LAST POST!

Over the course of these past few months this blog has evolved as not only a blog that informs ODU commuters and drivers but also regular on campus walking students that may not necessarily drive, but the parking lots/walking routes are all tied into one another. It is important to understand that whether you walk to class, or you are a regular commuter, this blog was originally created to help the readers know what events concerning parking may be going on during any given week of this Spring 2009 Semester. Over the past few months, I've posted entries regarding anything from parking situations that may impact your daily parking/commuting in or around Old Dominion University. Although there have been a "few" off subject post regarding other current events, such as presidential speeches, etc. for the most part, this blog has one mission in mind, and that mission is to help informe the readers of this blog about what events help/or may hurt there commuting or driving experience in and around the campus here at Old Dominion. It has been a privilege to write about these events, but for now...this blog is completed/done/over!

Welcome to the Fam....ODU's newest parking facility

ODU's newest parking facilties sorta ties into not only a post about how wonderful it is to have, and sure was needed at its time of opening at the beginning of this Spring 2009 Semester. Along with it being a wonderful 800+ space garage mainly for commuters to the Old Dominion campus, it also will soon become the future garage that houses parking patrons for the 2009 Old Dominion football games. The first one being against Chowan Universtity located in North Carolina. All of us here at Old Dominion are anxiously awaiting the opeing of the reconstrusted/remodeled ODU football stadium, and the joys that come with any tailgating experience(although Im not sure about tailgating in a parking garage...hmmm), anyways with the arrival of this new facility, will come more congestion around 45th st. but that is a small price to pay, since in return we(Old Dominion) are getting a NCAA D1 football team.

View Welcome future ODU drives/parking patrons in a larger map

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34353754@N03/show/

Parking Patrol...watch out!

If see a "golf cart" patrolling around any of ODU's parking facilities, usually in most cases it is up to no good...
Old Dominion's office of Parking and Transportation is solely funded by the sales of parking decals, and from the collection of fines. With that being said, parking is enforced on Old Dominions campus about 9hrs a day, and 5 days a week. So in those 9hrs or so, you better believe it, as long as its not pouring down rain, that Old Dominion's parking enforces will be out writing tickets, and enforcing any code that they have been given the right to enforce. Since, this is the only way Parking Services gathers income, they are pretty strict on enforcing the rules and regulations for each and every parking garage on both sides of Hampton Blvd, and every single lot that is on Old Dominions campus. So, be watchful where you park, or else...
YOU WILL BE FINED!

Faculty ONLY....

Well, for this part of the brief parking lot overview here at Old Dominion, I am going to take the time to discuss what lots are for students to park in, and what lots are basically off limits at Old Dominion University. Lots that are for Students can be describe as most parking garages, floors 2 and above. The ground levels on most parking garages are limited to faculty/staff spaces, along with a limited number of metered spaces. So as newcomers to the Old Dominion campus, be watchful of what lots/garages are for regular commuters/parking patrons. As I will tell you in another post, parking patrol can and most likely will fine you 30-60 dollars depending on the violation you commit in any of the parking facilities on Old Dominion's campus.

Always feed the meter

Meter spaces on Old Dominion's campus are sporadic, but there are quite a few on campus for people to park in. The spaces themselves have a two hour limit, and usually accept quarters, dimes, and nickles as payment options. Although there are more "decal controled" lost on campus, on the village side of Old Dominion, there are actually quite a few of meter spaces for restruant patrons to park in. The City of Norfolk controls the meter spaces on the University Village side of campus, while, Old Dominion Parking & Transportation office, controls the meters on the "main campus" side of Hampton Blvd. Just be sure you especially "feed the meter" on the University Village side of campus, because the City of Norfolk employees/parking enforcers are ALWAYS checking meters, more so than Old Dominion meter readers on the "main campus" side. So, always be sure as a newcomer to the campus, to feed your meter, and never let it expire, unless you want a hefty fine!

Be Watchful of Campus Police enforcing Parking....

It is important to remember that ODU has an "event center" called the "TED" for short. This basketball/wrestling/concert venue is a part of Old Dominion's University Village expansion created a couple years ago. With this venue comes the hectic parking problems that you (as new students) will encounter will attending here at Old Dominion. Be watchful and respectful of Old Dominion University campus police forces, that routinely enforce the parking/driving patterns around this venue during special events. Campus police will block off streets in advance (2-3 hrs before the start of a event) to make sure the venue is safe for walkers from crossing streets in and around the TED. So as newcomers to the Old Dominion campus, take notice of changing traffic patterns...in and around the Village and "TED" arena area.

To Signal or Not to Signal

The question of the day...is do you use your signal as much as you should? After all the years of practicing with our parents & behind the wheel course teaching us that signaling is very important to alert other drivers know which direction you plan on moving towards. As time passes, most of us seem to forget for some reason or another to use or signals when turning, etc. It seems that people especially commuters on I-81S. Recently on a trip to Blacksburg, VA, I noticed just how many people, randomly change lanes WITHOUT signaling. I though to myself....WHAT ARE YOU DOING! People need to realize, especially on that particular interstate, signaling is very important, especially when its 10am in the morning, and the only thing you can see is the white fog rolling through the scenic views/mountains. So, just to remind other commuters that may read this blog, please use your signal! Well, that is my rant/post for the week....

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Decals for sale...The Switch

Well, Decals next semester should be (most likely) sold online, and mailed to your homes. This will take the days of long lines, and waits for getting your decal a to-do of the past come this fall. Hopefully if All goes as planned, Decals will be sold online @ ODU's Parking and Transportation Services Website.
So most will be glad, that this change is coming to the office of parking services, other not so much. I personally prefer to purchase my decal in person, since I am one of few students that actually purchases their decal in the early weeks of August before the Fall semester gets underway. This new system should be beneficial to students who not only live locally in the 757, but it should make it easier for students that live in other parts of Virginia, and other states as well. I recently had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by an official from ODU's University Relations office, and she described to us some of the issues facing their department, with budget cuts, etc. She described to us some of the things that University Relations is currently working on, one of which is an "awareness" campaign for ODU Parking Services. In the future look, for some changes to the Parking Services website with a more mediated look.

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agree along americans around article aware believe blake blog break change coming comments commuter decals dominion drivers economy education enforcement fall future general helping hopefully issue live obama odu office parking people pm posted pres purchase recent ride semester services spring stimulus students tech tickets today transportation university virginia yes

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Top Back

Current song I'm listening to "Top Back" by T.I., is the overall theme for this blog post. Summertime is around the corner, and we all know what that means, tops down on the convertibles, and window rolled all the way down on your Dodge 4dr, with the music blasting. Now many residents of my hometown are well aware of the price that you must pay sometimes for blasting your music, especially when your crusin around the oceanfront in Virginia Beach. This post will inform those of you who aren't aware of the rules and regulations concerning noise violations for drivers in the 7 cities. Now, the main law in Virginia Beach, is a warning the 1st time for a noise violation, and a "Polite" turn it down please, is usually all you get by a local law enforcement officer. I'm almost 100% positive that law is the same for a ODU office that may decide to pull you for the same reason. Now, If you (in the past) have been given a warning already about loud music, then your most likely look at a est. $75-80 fine. So this is just a helpful hit for all of us (myself included)who play exceptionally loud music, when you see the police behind you, keep the volume down, but (haha) when they pass and the coast is clear, its up to you if you want to turn it back up!

What is the world coming to?

In relation to a recent article from the AP, A north Dallas, TX man is dead after a reported feud with another gentleman regarding a parking space. All this increase in violence over driving issues, raises the question "What is the world coming to?" We have all seen it, and gone thought it. Being "flicked off" in parking lots, cut off at intersections, and tailgated on the highways. People theses days seem to have no regards concerning the general public, besides themselves, and the destination in witch they are traveling to. Americans are always on the go, and that does not exclude the younger generation of American drivers, especially college drivers. All of us see it, even here at Old Dominion University. Recently, I witnessed a "small feud" in one of the parking garages on campus, it regarded one student who had claimed to of been cut off and a parking space "stolen" from what I overhead. A pushing and shoving match soon escalated into a shouting match between the two students, soon, another random commuter came into the situation and pull one of the students aside, calming down, what could of been a violent situation.

In Relation to a Recent Post....

After reading an article from Virginia Tech's student newspaper the Collegiate Times, I have been inspired to do something similar to what the reporter in the article above did. I'm emailing my contact today from the Office of Parking and Transportation here at Old Dominion, to see If I can talk or ride along for a shift with one of the officers that drive the golf carts/patrol and actually issue the tickets, to see what there daily routine is (there is more too it than just driving around and issuing tickets). I will keep you up to date, as hopefully I will be able to do this...stay in tune for more later in the following weeks (this may happen after Spring Break March 9th-14th).
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UPDATE:

I will soon (after spring break) be attending a 30-1hr ride along with ODU's Parking Enforcement team. During this ride along, I will be proposing questions to my enforcement officer regarding daily routines that he/she has, how strict he/she is on "enforcing" the rules, etc. So, check back after ODU's Spring Break (March 9th-13th) for a full article regarding the upcoming ride along with parking enforcement.

I Believe...

And here we Go
I'm live blogging...Please excuse lapses of grammar
....State of the Nation...Live blog (10:05pm last update)

Yes this of beat from what I regular talk about...but...I'm interested in it...

Pres. Obama is clearly outlining that we are all basically affected by this recession...we all know somebody that is being affected by this what I would like to call a "CRISIS." Pres. Obama is stating that "We will rebuild, and come out stronger..."
-I myself truly Believe this, just today the commerce secretary said it (the economy could change as early as 2010 is the stimulus does it thing....)

We all have responsibly, I agree we are not looking for "Blame" anymore...not the stocks, nor the housing market...no more blaming is Right! Its time for change...

Things have blocked us (regulations) from investing in our own future...buying homes we cant afford...
-Pres. Obama is saying that we must "build a new foundation, restart lending..." "Health and education..." stating this is what his agenda is all about.
I agree w/ Pres. Obama that the stimulus was the only way to help this economy, we can't just sit back.

Job creation is key to revitalizing the economy, laying broadband, and expanding mass transit is part of this agenda/stimulus, and 95% of Americans will see a tax cut...

-this is great news, I can speak from that perspective myself...

-Hahaha...
"Nobody messes with Joe" awesome message by Pres. Obama about the enforcing of his new stimulus package, and making sure that the new spending will go towards the right projects (recovery.gov) is where you can see where the money is going

Pres. Obama noted that there will be no "REAL" recovery if we can't clean up the credit
crisis...

New financing plan will help Americans with new lower interest rates...
-This speech so far is fantastic...it (as of now 9:32pm) is in plain...English so everybody is able to understand it, not just a person like myself infatuated with the knowledge of political lingo...etc...

-Its key to "govern with the sense of responsibility, helping small businesses...that's what its about...its about HELPING PEOPLE!

NOT ABOUT HELPING BANKS...
-I cannot agree more with that statement, investors first off need people that are confident in starting a new business, taking out loans, its about HELPING THE PEOPLE!

Congress needs to reform our outdated regulatory system...
-Once again couldn't agree more (and this is coming from myself a republican blogger)

The new budget will not resolve the "trillion dollar deficit...dems. and repubs...will have to sacrifice...
- bipartisanship is key in my own person view...so far though i have yet to see a lot of it in this new OBAMA Administration....hopefully I will, Because I (a republican..yes a republican and McCain supporter back in 08) like so far...except for the lack of bipartisanship how this administration is taking a stance on the problems in this economy....

It is time for American to lead again...
-haha I'm getting the "time for change...slogan" feeling with this quote...but that's a good feeling that stirs the emotions of Americans...

New clean renewable energy....
-Yes WE CAN! Yes WE CAN! Yes We CAN! Yes WE CAN!

"THIS IS AMERICA, WE DON'T DO WHATS EASY, WE DO WHAT IS NECESSARY..." - Pres. Obama

-I couldn't agree more with that statement, as you can see from the quote under my blog title...I believe in hard work, determination, and self motivation (because others can't always be there to motivate you)

Pres. Obama outlines ideas of bringing down/lowering the deficit in the years to come..
-I'm glad to see this early in the administration the Pres...is already thinking of the future, regardless of his term limit, it seems to me that he isn't only concerned about "today's society," but also the "Future."

"EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO A COMPLETE AND COMPETITIVE EDUCATION..."-Pres Obama
-enough said...

Schools need more reform
-new teacher incentives, rewards for success

Dropping out of HS, is not just quitting on yourself, but quitting on your country!
-Pres. Obama outline for every American to get more than just a HS education, and get at least 1 yr of further education...

That's all of the address I wish to blog about live...(its now 10:08pm, and I wish to watch the rest with my full attention without typing..so excuse me...I will leave with a quote from this address to congress on the twenty-forth day in February:

"We(Americans) are not quitters!"

I have an idea....

After reading an article from Virginia Tech's student newspaper the Collegiate Times, I have been inspired to do something similar to what the reporter in the article above did. I'm emailing my contact today from the Office of Parking and Transportation here at Old Dominion, to see If I can talk or ride along for a shift with one of the officers that drive the golf carts/patrol and actually issue the tickets, to see what there daily routine is (there is more too it than just driving around and issuing tickets). I will keep you up to date, as hopefully I will be able to do this...stay in tune for more later in the following weeks (this may happen after Spring Break March 9th-14th).

For the Love of Money...

So, a classic song by the O' jays is the inspiration for the title of this blog post...The subject matter revolving around the fees that go hand and hand with parking on a college campus in general, not just here at Old Dominion. As we are all probably aware of, ODU is notorious for long parking pass lines at the beginning of the Fall semester in particular. This will soon change, because ODU is looking into implementing the purchasing of decals online, with the mailing of the (hangers) after completing your purchases. As my friend at Virginia Tech informed me, this is how they purchase their parking passes. He stated "it's really easy, and convenient." Unfortunately, as we all also know, prices for these decals are quite expensive, and don't guarantee us a space exactly, but as I was surfin' the net, I found that ODU isn't the only school where parking decals are pricey. At the University of Virginia decals run about $195.00 a year, and at Virginia Tech, decals cost $114.00 a year, so ODU is kinda around the same general area price wise, but I'm sure we wish we were paying Techs $114.00 compared to our price of around $180, but hey we really don't have too much of a choice in the situation, inless you want to risk parking on the side of the street. I've seen cars get swiped by passing cars before on 49th, so I think paying for a permit is well worth it.
Hopefully, ODU will implement this process for the up coming Fall 2009 semester, I will be in contact with the Director of Parking & Transportation Mr. James Long, later this semester, to see when this process will be implemented exactly. I will be sure to let "you" the readers know when this information is in my hands.

New Facebook Carpool App...

Recently while I was reading a blog for UCLA students, I discovered that there is a fairly new application available on Facebook for commuters to communicate with one another, for carpooling.
here is the link chec kit out:
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2549790782

Recent Interviews with fellow ODU drivers

So recently, I proposed a question to some fellow students around campus concerning parking @ ODU. The question I asked these students was "did they feel that parking is limited on campus?" I got varied responses from the students. My first interview was with Junior Mike Goodman, a commuter from Chesapeake, VA. Mr. Goodman informed me that he doesn't have many problems with parking, since he arrives on campus in the early morning hours. He always is able to find a spot on the 43rd st. garage near the campus library as long as he is there before 9:30am. Mike informed me that anytime after 9:30am, it is almost impossible to find a space in that garage. The second student I interviewed was a Mr. David Lamb, a on campus resident, informed me that parking is hard to come by as a student living off of Powhatan Ave. He, and his friends have had to park all the way in the back of the Whitehurst parking lot near the ODU sailing center, which they have nicknamed "Cuba," because of the distance away from his housing building. My third, and finial interview was with a fellow on-campus resident Mr. Michael Harper, who also lives off of Powhatan ave. Mr. Harper informed me that he rarely has trouble finding a space on campus, but sometimes he does have to park a distance away from his campus residence, but it doesn't bother him too much. I found that overall, student have mixed feelings about the parking situation on campus.

Mud on the Tires

In a recent conversation with ODU's Director of Parking & Transportation Mr. James Long the issue regarding lots 52/47 was discussed. Just a little background on the issue, lot 52 (and former lot 47) towards Elkhorn Ave, is a broken up concrete and muddy area that used to be lot 47, but since the widening of the 43rd street, the lot has turned into a "mud pit" of sorts, and students have decided to park there. I was informed by Mr. Long that the muddy that was formerly known as lot 47, is now owned by the City of Norfolk, in partnership with letting ODU students park there. Now regarding the muddy lot, Mr. Long has asked the city to either do as they intended (which was to lay down sod) or if possible make the "mud pit" a gravel lot, so that students can continue to park there without getting stuck, which has happened in some cases. Mr. Long also informed me that their was/and possibly still are plans in the works for the removal of lots 52, 47, 48, 54, and that the lots will be turned into affordable housing for city employees that basically make under a six figure salary. The developer that City of Norfolk was working with in this potential housing development fell through on the deal, due to a lack of financing for the project, but it is still a possibility Mr. Long informed me, if the developer gets financing through other outlets, this deal could still go through as planned. Hopefully the city, until a deal is set for a potential housing development, will lay down some gravel so that students can continue to park there in the future. Over the course of this semester I will continue to stay in contact with Mr. Long about this issue, and other issues that may arise in the future regarding commuters/parking on campus. For now, students can turn up their country music, and get a little "Mud on the Tires!"


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Just a heads up....

I will be sitting down with ODU's Director of Parking and Transportation James Long on Wednesday to discuss Lots 52/47 near Elkhorn Ave. My main focus will be on what I like to call the "mud pit" where since late last semester, students have been parking (see photo). Will ODU pave this 15-20 spaces, instead of keeping it a "mud pit?" Tune in Wedensday to see what ODU's take on the issue, and other parking issues will potentially be discussed as well, although with emphasis on lots 52/47.

H O K I E S ! Good Times at VPISU

So, I feel the need to talk more about rent-a-cops, and their lifestyle (oh that's right it's their JOB) to hassle people. I'm probably one of millions of college students who owns a longboard (skateboard)...actually I own 3 to be exact. Anyways, I was skating around Virginia Tech one day last spring, when out of the blue this rent-a-cop jumps in my path as I was riding around Drillfield Dr., a street that wraps around the campus drillfield. He informs me that I can't skate in the street, and that's what sidewalks are for. It was a Saturday, and all was quite on this street, I was just crusin' for a fun ride on this beautiful spring day and he ruined it (kind of). Of all days, a Saturday, I never expected to be hassled by a rent-a-cop for riding around. Needless to say, I pretended to just pick my board up and walk away...but little did this rent-a-cop know, as soon as he was out of sight, I put my board back on the pavement, and kept on crusin'. Haha, many of my family members went/go to VT, so if they are paying thousands to go there, I think I've earned the right to cruise around on a spring day, obeying the laws and staying out of traffics way.

Just Not Today

Ok, in relation to my last post below...I found that I'm not the only one obviously hassled by rent-a-cops. Here is an excerpt from a blog I found relating to these power-tripping security guards/rent-a-cops, here is the link below....
http://journalsquarejc.com/archives/817

hi, is there any prohibited area around journal square that you can not take pictures, the reason i ask is that one night at 10:30 pm while sitting inside my car at dunkin donut parking lot(summit) and playing with my camera(DSLR), a path security happen walking by and saw my camera, he ask me(with attitute) if im trying to take picture of the journal sqaure building.

is the dunkin donut parking lot part of path train. what i believe it a public place…thanks

So, as you can see, rent-a-cops/security guards have it to get us. There is no reason this guy need to get hassled about possibly taking pictures of a public building, in a parking lot....He might not of even been wanting to take pictures that night, he was just fooling around with this camera...what right does that give to the rent-a-cops to hassel us (ordianry citizens) for doing NOTHING AT ALL!

The Road And The Radio

Alright, so...ODU's parking is basically crap...to put it straight for my fellow readers. I am going to vent a little about a parking situation that occurred this week for me. So, its Wednesday, I pull into the garage closest to MGB, drive up the ramp (at normal parking garage speeds may I note) and what to my surprise is standing in my way as I turn the first corner of level one, its a rent-a-cop with his hand out, telling me to stop. So being the law abiding citizen I am I slowed to a stop, and rolled down my window. Lets call the rent-a-cop ...Joe (for the sake of this blog), so Joe precedes to inform me of my dangerously fast speeds on the 1st garage ramp. Joe informs me that, of course I could go to jail for this supposed law I just broke, and that he "better not see it again." Well, to my great surprise, I never even though that my Toyota was braking a parking garage record speed of 8mph, and that I could spend a night in Jail for that...I THINK NOT! So, to end that story, I have learned to slow down, and cruise at my new parking garage speed of 5mph..wow! Joe must of though my car was a 911 GT3, and that I just had it out to speed in a PARKING GARAGE at 8MPH that day....Wow...thats about all I have to say....

The Most Boring Building on Campus...

Some might of never thought that the little building between MGB and the Chemistry building, houses ODU's planetarium. It is probably the smallest academic building on the campus, here at Old Dominion University. For the most part, from what I have been told by students walking out of the small red brick building, it is home to a small number of astronomy classes that are scheduled here on campus each semester. Wow, I though to myself...what a boring subject, and a ugly little building to learn it in. Well that's all I have to say about the planetarium on the campus of Old Dominion.

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They paved paradise, and put up a parkin' lot!

Hello ODU commuters!

Just a little background on myself, I've been a commuter for about 3 semesters now....and it's (commuting) not as bad as people make it out to be...

This blog will help all ODU commuters by informing you about parking information, traffic routes, and the best ways to navigate around campus without getting stuck in traffic. Alright, I'm going to talk about an issue that came to my attention yesterday while trying to find a place to park on campus around 11:45 in the morning. I went to park in the garage adjacent to the recently built hotel across the street from the "main campus area." Well upon my arrival onto the second floor of the garage, around 50-75 spaces were blocked off for what it seemed to be no apparent reason, then this was the same on the third floor of the parking level. Why must ODU close spaces for TED events that may not even begin until 5pm that day! That's my daily routine/frustrations that occur for basically all ODU commuters day in and day out...