Navigating Parking at Lehman College: A Comprehensive Guide for Students
Lehman College, like many urban institutions, presents unique challenges when it comes to student parking. With a growing student body and a finite number of parking spaces, understanding the parking system is crucial for students. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of parking at Lehman College, drawing on available information to help students navigate the process and make informed decisions.
Parking Permit Availability and Acquisition
For students seeking a reliable parking solution, Lehman College offers permit parking. Parking permits are available for students in Shuster Hall, Room 078. To obtain a spot for the whole semester, students must have either paid their tuition in full or have a payment plan.
High Demand and Overselling
According to Andrea Pinnock, director of Auxiliary Services, both the student and regular faculty/staff parking lots are oversold because there are no assigned spaces and parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This methodology has been used for many years and allows the college to offer parking to more students. With Lehman’s enrollment having increased over the last five years, from 12,398 to the current total of 14,787 students, according to its Department of Institutional Advancement, the college’s parking lot remains the same inadequate size.
Waitlist
Dawn Burgos, director of Campus Activities, notes that there are currently 200 students on the waitlist for the next available parking permit. The high demand underscores the importance of understanding the application process and planning ahead. “We’re trying to accommodate more people by adding a day and evening feature."
Perceived Efficiency
Wayne Townsend, a Lehman senior and journalism major, observed of Campus Activities that “The permit people are the most efficient at Lehman.”
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Parking Lot Details and Capacity
The Lehman College parking lot is divided into north and south sections and has 866 total spots, including 17 handicap and 14 reserved. Andrea Pinnock, director of Auxiliary Services, reported that 1,708 parking permits were distributed to students this semester. The overselling of permits means that having a permit does not guarantee a parking spot, especially during peak hours.
Student Experiences and Alternatives
The Permit Advantage
Latrica Burton, a junior producer at BronxNet, is relieved to know that there is parking near her job. Before she started parking in the south lot, Burton used to park her car on the street, which was difficult at times. “It used to be tedious to run out during a show to put more money in the meter,” she said. “After I got a ticket, I made it my mission to get a parking pass.”
Wayne Townsend, a Lehman senior and journalism major, stated, “It’s such a lifesaver,” and “There’s always a spot.” Townsend and Ayala both agreed that the parking lot is worth the cost compared to using the meters around campus. “After a while, the meter prices add up,” said Townsend.
Challenges and Information Gaps
Senior Jasmine Ayala feels that there is a lack of information on how to obtain a permit, and “This sometimes causes people to go back and forth without clear information of what has to be done.”
Street Parking
Some students, however, prefer to find spots around campus, as opposed to in Lehman’s parking lot. Senior Shanese Mullins, a 28-year-old journalism major, says, “It’s easier to find spots if you know what days and times you can park in certain areas.” However, it is important to remember Latrica Burton's experience: Before she started parking in the south lot, Burton used to park her car on the street, which was difficult at times, and “It used to be tedious to run out during a show to put more money in the meter,” she said, continuing, “After I got a ticket, I made it my mission to get a parking pass.”
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