Sometimes it is hard to find a good parking space on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus, but officials said there are more than enough parking spaces available, even if quarters do seem a bit cramped on the permit-only campus.

Bob Brown, assistant director of Facilities Planning, said there are 2,909 total spaces available for commuters and 3,116 spaces for residents on campus.

Despite sufficient parking for students, about $188,000 were collected last year in parking violations, said Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of the Grand Valley Police Department. Such infractions included individuals parking in handicapped areas, in front of building entrances, in service roadways or sidewalks. Other tickets were written for people having improper permits or none at all.

The money collected from tickets goes into the general budget for the university that offsets major university costs, DeHaan said. The money does not benefit GVPD.

“We would prefer not to write any tickets, but we need to do so that we can have compliance with parking on the university campus,” he said. “If students park appropriately and have proper permits, there is no need for us to write tickets.”

Last year, $3,108,276 was spent on parking permits, and this year, $3,145,809 has been spent, Brown said.

“These monies go into the university’s general fund and are allocated to offset university expenses, including those expenses involving parking,” he said.

DeHaan said GVPD does not gain revenue from permit funds, either.

Although many students opt to violate parking restrictions and risk the ticket to get a close parking space, DeHaan said there is no problem accommodating all the students who have permits. He also said there is adequate parking for students, visitors, and faculty and staff.

“We do have parking on this campus whether it is for residential students or faculty and staff,” he said. “However, I can’t always guarantee parking in the front row. Students may need to walk a little bit but the walk is not that difficult.”

Brown said there are currently no plans to expand parking lots, adding that there has been a 20 percent reduction in the number of parking permits purchased between the Fall 2007 and Fall 2011 semesters because students are choosing not to bring cars to campus.

DeHaan added that GVSU is a pedestrian friendly campus, and he said he encourages commuter students to arrive early to the university so they can have enough time to make sure there is appropriate parking so they can arrive to class on time.

Parking spaces are available across the street near academic buildings for commuter students, and even if they fill up around busy times such as the noon hour, there are other parking lots nearby that will suffice as long as students are willing to go the extra mile to get to class on time, he said, adding that the walk across campus takes about 15 to 17 minutes.

For more information on parking regulations, obtaining permits or appealing citations, visit www.gvsu.edu/gvpd.

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