Students can now take a chance to speak openly and directly with the administration about their concerns, whether they’re parking, student services or anything else on their minds.

Wichita State students are getting unprecedented access to administrators, including WSU President John Bardo, with “Chattin’ @ The Rhatigan,” a series of discussions in the Rhatigan Student Center that includes free lunch and are intended for students to have their voices heard.

“No agenda, just open discussion,” said Wade Robinson, vice president for Campus Life and University Relations. “A chance to know different folks who work on campus.”

One of the biggest issues brought up during the discussions has been parking, a topic the administration is aware of.

“Ultimately, parking garages come into play,” Robinson said. “On the Long Term Facilities Map, there’s a parking garage south of Elliott, a parking garage up here by Devlin, east of the stadium and there’s one on the golf course where they’re going to build the new Innovation Campus.”

Bardo has said in the past that parking garages will not be pursued in the near future.

Each potential garage could hold about 600 cars, thus alleviating some of the parking troubles that have been facing students and faculty for generations.

Once Shocker Hall is complete and construction on Innovation Campus and construction of parking garages begins, the university will begin expanding outward, increasing the size of the campus and encompassing the surrounding area.

“We’re going to start expanding geographically,” said Bobby Gandu, director of Admissions.

Ultimately, the chat sessions are just a way to keep the students involved in WSU’s push to become a more traditional campus, as Bardo’s master plan suggests.

“We want you to see that we actually are working for the students,” Robinson said.

The next chat is scheduled for April 29 from noon to 1 p.m. Bardo is scheduled to attend. Seating for each event is limited to 15 people. RSVP at wichita.edu/chattin.