Students speak up about parking
To be able to park your vehicle on Santa Monica College, you must each semester pay $85 for a Santa Monica College parking permit, which don't even guarantee you a spot. It doesn't matter how long you've been waiting or how stressed you are, whoever finds an available spot first, gets it. According to some SMC students finding a spot can take up to 1.5 hours which has actually cause some people to miss class. SMC drivers gives you their thoughts on the parking issue and what they think SMC could do to improve the parking situation.
Name: Ariel Rafalian
How long time does it usually takes you to find a parking spot?
If you get here before 7.30 in the morning you will find a spot immediately but if you get here at 8, you're screwed. It can take about an hour for you to find an available spot so pretty much until your class is over.
What do you think the school could do to improve the parking situation?
A new parking lot. That corner over there by Pearl street they should add a lot there. I also think that lights showing available spots would be very beneficial. It would save a lot of time.
Name: Nico Filoseta
How long time does it usually takes you to find a parking spot?
It depends on what time I arrive but usually it takes me from an hour to an hour and a half.
What do you think the school could do to improve the parking situation?
I think maybe regulate the permits and only give out a certain amount of permits instead of anyone being able to get one. The best thing would be if there's only the same amount of permits as there are parking spaces.
Name: Sydney Holt
How long time does it usually takes you to find a parking spot?
It depends on how early I get here. 10 or 15 minutes if I get here early enough. If not then maybe a 30 or 45 minutes. it's a long time.
What do you think the school could do to improve the parking situation?
Since there are so many cars here the only thing they can do is add more parking. They can't make less cars so all they can do is make more space for parking. I also love parking structures that indicates available spots so that could be really helpful. I think that the space counters that they use are not very accurate, they could be a little bit better.
Name: Vlada Rokhlan
How long time does it usually takes you to find a parking spot?
Oh my god, I actually missed class yesterday because I spent the entire class period searching for parking. It is really bad.
What do you think the school could do to improve the parking situation?
Prioritize better. Instead of building a media center build a parking lot. Just an idea!