Bianca Dinkha
Parking remains a yearly challenge at Dominican as students struggle to find available spots, often circling around campus during peak hours. Campus safety says they’re working to address these problems through small changes and alternative lot options.
1,630 parking permits have been issued this year despite capacity capping at 1,276 parking spots across campus and the Thatcher Avenue lot.
Additionally, for the first time in over a decade, Dominican raised the price of general parking passes to $75, covering the full academic year for commuters. Resident students now pay $100 per semester for all-day access.
Sasha Santiago, director of campus safety, says that although they sold more permits than available spots, they will not deny people the right to park on campus for what can be addressed by minor adjustments.
“There is really no reason to bar 400 individuals from having a space on campus when our parking issues are limited to a mere 90 minutes, a handful of times a week,” Santiago said. “This would also create tremendous stress for students that need vehicles for work and family responsibilities.”
As Monday through Wednesday between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. continue to be the busiest times for parking, Santiago recommends parking in the Thatcher Avenue lot if you are unable to be on campus before 9 a.m.
“While it is a 15-minute walk to campus, [the Thatcher Avenue lot] is likely a better alternative than circling the lot for what may be up to an hour and a half,” she said. “The shuttle also picks folks up at that location at 10:25 a.m. to bring them back to the main campus.”
Many students have expressed difficulty parking, including junior Dolores Maria Vazquez, who explained that the busiest hours make it nearly impossible to be on time for her classes.
“I now have to be at school two hours before my classes just to secure parking,” Vazquez said. “I’ve had to miss my classes sometimes because I haven’t been able to find parking anywhere.”
Vazquez also does not think that the price increase is justified for the number of spots available.
“I think it’s crazy that they increase the price when the amount of parking spots is the same,” she said. “It doesn’t make sense that we have to pay more, and we don’t have a parking spot guaranteed.”
Santiago said the price increase helps cover the cost of repaving and maintaining lots but notes that Dominican’s rates are still lower than neighboring schools.
Although ideas of expanding the parking lot have been brought up by students, campus safety is unable to make any major changes due to current budgetary restraints.
Campus safety still offers a carpool program, where groups of 3–4 students share a permit for reserved garage spots. Interested students may email safety@dom.edu for more information.
