University of Mississippi Dean of Students and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Bradley Baker provided reassurance on parking concerns and shared insights on student advocacy with the Associated Student Body during its informal senate meeting on Tuesday, Sept 8.
Prior to his current position, Baker served as the director of the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union from 2011-2025.
“Ever since graduation in 2005, I’ve been here and focused primarily on student activities in the early part of my career and branched out into the student union and facilities management,” Baker said. “I was the director of the student union from 2011 until last year, and then had the opportunity to serve with our … students in January for full time.”
Parking and construction
The senators prompted Baker to address students’ concerns regarding parking and transportation on campus.
“Many of our constituents are concerned about the current parking situation as senators,” Trey McKean, ASB Vice President, said.
Baker responded to this question and others by referencing these struggles as part of the university’s growing process.
“Parking is also challenging at any other institution you go to,” Baker said. “I think that we’ve done great things at responding to the traffic and parking challenges when it comes to the evolution of our parking garages or expanding outside the exterior parts of campus.”
Construction surrounding the Tad Smith Coliseum and Kincannon Hall sites resulted in a combined loss of about 305 parking spaces. The university is also currently building a new parking garage in the northwest corner of the Oxford campus, which would hold 1,379 parking spaces and is expected to open in spring 2027.
The dormitory being built on the Kincannon site is expected to be finished in August 2027, while the dorm being built on the West Row is expected to be completed in August 2028. The construction project on West Row includes not only a dormitory, but also a new dining facility and approximately 1,500 parking spots.
“Any time that we have growth, we’re going to have challenges,” Baker said. “That’s on campus, that’s in the city of Oxford, that’s in Lafayette County, and (everyone should understand) that … it takes a little bit of patience.”
Baker pointed out that students should not think of certain parking spaces as being their own.
“You’re not going to get that spot every day,” Baker said.
He acknowledged the difficulties students face finding parking but emphasized that the bus system provides “quick and easy transportation.” Baker said the university Department of Parking and Transportation is open to suggestions on how to improve the system.
“These challenges that students are facing come as the university has multiple construction projects underway,” Baker said. “We have ($1.3 billion) in infrastructure projects going on right now.”
Policy and student engagement
Baker also discussed how he does his best to turn students’ ideas into policies because he wants to accommodate student priorities.
“The mentality that I have (is), ‘How do we get to the yes?’” Baker said. “At the end of the day, if it’s a no, it’s a no, but we want to get to the yes as best we can because it’s the things that the students want.”
Baker told the senate that he has an open-door policy for all university students.
“I am not saying I want to set up a meeting with all of you guys, but my door is always open,” Baker said.
Baker elaborated on some of the support he could provide to the students.
“While I may not have every answer, I can at least point you in the right direction or provide you some advice for it,” Baker said. “It takes feedback from students for us to make decisions that may differ from what (students) had in the past.”
Baker shared advice on ways that the ASB Senate could advocate for students and registered student organizations.
“ASB Senate is normally focused on projects and legislation,” Ben Bailey, the executive assistant, said. “What are appropriate ways for senators to advocate for individual students and RSOs to do different forms of service?”
Baker answered that the ASB Senate can effectively act as an advocate for students by working as a collective when presenting issues to administration.
“It is important for (ASB Senate) to go to the RSOs as a collective group of students, not as the XYZ organization,” Baker said. “It takes feedback from students for (administration to) make decisions that may differ from … the past.”
Ole Miss vs. LSU football game
Baker acknowledged the importance of Ole Miss Football’s home game against LSU on Sept. 19. He also emphasized the university’s expectations for students and visitors to show respect and a welcoming attitude to fans from both teams.
Students should be welcoming to visitors at every game this season, Baker said, not just the game against LSU.
“Hospitality is particularly important in the Grove,” Baker said.
