Parking is still as much of a problem as it was on the first day, even though school has been in session for two weeks.
Freshman Dylan Witzleb said that he must leave early each day because it takes him about 20 minutes to find a parking spot on campus.
He said that The University of Memphis needs to invest in bigger parking lots, as well as create more locations for parking. Witzleb also said that parking lot attendees nitpick on drivers.
“I got a warning sticker on the first day for not having a sticker on my parking pass,” Witzleb, 19, said.
According to Sandra Barksdale, manager of The U of M Parking Services, parking lot attendees are searching for “adherence to parking rules and regulations.”
A senior, who asked to be called Terry, said he parks on campus regularly.
Terry said that part of the reason parking is so bad is due to the constraints placed on spots in front of Wilder Tower, as well as all of the ticketing practices of the U of M police.
“Wilder Tower spots are all handicapped and the police give tickets to anyone who parks over there,” Terry said.
He said that he has had his fair share of on-campus parking tickets, but thinks last year’s parking situation was much worse than it is now.
“Last semester was really bad,” Terry said.
Stephen Kirby, senior music education major, said that he has been so upset by the parking situation that he has conducted his own research.
“Actually there are not as many spots as there are students,” Kirby, 21, said. “If everyone took class at the same time, there wouldn’t be enough parking spots.”
Barksdale said that Parking Services has recently opened a new Conlee lot. It is located near the Central parking lot.
“That lot added approximately 350 spaces. It is not being used to capacity, so there is adequate parking available to students this year, “ Barksdale said. “We are always looking for opportunities to increase parking spaces.”
Barksdale gave several pieces of advice to students who park on campus.
First, students should be informed about the parking rules and regulations.
“Make sure you have the correct information by reading the rules and regulations,” Barksdale said. “They are available on the parking Web site.
“If everyone would make themselves familiar with the parking rules and regulations and abide by them it would improve the situation.”
Students should also make themselves aware of the locations of the different general parking lots, Barksdale said.
“Find out where all general lots are located,” Barksdale said. “We have campus parking maps at the parking office at 120 Zach Curlin.”
Kirby said he blames the Holiday Inn and the side street parking for taking away more spots needed by students.
Students who park illegally are also at fault, Kirby said.
He said he parks on campus every day and has to leave early just to get a spot.
“You can come at 8, 9 or 10 and you can’t find a spot, “ Kirby said. “When you finally do, it’s all the way in the back.”
Kirby also worries that some things done by Parking Services are done strictly for monetary gain.
“There are so many restricted parking areas just for Parking Services to get more money,” he said.
