Parking at the university has been a headache for all students, and frustrations are spilling onto social media as students and parents voice concerns over limited spaces and ticketing practices.

On-campus parking is primarily reserved for commuters, while resident students are limited to
smaller sections near the Westside dorms or on North campus. This divide has left many students circling lots for extended periods, competing for the same spaces despite paying for parking passes.

Hadleigh Sargent, a resident of Celentano Hall, described the situation as overwhelming.
“Parking is really hard to do as both commuters and residents are fighting for the same spots. I
feel bad for both parties,” Sargent said.

Commuter students say their situation is no easier.

“As a commuter, yes, it’s hard to find parking on campus, but all the parking available for residents is either behind a freshman dorm or far away from the dorms completely,” said commuter Charmari Lloyd. “As commuters we have parking, but it’s an everyday battle. Sometimes we have to circle the lots for 30+ minutes.”

Parents are voicing these concerns online. One parent said that her daughter spent “almost two hours” looking for a spot.

“The school really needs to do something (beyond ticketing) about people parking in the commuter lots that shouldn’t be,” said the parent. “Tow! My daughter has been looking for a parking spot for almost 2 hours. Tons of cars with tickets.”

Another parent, who works in campus parking management at a different college said, “We
tow after a certain number of citations. Most learn after that.” She said that her daughter, also a commuter, has been worried about the issue since the start of the year.

Some suggested potential fixes, such as expanding security and adding shuttles for students
parked farther away. One parent said, “Immediate towing would add to the stress of a
new schedule or school. But yes, it should be addressed as well as more security in lots further
away, not just when classes start. Kids move in early, and security to and from lots should be in place while they are living on campus.”

The university’s mascot account, Charlie the Charger, responded to parents’ concerns by pointing commuters to alternate lots such as the Railroad Salvage lot on the south side of campus and the Hoffman Street lot near Bergami Hall, both of which are serviced by shuttles.

Campus ticketing has also become another source of frustration. During move-in week, many students and families reported receiving parking citations while unloading belongings. Several parents said ticketing during this time created unnecessary stress, calling the practice excessive and poorly timed. This issue has fueled even more online discourse, with some urging the university to show leniency during high-traffic events such as move-in.

Despite these suggestions, frustration remains high among families. One parent said,“The commuter parking issues cause unnecessary anxiety for all students…My second
child is commuting this year, and I wish that there were an easier fix.”

The ongoing concerns highlight two main issues: a lack of accessible parking spaces for both
commuters and residents, and strict enforcement that some feel prioritizes ticketing over
solutions. Many believe the university should strike a balance between commuter and resident availability, expand parking access and adjust its enforcement policies to alleviate stress for students and their families. Without such changes, the parking battle is likely to remain a daily
challenge on campus.

At press time, the university’s police department had not responded to requests for comment.