Campus Expansions Force Students to Find Parking Alternatives

Some Kent State main campus students are finding new alternatives to on-campus parking, even as most students report having problems trying to find parking spaces in and around campus.

Since 2011, Kent State’s main branch attendance has seen an average annual increase of 2.6% every year, without a significant corresponding increase in parking space. Alterations to the campus, such as the University Green and Aeronautics building have taken a combined 340 spaces  previously reserved for parking. The commuter, C Science, and R 8 Liquid Crystal lots have added all spots to make up for the loss caused by campus expansions.

Parking Services Manager Lawrence Emling said there is no current plan to add additional parking to campus. He referred to the campus being, “landlocked,” and the university’s only option is to “build up and build a parking garage.” He went on to say that a 500 car garage would cost roughly 10 million dollars and would have to be paid for with parking fees.

“There’s always something,“ he said. While the core lots may sell out, there is almost always space available in the farther lots, such as the stadium, ball fields, or Summit East.” Emling advises students to arrive with extra time to make it to class in case they cannot find a spot in their normal lot, schedule classes around 9am to beat the rush, and to not rely on meters.

The Kent State Parking Services advises signing up for passes online as early as possible for the best chance of getting the lot of their choice. However, if those lots are sold out, students can be put on a waitlist until spaces become available.

The site also recommends looking for a different lot, but said commuters would be limited to the Summit East or Allerton Sports Complex parking lots, while the Stadium is available for residence hall students.

“It’s very inconvenient that I pay so much money to go here, and I don’t have anywhere to park, and I have to pay to park,” said student Marcetta Croskey, who has had a boot put on her car. “It’s a college campus. It shouldn’t be this crazy for a parking pass.”

Croskey added that she often has to park off campus when she goes to work at the Student Center’s Subway. “How am I working for [Kent State] and still losing? You’re paying me to work for you so I can pay these tickets.”

Parking tickets increase in cost the more they accumulate over the course of a semester. First and second infractions each cost $15, third through eighth cost $35, and the ninth ticket and beyond each cost $50. If someone has built up nine or more tickets, they are liable to have their car towed or booted.  Parking Services may waive the ticket for a student’s first ever parking infraction.

Students are also charged $100 for unauthorized parking in a handicap spot or for displaying a lost, stolen, altered or counterfeit pass.

Some students have found unorthodox parking solutions, going beyond what is available at the university.

Four churches near campus also offer parking: The United Methodist Church, The Presbyterian Church of Kent, Faith Lutheran Church, and The United Church of Christ. The Presbyterian Church of Kent charges $125 a semester to park, while the other three charge roughly $80 a semester.  When interviewed, church authorities said that the funds raised from parking are primarily used to maintain their lots, and the remainder is put back into the church itself or, in the case of The United Church of Christ, donated to local causes such as Kent Social Services.

Leah Wilson, Community Assistant with Province Apartments, suggested students borrow guest passes from friends who live at the apartment so they can park for free.

“I like parking at the Province because of its location,” said student Brandon Fish. “It probably takes me about 10 minutes to get to class.”

Students must be careful when trying to park off campus. Private businesses near the campus, such as Route 59’s, Burger King, and Starbucks, reserve parking for customers only and frequently tow from their lots.

The majority of locations are watched by either City Towing or Baker’s Towing. Each will charge the maximum, state-regulated price of $90 per tow  and $12 a day for storage until the car is collected. The law also mandates that any towing company is required to let the car’s owner retrieve any personal property they may have in the car without charge.

Certain lots on campus let guests park for free at certain times during the week. The Student Center lot is free after 6 p.m. on Fridays and on weekends. Permits are not required at the ice arena and the Recreation and Wellness Center between 6 p.m. on Friday and 11 p.m. on  Sunday.