With a number of Butler University’s visitor parking lots under construction, Speech and Language Clinic patients were put in a bind last week.

Construction outside Atherton Union left the patients without sports in their normal lot.

The only visitor parking lots not under construction are located across from the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, across from Robertson Hall and on Donor Plaza across from Gallahue Hall. The clinic is  in Jordan Hall.

Ben Hunter chief of staff and executive director of public safety, responded and took on the task of resolving the issue.

“Hunter really understood the problem and wanted to be receptive and welcoming to our guests who are on campus,” Clinic Director Ann Bioldeau said.

Bilodeau brought up the concern for client parking and had a response and solution from Hunter 24 hours later.

Bilodeau said she will ask parking services for a preset number of Butler handicap parking placards for the semester and will distribute them to the patients.

Patients with this decal can park in the handicap spots located right outside the Fairbanks Building, which are the closest spots to the clinic.

“This request was very reasonable, and it really won’t affect capacity,” Hunter said.  “These clients are supporting the academic mission of the institution by supporting our students.”

The clinic provides upperclassmen from the  communication sciences and disorders program the opportunity to work directly with 10 clients this year.

The clients are two Butler students, two elderly patients and six children.   The non-Butler patients pay $200 per semester for once-a-week treatments.

“In the past, we’ve had people struggle a little bit to get to the clinic,” said Suzanne Reading, communication sciences and disorders program director. “If you’re 90 or have small children, it’s not so easy to get to the clinic.”

Butler added handicap parking spaces over the summer, including three new spots in front of  the Fairbanks Center, which should make things easier for clients.

“We need to be as welcoming as we can be with these clients and continue to service their needs,” Bilodeau said. “We have a long tradition of doing that.”

Hunter said he wants to work with parking services to create a special map for clients, highlighting the area that they will be allowed to park in.

“We have full capacity (to accommodate), so to me, it’s a no-brainer solution,” Hunter said.

Overall, Reading said she is pleased with Bilodeau’s request for client support and the overall accommodating nature of the university.

“I have praise for Bilodeau,” Reading said, “and thanks for the people that helped.”