Summary: Coming To Weatherford College

Expansion Coming to Weatherford College

College is a place where students go to get a degree in the field they want to fulfill their dreams. Since school is a positive environment students, shouldn’t get frustrated finding a parking space. Nevertheless, with new students attending college every year, we need to expand our parking area and add more lighting for the students and for the faculty. The problem is that there is not adequate parking for everyone and students will speed through the parking lot, which causes accidents. According to Andra Cantrell, vice president financial and administrative affairs of Weatherford College, “Weatherford has been cited as the fastest-growing community college in the state. […] The college
expanded its facilities and programs to respond to its rapid growth.
Today, Weatherford serves more than 4,400 students at three campuses encompassing 20 buildings.” The college had the fine arts center built in 1990 and the latest, The Allen Health and Science Building, was completed in May of 2014. With the enhancements to the campus the parking lot was negated due to funding. Through the years, the college continues to increase with students, but no room for the students to park. Vicky Traweek, who works in the registrar’s office at Weatherford College, stated “Today Weatherford serves more than 5,400 students which is an increase of 2 to 4 percent over the last three years;” hence why the college needs additional parking for the students to park. Students are parking in neighboring parking lots so they can obtain a place to park. Billie, a stylist at Pro Cuts said “Students are parked right in front or directly behind the salon.” This makes it difficult for their customers to occupy a place to park when going in for a haircut. Then a solution to the problem is expanding the
college parking lot; which would be beneficial to everyone. First, the college can purchase the land at 164 College Park Drive would be an ideal lot for a well-lit parking garage. The lot would be the new site of a 3-story parking garage with adequate lighting. The parking garage would add approximately 800 more parking spaces for the students. In addition to the garage, an over the road walkway would be added for safety of the students getting to and from class. The next addition would be to add four bikeways that can hold fifteen bikes and put them close to the buildings; will also help to eliminate some cars being driven to the campus for the students who live nearby or in the apartment complex across the street. Students can ride their bike to school for exercise and help clear their mind before class. The college charges thirty-five dollars a year for students to park their cars, maybe the school could charge a fee for parking the bikes on campus as well. The last step to the expansion would be to add plenty of lighting for the safety of the student and faculty alike. Security is not always around to walk you to your car. Adequate lighting will help to deter thieves from causing damage, stealing or someone being attacked. Taking good measures of security will help to protect everyone involved and to see that everyone goes home to their loved ones. The estimated cost for this project is around five million dollars.
The funding can be gained through government grants or a government bond that could pay for the development of the parking garage and the walkway just like they did when the fine arts center was built in 1990. Other ways to get the funds needed for this improvement is to incorporate fundraisers and/or take donations. Getting the community involved is another way to generate funding through an auction or a dinner. With the improvements to the parking situation this will also help students from getting distracted from parking jams and to make sure they stay focused on homework or tests. The goal is for the college students to continue striving to succeed in their dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers, or the next
president. Therefore the benefit from this expansion by increasing the parking area will add more parking spaces, minimize accidents in the parking lot and to ensure students will be able to make it to class on time. As a result of students being on time to class, there will be fewer interruptions of class instruction and learning because the students will have a place to park and not be spending a lot of time looking for a parking space. Students will also slow down while pulling into their parking space. Weatherford College provides quality learning opportunities to meet the needs of students and the expansion will help to ensure the parents that their children have a safe environment. The goal is to increase the school’s enrollment so it can continue to hold the highest of standard education and help give back to the community.