FPTA Member Profile - Chip Chism

Chip Chism
Director of Parking and Transportation
University of West Florida

For this month’s FPTA Member Profile we are featuring Chip Chism. Chip is Director of Parking and Transportation for the University of West Florida. Chip also serves on the FPTA Board of Directors.

How long has your organization been a member of FPTA?
I joined around. My first seminar was at FIU, where I met Kris Singh and he was very welcoming and very friendly.

How did you become involved with FPTA?

My boss at the time was a big believer in professional development and professional organizations. She suggested I join, and I did. It has been great. 

What value has your FPTA membership provided your institution?

It helps you realize you are not alone.  I was here for 8 years before I joined and to hear people talk, we were the only school on earth that charged people to park. Meeting colleagues from around the SUS lets you know that you are all in the same boat dealing with the same issues and problems. 

How do you think the coronavirus could permanently impact parking, transportation, and mobility? 

I think it will be quite a while before I do valet parking again. Additionally, I probably won’t cram myself into a full bus or train for a while. It’s taught me to reconsider some things I did without thinking in the past.

What is your organization’s return-to-the-workplace plan (if not already back)?

We have a gradual return to normalcy. Masks are no longer required but are highly recommended. Most people still wear them out of respect for others. Starting June 1, we do not have to do the daily Covid questionnaire unless we have traveled out of the country. Many people are still working remotely but we expect most everyone to be back in August.

What was your impression of work from home before this situation? What is it now?

I never did a single day of working from home during our closure.  I let my staff work from home, but I preferred being in the office. Someone had to be in there to answer calls and handle occasional visitors. Beyond that if I had been at home my wife would have made me cut the grass or do chores during my lunch breaks. Many other departments were completely remote, and I was able to assist them when they needed something done on campus. I delivered bottles of sanitizers and plexiglass shields to every office on campus.  Working from home is great for some people but it is not for me. However, I think the pandemic proved that many jobs can be done from home. 

What are you most hopeful about right now?

I’m hopeful more people will take pandemics more seriously in the future. I know a couple of people who were convinced covid was just like the flu and nothing to worry about...until they got it.  I know some people have to touch the stove before they believe it is hot, but I hope more people take these things more seriously in the future.