The Elm would like to welcome new and returning students back to campus.
It is pleasing to see the solidarity among students return again to Washington College. A great amount of students turned out for the All-Campus Picnic and firework show. With upcoming events such as the "First Night Out" quad party and Counting Crows Concert, this year is off to a good start. Students have a reason to stay on campus during the weekend, making WC less of a "suitcase school." Student Affairs, Public Safety and the Administration should be commended for the overhaul of campus activities.
However, with the abundance of students and visitors being on campus, a lack of parking spaces poses a problem. During the day, students are hard-pressed to find a parking spot anywhere near their dorm, let alone in an on-campus designated parking space. Students living on the east side of Rt. 213 not only have to put up with construction crews renovating Queen Anne's House, but also with one-third of the parking lot being closed off to students due to the construction. This is forcing more students than in the past to park off campus, along side streets. Last week, an e-mail was sent out to the campus informing students that they were allowed to park on the grass near Minta Martin Hall. Students living in Harford Hall and the Western Shore Dorms are lucky to find a parking space even at night, as many students are giving up and illegally parking alongside the curbs.
Now that the majority of dorms has changed from the center of campus to the outskirts, more parking spots should be created to fit this growing need. As the college expands wider and wider, allowing larger freshmen classes each year, parking remains the same.
While the administration is doing their best to renovate dorm areas, they are overlooking the fact that readjustments must take place. The situation needs to be assessed once more to meet our growing demand of student drivers.
Perhaps charging a higher parking fee would be an answer. Or allowing only upperclassmen to register their cars on campus, while freshmen were forced to commute. Then again, there's always the notion that building more parking spaces just might work.
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