2008 Woodie Awards
Is the JagTran efficient?
Angela Langster
Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Earlier this year, the USA board of trustees approved a total of $75 million to generate funds for construction projects around this campus in order to beautify the campus and improve the well-being of the students, faculty and staff.
Over the past month, this very publication has brought you readers reports on all of these construction projects that are in progress on and off campus at USA. The funding for some of these projects have been heavily debated over whether the money for some of these projects could be put to better use by placing the finances to improve existing buildings on campus.
I must say that, while the projects are worthwhile endeavors, there are certainly bigger problems on and off campus that would make $75 million in funding money well-spent.
One of these architectural structures - located all around this campus - could use some improvement. It may seem superficial, but it is a problem that needs to be addressed: the JagTran stops. Yes, they do look beautiful structurally; however, when it rains, its beauty comes at the expense of students.
When the JagTran transportation system was first implemented on campus in 2005, it promoted an effective way of controlling traffic on campus. Since then, routes have been added or taken away to improve the overall expediency of the system (which is debatable), but there is one thing for certain: The design of the stops are not effective in protecting students from the environmental elements - especially the rain.
Picture this scenario: It is an average day on the South Alabama campus, and there is a 50 percent chance of rain. Students are coming and going to class, and if they have some time on their hands, they go to one of the JagTran stops to wait on the ride and head to their next class.
Then it starts to rain.
Okay, so the students' heads are covered, but they cannot sit down. Why? Because with the design of the stops - which has no protective barrier to prevent the water from coming in - the concrete seats inside the stops inevitably get wet. What is the point of going to a JagTran stop if it is raining? If one is in a hurry to class they are not certainly going to the nearby building to wait inside from the rain.
Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year to improve upon the effectiveness and beauty of USA's campus. Since there are all these construction projects occurring on campus and five-year plans to make other improvements, it certainly wouldn't hurt to redesign the stops to provide more convenience at the expense of students.
Besides, if the University campus doesn't work for the students, who else will it work for?
Over the past month, this very publication has brought you readers reports on all of these construction projects that are in progress on and off campus at USA. The funding for some of these projects have been heavily debated over whether the money for some of these projects could be put to better use by placing the finances to improve existing buildings on campus.
I must say that, while the projects are worthwhile endeavors, there are certainly bigger problems on and off campus that would make $75 million in funding money well-spent.
One of these architectural structures - located all around this campus - could use some improvement. It may seem superficial, but it is a problem that needs to be addressed: the JagTran stops. Yes, they do look beautiful structurally; however, when it rains, its beauty comes at the expense of students.
When the JagTran transportation system was first implemented on campus in 2005, it promoted an effective way of controlling traffic on campus. Since then, routes have been added or taken away to improve the overall expediency of the system (which is debatable), but there is one thing for certain: The design of the stops are not effective in protecting students from the environmental elements - especially the rain.
Picture this scenario: It is an average day on the South Alabama campus, and there is a 50 percent chance of rain. Students are coming and going to class, and if they have some time on their hands, they go to one of the JagTran stops to wait on the ride and head to their next class.
Then it starts to rain.
Okay, so the students' heads are covered, but they cannot sit down. Why? Because with the design of the stops - which has no protective barrier to prevent the water from coming in - the concrete seats inside the stops inevitably get wet. What is the point of going to a JagTran stop if it is raining? If one is in a hurry to class they are not certainly going to the nearby building to wait inside from the rain.
Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year to improve upon the effectiveness and beauty of USA's campus. Since there are all these construction projects occurring on campus and five-year plans to make other improvements, it certainly wouldn't hurt to redesign the stops to provide more convenience at the expense of students.
Besides, if the University campus doesn't work for the students, who else will it work for?
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