This petition was originally circulated in 2015. The parking situation at UHLC has not gotten better. SBA is recirculating this petition in an effort to show this is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed. Original petition text below.

Sincerely,

Reed Fryar, UHLC JD 2019 | President, Student Bar Association

For those signing, please use your UH email address & share: www.uhparkingsucks.com

"Dear President Khator,

As a member of the Student Bar Association and the Law Center’s Faculty Building Committee, I am writing to urge your administration to take measures to alleviate the parking problems that many students encounter during the school year.

First, I am extremely proud that the University of Houston has been exponentially improving itself over the past few years under your leadership. I know that once I graduate from the Law Center, the prestige of the University will only improve. It is quite difficult for a university to reach Tier One status; the hard work and dedication of the administration, faculty, students and alumni paid off.

The prestige has also come with some serious growing pains. As a native Houstonian, I am delighted to see the school and the city of Houston experience such explosive growth. However, the University of Houston has been and will continue to be a dynamic commuter institution. The University should not punish but accommodate those students who are not fortunate to live on campus. The paucity of parking not only is inconvenient it is expensive. Each of us has already paid for parking, which is very rarely available, and we find ourselves parking illegally-receiving tickets or parking at meters-costing us additional money. To require that students arrive at school by 8:00 a.m. to ensure access to parking regardless of the start time of first classes each day is inhospitable, inconvenient, and punishing.

Nothing is more discouraging or aggravating than coming to school at 9 am and driving around for more than an hour frantically trying to find parking in various lots. Many times I have arrived late to my 10:30 a.m. class frustrated. I’ve also been ticketed quite a few times; my only real crime was that I wanted to attend class. Further, I have seen people nearly get into fights over parking spots. This situation affects many of my UHLC classmates, as I’m sure it does students in other schools across the University.

During those desperate moments, I passionately detest the University of Houston. The wasted hours in the parking lot completely destroys any pride I have for the school. I do not pay tuition to drive to school to drive around the parking lot; I come to learn in a conducive environment.

I do not wish to graduate the University with a sour taste in my mouth because of parking. Tier One not only encompasses academic ability but alumni buy-in. When future alumni, like myself, feel this disgusted on a daily basis, buy-in isn’t likely.

I know that an easy or quick solution probably is not possible, but I also know that plenty of realistic non-monetary solutions are possible, like staggering more classes throughout the day and adding more Friday classes. I also acknowledge that change will probably occur after I’m gone. I just hope that your administration makes this significant problem a priority because it leaves a bitter taste for many of us.

Thank you very much for your consideration.



Go Coogs,

John Hwang, UHLC JD 2016

For those signing, please use your UH email address & share: www.uhparkingsucks.com

If commenting, include class year and school!"