Buckle Up, Bluejays: New EU Parking Program Faces Mixed Reviews

Elmhurst University recently revealed plans for a brand-new commuter parking opportunity for the 2024-2025 academic year, which has faced lukewarm reception from off-campus students.

On Oct. 3, an email was sent to EU’s commuter population entailing plans for a remote parking opportunity at 145 N. Addison Avenue. The email states that the first 50 students who sign up will be required to park in an offsite parking garage for the remainder of the year in exchange for their parking pass, along with a refund issued to their student account. To get students to and from campus, a shuttle will have regular service throughout the day.

According to Public Safety, the shuttle will run from 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. During peak “rush hour” times, such as 7:45 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3 p.m.-5 p.m., two shuttles will be utilized to make the process as seamless as possible. At this time, study and observation is being done to determine the best times to operate the shuttles.

Cars will be protected from the climate, as they are in the shade on hot sunny days and away from the snow on cold winter days. At the beginning of the semester, 100 employees volunteered to park in the remote garage, and due to its success, EU wanted to extend the benefits to the student population as well.

While EU believes this program will provide students with a more convenient parking situation, not all commuter students are on board.

Some students anonymously expressed their thoughts on Yik Yak. One user wrote, “I never bought a parking pass, I’ve just been paying for public parking when I do drive out here. I like it a lot.”

On the opposite side of the spectrum, another user posted, “I hate that they’re making it seem like an opportunity for us and not a sacrifice.”

On the same thread, another user explained that they did not sign up for the program, stating, “You forfeit your parking permit, and what about winters and if the shuttle is late?”

As of Oct. 15, 17 students have signed up for the program and received refunds, leaving the occupied spot tally at 34% capacity thus far. Some students have begun benefitting from the program, but not everyone is fully sold on the idea.

“I ultimately think the parking garage opportunity is not worth it, and as a commuter, I know that it is a big inconvenience to not have access to your car at any given point in the day,” senior Noah Christiansen, explained. “Parking was not as severe of a problem in previous years, though it has always been inconvenient. The parking garage, even though a spot is guaranteed, just creates more inconvenience for commuters.”

Senior Josie Finney agreed with many of the sentiments shared by commuters, telling The Leader, “I personally think that it makes no sense for commuter students to have to park in that parking lot because we’re on campus for less time than students who already live here. And being a commuter student myself, it already takes a lot of thought to plan out my day based on how early I have to leave before my classes start.”

According to the Elmhurst University 2023-2024 Data Book prepared by the Office of Information Services, EU had 2,124 students who commuted to campus last academic year, accounting for 71.8% of the student body. When factoring in the 50 spots promised by the garage, only 2% of commuters are served by this new parking opportunity.

While the parking garage seems to draw differing opinions, some students have ideas for potential solutions to the ever-growing parking problem.

“I feel like it would make more sense for students who live here and don’t use their cars as often to park there in a reserved spot.” Finney remarked. “But when I’m coming here for one class per day and then leaving right after, it doesn’t make sense for me to park my car in a remote lot because then I just have to make my way back to my car. It just doesn’t make sense when other people’s cars are going to sit here day and night.”

On a similar note, Christiansen added, “Having residents park their cars there would be a viable solution. If the university continues to grow, I think plans to expand the parking spaces should be considered again, as they were around 2019-2020.”

“If there’s space and money for a parking garage behind the Mill Theatre, I am all for it!” Christiansen suggested.

As enrollment increases, the desire and need for parking across campus is becoming more of an issue with each passing semester, and commuters are making their voices heard. As commuters are the overwhelming majority of the student population, it is up to EU to address their needs to make visiting campus a smooth experience.

Public Safety encourages those who are interested in joining the remote parking program to visit their office, located in the lower level of Lehmann Hall, and they will guide them through the next steps in the process.