Students organized a peaceful protest on Aug. 29 at the Russell Union Rotunda to express their opposition to the bus route changes and concerns about the overcrowded parking lots. “The best way to address it, and open up a discussion about solutions for it, was to get people together and make noise about the problem,” said protest organizer Victoria Resto.
At the peaceful protest, students held up signs that read:
“Parking Crisis = Student Stress”
“Build Parking, Support Students”
“No Spots, No Peace”
“Do Your Job, or Step Down”
At the time of publication, a student-curated petition has more than 1500+ signatures. Each signed signature represents a movement to restore the Cambridge and Paulson Stadium bus stops. This petition was made by Angel Crim, who was at the protest. “I just hope Georgia Southern sees that they’re just distancing the people who are coming back to them. Because what’s to say that these freshmen aren’t going to be here within the next couple of years? So, you know, care about the upperclassmen as well,” she said.
Following updates regarding the student safety concerns on the bus route changes, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students Dr. Aileen Dowell said, “If the Office of Parking and Transportation feels like it was a safety concern, then we are standing behind that. I know students are frustrated, and we are acknowledging that. We hear you, we understand, but we’re following the directive that was given to us from Parking and Transportation that it was a safety concern.”
Our previous reports, which can be found below, provide more information on the background and process of the bus stop relocation.
GS Officials Confirm the University Made the Final Decision on the Cambridge Bus Stop
Student Government Speaks Out For the First Time Since Cambridge Bus Stop Relocation
Student Reactions
“It sucks getting to class 30 minutes early and not having anywhere to park, then being late to class or having to just say, ‘I guess I’m not going to class today because I’m already 20 minutes late,’ and I still haven’t found a parking spot.” —Victoria Resto.
“I’m out here protesting because I think that it’s stupid that they got rid of the Cambridge bus stop. I specifically rented at Cambridge for their bus stop. With the removal of the bus stop, I have to walk a great distance every morning, and I have to walk back at night. No one wants to walk on Lanier Drive at night. The removal of the bus stop was extremely inconsiderate to everyone living at not only Cambridge, but Axis as well.” —Liam H.
“I am out here because I am advocating for the bus routes and hopefully get the Cambridge bus stop back.” —Camryn Patill
“For one person who’s the director of Parking and Transportation to decide that there’s a safety issue at a bus stop and remove it, that’s illegitimate. It’s not his purview to do that. It’s sneaky, it’s slimy, and I’m protesting it, and I think we need some resignations.” —Luke Blevins.
“It’s the jaywalking problem and the heat strikes we have been having in Georgia, lots and lots of very, very high temperatures, and I feel like that’s dangerous for upperclassmen that live slightly off of campus to walk around in.” —Ava Adams.
“They acknowledged it, but they’re not taking accountability. They said that they’re not going to do anything about it, but they should. They should, because it’s affecting a lot of people.” —Hannah Faircloth.
“I feel like it’s catered to the freshmen that are coming and not focused on the upperclassmen. Like, why does freedom have two bus stops? Like, they are literally a block away from each other. And Cambridge getting their bus stop taken away? It’s crazy.” —Amari Thomas.
