Students at Monmouth University are finding themselves circling campus longer than usual.
What was once a routine part of the day: parking, walking to class and arriving on time, has become less predictable following the closure of the Woods Theater parking lot. For most students, finding alternative parking options across campus has added stress to an already demanding time filled with exams, assignments, and campus events.
Executive Director for Campus Planning and Facilities Management, Timothy R.Orr, sent an email on March 18, to the university community declaring that the Woods Theatre Lot (Lot #23) would be closed for the remainder of the spring term. According to the email, the closure is due to scheduled milling and repaving work, a project deemed as necessary to benefit the safety and lasting usability of the lot.
Although the university’s message highlighted a plan to improve the lot for the future, some students say the short-term impact has been difficult to manage.“Honestly my exp erience with this has been terrible,” said Lorelai Hilarczyk, a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism and public relations and a musical theatre minor. “Not only has there been little to no communication about the lot being closed, but professors in the department were assured it was being paused. It really does feel like a slap in the face.” Hilarczyk, who is involved in Woods Theatre through choir, described how the closure has directly affected her ability to get to class on time.“Last week it made getting to class on time a nightmare,” she said. “I had to park in the library lot and hope I didn’t get a ticket. It’s frustrating to deal with this while so many events are coming up.”
Other students shared similar concerns about how the closure has affected their schedules.
“So going to class has been so much worse for me,” said Riley Kindler, a sophomore music industry major with a communications minor. “Ninety-nine percent of my classes are in Woods, and I usually drive to be on time, and I can’t do that anymore.”
Kindler explained that the closure has also affected her ability to move between commitments efficiently. “On Wednesday nights, I have a class in Woods and then have to go right to Asbury,” she said. “Before the closure, I would be on time. Now I am consistently late because I have to walk back, find my car, then go to class.” She added that the situation may also affect events tied to the Woods Theatre space. “It’s really inconsiderate to music students, and it makes it almost impossible to have our events in Woods,” Kindler said. “Our chorus concert, senior awards, and recitals could be affected because there is no parking at the theater, and street parking is limited.” Kindler also mentioned that some professors voiced apprehensions about the shutdown, but the project continued as scheduled. She pointed out that some students have received parking tickets while adapting to the changes, with fines reaching over $100.
Their experiences demonstrate an even larger concern among students who require the lot of the Woods Theatre location for their classes. Since Lot #23 is no longer available, students are encouraged to use other parking spaces near this location, which could very well be filled at peak times. Parking has been an important aspect of life for many students commuting to school. Many plan their arrival to the college accordingly to get a parking spot to make it to their classes on time.
The new lot disparity policy affects the process and changes the way things were done before.
The shutdown has brought about difficulties even for those residing on campus when it comes to participating in activities and attending events at Woods Theater. The area serves as the main space for performances, including concerts and rehearsals.
Hilarczyk also drew attention to upcoming events and how they may be affected. The spring choir concert, scheduled for April 23, is one example of an event that may need to be altered since the parking availability is limited. Although the university has stated that arrangements will be made, details about those accommodations have not been widely shared.
Besides the organizational troubles, most students say they would have preferred more direct and detailed communication about how the closure would affect their routines. As opposed to questioning whether construction is necessary or not, most students are anxious about how the closure affects them immediately. Even small disturbances can disrupt one’s schedule when regular activities persist normally.
Despite all these challenges, students say they had to find ways to cope by arriving early, parking farther from the buildings, and allowing themselves additional time for traveling.
As the project progresses into the remaining portion of the spring semester, there is a desire on the part of the students to have better communication and continued assistance provided by the university. However, at least for now, the lot of the Woods Theatre will remain closed to students, who must adjust their schedules to accommodate this added difficulty in finding parking.
