Edna Grant
Staff Writer
The ever-increasing need for parking accommodations on Idaho State University campus is causing inconvenience for students, especially those living in the Rendezvous suites and commuting students.
Just this year, Rendezvous residents were pleasantly surprised when they were told their parking fees had been covered by the residence hall.
While the news may sound like a good deal to most students, the reality of the situation was soon realized.
“I didn’t have to pay to park at Rendezvous,” said Michel Cardona, a second-year resident of the complex, “(but) there isn’t much room in the Rendezvous parking.”
The Rendezvous complex shares parking with the dorms in South Complex along the side of Red Hill. The lot stretches down the alleyway to just behind the Student Health Center, but the lot is the narrowest on campus, not providing near enough space for all the residents living in the area.
The free parking, however, covered only the Rendezvous parking lot. Many residents of the complex were forced to find parking in the surrounding General Parking lots, even when they were resting in their rooms and not attending class. Front desk employees at Rendezvous have been redirecting students to Public Safety and encouraging them to purchase general parking passes.
“They’re really understanding,” said one of the employees. “If you tell them you have a Rendezvous pass, they’ll give you a pass for half the price.”
“I only paid $50 for general parking,” said Cardona. A fee that just last year cost residents $150, now only ran about $50 for Rendezvous residents.
The situation resulted in even fewer parking spaces for commuting students and other campus residents.
Parking bundles sold in the Public Safety office are still priced at $150 for other campus residents, according to the signs posted, and the regular $100 for commuting students.
“It makes me mad,” said commuter, Alexis Thompson.
The problem students are facing is not getting their money’s worth in parking. With Rendezvous residents being forced to use general parking spaces, students who paid full price for parking are being denied available spaces.
“It makes it worse for everyone else,” said Idaho Falls commuter, Bryan Licano.
Both Thompson and Licano stated that they’ve begun using the bus system because of the overcrowded parking lots on campus.
“You shouldn’t have to arrive two hours before class just to park in time,” said Thompson.
Campus residents are not unfamiliar with the lack of parking. Last year, according to Thompson, Turner Hall faced a similar issue.
“If you’re going to offer housing, you should also make sure you have adequate parking,” she said.
While general lots are located around most major areas of campus, students say finding parking is becoming more of a laborious task.
“There isn’t sufficient parking. You have a demand for parking, but you clearly don’t have enough parking spaces,” Thompson said about the absence of available parking. She and Licano questioned the amount of actual parking spaces available on campus to no avail. Campus parking administration could not be reached for comment before the publication of this story.
“Why are you selling parking passes to students when you know they aren’t going to be able to park?” said Thompson.
Inconvenience among students is rising due to the unresolved parking issue and the lack of information from parking officials. Enrollment at ISU this semester has even increased over last fall, increasing the need for parking.
“If you recognize your school is growing, you have to meet those needs,” Thompson said.
With the university’s campaign for higher enrollment, it is a common hope that parking officials will find a way to meet those needs in the future.
