I have been thinking about writing this column since sophomore year, and I know others probably feel the same as I do.
Having a car at Loyola is a toss up. Some days it’s great, others not so much.
It is not fair for students like me to pay $340 for a parking permit when there is a good chance you will not even receive parking.
Driving all the way to the top floor of  the West Road Garage only to see no spots available feels like Loyola Parking Services slapping you in the face.
Not only do I pay for the permit, I have also paid my tuition on time since starting at Loyola.
Tuition alone is expensive, so if a student purchases this permit they should be guaranteed parking.
Sorry freshmen, but unless you commute, parking permits should be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis for sophomores through seniors first.
Loyola should not use selling parking permits as a way to produce money when students are not guaranteed a spot.
If there are not enough spots, then the permits should be sold out and perhaps the university should let students apply next semester.
I should not have to think about whether I get a spot, but instead know that I will automatically have one.
To help with the congestion, maybe Freret Street Garage should be for residents and overflow commuter parking, but West Road should be only for commuters.
It makes no sense for me, who lives off campus, ever to have to park in Freret. Even when I go to the gym I use West Road, that is, when spots are available.
Another issue I have are the days my roommates have named “tease days.”
These are the days you drive in to West Road and empty spots are everywhere, but you can’t park there. I am the only one that thinks that is terrible.
How many board meetings are there that those 10 to 15 spaces need to be reserved all day? What is the reason that these “board members” can’t find a spot on any other floor just like us, the students?
I am sorry, but the last time I checked the university is working for us, the students.
I would have no problem if these “tease days” were two or three times a semester.
But that is certainly not the case.  In the last week alone, these spots were reserved for two of the five weekdays.
Loyola is here to work for the student body and should reconsider how parking is laid out on campus.
I am a senior and will be out of here in May, but others will have to deal with this issue for as long as they have left.
I hope that my feelings are in line with others on campus and that some things will change. 

Abby Gordon is a marketing senior. She can be reached at [email protected]
In My Opinion is a weekly column open to any Loyola student. Those who are interested can e-mail  [email protected]