By Sandra Collopy
The parking system on campus has been changed from individual zones to permits for Main and North Campus parking depending upon where they are living, not all students are pleased with the changes.
Frustration stems in part from the $100 cost for a Main Campus permit. Some students who have not been able to conveniently park, say they believe that the cost is a steep price for students on a budget. Main campus permits are available for juniors and seniors, as well as commuting students.
“I think there should be zones, but there should be less restriction and the parking passes should cost less,” said Jasmine Powell ’18. Last year the zoning system consisted of 5 different zones with a certain amount of spaces in each. Public Safety sold permits for the amount of spaces in every zone to allow easier enforcement and avoid overcrowding.
Sophomore and first year students are eligible for North Campus parking, which is free of charge to all students. These lots can be accessed through public transportation and the Knight Safe Escort Service.
In this new system, juniors and seniors with permits can park anywhere on main campus. This has so far reduced the amount of ticketing from Public Safety, which increased with zone parking in the 2016-2017 Academic year.
In the first couple of weeks of the semester, students have been frustrated with the lack of zoning, especially students who live near the four hundred and one hundred townhouses. Since anyone with a Main Campus permit can park in that area, the competition for those spots is steeper. “My roommates and I don’t want to drive anywhere because we don’t want to lose our spots,” said Emilia LaVallee ‘18.
The parking lots near Ross Sports Center and Tarrant Recreation Center, with around 277 spots in total, often have open spaces because students can now park closer to their residence halls without having to walk across campus. “Public Safety isn’t using Ross’ parking as efficiently as they could,” said LaVallee ’18.
Some students who live farther away from densely populated areas on campus prefer the zoning system. “I have not had an issue with parking near the three hundreds. I think it’s easier without zones,” said Janelle Miller ’18, who had a Tarrant parking pass in previous years and spent more time walking to her car.