Campus parking raises concern for students

Jimena Giles
gilesj@lakeforest.edu
JOUR 320 Writer

For many students and faculty at Lake Forest College, arriving on campus even slightly after 9 a.m. means facing an all-too-familiar frustration: finding a parking spot. With nearly 2,000 enrolled students, roughly 30% of whom commute daily, parking has become more than just a mild inconvenience: it’s an overlooked and logistical nightmare. 

The strain is further intensified by the 180+ faculty members, most of whom also commute and drive their own vehicles. Often, they’re left parking in student-designated areas, further crowding already limited space. The result? A growing number of commuters arrive early, only to circle campus lots for 15 to 20 minutes, hoping to find an open spot.

“I just spent 20 minutes trying to find a spot,” said commuter student Eva Russell, 19, a sophomore. “The school overselling spots and not having enough parking is absurd.”

Lake Forest offers 932 parking spots, according to the Director of Public Safety, across its South, Middle, and North Campuses. However, the number of spaces falls far short of daily demand. And yet, commuter students must pay $250 annually for a parking permit, a fee that does not guarantee a space. For many students, this cost is also an added financial burden to other expenses on campus such as tuition, books, and other fees. 

According to the Public Safety website, “Since there simply are not enough spaces to accommodate everyone who would like to have a car, student parking and eligibility to obtain an academic year permit to park on campus is limited.”

This leaves many students, particularly freshmen and sophomores, unable to secure permits. Savannah Matta, 18, a first-year student from New Mexico, brought her car to campus so she could commute to internships and jobs throughout the year. Despite this, her request for a parking permit was denied.

“I have to park it on a lot in town and pay a lot, and the permit expires before May so I have to renew it again,” she said. 

Parking shortages are more than just inconvenient, they raise safety issues. Students running late may be tempted to park in unsafe areas, risking tickets, or even accidents. Tickets, most of which can’t be appealed (found on emails regarding restrictions) are another issue. 

Students sometimes only receive notice of temporary parking restrictions—due to campus events like sports games or social functions—the very night before when spots fill up quickly. This lack of transparency is just an inconvenience to both residential and commuter students, who also have to work those events.

Lake Forest College must address its parking shortage with urgency. Several potential solutions include:

• Expanding existing lots or creating a new parking garage 
• Implementing a real-time parking availability app or display system
• Re-evaluating permit pricing based on availability and access
• Improving communication regarding parking restrictions and campus events. 

As the college continues to grow, so too must its infrastructure. A smarter, more student-centered parking strategy would not only relieve daily stress but also improve the overall campus experience.