Incoming freshmen denied parking

By Chris O'Connell

Santa Clara will not permit most of next year's incoming freshman class to purchase parking permits in an effort to decrease the current struggle for on-campus parking.

"The university's recent decision to prohibit first-year resident students from parking a car on campus next year - except where there is a demonstrated hardship - serves to support the management of parking resources," Director of Campus Safety Charlie Arolla said.

This change comes amid complaints from students who purchase parking permits but are unable to find parking spaces on a regular basis.

The Parking and Traffic Plan published by Campus Safety states that the purchase of a permit allows access to Santa Clara parking spaces, but does not guarantee a space in a specific location, let-alone a space at all.

"I think our policy is fair," said Arolla. "If you read the rules of the parking plan, there is no guarantee of a spot. We have the same policy and practice as several universities in the area."

Currently, there are 507 "C" permit owners (permits held by most on-campus residents) vying for 322 "C" spaces, according to Arolla. "C" permit holders can also park in the "F" lot (Leavy Activities Center parking) if there are spaces available.

Senior Sean Roberts said the parking policy is unfair.

"If you pay $180 for a sporting event, you expect to get a seat. Here you pay $180 to only get a chance at a parking space," Roberts said.

In total, there are 2,856 parking spaces on university-owned or operated property, including locations both on and off campus. Since July 1, Campus Safety has sold more than 4,000 permits for all parking categories and classes, including quarterly, semiannual and annual.

Arolla said that the largest percentage of permits are issued to non-resident commuters, both those that attend classes during the day as well as the evening.

"The university's [parking] supply, when properly managed, is usually sufficient for the majority of parking needs," Arolla said. "On-campus construction projects have an impact on our operation, just as large special events do. We can best handle parking needs when the various university entities include us in their event planning process."

Although an average of 400 parking violations are written each month, Arolla said the majority of these tickets are given to drivers without any form of a parking permit.

There are four types of parking permits most commonly available to students at Santa Clara: "C," "Cw" and "F" for resident students, "D" for those living in Sobrato Hall and "E" for non-resident students. The permits are assigned with priority for upperclassmen over underclassmen. The "C," "D," and "E" lots range from $75 for a quarterly permit, to $125 for a semi-annual permit, with an annual permit costing $180. Campus Safety also sells a reduced fee "F" permit.

Stanford University parking permits are more expensive; the most expensive being the "A annual nonresident students" parking permit, sold at $468. Stanford, like Santa Clara, does not guarantee spaces for students.

San Jose State University permits also cost more, hovering around $316 with no guarantee for parking.

û Contact Chris O'Connell at (408) 554-4546 or coconnell@scu.edu.