The Issue of Parking

I have to say: parking on this campus is a nightmare. I live in Peyton Hall, which is surrounded by Virginia-Snider, Shuttles and Mary Hay. There are probably around thirty spots for students, and about the same for faculty and staff. There are also tons of handicapped parking sports, that are NEVER being used. I think the University has to have a certain amount for each building though.. A few weeks ago, they dedicated two student spots to service vehicles, and the other week, changed about 8 students spots to faculty.

Now I’m not just being lazy, but I really hate parking all the way across campus- especially at night. The schools claims we can call the SMU PD and get rides from them, but who actually does that? When I come back from doing errands, and have thirty minutes before I have to be somewhere else, the last thing I want to is spend my down time walking all the way from Moody to my dorm (and back if I need to drive somewhere). I think I have gotten around five or six parking tickets (two of them were from the times when they changed student parking to another permit requirement), and $25 really adds up after you get more than a few. Some students have even gone as far as borrowing a family's handicapped parking permit so they can park in handicapped spots. I don't think this is a good thing, but on the other hand, at least they aren't taking up normal spots.. Right?

I Think I heard that the Universities goal is to make around a million dollars a year off of parking violations. I know those of you who don’t have cars could probably care less, but it is really an inconvenience. My roommate doesn’t have a car, and although she helps with gas, I am the one who has to stop by Park n’ Pony and pay. I think it’s great that the new parking garage is almost done, because our campus is lacking in this are- BIG time.