Spring Break
Students, faculty seek parking solution
Overcrowded lots, garages cause frustrations for drivers at USC
Josh Dawsey
Staff Writer
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: News
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"It sucks because there are so many people trying to come in here," Matthews, a third-year economics student from Knoxville, Tenn., said.
Matthews is one of many USC students who attempt to park on campus every day. With over 27,000 students, there just aren't enough spots, although the university is working toward a solution.
Only 16,847 parking spots are available on campus. Therefore, it is impossible for the university to supply enough spots for the over 30,000 students, faculty and staff that are on campus each day.
"There isn't enough parking, but we're trying to work on the problem," USC spokesman Russ McKinney said. "We're trying to bring parking to campus in a way that's conducive to the rest of campus."
The university, looking to improve the situation for the 2008-2009 academic year, added 2,400 garage spots in the new Innovista complex.
While the new spots undoubtedly improved the issue, most students say more parking is still needed.
Parking garage spaces on campus go for over $500 a year, and for students who have the financial resources to purchase one, there often aren't any available.
The seven garages on campus quickly fill up before the year begins, and students trying to get a spot are left empty-handed.
"I just can't get a garage spot," Zack Miller, a second-year marketing student, said. "I tried to get one, but they were all full."
Students unable to obtain garage spaces are offered student parking, on a first-come, first-serve basis, for $70 a year.
Spots in student lots are virtually impossible to find during peak times of the day, so many students arrive much earlier than their classes to secure a spot.
Blaine Willis, a first-year sports and entertainment management student from Lexington, Ky., said he received a parking ticket on Tuesday near Capstone House. He said the ticket was unfair.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Jake
posted 8/28/08 @ 7:45 AM EST
Watch out for the uptight, overzealous parking pigs the city of Columbia employees. After all the money those jackasses have made me pay I'm surprised Columbia doesn't have a whole new road system. (Continued…)
montana_2010
Linsey Myers
posted 8/28/08 @ 11:08 AM EST
I appreciate this article, because parking is clearly a major issue for USC students and faculty and staff. I do, however, think that a major piece was left out of the article. (Continued…)
Quincy
posted 8/29/08 @ 12:36 PM EST
I graduated from Carolina in 1972. That was light years ago but the article could have been dated in the 60's or 70's. Parking was always terrible then as now. (Continued…)
Joel
posted 8/29/08 @ 1:41 PM EST
Does anyone know the reasoning behind prohibiting overnight parking in the Coliseum/Colonial Center lots? I mean, is there a reason other than greed, as students are forced to pay up for garage spots?
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