By Olivia Stinnett
Finding a parking spot at Oklahoma Baptist University has become a daily challenge for many students, who say limited parking spaces, event traffic, and lot restrictions make getting to class on time a constant concern.
Tomie Tollett, a junior criminal justice major who has previously been a commuter but is currently living on campus, described the difficulties of finding a space during busy times.
“I try to get to class 20 minutes early, but if there aren’t any spots available, I have to circle the [parking] lot multiple times,” she said. Tollett said the problem can be especially noticeable on game days, when traffic cones block access to certain areas.
“I understand why they do it, but it’s still a hassle,” she said. She added that sometimes she has walked back to her [off campus housing] during thunderstorms when parking was unavailable.
Addison Clayton, a sophomore psychology pre-counseling major living on campus, said “having to walk across campus in 10 minutes can be difficult…. Those who don’t live neat their classes should be able to park closer, so they aren’t late.” She also suggested a solution: “$10 – $20 I think could be reasonable to be able to park closer to classes.”
Kloee Nichols, a junior psychology major who commutes from Shawnee, said “I have learned to arrive almost 20 minutes before class [es] just to get there in time [and] I live less than five minutes away [from OBU]. And I have been late to class and events due to parking issues.”
Mostly it’s difficult to find open parking, especially when people park in spots they’re not supposed to,” Kloee said. She continued to say OBU’s commuter parking is generally better organized than other schools she has visited, although high-demand days can still cause delays and struggles to get to class.
Students suggested potential changes to improve parking such as how Tollett said adding lights and cameras in parking lots farther from campus buildings could improve safety.
“Some areas are available, but students don’t always feel safe walking to them at night,”
she said.
Clayton suggested opening additional spaces closer to the academic building.
“More spaces near classes would make it easier to get to school on time,” she said. Nichols said that major events like Bison Day should account for current students’ needs. “Bison Day prioritizes prospective students and neglects the parking needs of current students,” she said.
Tollett said faculty and staff needs should come first, but student needs should also be considered.
“Faculty and staff needs should come first, but student needs should also be heard and valued,” she said. Clayton said parking should be managed so all members of the campus: students’ faculty and staff, have access.
Nichols agreed, saying both groups should be treated equally.
Despite the challenges, students said the parking system functions decently weel under normal conditions.
“For a private university, OBU’s parking is a lot like my high school’s situation,” Tollett said. “They manage the available spaces as best as possible, though not all locations are always accessible.”
Nichols said that compared to other campuses, OBU is better organized and easier to navigate. Clayton said additional spaces and better planning for events could make parking easier for students.
Students said that addressing these ideas could improve access and reduce the time it takes to park, especially for commuters.
Parking may seem like a minor issue, but it affects students’ ability to get to class, attend events and participate fully in campus life,” Clayton said. “With a few adjustments, the experience could be a lot less stressful for everyone.”
