Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo by David Elkins

Larger student enrollment means fewer parking spots

By Jenn Camacho

The parking lots at VWC have raised the issue of overcrowded parking lots and what will be done to help relieve the parking situation.

"I hate having to park out in Egypt, whether it’s 8 in the morning or 10 ," said Freshman A.J. Florendo about having to park in the baseball field lot because of being unable to find a parking spot in the Batten lot.

"They need to do something about it, because if you're the least bit late, you're out of luck," said Sophomore Daniel Brough.

Currently, there are 1,264 parking spaces on campus; 36 are handicapped spaces. There are approximately 1,049 vehicles registered on campus.

"I have an 8 a.m. class and the parking lot is already full," said freshman Crystal Adinolfi.

Damara Beckett, a sophomore, feels that the parking lots are overcrowded, "especially at the Batten Center."

Director of Campus Security, Leo Therrien said that it seems as if the parking lots are crowded because there are more students attending VWC. "Everyone wants to park closer," he said.

However, Therrien said there are "close to 400 spaces that are never utilized." Those spaces are located at the Trinder Center lot and the baseball field lot.

He did mention a parking garage for VWC.

"I don't know when that's going to materialize," said Therrien.

Yet for now, students can look in the Student Handbook for where they can and cannot park.

They can also find there how they can receive a ticket for parking in the wrong area. Students can receive ticket for parking in a fire lane, a handicapped spot, a faculty/staff area or a dumpster access.

The fines for parking in the wrong area are the same as last year, which is $100. The money from the fines go to the college's general funds. The general funds are the college's central amount of money that helps to pay for expenses, such as broken windows.

"We do have parking," said Therrien. "It just entails walking."