The recent storm over the reduction of 60 parking spaces on the University campus was an eye-opener. The University humbly acknowledges that we must communicate sooner the details of plans for five multi-million projects coming up soon. We immediately need to reach out to external stakeholders, including members of the community and civil society. 

I wish to underline some facts and bust some of the myths that have been doing the rounds on the social media and elsewhere.

Fact one: The University has a growing population.

The University is now a community of around 15,000 people. 

It is a community that is growing, not merely in terms of students and staff but also with wider access to members of the public who may follow courses, seminars and other events on campus, and at different times of day. Space use is maximised. 

The University exists within a bounded urban area where population density has exploded and construction is rife. 

Mater Dei further contributed to human and vehicular traffic. Accessing the campus poses veritable challenges. 

Fact two: A great shortage of office space.

Along the years, ‘temporary’ porta-cabins left academics resentful because they have almost become a permanent feature. 

The state of affairs will be addressed via five projects that have been on plan for years but construction will finally commence very soon. The ‘Sustainable Living Complex’ will welcome a number of faculties and institutes that are currently ‘dispersed’. Moreover, our local and international students will soon be able to reside on campus for the first time ever in the University’s long history.

Fact three: The University encourages sports. 

Another project is the long-awaited sports complex. This will include an artificial turf pitch, multi-lane running tracks, indoor tracks, a gymnasium and facilities for the School of Performing Arts. As part of the €25 million project, the Planning Authority has agreed to permit underground parking, half of which will be for the public.

Alternative means of transport are already in place

Myth one: The University has lazy bums. 

Many university students and staff use alternative means of transport but we must also be realistic. Some may not be in a position to give up their private car, especially when they travel long distances and when they juggle between study, work and personal commitments. 

Bus services to the University are frequent and heavily patronised. This does not mean that the service does not need to be extended and improved. Alternative means of transport are already in place and need expansion. A growing number of staff and students are cycling and walking, also as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Myth two: Student organisations lobby but do not encourage modal shift. 

The university administration has supported a number of successful initiatives that were actually advanced by KSU. These include a parking area dedicated to carpooling and facilities for shared electric vehicles.  

This academic year, students inaugurated a Park and Ride in Pembroke. KSU and the university are subsidising 1,000 free monthly passes to encourage Tal-Linja cardholders to use these facilities. Moreover, the university administration will be joining students in discussions to offer Park and Ride facilities from two other areas. There are also plans to facilitate the use of bikes. 

Such work requires discussion and time.

Myth three: The university puts cars before sports.

Allowing students and staff to park on the sports ground was a temporary, albeit controversial, measure. 

The University responded to the concerns of athletes and parking is now only allowed between Monday and Friday between 7am and 6pm. The immediate decision to limit access was taken as soon as we were alerted to the needs of runners. 

We reassert that we are committed to close down private car access to the sports ground as soon as alternative transport facilities are in place to ensure the University remains accessible to all. 

In the meantime, the ground will be supervised by the Precincts Office for safety and infringements and to ensure that the running track is not blocked.  

Carmen Sammut is Pro-Rector for Student and Staff Affairs and Outreach.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece