Parking at VCU is more limited this semester with the implementation of a two-zone parking system by the Fan District Association.
A parking pass is now required to park in a number of the neighborhoods adjacent to VCU previously open to students. Combining this with already limited parking resources around campus provides for tense situations with parking. Some students solve the problem by buying a pass for one of the parking decks. However, the decks have their own drawbacks.
The CT asked VCU students what they think about parking.
“I hope I don’t get a parking ticket when I park. At my old apartment, they started (zone parking), so I couldn’t even (park) in front of my apartment without getting a ticket, but here (at VCU), I don’t even care about getting a ticket. If I’m late for class, it’s only 20 bucks.”
Jessica Kramer, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
“I have an assigned parking deck. So far I haven’t had any issues with it. It’s a little far away from where my classes are, so it’s a lot of walking.”
Denyce Nelson, Forensic Science
“I have a parking spot I got from VCU, and I just park there. I paid $219. Since I bought the pass, it’s easy for me. … I have a spot reserved for myself so I don’t really have to worry about it.”
Kumail Baig, Pre-dental Hygiene
“I’m sort of disappointed that I bought a parking pass, and I found out I couldn’t use it on both campuses. … That kind of disappointed me, because I’m on the MCV campus for my dorm, but I go to class over on Monroe Park Campus. That doesn’t really work out.”
Gareth Wakeman, Undeclared
“This is my third year here. … It used to be a lot easier, but now, it’s too crowded, and I can barely fi nd street parking. Also, there’s a lot of work going on the roads, because there’s a lot of no-parking-for-construction signs when you could usually park there. … It’s been in a time frame when a lot of people have class.”
Sarah Lim, Mass Communications
“I absolutely hate it. I can’t fi nd a parking spot anywhere. (Parking pass are) too expensive, so I try to fi nd a spot. I try to fi nd all-day, but, if not, I go for two-hour or onehour. It’s hard to fi nd. Everyone seems to be driving this year. I can’t stand it.”
Basil Alkhadra, Spanish