Purdue University's campus is crowded with students and faculty who walk, ride the bus, or drive to campus for class on a daily basis. An issue that is reoccurring in many schools, specifically Purdue University, is the lack of parking spaces available on campus and the price that is attached to these parking permits.Many times, schools issue more parking permits than available spaces.What good does it do to offer more than what can be provided? Every year the school body expands and more students and staff are driving their cars to campus, especially students that live off campus who drive to class every day.

Students and staff are allowed to purchase parking permits for a pretty penny. According to the Purdue Parking, Airport and Transportation Service’s website, there is a breakdown of the eligibility of obtaining a certain pass. Only students employed by Purdue at least 30 hours per week can purchase an “A” permit for $250 or a “B” permit for $100. Students can also purchase a “C” permit for $100. The issue that arises is the limited amount of spaces that are allowed for each permit. Generally, “A” permit is allowed in the heart of campus 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. Students with “B” and “C” permits are left with the short end of the stick even though they have paid to have some priority over those who do not have a permit.

It is unfair to those who pay money for priority parking to not be able to use it when it is needed. The university should strategize ways to make more spots available or decrease the cost to purchase a pass and only sell the number of permits for the number of spaces alloted. If you feel that there should be an expansion in the number of parking spaces or a lowered price for parking permits, join me in signing this petition.