Washtenaw Community College's record high enrollment causes parking crunch
With more students looking for an affordable education or a new career in today's economy, enrollment at Washtenaw Community College has hit a record high.
But with those students come cars - leading to crowded parking lots, more fender benders and scrapes, parking tickets and frustration.
Almost 14,000 students are enrolled at WCC. And the college has 3,000 places to park.
Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, drivers circled the lots. They parked on the grass and in fire lanes. Some students hustling to class said it takes them 30 to 45 minutes to find a space.
Business major Alex Kuchta, 19, said he doesn't have trouble parking before his first class around 8:30 a.m., adding, "Usually the first week is the worst."
"They could use another lot," Kuchta said. "But that's not possible."
To ease the crunch, WCC is shuttling in about 100 of its instructors from off-site lots at Eastern Michigan University. The college also is promoting $10 per semester bus passes for students for unlimited rides on Ann Arbor Transportation Authority routes. So far, 1,000 passes have been sold.
Enrollment at WCC stands at 13,800 students and climbing, said Janet Hawkins, associate director of public affairs. Last year around this time, about 12,400 students were enrolled at WCC. The fall semester began Aug. 28.
Ron Schebil, director of campus safety and security, said parking is naturally more competitive this year with the added students, and fender benders and scrapes are on the rise. Schebil added the rush for parking is most intense in the first few weeks of each new semester, with students on campus for reasons beyond class times, such as buying books or paying tuition.
Campus safety and security officers are ticketing vehicles parked in the fire lanes and other "no parking" zones, Schebil said.
"We've been issuing tickets in those areas since the first day," he said.
The worst times for parking are between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m on weekdays, Schebil said. He recommended drivers look for spots on the east side of campus in front of the Morris Lawrence building during those times.
"But my best advice is to take advantage of the bus passes," Schebil said.
Not all students are willing to bus to school.
"They offer a bus pass, but you have to get up extra early to get here, and go all around the city to get to school," said Trey Wixson, 18, a criminal justice freshman. "I really don't want to do that."
So Wixson drives to class, but it took him 45 minutes to find a parking spot one day last week.
"They need more parking spots. They need to figure out something," he said.
Hawkins said building a new parking structure is cost prohibitive.
Instead, she said, "We're trying to look at creative ways of scheduling classes and helping students get to and from class that will work around those jams."
For instance, more evening and weekend classes could be offered, and twice weekly classes could be structured to have one day on campus and the other online, she said.Â
Additional satellite sites also are being considered. Already, WCC hosts classes at two sites in Livingston County, and classes in Chelsea were recently added to better serve western Washtenaw County, Hawkins said.
Photos by Angela Cesere, AnnArbor.com: The parking crunch at WCC was evident Tuesday.
Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528.
Comments
kimh
Thu, Sep 17, 2009 : 9:07 a.m.
As a former employee and current student of WCC, I can certainly attest that parking, especially during fall semesters, has always been an issue. Now that enrollment has increased to nearly 14,000 students, the situation is sure to be worse than ever. About ten years ago, there was some talk by College officials regarding a parking structure. But at the time, groundwork for the Wellness Fitness Center was underway. And then came the Gundar Myran Building. WCC's campus looks better than ever and it is alive with activity like I have never before seen. It's wonderful! However, there may come a point where the inconvenience of parking may be too much for students and they will find education options elsewhere. I believe a parking structure should be considered (and quickly). For now, the College should use the resources it already has, like the extension sites, for example. As a Livingston County resident, I would much rather make the short drive to Brighton or Howell rather than risk life and limb on US23 to get to Ann Arbor, but that is generally not an option because the class offerings at extension sites is very limited. I say WCC should offer a wider variety of classes at those sites as well as online. That is value and convenience students can appreciate.
goodthoughts
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 2:46 p.m.
BTW the 10 dollar bus pass is a special deal offered by WCC and AATA -you buy a bus pass for 10 dollars, I think per semester, and you can use that pass all over, not just to go to and from WCC. So if you are a regular rider of AATA it is a great deal to get a 10 dollar for almost 4 months of bus riding. On the other hand I agree the need a structure, one you pay to park in or pay for a pass. Give it a tunnel to one of the buildings so people don't have to walk outside and it would be the most coveted spot to park on campus, and it should pay for its own upkeep.
Phillip Farber
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 8:48 a.m.
@Ralph Santarpia you make too much sense.
jlkddd
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 2:57 p.m.
Give it two weeks as people will stop dropping classes. Especially those newly incoming freshman who don't realize that just because it's a community college, it's still harder then high school.
Ralph Santarpia
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 9:15 a.m.
If I understand this correctly, WCC is not charging people for parking and charging $10 a month for those who shuttle by bus. This is what I would call an 'ass backwards" solution. Parking, or the lack of available parking IS the problem. Not parking elsewhere or not parking at all IS the solution. Wouldn't you want to reward those for not parking? Instead they are being punished with having to pay a fee. Charge for what people want: the ability to park and reward the people who help you resolve the problem by not parking.
Matt Van Auker
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 9:07 a.m.
Heh, Heh, Heh. I find it hilarious. I am so taking the bus, this morning. I simply don't have the problems, those people have. "Packed like Lemmings, into shiny metal boxes," I think is the Sting line.
Anthony Clark
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 11:15 p.m.
"Give it two weeks, you'll find plenty of spaces" (jrigglem). Uhh, what happens in two weeks?
Indicat
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 11:33 a.m.
I agree with the comment that for the time being, find another lot and shuttle students to campus. WCC is not the only community college with a parking problem. Kalamazoo Valley Community College has painted lines on their lawns, creating another 400 parking spaces, and the lots are STILL full. They will be constructing another parking lot next spring. And aren't students already paying enough in tuition and fees? Why should they have to pay for parking as well?
Nerak
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 9:20 a.m.
"Cost prohibitive?" If WCC was thinking about buying a country club, they can sure as heck get with the world and build a parking structure. Charge for parking in the structure and make students, staff and faculty buy parking passes for the lots. Kudos for adjusting schedules & using remote lots, but there isn't any more room for land-hogging parking lots. Time to go vertical.
theodynus
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 8:06 a.m.
Easy solution: charge for parking. People will figure out how to get there if they don't want to pay. Use the proceeds from parking to shuttle people to and from a park and ride lot. Carpool, bike or suck it up and take the bus.
Resident Tourist
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 7:46 a.m.
Free transit is great, but it isn't good enough. Until Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County has more frequent public transit along more routes, and better bike lanes/routes, people will always prefer to drive.
fieldfarms
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 7:21 a.m.
As a student of WCC for 11 years, I found the parking situation frustrating. I live in Dexter and riding the bus was not an option. Instead I would have to get there early in hopes of getting a parking space. They say a parking structure is cost prohibitive, but they sure have been adding onto the college itself. They could easily build a structure for the students, but why bother when they will come anyway?
Judela
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 : 6:58 a.m.
Odd that the story didn't mention the possibility of biking to WCC. There are some pretty good bike routes that will get you there and give you your daily exercise at the same time! Done that.
jrigglem
Wed, Sep 9, 2009 : 10:43 p.m.
Parking has always been a problem at WCC and at EMU, this is nothing new this year. I've attended both and have done the circling of the lots, it happens..give it two weeks, you'll find plenty of spaces
Ryan Munson
Wed, Sep 9, 2009 : 10:06 p.m.
OMG. That's nuts. Parking was always easier to find it you took earlier classes, but that's crazy.