VSU’s enrollment has increased this year, causing many students to strain over finding a parking spot in time from class. 

 

The university overall welcomed  300 more students to campus this year than last year. Earlier this year, the school eliminated a lot of online courses, leaving students with no choice but to commute to the campus. 

 

 According to Intern  Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sheri Novielle, “There are about 5,554  traditional undergrad students here on campus currently.”  

 

Due to the fluctuating number of students back on campus, the school wasn’t ready to deal with the challenges and problems it would bring for student parking. 

 

The parking garage is being filled up with student cars weekly, creating a first, come-first-served ordeal when it comes to finding a parking space. 

 

This issue has also led to many students driving up to the 4th and 5th floor of the parking garage just to find a parking spot for the day. 

 

Many parking areas on campus only allow students to park for 2 hours until they are charged a $30 fee for either parking in a pay zone or a faculty parking space.  

 

This leaves students with dwindling to no options on where to find a place to park their car on campus. 

 

Some students, however, are able to find designated parking spaces on campus that allow them to park their vehicle and go on about their day. 

 

This doesn’t function for everyone as most students have class on the main campus within the pedestrian mall area.  

 

Speeding rules and regulations need to be more thorough, as with more student drivers comes a higher potential risk of accidents that can happen from reckless driving mistakes. Especially in the parking deck as most students tend to speed in a five-mph area.  

 

The first floor of the parking deck should be open for students who live on campus. 

 

Parking has been an issue at VSU in the past but due to all the significant changes being made it’s gotten more hectic than ever before. 

 

Students are now finding themselves parking at the University Center just to commute to their class in West Hall and Nevins.  

 

Plus, the heat doesn’t make the situation better as some students have health conditions that make it difficult for them to function within the blazing hot sun. 

 

Health conditions such as Respiratory conditions and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome create more challenges for many students just trying to get to a parking spot and make it to class on time. 

 

In addition, many students don’t really know where they can park their cars on campus. 

Places like Grace’s cafe parking lot, the mass media and communications parking lot, and the Georgia gravel are additional places for students to park their vehicles on campus.  

 

 

Assistant Superintendent of Parking and Transportation Anthony Byrant commenteds on this issue. 

 

 

“As far as student parking we have not seen many changes since last year,” said Byrant. “The only complaints thus far is that the North Campus area has been congested.” 

 

Assistant Byrant also explaineds how parking is not a main issue. 

 

“We do not have any issues with student parking because there are plenty of open places in several lots, especially on our main campus, especially on our main campus including the University Ccenter lot and Oak Street,” said Byrant. 

 

“We have educated the campus during the first week of school with a parking map and parking guide, which was sent out several times via email. Also, there was information sent regrading overnight parking,.” he added. 

 

The Spectator will continue to report on these issues. Be on the lookout for potential updated information.