Housing’s attempt to keep non-residents out of the Fairmount Towers parking lot by building a gate has accomplished its goal but still managed to inconvenience and annoy residents.

Assistant Director of Housing Katie Austin said the gate is there to ensure that Fairmount residents are able to park in that lot. Residents will not have to worry about others filling up all of the residential parking spots.

According to Austin there has been an issue with the parking lot being overrun on basketball game days. The gate also helps to combat that problem by restricting access to non-residents.

“The gate does not pose an inconvenience to the residents,” Austin said. “They access the gate with their Shocker cards just like they do the buildings.”

However, not all of the residents agree. While the residents may understand the reasons behind the decision, some feel that the money used for the gate should have gone towards improving the residence hall.

Alexis Boddy, a sophomore who has lived in Fairmount since her freshman year, said there are a number of issues that should have been fixed in the dorms first.

“I think that the gate is pointless and it was a waste of time to build it,” Boddy said.

Nolen Jones, Fairmount resident, said the gate is ultimately an inconvenience for those who do not have their own vehicle.

Jones receives rides from friends and co-workers. Because of the gate he must now meet his rides at the north towers, something Jones says is a hindrance.

“It’s an inconvenience for ordering delivery because we have to meet the person at the North Tower,” Jones said. “There’s also a problem when you have family in town, now you have to go downstairs to physically let them in.”

Jones, however, said he appreciates that on basketball game days Fairmount residents will not be forced out of their own parking lot.