Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 8/18/99
      Contact:                           Tim Ardillo   1

NEW CONSTRUCTION PROMPTS PARKING CHANGES AT
SOUTHEASTERN 
     HAMMOND - When Southeastern Louisiana University students return to campus
this fall, they'll find construction underway for a new classroom building and the new health and
wellness center.  They'll also find rearrangements to the parking structure.
     Since a new parking plan went into effect on campus this summer, the university has been
working diligently to promote the changes to the incoming students this fall.  Students will
receive flyers highlighting where they are assigned to park when they pick up their parking hang
tag from University Police.  Most Freshman parking is now located on north campus near the
University Center while upperclassmen have the lots near Cefalu Coliseum and Strawberry
Stadium.  Directional signs will also show commuters where they should park.  University
administrators are trying to ease the pain of parking for students by taking this proactive
approach.
     "We want the students to know that we have been working all summer to provide
additional information regarding the parking changes," said Kim Hunter, executive assistant to
the president and chair of the parking changes committee.  "Basically, we have tried to send a
repetitive message to all students regarding the changes to raise awareness prior to the first
day of class."  Freshmen commuters who park on north campus will use the pedestrian tunnel to
get to the main campus.  To help make the "trip" more bearable the university will provide
"water
stations," prizes, radio remotes and cooling stations at the tunnel and at the Cefalu parking lot.
     The Campus Activities Board will hand out free t-shirts to every 25th pedestrian through
the tunnel and several campus groups have volunteered to man the free water stations throughout
the week.

                                                 -more-

Parking at SLU/ADD ONE

     Campus police warn that students will be fined for illegal parking, but those who park
correctly may get rewards.  Coupons will be given randomly to drivers for good parking.  The
winners can redeem their free coke coupons and enter a drawing for a one-month "universal
parking pass" which will allow the recipient to park anywhere on campus that is not designated
handicapped or reserved.
     First students received a summer informational flyer alerting them about
the parking changes.  "Parking on every college campus has its challenges," said Hunter.  "The
new construction is a major reason for this semester's parking concerns, but I think the students
will be understanding and realize that the results will be well worth the inconvenience.  We are
all paying for progress and building success here at Southeastern."  
     "We're asking the students to arrive early and dress comfortably to maximize their
parking opportunities and to ensure summer heat survival."
                                 
                                -SLU-
          This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
          www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsm99.htm