Tangents & Tirades

by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017


Opinion


Let Commuters Park on Campus

This may not come as a shock, but there is a very small percentage of student commuters at Providence College—three percent to be exact. Perhaps there is a reason for this minute statistic. Commuting to any college is difficult, but this is especially true at PC. Previously, parking was already a highly debated topic. However, with the construction of the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, a significant amount of student parking was taken away. Commuters are able to park in three lots on campus: Anderson Garage, Glay Lot off of Eaton Street, and Fennel Hall Lot. Although this is a generous amount, the issue is that two of these lots are also used for resident students. Therefore, because these students live on-campus, their cars are rarely ever moved, especially during the day while students are in class. How are commuting students supposed to park when there is no turnover?

The only way around this is to dedicate a parking lot solely to commuters. The Anderson Garage is also often full with faculty and staff cars because it is a much shorter walk than parking in the Fennel Lot. Parking on the street is another option, but everyone else has already thought of this, and there are usually no spots left. There is always the option of taking an Uber to school, but doing this round-trip every day gets to be very costly. After doing the math, it actually equates to more than the full-time, year-round parking pass. Even though there is a very small amount of students who live more than a half a mile away from campus, we do exist. So, PC, please hear our message. This way I can avoid being late to class (again and again) after driving all over campus for a half hour to find a spot —and even then I sometimes don’t and have to park on an insecure side-street.

-McKenzie Tavella 18

 

 

"Quiet Zone" sign
“Quiet Zone” sign. Photo Courtesy of Suny Downstate Medical center)

Respect the Quiet Zone

For those Providence College students who venture to the Phillips Memorial Library to get their studying done, I have a message for you all: keep the “Quiet Zone” quiet.

On many nights, I have come to Club Phil to escape the noise of Slavin, the commotion of my apartment, or the disruptions of the Ryan Center for Business Studies—only to find myself just as distracted by other students talking, texting, and using their phones in the “Quiet Zones” of the library.

While these noises and distractions may be acceptable in certain parts of the library, the “Quiet Zone” is not one of them.

The labels of the “Quiet Zones” throughout the library promise students sitting in these areas the peace and silence they deserve to study and focus.

But far too often, these labels go ignored as more and more students sit wherever they want, use cell phones with complete disregard for those around, and watch videos on their laptops, without headphones, at noise levels far too high for any library setting.

Students wishing to talk and text while studying need be more cognizant and respectful of where they choose to study. Library staff similarly should be more aware of the noise levels in these areas and not hesitate to enforce them through friendly reminders (or even a “Shh” now and then).

As a place of reading and study, the library should first and foremost promote an environment conducive to students’ learning and focus, and this starts with “Quiet Zones” that are actually quiet…

-Sarah Kelley 18

 

Too Early For Christmas

Now that the end of September is near, excitement for colder weather and fall festivities is in full swing. It seems that every month in the fall and winter has a holiday that those who celebrate wait for in intense anticipation. But there is something strange about getting too excited for a holiday too soon.

For example, there are few things more disheartening than walking into a store in July and seeing the back to school section set up and fully stocked. It is also not uncommon to walk into a store in September and see Halloween or even Christmas decorations on display.

These premature holiday displays this time of year feel just as unnecessary as back to school displays in July. There is no need to the rush the anticipation of a certain holiday or event. It becomes more and more difficult to appreciate the present moment when holidays that are months away are constantly being advertised. No one needs to be thinking about how they are going to decorate for Halloween in August, or even in September.

There is plenty of time to decorate and get excited about holidays as they become closer. When the anticipation begins months in advance, it usually either becomes too hard to maintain or the expectations for the holiday become too high.

There is nothing wrong with preparing and being excited for a celebration, but no one needs to see Halloween or Christmas decorations every time they enter a store months and months ahead of time. Whatever month or season we are in should be appreciated while it is happening, not spent in anticipation for a day in the future.

-Bridget Blain 19