Sac State officials are encouraging students to find alternate means of transportation to spare the air, lessen traffic and ease parking.

“Using alternate commute options is an important alternative that we all need to look at, very seriously,” said Nancy Fox, manager of the University Transportation and Parking Services. “We’re reaching a point with parking at CSUS where we’re very full. When you have limited parking spaces, you fill up.”

However, Fox admits her department could do more to get the word out to students about what those alternatives are.

Carpooling could be an attractive option for many Sac State students. By utilizing carpools, congestion and smog in the community are reduced, the cost of commuting is reduced, the cost of parking at CSUS is reduced and preferential parking at CSUS is made available.

Another choice students can make is to bicycle to campus. Bicycling is considered by many to be the best way to make short commutes. Rather than creating stress while driving, the exercise can actually relieve stress. There are two bicycle compounds on campus that are free to students and staff. Bicycle racks are available for use throughout campus and ASI Peak Adventures provides bicycle lockers for rent.

Walking is another alternate way to get to school. Walking at 3 MPH burns about 60 to 80 calories per mile, said senior Communication Studies major, Michelle Carey.

“If you have to get up early just to find close parking on campus, try getting up a little earlier to enjoy the exercise,” Carey said. “I know I’ll probably end up hiking in from the distant overflow parking, so I might as well plan to walk.”

Many students agree that something will have to change in the parking situation in the near future. Students aren’t only concerned with their own inconvenience, some say the alternatives are necessary to keep the environment healthy.

“Pollution in Sacramento is reaching scary percentages,” said junior Brian Wells. “I’m afraid when I have kids, it won’t be healthy living in this town. I’ve made an effort to use public transportation to get to school.”

Recent research has shown that one in four people in the Sacramento area now have asthma and that even healthy people are affected by our poor air quality. The Sacramento Transportation Management Association said skipping a trip in the car improves air quality in Sacramento.

CSUS is a member of the Sacramento TMA. Working together, they provide information about numerous ways to “Rideshare” to campus. Ridesharing refers to any method of commuting other than driving solo. Daily use of alternative transportation is recommended for commuters in the Sacramento area. Even once or twice a week will improve the commute conditions.

Fox said simply not driving your car once a week would provide 20 percent cut in emissions.

While it may take time to educate students about the need to change students’ attitudes about parking and commute options, many Sac State employees, faculty, staff, and students agree, it is time for a change.

“We have a captive amount of parking spaces, and our enrollment continues to increase,” Fox said. “Additional new students means additional new faculty and staff to support them, so that means more vehicles. So we have to look at alternate commute options because our parking situation now is not going to satisfy our needs in the future.”

Senior Clara Massa, History major, says it will not change any time soon.

“When it comes down to it, students like to drive because it is convenient,” Massa said. “Students are very interested in convenience.”