation) is
likely to be granted a parking permit.
In any event, the member of staff concerned would
do very well to remember that without the students, the
University simply would cease to exist! I firmly believe
that a culture of ‘blaming the students’ is (and should be)
entirely unwelcome in a HEI of this standing.
Richard Kerrigan
Library
2008
Putting up the barriers
Dear Precinct,
I’d like to echo the sentiments expressed in the
November issue of Precinct regarding the farcical parking
arrangements currently in existence on campus. Having
arrived late due to attending a dental appointment I drove
round campus for over an hour looking for a space but to
no avail. In the end I took a day’s holiday.
The most frustrating aspect is that while Facilities
Management seem to have no qualms in clamping staff
inappropriately parked, the same vigour does not seem
to be applied to those people parked without a valid
badge who are obviously at the root of the problem. The
more cynical among us might think that staff are having
to suffer this inconvenience to make the inequitable
implementation of car parking charges more palatable!
Bring on the barrier control system - provided the
barrier is to stop illegal parking rather than those who
cannot afford to pay the charges!
Kevin Keeling
Finance Office
Latin lights
Dear Precinct,
Those who pass by the Foundation Building at night may
have noticed that a number of lights appear still to be
burning on various floors. Perhaps this is because staff
are burning the midnight oil rather than that the University
is seeking to fulfil the command ‘Fiat Lux’ that features on
the University’s headed notepaper?
(name supplied)
Response from Patrick Hackett, Director of Facilities Management:
“We would urge all staff to conserve energy by turning off
their lights if they know they are last to leave their offices.
“In many of the University’s buildings, the night cleaning
teams turn off lights as they complete their work. In other
premises, lights need to be left on for security reasons.
However, we should all take responsibility and save energy
wherever possible.”
Your views. Your opinions.
Have your say at:
The Liverpinion, Precinct, Foundation Building, Liverpool L69 7ZX
t: 0151 794 2251 e: precinct@liv.ac.uk
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