The Michigan Times

Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Tim Jagielo Lot A is frequently filled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but according to DPS, there are still spots available.

Do you find yourself circling the parking lots looking for that perfect space? Or do you end up walking twice as far as you have in recent years?

Parking has been a hot topic on campus this fall and has students wondering why parking lots seem so much more crowded this year.
The truth is, according to preliminary data from a Fall 2008 Parking Utilization Study done by the University and Department
of Public Safety, parking lots aren't really that much more crowded.

Despite the fact that parking spaces seem in short supply, "There is adequate parking; it all depends where you are willing to park, and if you're willing to walk," said Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration Bill Webb.

Preliminary utilization reports show that even at the times when campus is the busiest - Tuesday and Thursday afternoons - there are still approximately 179-259 open spaces in the North Lots near the William S. White building and 59-86 in the lots south of the Flint River, particularly in the basement and on the top level of the Mill Street ramp.

Although the addition of the dorms may be responsible for a fair portion of the parking issue, students that live and keep vehicles on campus only account for roughly 217 of the 3,187 spaces that belong to the University.

So if we can't blame the housing
residents, why does it seem so difficult to find parking? As indicated by the data set compiled from the parking survey, class scheduling plays a large role in parking availability, as does the number of online and mix-mode class offerings. People with Monday-Wednesday classes may find it easier to obtain parking than Tuesday-Thursday students. Students who only come for an hour or two per day are less likely to find a quick spot compared to those students who come early and have large breaks that keep them on campus, ultimately keeping
them parked.

DPS Sergeant Allen Cozart offered one piece of advice.

"Park within the lines," he says.

When one driver parks over the line or at an angle, it doesn't only increase the likelihood of an accident occurring, but it takes up parking spaces, Cozart says.

"For every driver that double-parks, there is two less spaces available," Webb said.

For years, parking has been a topic of debate on campus. However, at $5,000-$6,000 per space for a flat lot and over triple that cost per space for a parking garage, planning for additional parking is taken very seriously.

"It's clear we will need additional
parking as we grow our on-campus enrollment," Webb said.

The key is to balance student satisfaction and parking availability and costs. Soon, a design study will be under way to look at how many additional student parking spaces can be added following the potential demolition of the abandoned International Institute.

Lacee can be reached at laceesth@umflint.edu.

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