BSU Parking

Students Struggle to Find Spaces on Campus

By Tony Barber and Max Hodgdon

For years there has been constant grumbling about student parking on the Bemidji State University campus and the spaces available. According to the BSU Web site, there is  a 3.8% enrollment increase in student population on campus since the fall of 2009. BSU is nearing its largest enrollment since 1991, but there are no more parking spots. Parking is still an issue today. 

 “There is enough parking by the dorms, but not enough by the classes,” said freshman Jeff McDonald, an exercise science major.  Director of Public Safety Casey McCarthy, on the other hand, thinks there is plenty of parking on campus. According to McCarthy, there are 1700 spots total. This does not include the street parking which is open to the general public.  “BSU parking is very well placed," said McCarthy.

 “I usually walk,” said freshman Kayla Alexander, a sports management major. Many students take the same approach to avoid high parking costs and the headache caused by the overcrowded parking lots.

Students and Administrators may disagree on the availability of parking spaces on campus. However, BSU is very similar to the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University-Mankato, and Hibbing Community College in the number of spaces provided.  BSU has a ratio of 2.9 students per parking spot, while the University of Minnesota has 2.6. Also, Hibbing has 2.78 and 2.71 in Mankato. While the space ratios are similar, the prices for parking spots are not.

According to all the schools Web sites, The University of Minnesota’s average cost to park is $870 per academic year. BSU's average  is $99.43. MSU- Mankato only charges an average of $47.85 per academic year. Hibbing Community College parking price depends on the student’s class credits taken per year. The college charges $2.00 per credit to park.  For example, a student taking fifteen credits would pay $30 to park per semester.  This would make the cost per academic year $60. The information above was collected from University Web sites and staff members at each respective university. The parking prices at BSU are set by a parking committee made up of security officials.

 During the last fiscal year BSU brought in approximately $166,000 in parking permits alone.  This does not include the money received from other sources like parking tickets.  This money is used to improve parking lot quality and general maintenance. Instead of using this money to build more parking lots, money is used to improve current lots, and keep the campus looking pristine.When asked about adding  more parking spots, McCarthy said, “The beauty of BSU would be disturbed,”  McCarthy explained that the only potential place for parking is the Maple Hall site.  However, the costs to tear down and pave a parking lot are too high.

 Several students park their cars on the street to avoid the high costs of on-campus parking. Photo by Tony Barber 

 The Oak and Maple parking lot are a  typical on campus parking lot.  Photo By Max Hodgdon