The administration of Wayne State College approved a policy change request last semester from Student Senate to provide more accessible parking for students employed as emergency personnel.

The request for this policy change came from students who were concerned that they would be unable to reach their vehicles in time to respond to local fire calls.

“When I’m at the fire department, it’s all volunteer,” said sophomore Montana Hill, volunteer firefighter. “We have pagers on us at all times, and whenever it goes off, you go. Whenever mine goes off, I find myself sprinting across campus, and that in itself takes five minutes, and then I have to drive to the station. So, by the time I get there, I’m one of the last people, I can’t do anything, and everybody is already out on the scene.”

Along with Hill, freshman Courtney Kamler is a volunteer firefighter who lives on campus.

Hill said she talked to the head of Campus Security, and he told her to go before Student Senate and explain her request and why the permit is necessary.

“When I went before the Senate the first time, they all voted in my favor. After that (Senator) Micah Schut wrote a policy and it was passed in December.”

Although the original policy change request proposed the creation of an “E” (for emergency) permit, it was decided to allow the group of students premier “A” parking instead of changing all signage on campus for the “E” permit.

“I think the administration acted quickly and effectively on this matter,” said Matt Mullins, Student Senate president. “I definitely want to give Micah (Schut) a lot of credit for being the chair of student government and writing the letter, because that was the hard part.”

Upon proof of their employment, students who are volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are now eligible for this “A” permit. To show proof of employment, volunteer students are asked to provide either a letter from a supervisor or City Council minutes. This process will take place in the Residents Life office on the Catwalk of the Kanter Student Center.