By: Sarah Madden, Senior Writer

When students arrived on campus this fall, it quickly became evident that parking would be a challenge – as evidenced by creative parking jobs and a dramatic spike in tickets written by Campus Safety.

While some students were angry about the situation, senior Zach Morrow decided to make light of the situation. He posted on Instagram that Wofford is “Straight Outta Parking” – showing the mound of dirt that will eventually be replaced by the new Greek Village.

“Hopefully the Cummings Street lot will handle the excess volume of cars once completed, even if the location is sub optimal. I’m trying to stay positive,” says Morrow. “The parking situation provides a bonding opportunity for the Wofford community, an element of surprise– ‘what are the odds I find a spot here?’– better Fitbit stats and a chance to engage with the Spartanburg community on the perimeter of campus.”

President Nayef Samhat sent out an e-mail thanking students for their patience and encouraging them to enjoy “our pedestrian-friendly campus,” in response to students’ reactions to the situation.

Initially, students were told that overflow parking could be found in the Memorial Auditorium lot and at Calvary Baptist Church on Osage Street. In recent weeks, more solutions were revealed. Campus Safety Director Randy Hall lists multiple options available to students while construction on the new Cumming Street lot is completed.

“The newly fenced Calvary Baptist Church lot is an easy walk; follow the newly painted crosswalk through the Village and into the campus. In addition, the lot between the soccer and baseball fields is available, but park at your own risk. Vehicles may be hit by balls,” writes Hall.

For faculty and staff, parking is available in the Verandah lot, Admission lot –excepting visitor spaces– behind Richardson and in the small lot behind the Roger Milliken Science Center in addition to the lots available to students. Per usual, reserved spaces for faculty are also available in the Montgomery Music Building lot, in the Shipp lot and on the horseshoe around the mall behind Main Building Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m..

Even with increased overflow parking, some studentse struggle to find adequate parking. Junior and commuting student Rea Gajewsky has found that she needs to arrive at campus at least 20 minutes before her classes start each morning.

“If I have to park in the Calvary Baptist lot it takes me 15 minutes to walk to class. I usually allow 30 minutes to find parking and get to class – some days I don’t need it, but some days I do.”

Despite these circumstances, Gajewsky has accepted the current situation as something to work through until it gets better.

“I’m past the point of frazzled anger… it is what it is. I just have to be responsible and plan ahead,” she says.

While parking ticket incidents skyrocketed during the first few weeks of class, Hall reports that the situation has leveled out:“Citation numbers have reduced by 30 percent as students and employees become accustomed to the situation. We expect the number of citations to continue to decrease. The [new Cumming Street] lot’s capacity is more than enough to handle any parking issues… I have no doubt that the parking situation will become more manageable as time goes on.”

Hall also reports that cameras will be installed in the Calvary Baptist lot shortly, adding to the fence installed early this month. Campus Safety reminds students to call them at anytime should they wish to receive an escort to or from a vehicle, especially if parked on the campus perimeter. Campus Safety can be reached any time at: (864) 597-4911.