There is nothing more frustrating than driving around for 20 minutes or more just to find a parking space. Being late for class is prohibited, but parking is limited. Now, class is halfway over and Starbucks is calling for a pick-me-up. That is only if a parking spot magically opens. Why is there not enough parking for everyone?
The amount of money we pay to go to school at SMU is astronomical, plus we pay an extra fee to park. However, some of the closest parking to dorms and classes are metered parking. Why do we have to pay even more for that particular spot when we paid our whopping tuition and parking fee?
It is nice to believe that once a parking permit is purchased, there is free reign for parking. Wrong. First ask, “Am I male or female?” If the answer is female, there are more options. However, if the answer is male, parking behind McElvaney Hall, which is currently under construction, is prohibited at night. Hit the garage, boys. But, what if Binkley is full? Try Moody Garage, but not during basketball or football season. In fact, do not park anywhere on campus during game day. Students are exiled to the law garage, which is roughly a mile from most residential halls. Like all other garages, parking is limited and cannot fit all the cars on campus.
There are several convenient parking options on campus for those who live on campus, with a few exceptions. That perfect parking behind Boaz Hall is deceiving to any resident. It seems safe, well lit and convenient. But, wait; do not park there if it is any time during the week because a ticket is coming. Cars left over the weekend have to be out by 7 a.m. Monday.
Parking can be even more difficult for off campus students. Because the on campus students are already parked in their coveted spots and terrified to move, students coming in for class have an even harder time parking.
Sophomore and volleyball player, Cailin Bula said, “I have all 8 a.m. classes, but before that I have to be on campus by 6 a.m. for practice. I can hardly ever find a spot. When I’m really lucky I find a spot in Meadows Garage, but everywhere else is almost always full.”
The students that live in greek houses on campus have an extra rough time when it comes to parking. For the boys in fraternity houses, there is limited and tight parking behind the houses. There was parking in front of the houses at one point, but it was removed when the Blanton Building opened to help beautify the campus.
For the girls living in greek houses, parking is just as bad. There are almost twice as many girls living in the houses as there are parking spots. However, there is a row of two hour parking around Sorority Park. Be warned, the Highland Park parking police, just like the SMU parking authorities, will give tickets generously to cars parked for even one minute over two hours. Airline Garage is the second choice for sorority girls, but can be unsafe late at night.
Ensure that all students with a parking permit have a place to park, or do not ask us to pay for parking. Remove the outdated meters and allow all students with permits to park in any available spot. Stop the incessant ticketing. There is no need for such strict rules regarding who can park where and when. We cannot keep up. With a rapidly growing student body and a new building every time we turn around, SMU has to accommodate for parking even if it is not the most glamorous building on campus.