Occasionally, commuter students will question the effectiveness of residents parking in commuter spots with little-to no-consequence.
Despite a sign saying that the stadium lot was for commuters and faculty, I observed three other cars in the lot that did not fit the description.
During one of the heaviest traffic times of the day, at approximately 8:15 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, there were three North Central residents’ cars taking up spots in the front of the Merner Field House lot. Neatly parked in its own designated spot was the campus safety vehicle.
Three out of the 110 spots may seem like it doesn’t matter, but those who commute know that it does. That is three more commuters who aren’t able to park in the front of that lot, potentially meaning that they won’t get to class on time.
Keep on rocking in the free world.
At another peak time on the same day, at 1 p.m., on the north side of campus, there were no residents to be found in the commuter and staff section of the Larrance Academic Center lot, even with 84 out of 85 spots in this section full. This proves that the problem only exists on the south side of campus.
Senior IMS major Jay Meyer, who commutes, said, “I have to get on campus at 7 o’clock if I want a parking spot.” He parks on the north end of campus, but doesn’t encounter residents parking in commuter spots over there. Meyer also mentioned that the area will get so full that he will sometimes have to park several streets off of campus.
Fingers are quick to point at campus safety, but should the commuting population truly expect campus safety to be constantly patrolling? As much as I would like to, that isn’t a fair expectation for a campus with a student population of about 3,000 students, especially when that student population has a high percentage of commuters.
Instead, commuters shouldn’t be afraid to call out residents to campus safety if they want a real deterrent to parking. Commuters, let’s face it: We have failed. We all have better things to do until the next time a resident is parked in our spot and we need to get to class.
If this is an issue that people are really concerned about, then they need to get into the driver’s seat and take control.
The battle for parking is fiercer than ever. If residents who park in commuter spots don’t fear getting caught by campus safety, or being ticketed, perhaps delinquent residents will fear a hundred or more snitches.
As the Beastie Boys would say, “You gotta fight for your right for PARRRRKING!”
I think that’s how the lyrics went.
Good luck this winter for all you folk, be you commuter or resident, who park within three blocks of the campus.
To contact North Central College’s Campus Safety, call 630-637-5911.
