Each day here at UD, I wake up around seven ready and eager to begin my day. I take a quick shower, print off the homework I forgot about the night before, throw on some shoes, and head downstairs. Once downstairs I stop at the Emporium to buy some breakfast. With my breakfast in hand, I step out of my spacious, sterile home, Marianist Hall, and begin my trek to the Science Center. I am able to see the Science Center through some lovely fall foliage, and I also see an inviting field behind some bushes. But holding me back from these natural wonders is a big, black, asphalt giant of a parking lot. Ugh.

Although I understand the need for parking, I feel as though Parking Lot C, the one located between Founders and Marianist, is an awkward use of space that disrupts the flow of our lovely campus. Both Marianist Hall and the RecPlex are new additions to UD, and were built on what used to be known as Founders Field. Because there were no buildings beyond Founders and the ROTC building, the location of the parking lot was probably perfect. Now, however, there are two more buildings that are frequently by students, and to get to either of them you must walk across the oh so scenic Parking Lot C. Though it's not something I used to think about on a daily basis, once I noticed this slight flaw, I can't help but be annoyed each time I cross the blacktop beast.

Because I do not have the perfect alternate plan, my case is probably weakened.

However, I do have a few ideas. There are two other parking lots, one between Marianist Hall and Kettering Labs, and one between the RecPlex and Stuart Field. Neither of these two lots are ever completely filled, and there seems to be room for a few extra parking spaces in each. If these two areas were expanded, even slightly, there would be no real need for Parking Lot C.

Once there is no need for Parking Lot C, there is endless potential as to what it could be used for. Since Marianist Hall and the RecPlex are located on what used to be Founders Field, I feel that one of the most obvious uses would be a new field. Although we do have Stuart Field, Humanities Plaza and the KU green space, there are still many reasons to work toward another outdoor area. Stuart Field is mainly used for intramurals and club teams, Humanities has steps and is often used for studying, and the KU area has paths and light poles throughout. These attributes of our current fields make it easy to see that a new courtyard for socializing and relaxing in what is becoming a central area of campus would be quite nice.

There are a number of different buildings that could be put up in place of the parking lot, such as a much needed video rental store! I also have heard that there used to be a small body of water on Founders Field. Students used to gather there in the summer and ice skate there in the winter. I'm not saying we need to build a pond or lake on the UD campus, but it would be a nice idea; at least a nice alternative to Parking Lot C!