Starkville native Mike Harris was recently selected as the new director of parking and transportation for The University of Mississippi. Harris joined the university on Feb. 24, and so far his duties have included working with university administrators and other stakeholders to define a strategic, long-term plan for campus parking.
Harris joins the Ole Miss community during the middle of a major construction project that has eliminated 443 parking spaces and 112 faculty and staff parking spaces temporarily.
“We, as a university, are moving forward with unprecedented growth and an enthusiasm that is contagious,” Harris said. “To be part of this is very exciting and also challenging.”
Work on the second phase of construction for the five-story parking garage and basketball stadium began March 8 and is expected to last until early 2016.
“We know that we must construct and upgrade buildings and parking areas, and yet, we also understand that there is a period of time during the construction and upgrades that it will be uncomfortable,” Harris said. “That is the time we are in now. There is no way not to feel the impact of such monumental growth. I am an optimist and see growth as such a positive reflection on what this university is doing.”
To accommodate the construction of the new arena and garage parking, some spaces had to be moved and some parking became temporarily lost for this semester.
“We are always looking for options and have been monitoring the area to see where some available parking may exist that hasn’t come to mind for commuters,” Harris said. “There is an open parking lot across from the Manning Center where over 100 spaces have been empty during the last few days of class.
“Anyone with a valid parking permit can park in this area, excluding the Park and Ride permit. There is also available parking in two Park and Ride areas, and, with buses running every few minutes, parking and getting to class will be more efficient than riding around looking for a space and a lot less frustrating.”
The five-story garage is projected to add 825 parking spots and be completed by fall 2014. The basketball stadium is expected to be completed in early 2016 and will include a food court and academic areas.
Parking has never been a popular topic when it comes to students. However, Harris prides himself on being student-oriented and said his goal is to put the needs of the students first.
“We should never lose sight of the reason we are here, and that is for the students,” he said. “Making sure we listen to their concerns and do all we can within the parameters we have to work in to address them is very important.”
One way Harris plans on eliminating the frustration involved with parking is through technology.
“We are looking to implement a new app that will help students find available parking on campus,” he said. “Other changes may come in the way of parking meters in various locations that will provide spaces to all as they turn over during the day. This will add short-term parking options in certain locations.”
Harris is focusing on working on present problems while developing a long-term plan for parking and transportation. The new director said his plan involves as much communication and input as possible.
“The problems that we now face with parking did not happen overnight, and it will not be fixed overnight,” Harris said. “However, I can assure you that we will be doing everything we can to address not only the short-term need but the long-term need as well.”
Some long-term goals on the horizon include a carpool and vanpool program that may allow for reserved central spaces for those who participate as well as a new software program.
“Some of the long-term goals are to implement new parking software that will create everyone a ‘MyParking’ account,” he said. “This will allow for online appeals and to view all citations and permits along with pictures that are taken at the time of citations.”
The Department of Parking and Transportation is also looking at providing a more robust bike rental program as well as a bike repair shop.
“I see technology continuing to expand our options from communicating empty spaces to actual guidance systems to the spaces,” Harris said.
— Kayla Carpenter
kcarpen411@yahoo.com
