Student service is nothing new to the Campus Beautiful. Eastern Kentucky University prides itself on its engaged and thoughtful students who strive to take part in defining the Eastern experience and change their EKU campus for the better.
The new parking lot signs displayed around campus are the latest embodiment of the EKU Colonel spirit of service. Two students involved in EKU’s Student Government Association, Haley Bennett and Holly Miller, partnered with EKU’s Department of Parking and Transportation Services on this new initiative.
“The idea was born in the Student Senate,” said Miller, a junior psychology major from Rockcastle County. At the time, Miller served as the student safety and accessibility committee chair in the Student Senate. During a conversation with EKU’s Department of Public Safety officials, “I mentioned that redesigning the parking lot signs would make them more visible and accessible for students,” said Miller.
Designing parking lot signs that are easy to understand, visually accessible and aesthetically appealing is no easy task, but Haley Bennett, a senior double majoring in graphic design and social justice studies, rose to the challenge. Bennett, who also serves as the director of public relations in SGA, said, “prioritizing the student body’s needs was the inspiration behind the design.”
“I wanted to cater to the student body. Students just want to know where they can and cannot park,” said Bennett. “Good design is intuitive design,” Bennet continued, “Emphasizing the color and letter of the parking zones gives students a better reference even when they’re behind the wheel.”
Courtney Collins, director of parking and transportation, said partnering with student leaders was a great experience. “I actually recommend working with students,” said Collins. Working on this initiative with students “has been very smooth," Collins added. "They’ve been very respectful, on top of things, and always on schedule.”