Students Give Feedback to U of A Transit and Parking

David Wilson

The U of A Transit and Parking Office is at 155 South Razorback Road.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Several University of Arkansas students recently shared their thoughts and ideas in focus groups with UA Transit and Parking as a part of an effort by the department called February Feedback.

Gary Smith, director of Transit and Parking, said the focus groups were set up to help the department determine what students need.

"We were glad to let students tell us how things look from their perspective," he said. "When we make plans or make adjustments, we need to hear from them. We want to know what they think we should do differently."

Students talked about a variety of issues, including parking on campus, using Razorback Transit buses, safety issues, and how transit and parking matters are communicated.

David Wilson, communications director for Transit and Parking, said the students were fair-minded and provided constructive criticism.

"They were very honest with us," he said. "They told us what they liked and what worked well. But they also told us where they felt improvements could be made."

Several students said they liked the convenience of Razorback Transit buses and rated the service highly.

"Your bus system is amazing," one student said. "The drivers are very kind."

Students also said that parking and transportation can be very confusing for freshmen, new students or visitors, and they suggested that more could be done to help them know the options available.

But they said confusion isn't a problem once students get used to being on campus.

One said, "I don't understand why people wouldn't understand where to park."

Another student said, "Knowing where everything is makes it better."

Students asked for improvements in communication and suggested using more avenues to communicate, including using social media more, being accessible in the Arkansas Union and at campus events, and perhaps even advertising on informational television on campus.

In addition, they said the Transit and Parking web page could be improved by making it easier to navigate, easier to find things, and easier to read with clear guidelines.

Several students said they preferred having a large printed map of the campus to look at, rather than only having a map online.

They also said some of the signs need to be replaced with some that would be easier to read.

On matters of safety, students said there should be more lighting, more cameras and more emergency poles in parking areas and around campus in general.

Smith said the Transit and Parking Department will be further analyzing the student feedback in the days ahead.

"We will have more discussions within the department about what the students have told us," he said. "We would like to use their suggestions to make good changes where possible. We are glad to listen any time, and to consider any ideas they have."