Even with population growth at the West campus, officials said students shouldn’t have trouble finding parking spaces for quite some time.

“Unlike some of the other campuses, ASU’s West campus does not currently have a shortage of parking spaces,” said Theresa Fletcher, director of Parking and Transit Services, in an e-mail.

According to the Parking and Transit Services Website, there are roughly 3,000 total parking spaces available at West campus.

Although 5,305 actual parking permits have been sold for this year, students attend campus at all hours of the day. This spread prevents parking from becoming too congested at any one time.

The number of students enrolled at the West campus this semester jumped 10.5 percent, totaling about 9,500 students.

But even with skyrocketing enrollment, Fletcher said parking availability would not be a problem.

“[The West campus] is not land-locked,” she said. “If additional parking areas are needed in the future, Parking Services will certainly work with the appropriate ASU personnel to develop additional lots on campus.”

Most students acknowledge finding a space may be difficult sometimes, it is rarely a real issue.

Criminal justice junior Eric Mia said he has no problem at all.
“It’s not hard for me because I’m here early in the morning,” Mia said. “The earlier you’re here, the better the parking.”

Many students are unhappy with the cost of parking permits, though.

Parking and Transit Services charges from $210 to $480 for yearly permits to its various lots, compared to $75 in 2003, according to the West campus Website.

Fletcher said Parking Services is entirely self-funded, meaning the department receives no tuition revenue.

Education senior Jocelyn Christiansen said she could use the money spent for parking on other things, but she sees advantages in parking at ASU.

“Parking [and Transit] Services is excellent,” she said. “I see patrols almost every 30 minutes, and there’s never been any chaotic events in the parking lot. Also the parking lot is very clean, and the traffic is usually minimal.”

In addition to this, PTS provides free student transit passes, in addition to the free shuttle that travels to other campuses.

ASU’s transit passes will also allow students to ride the light rail for free, once the system is opened.