As the academic year went on, I found myself in this situation almost every day. Eventually, I stopped checking to see if Swisher was full. I already knew the answer: Yes. If I didn’t hurry up, the Recreational Center lot would be, too.
Going through the headache of wondering if I’d be walking 5 or 20 minutes to my first class often loomed over my drive to school as I left earlier and earlier just to ensure a timely arrival. The occasional on-campus event that forces students out of lots that they pay to be in doesn’t ease a commuter’s mind, either.
Whether it be for financial reasons, convenience, or comfortability, a lot of students commute. In just two years, my experience in the campus lots has made one thing very clear to me — the amount of commuter students is growing, and we need space.
There are ways to make parking a less aggravating experience without expanding at all. The “lot full” sign used by the university is a good concept with a poor execution.
It’s small and barely legible when behind the wheel. A larger and more legible sign informing a driver of how many spaces are left in specific lots would result in preventing a student from searching for a spot that does not exist and lessen traffic entering and exiting lots.
Providing students, especially new ones, with alternatives when a lot is full is important. A simple sign reading “Tri has spaces open!” can make all the difference to a frantic driver.
However, if this trend of increasing commuters continues, it is inevitable that steps need to be taken to increase parking options.
It is possible to achieve a positive outcome without expanding into the campus’ green areas.
The Tri-level lot boasts an impressive number of spaces while remaining relatively unassuming on campus. A potential solution to the commuter chaos could be building upwards, not outwards.
Above all, being a commuter is tough enough. It’s difficult to have no area, like a dorm, to easily go back to, or to join clubs when the journey to campus is too far.
Driving as a student is stressful enough. Parking doesn’t have to be.
