As we enter a new academic year, students at Grand Valley State University are once again experiencing the age-old grievance that is on-campus parking.
To park on campus without being issued a $35 ticket, your vehicle must have a valid permit from GVSU. While faculty members are issued passes, students must purchase them, costing between $150 and $240 a semester. However, students routinely struggle to find accessible parking on campus, which often results in having to park multiple lots away from their destination. This can add stress to students’ lives and cause late arrivals to class. Considering the steep price for parking, we think GVSU should massively improve its parking resources and accessibility for paying students.
Over the summer, Lot G underwent construction to modify the barrier between faculty and student commuter parking. Faculty do not pay for their permits, and are allowed access to student commuter lots, in addition to faculty spaces. The allocation of funds toward this project is a disappointing display of the University catering solely to the needs of faculty and staff, while not addressing the concerns of students who already pay exorbitant tuition prices.
The rate charged for parking passes is not typical of neighboring universities, with past reporting finding GVSU ranking as one of the highest-costing permits in Michigan. Coupled with the recent tuition hike and a promise from administrators to keep education affordable, it seems as though affordability is not as big a concern as administrators like to claim.
The increasing price and decreasing availability of student parking spaces demonstrate that leadership does not understand the needs of students and resources required to commute, develop time-management skills and navigate daily life as a young adult. Statistically, 54% of students in the United States report they struggle to make ends meet while enrolled in higher education, with 31% of those considering dropping out at some point in their studies due to lack of financial resources.
The current parking debacle feels especially ironic as the University undergoes a campus-wide rebrand. While cosmetic changes to GVSU’s brand have generated positive press and distanced the University from its rural reputation, the decision to allocate funds toward areas such as logo aesthetics and color schemes has little direct benefit for students. Focusing on practical areas that improve the immediate campus environment and broader GVSU community would build a more constructive relationship between students and administration.
Instead of making small modifications to the current lots, the University should increase parking resources, potentially by adding parking ramps. The utilization of parking garages rather than lots could benefit the campus’ surrounding area from an environmental perspective. Instead of advocating for green space to be turned into a paved lot, layering rows of vehicles could help sustain the natural environment and local wildlife. In addition, placing more bus stops for lines like the 37, 48 or combined 85 to shuttle students around campus could help parking feel like less of an inconvenience.
Overall, it’s clear the price to park at GVSU is far too steep for the poor parking conditions students face. Administration should acknowledge the stress that our current parking system places on students and work toward improving it, rather than focusing on minor, costly projects. The University’s leadership must better examine the needs of students who pay to receive an education, and dedicate themselves to making change where it needs to happen.
