Originally published November 2, 2000
by Adam Zurn

Student irritations regarding on campus parking are old ones. It's been an issue since my freshmen year and probably dates back much further.

I often try and serve as a consumer advocate for students here at Millersville. Several times, I have stressed the need for the University to "focus on its end customer" whether it be addressing dorm overcrowding or solving crosswalk concerns.

Many students are sure that the University has sold more parking passes than there are parking spaces in the effort to make a quick dollar. They are also sure that there is simply not enough parking available on this campus. Students are sure that the University is somehow cheating them.

Letters to the Editor have appeared in the local papers from irate commuters saying that there isn't enough parking. That they have spent "x" number of their hard earned dollars to attend Millersville and should be guaranteed a parking spot.

Believe it or not, the University has not cheated anyone who parks his or her car on campus. They have not purposely oversold parking passes and do not have to guarantee you parking next to your class. They can't even do that for the faculty. There just isn't room to put 500 parking spaces next to McComesy.

Since the McComsey parking lot always appears full with vehicles haphazardly parked on the concrete dividers and teetering on the lot's sides, the casual observer would imagine that Millersville must have a parking problem. I'm here to tell you that it does not.

I'm going to let you in on a small secret, empty parking spaces often exist in the lot behind the SMC and in the one to it's right, behind Harbold Hall. I realize that isn't next to your class in McComsey, Osburn, Byerly, or Hash. But I'm sure the walk won't kill you.

Commuters have this idea in their head that they should be guaranteed a parking spot next to the front door of the building they have class in. It doesn't work that way.

I recently saw one woman circling the McComsey parking lot searching for a place to park. I had just come from the parking lot behind the SMC. I informed her that there was plenty of room there for her. She told me that she had class in McComsey. With that said, she promptly parked illegally and went to class. Personally, I'd rather walk an extra 300 feet than have to pay a $15 parking ticket. Perhaps this was a form of silent protest for her or she wanted to give the cops something to do while in class. Whatever the reason, I did not understand it.

I often hear people making the demand for new parking lots. I, personally, like the grass so I ask, "Do we really want Millersville to look like a mall parking lot?"

Pretending that there was a place to put a parking lot, let's examine the pure cost of the endeavor. Last year to pave one parking space the cost was approximately $3,000. In the last year, asphalt prices have doubled. Now, we've talking about $6,000 a spot. For a 100 spaces, that's $600,000.

We aren't even considering the extra cost of the traffic lanes into the lot, drainage, lighting, yearly maintenance, and other hidden costs. The cost can easily spiral upwards of $1 million. Now we're talking about some serious cash.

Where exactly does one get these funds? We all know what kind of friend Governor Ridge has been to public education. But that's another story.

Of course, if you want a parking spot that bad you could always pay for it. If you want to write a check for $6,000, I imagine the University would be more than happy to give you one. They might even put your name on it.

Bottom line, parking isn't as big a problem as many think. There's parking usually available somewhere on campus. You're just not going to find it next to the place you have class. We just need to get use to the idea that we're going to have to walk. The weather has been rather nice so why not enjoy yourself with a leisurely stroll to class.