Even though parking is expected to be easier this semester with a newly added parking structure, students are still expecting delays in campus parking lots.
Mark Rudometkin, associate director of Parking and Transportation Services, said campus lots have begun crowding as permit sales steadily rise.
Because of reduced enrollment at Cal State Long Beach, parking officials were unsure of how well their sales would be, Rudometkin said. He added that he thinks the rate increased despite a decrease in enrollment because of Parking Structure 3. As of Tuesday, Parking Services has sold 16,750 vehicle permits, compared to 15,400 permits that sold last year, according to Rudometkin.
Although that number exceeds the number of parking spaces available, Parking and Transportation Services feels confident there are enough parking spaces for everyone.
“We feel that we can fill that demand,” Rudometkin said. “There is a constant overturn. Since everyone has different schedules, lots and spaces open up.”
Rudometkin added, “When you come to campus, we are the first and last area and people you will deal with, so we want to make sure we represent the best service.”
Rudometkin said students can save time by tuning in to 1690 AM on their radios to get regularly updated information on parking availability. In addition, there is also a message board on Palo Verde Avenue and Atherton Street that also provide live updates.
Since students have complained in the past about the parking structures not being closer to upper campus, Parking and Transportation Services highly encourages students to take advantage of the on-campus shuttles. Real-time shuttle maps are available on csulbshuttle.com.
Doug Brown, a junior comparative literature student, comes hours before his class begins to ensure a parking spot.
“This morning, I got to school around 8, but my class doesn’t even start until 11,” Brown said.
Neo Tran, a junior design major, said he felt he got lucky while parking.
“Parking today was okay, but there are other times when I’ve had to drive around the parking lot for two hours to find a spot,” Tran said.
Most student parking spaces, including the three parking structures, are located on the north side of campus.
Rudometkin said the height restriction and noise level of a parking structure would cause opposition from the residential area across CSULB on Seventh Street.
Glecy Baquirin, a senior pre-nursing student, said she does not mind the walk no matter how far away she has to park from campus.
“Being able to find any parking is great,” she said.