University parking is still an issue that Iowa State President Martin Jischke must deal with. He spoke about this issue Wednesday morning on WOI radio’s “The Talk of Iowa.”

“We are still trying to find ways to deal with this issue,” he said. “In particular, I believe we ought to find a way to build another ramp.”

However, Jischke said the dilemma in building a parking ramp has been financing such a project. “You’ve got to be assured that there’d be enough income to pay for those spaces.

“Frankly, one of my concerns is easy parking for those who are interested in seeing Iowa State as a place that they might study.”

Jischke spoke on numerous topics ranging from the information booth on Elwood Drive to the continuing construction on the Student Health Center. He also answered questions from listeners in the Ames area as well as from callers from around the state.

Jischke commented on accessibility for the handicapped on the campus.”We have been working very hard to make the campus as accessible as possible, particularly in the design of new buildings,” he said.

“In some of the older buildings we have a bit of a challenge, but we’re prepared to make accommodations because it’s the right thing to do, not just the law.”

He also mentioned the many handicapped parking spaces available on campus.

“We have a special van on the campus that provides a lift in transportation for those who are in wheelchairs, and that van is available for students, faculty, staff, visitors and others,” Jischke said.

Jischke was questioned by a listener who is an alum of ISU on why his son, a senior in graphic design, seems to get no support from faculty in terms of internships and future job placement.

“I don’t understand the origins of the problem. I will have someone check into it. I will follow up personally. I don’t know why there isn’t some type of organized help for internships for students,” Jischke said.

Jischke stated the internship experience is “a very, very valuable way of improving the quality of the educational experience.

“It provides a practical grounding, a context in which [students] can study and occasionally…it can help finance their education,” he said. “We think they are very good things and we’re working hard to expand internship opportunities across the university.”