March is a time for choosing new classes, preparing for the end of the semester and looking forward to all next year has to offer. For the Grand Valley State University Police Department, this is the time for its second annual “Art2Park” competition at GVSU.

The idea of the competition is to have students create a parking permit design for the upcoming school year. Entries can include anything from photographs to paintings. GVSU students are given a chance to vote on all of the submissions online, and the winning designer will receive a free parking permit for the 2014-2015 school year and recognition from GVPD.

“This initiative gives students from different disciplines a chance to be involved on campus and to have student talents highlighted in another way,” said Lisa Garringer, the parking systems coordinator.

Last year, almost 2,000 people voted online for their favorite parking permit design. This year, the first round of online voting opened today and will continue through March 21. The final round of voting will take place from March 24 to March 28.

The winner will be announced March 31 on GVPD’s parking website, on its Facebook page, and in university publications.

“This is an opportunity for students to have a voice in what is displayed and what is seen around campus,” Garringer said. “We love seeing all the creative expression Grand Valley has to offer.”

The police department encourages students to participate in the voting process by submitting votes online at www.gvsu.edu/parking.

Stemming off of the competition is an internship opportunity for a GVSU student. The selected student works with the Grand Valley Police Department on advertisements, marketing and social media relations, including those for the Art2Park competition.

This year, GVSU student Bailey Cairnduff was selected for the internship. Cairnduff, who is also on the women’s basketball team, is now balancing school, sports and a job.

“I’m learning how to use on-campus resources to my advantage,” Cairnduff said. “Time management is also a key factor with my internship and basketball commitments.”