The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

A LITTLE MORE PARKING FOR A “LITTLE” MORE MONEY

MELISSA MARTINEZ
PRIDE STAFF WRITER

If you are a student at CSUSM, you’re probably a commuter. Therefore, you understand what it’s like paying for parking passes. If you live on campus and own a vehicle, I’m sure you understand what it feels like to pay for a parking pass (as well as overpriced rent and groceries), so it would be nice to have a parking spot close to the dorms. Yet you still find yourself racing through the dorms trying to beat someone to the only available parking spot.

This year, CSUSM welcomed its new and returning students to use the new parking structure; that addition has definitely made an impact for those who may have to walk back and forth to campus and their car. Now that I am a commuter, the parking garage is as full as I’ve ever seen. I typically arrive to school around 9 a.m., and by then, floors one through three are completely packed, four is mainly empty and the congestion begins again on floors five and six.

I am greatful for the structure but I will admit, driving to the sixth floor can be such a bother. I interviewed student Cynthia Pérez and she shared her thoughts on the new structure. I wholeheartedly agreed with Perez when she said, “[The parking structure] is pretty good because it is great to have such an easy access to parking as opposed to having to struggle to find some when you’re rushing to class.”

As someone who is late almost every single day, I believe the new parking structure is a blessing— that is, if you’re able to find parking.

Though the new structure is both convenient and accessible, being a student and paying the prices to park in such a convenient structure has its downfalls. Perez continued,“The prices are incredibly hurtful to anyone’s wallet. It seems like a huge convenience fee.”

This year, an academic year parking pass which is valuable for both fall 2011 and spring 2012 costs $643 (currently sold out). If you want to buy your pass for each semester, they are $338 separately. If you wanted to save a little cash for each semester, you could always chose to pay for the X, Y, and Z parking pass for the semester which will only run you $254. If you really want to save some dough and you are commuting on a motorcycle, congratulations. Your parking pass will only run you $70 per semester.

If you decide that it would be easier to buy daily passes, the rates are $9 for all day, $7 for five hours, $6 for 3 hours and $3 for one hour. Let’s face it; who has this kind of money laying around?

Parking information can be found at http://www.csusm.edu/

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