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On Campus Parking

Koan Walker-Titus , , , ,

Let’s face it, parking is regarded by many as the worst part of driving. Although in theory having a car would seemingly make student life easier; having to find parking on a packed campus can prove to be problematic.

Student car forced to park on torn up cement due to lack of other spaces (Koan Walker/STU journalism)

This is because a multitude of students have to resort to driving around for a long time in order to find a place to leave their car.

When given the chance, students jumped at the opportunity to voice their concerns about the disappointing parking conditions.

“There’s not enough parking at all,” said Saint Thomas student Ben Ford, “maybe there were enough spots twenty years ago when not even half the school population had cars, but we need more now because finding a place to park is getting ridiculous. ”

NBCC parking lot at the top of campus, which STU students are forced to park in. (Koan Walker/STU journalism)

Other than the student-designated parking lot, the next closest one is several hundred meters away from the nearest STU building. In the winter months, this is particularly uncomfortable as students must make this walk in freezing temperatures; sometimes more than once a day.

Additionally, the second parking lot is technically designated for the community college, which faces the STU campus. Students from other schools being forced to park there causes a further lack of parking for members of both schools involved.

STU student Pat Craig voiced his issues with the lack of parking, stating that he must drive to school early in the morning to ensure he has a parking spot on campus, even when he only has classes later that afternoon.

Alternatively, perhaps STU should take a page out of Dalhousie university’s parking situation, as they have prioritized cheap, convenient lots all throughout the campus. They offer multiple locations so that no matter where you need to go, there will be a place to park nearby.

“Dalhousie has so many parking places it’s kind of crazy. I can take my time heading to campus because I know there will almost always be a place to park my car.” Said Dalhousie student Gabrielle Yazbeck.

With the winter months coming right around the corner, it is no shock that the Saint Thomas students’ complaints are starting to grow.