It is safe to say that every Monmouth student who commutes to campus hates the parking situation. With 59% of Monmouth’s student population living off campus, it’s safe to say that parking is one of the many struggles that commuters face.
Those who live on campus have the luxury of waking up at 8 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. class. Commuters have to wake up early to ensure that they have time to get ready, pack everything they need for the day, sit in traffic, and then struggle to find a parking spot. Most days you will see students handing their keys off to valet as they rush to class.
Adjunct professor in Foreign Language, Aurora Schlegel, had a lot of thoughts on the parking situation. “I definitely think the lots are overcrowded. Even though professors have their own lots, we still have similar parking issues as students. For example, I don’t always feel comfortable leaving my keys with the valet, and I know a lot of students feel the same. I would rather just park my own car and have my keys on my person.” The valet parking can sometimes leave people feeling uneasy, but sometimes it is a real life saver. When a commuter is running late because of parking, it is so nice to have the option to just drop your car and run.
Senior communications student, Kayla Cardona, who has a long commute, explained her frustration with the parking situation. “I am always so nervous that I’ll be late to class due to not being able to find a parking spot. It’s a huge inconvenience since we pay so much for tuition and parking still manages to be an issue.” She also expressed that she does not feel comfortable leaving her car with valet, despite its availability.
Recent MU graduate, James Fanizzi, did not mind being a commuter because he lives relatively close to Monmouth, but he has been late to class on multiple occasions. “The parking here is rough. All of the spots that you want that are close to a building where you have class, are taken. I wish they would do something to help the parking situation.” Even though he graduated, Fanizzi is involved with our radio station, WMCX. He still commutes to campus often and still has issues parking.
Another struggle of commuting is making sure everything is packed for all of one day’s classes. Students who live on campus have the luxury of stopping by their dorm to pick up what they need and leave what they don’t. Some commuters live closer to campus and can still go home between classes, but for those who live further away like Cardona, you can’t forget anything. For the most part, commuters will be on campus for the majority of the day and need to pack accordingly. Then once a long day of classes and hanging around campus is over, it is time to take the drive home.
Being a commuter can really take a toll on you, especially when it comes to homework. No one wants to get homework done after sitting through class, killing hours of time on campus, and then driving home. However, here is an effective tip to help you get home a teeny bit faster. If you have multiple classes a day and get to campus early, park outside of wherever your last class is. That way, when class is over, your car will be right there and you can head on home instead of searching far and wide for your car.
Despite the many struggles of being a commuter, there are some perks. After a long day of classes and driving, commuters have the luxury of going home to a meal cooked by mom and their big, comfy bed waiting for them at the end of the day.
PHOTO TAKEN by Nicole Riddle