Western Courier

Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Wayon Collins

Nearly every year, Western Illinois University has been increasing its enrollment. In the past eight years, Western has seen its student enrollment numbers rise from 11,672 to 13,558.

We at the WC feel the student increase is beneficial for Western and hope it will continue to escalate. However, while enrollment numbers are skyrocketing, available parking spaces are remaining stagnant. If Western is going to continue to expand and attract students, it needs to address this problem immediately.

Building three parking structures is a part of Western's Master Plan, but no timetable has been made public for when construction will begin. It would be hard to believe the structures will be finished within five years. If Western continues to grow within that time, it will be difficult for it to still provide enough parking spots for students.

According to wiumasterplan.com, one of the structures to be built will be located where big Q-lot currently stands. Another one will stand across the street from Stipes Hall and the third will be near Corbin and Olson halls.

Available parking is already a problem at Western for most students, but with enrollment numbers amplifying, the parking situation will only continue to get worse unless something is done about it. Also, Western may lose even more spots after construction gets underway when Murray Street closes.

A possible short-term fix could potentially be found in reallocating the amount of student parking passes and faculty passes. Anyone who has driven in front of Sherman Hall has noticed an abundance of open spots that are not available to students.

Students living in Corbin Hall who do not have a C-lot pass sometimes have to park across campus in big Q-lot. Walking across campus at night can sometimes be dangerous, and no student who paid for a parking pass should be subject to that risk.

Parking will continue to be an issue until either more spots are made available or students stop driving cars and start riding their bikes, which is highly unlikely.

Finding a temporary location to build a new parking lot would be difficult, but the topic warrants discussion and re-thinking.

Western has a 20-year vision for the future, but more needs to be done now to accommodate students' needs.

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