Yesterday, I experienced a frustrating and disheartening situation that compelled me to take action. After spending 45 minutes searching for a parking spot on campus at Brigham Young University (BYU), I was unable to find one. As a result, I had to make the choice between parking illegally and risking a hefty $60 fine or parking off-campus and walking 2 miles, arriving half an hour to 45 minutes late to my class. 

This is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring problem faced by countless students at BYU. We pay for parking permits with the expectation that we will have access to adequate parking spaces on campus. However, each year more lots are taken away from students while additional permits are being sold beyond the available capacity.

For many students, the option to walk is not an option due to limited housing availability in Provo, and the need to work due to rising costs of living. 

The current state of BYU parking is unacceptable and poses significant risks to our safety as well as negatively impacting our education. The scarcity of available spots creates chaos in the lots, with cars rushing through in search of an elusive opening. This dangerous environment puts our lives at risk every day.

Furthermore, this issue directly affects our ability to receive a quality education. When morning students leave their spots in the afternoon, there is often no guarantee that these spaces will be available when we arrive for our classes later in the day. It becomes akin to a football team rushing towards an open spot whenever it appears. Students do not have the option to continually pay parking tickets due to slim savings of being full-time college students and paying for the rising prices of rent and utilities. Having no places to park leads to many students arriving late to class, or even not at all due to unavailable spaces.

We believe it is crucial for BYU administration to address this pressing issue by taking immediate action:

1) Increase Parking Capacity: Allocate resources towards creating additional parking spaces on campus or acquiring nearby off-campus locations dedicated solely for student use.

2) Improve Parking Management: Implement efficient strategies such as staggered class schedules or designated time slots for different groups of students (morning vs afternoon) that ensure fair access to available spots throughout the day.

We, the undersigned students and concerned members of the BYU community, urge BYU administration to prioritize our safety and education by addressing the dire parking situation on campus. We believe that by implementing these changes, we can create a more inclusive and conducive environment for learning while ensuring our well-being.

Sign this petition today to make your voice heard and demand immediate action for improved parking at Brigham Young University!