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MUSC Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Parking Rumor: On a tour of the new Ashley River Tower (ART), we were told by the tour facilitators the Courtenay Drive garage (formerly known as the County Garage) will be a patient and visitor only garage and that staff who are currently assigned to park there will be reassigned. When I contacted parking management representatives about this topic, they reported they had not heard this scenario and that staff would still be parking here after the new hospital is opened. I know of staff who have parking spaces in the Courtenay Garage who have turned down premium parking spaces in the President and Rutledge garages, as they anticipated having a premium parking space in the Courtenay garage after the new hospital opens. What will be happening with this Courtenay Drive garage? Truth: The Courtenay Drive garage will continue to operate as an employee and patient/visitor parking facility. Space to meet the needs of ART patients and visitors is being captured through attrition and downsizing of the Roper agreement. Employees assigned to park in the Courtenay Drive garage will not be relocated. CARTA Rumor: I have heard that CARTA and MUSC have agreed to a later departure time from MUSC at night. Is this true, and if so, what will the times be? Truth: In response to data provided by both MUSC and Roper, CARTA has committed to providing a later Express Bus Departure to each of the Express lots beginning July 2. The final time has not been determined but is expected to be between 7:50 and 8:05 p.m. As soon as the time(s) are set, it will be published widely through University communications channels. Parking garage Rumor: I am hearing that fixing the problem with entry gates to the President Street garage has been delayed. When are we going to get the entry gates fixed? Truth: Due to a software problem Parking Management  experienced a brief period of difficulty with the parking access system at Parking Garage II, 91 President St. While the problem was being resolved the gates were placed in the upright position. When resolved the gates were placed in the down and operating position. However, unknown to us, a limited number of cards remained dropped from the data base. As these cards were recognized they were reactivated. This caused some delays at the gates and some concern for  customers. The system is fully repaired. CARTA shuttle Rumor: I heard there may be plans for a CARTA shuttle to pick up in the Summerville area as well as the Rivers Avenue area. Is this true and if so when will this start? Truth: CARTA asked Charleston County Council for additional funding from the half cent sales tax to provide Express Bus Service to the Summerville area for fiscal year 2008. Council did not approve the funding and therefore service is not likely to be extended to Summerville for at least another year. As far as service to the Rivers Avenue area, there are no plans to extend Express Service beyond that provided on Rivers at the Super Kmart. Harborview Tower garage lighting Rumor: I utilize the Harborview Tower garage on a regular basis, working the night shift. The new lamps seem to be on at night, then they stopped working. I was told they will not be replaced, is this true? Truth: Renovation of the lighting system in Harborview Tower parking garage is almost complete, and lighting is greatly improved. As must be expected during the installation of a new lighting system, there were some brief periods during the project when all lights were not burning. This was quickly remedied, and the system is now fully functioning and provides appropriate lighting at all times. Parking Rumor: I heard that an employee  coming to the hospital as a patient is unable to utilize patient parking and has to park in employee parking. Shouldn’t we (as a patient) be able to use patient parking at that particular time? Truth: When at MUSC as a patient, MUSC employees are entitled to the same courtesies as other patients including parking in a patient parking location. When the patient visit is concluded and if the employee is returning to work, the employee should remove the vehicle from the patient parking location and park the vehicle in his/her assigned employee parking location. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     Friday, June 1, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.