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Parking has been a constant issue for many students at Florida A&M University. The university has over 9,000 students, and more than half of these students have vehicles, but there aren’t enough parking spaces to accommodate the students.
Earlier this year, the university signed a loan to start the construction of a new 700-bed dormitory hall. This dorm is being built on what used to be one of the largest parking lots on campus, next to the North and South Towers dorm halls. The construction of the new dorm hall could affect the students who currently attend the university, especially commuters.
“The increase in students and the construction of new dorms have impacted parking because it’s taking away a parking area that was inconvenient for most classes, but it was still useable. Parking on campus is chaotic, and it is inconvenient to students trying to get to class on time,” said Jada Reid, a second-year broadcast journalism student.
Before the construction of the new dorm, the amount of parking available to students had always been an issue. Some students have to leave their homes early to ensure they have time to find a spot and make it to class on time.
“Finding parking on campus is stressful, and it has only gotten worse since I got here. The lack of adequate parking locations on campus makes it difficult to get to class on time. I have to leave my house about an hour early to ensure I have a parking spot and can still get to class on time. The lack of parking makes me not want to attend certain events on campus,” said Brianna Strickland, a third-year nursing student.
Some parking spots are close to the main buildings that students have classes in, but they are closed off to the students. The lack of general parking often results in students parking farther away from their building and walking long distances to get to class.
“I think that the university needs to build more effective parking lots because some parking lots aren’t a reasonable walking distance, and the ones that are often are closed off to the students. They should also add parking lots that aren’t gravel lots because it makes it more difficult to park,” said Danica Daus, a second-year pre-cardiopulmonary student.
Students hope the university will eventually change and provide more reasonable and accessible general parking locations as a precaution for future students.