We are as troubled as the next guy by parking issues near the Colleges, and have addressed the issues lightly before.
This weekend Claremont will see alumni weekend at the several colleges. Old grads--and undergrads--revisiting their former haunts.
Comes now Amanda, a senior at Pomona College, who takes on a problem close to her heart and mind. Enjoy the following email exchange between Amanda and Nancy Tresor-Osgood, Pomona's Director of Alumni Relations.
[Language alert: This post contains a brief instance of foul language that the Insider would not normally use in polite company, but is necessary to carry the flavor of of the original post.]
So, the alumni are taking over this weekend–1500 of them. We already have parking problems. I dared to ask if anything might be done to alleviate what is clearly going to be a problem:
From: Amanda
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:40 AM
To: Director of Alumni Relations
Subject: Re: [ALL_STUDENTS] Dining Hall Closures & Parking Restrictions
Hi, Nancy,
Is there any way to let the alumni know not to park in the Lawry parking lot? There are way too many cars in that lot already, and if alumni decide to park there, it will cause huuuge problems.
Thanks!
Amanda* * *
On Apr 30, 2008, at 10:44 AM, Director of Alumni Relations wrote:
I don’t think many alumni will park there, Amanda, since we only have one event in Frary on Friday afternoon. But that lot is listed on the campus map as an area where alumni can park.
I know it’s going to get crowded this weekend, but I appreciate your understanding as we welcome these alumni back to campus. By the way, this group of reunion classes has already pledged or donated $1.6 million to the College. [emphasis in original]* * *
From: Amanda
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:51 AM
To: Director of Alumni Relations
Subject: Re: [ALL_STUDENTS] Dining Hall Closures & Parking Restrictions
Okay, that’s fine. Are there going to be additional lots where students can park (or, since it’s the weekend, faculty/staff lots that will be opened to students)? Unfortunately, it’s not just that it’s crowded, it’s that there are frequently no parking spaces at all.* * *
On Apr 30, 2008, at 10:52 AM, Director of Alumni Relations wrote:
I have not made any special arrangements for student parking this weekend. I’m just trying to accommodate our alumni guests. Sorry!* * *
Gosh, that’s really annoying.
I really hate the attitude Pomona has about a lot of this stuff–like “you’d better be grateful for what we’re giving you, peons.” Why? “Because some old rich people are donating money.” News flash: I give approximately one-sixteenth of a shit that these particular alumni have donated $1.6 million. That’s what, the equivalent of 10 students paying tuition?
This takes one's breath away.
H/T to CJ for the heads up where the sophomoric comments are worth a look.
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