The Problem:

• The current parking situation at SJSU can be characterized as a struggle.
• Students and faculty members often find themselves struggling to find available parking spaces within the parking structures that SJSU provides for the school population.
  • Many students find themselves becoming frustrated at the lack of available spaces, especially during congested hours in the late morning and early afternoon.
  • Some students also find that they must arrive at the parking garages two hours before the start of their first class in order to have a higher chance of claiming a parking space.
• The current number of parking spaces cannot accommodate for the growing number of students and faculty members each year.
  • According to the 511, 34.9% of SJSU attendants drive to school ("Case Study: Overview of a University Program").
    • Based on their approximation of 28,000 students and 3,500 employees, this amounts to approximately 10,993 drivers who need a parking space.
  • According to the SJSU website, 5,040 parking spaces are available among the three main parking structures: South Garage, West Garage, North Garage ("SJSU: Parking Garages)".
  • The amount of automobiles that require a parking space at SJSU is double the amount of available parking spaces.

The Proposal (Solution):

• Divert funds from student fees toward the development of new parking structures.
  • Numerous parking structures should be planned to be built on and around the campus.
  • In addition, these newer parking structures should be constructed in a manner to maximize the amount of parking spaces while upholding the structural integrity.
  • The SRAC costed $130 million and it was funded through the Student Union Mandatory Student fees ("SJSU Opens $130 Million Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center").
    • If money can be allocated from student fees to the construction of the SRAC, it can also be allocated to the construction of parking structures.
  • In addition, the national average cost for a five-story parking garage is $8.56 million ("Fixr: Cost to Build a Parking Garage"); hence, it is most reasonable to believe that the funds from student fees can cover the cost of construction and development.