Montclair State University is school to 18,498 students, 14,145 of which are commuters. There are nearly 3,000 employees at the university. In order to accommodate nearly 17,000 drivers, Montclair State University offers parking services. However, the parking situation at MSU is far from perfect.
     Lots at Montclair State University are overcrowded, with more permits being sold than spots available. Shuttle buses, which transport students from far-away lots to the center of campus, are more of a hassle than a solution, as they are often crowded and late. Parking problems lead to tardiness and stress, which leads to poor grades and performance of a lower quality. Considering that larger lots are located significantly farther away from the center of campus, students and faculty members are often forced to walk up to a mile and a half to reach the center of campus, often times in weather conditions that are not suitable for walking. These stresses, which further burden already-stressed students and staff, are unnecessary and can be easily avoided.
     The students and faculty members who support this cause are looking to find better solutions to improve the poor parking situation on campus grounds, particularly in the prices of permits and availability of spots. We propose that spots should be assigned in closed parking garages, carpooling and public transportation should be promoted, first and second year students should not be allowed to purchase a residential parking permit, students/faculty who live within two miles of the campus should not be allowed to have a permit (unless handicapped), there should be an increase in shuttle services/variety to off-campus areas, increase in Zipcar promotion and Zipcar availability, and public transportation availability on the weekends.
     We are looking to submit this petition in hope that the MSU community will recognize the importance of this issue and support us in this cause.