Loyola’s population continues to grow, but the campus, it seems, has not. The increasing enrollment numbers are a great asset for Loyola, but they have also caused overcrowding across the university.
The positive aspects of this growth cannot be reiterated enough, but many on campus have already experienced its downsides.
Many of the issues, such as a lack of seating in the Orleans Room and limited parking, are not new for the year. The university must have anticipated much of it, and therefore, could have done more in preparation for the crowds.
Many commuters were unable to park in West Road Garage this week because of the upsurge in the number of cars. This may be a result of the university’s “grace period” in which cars are not checked for parking stickers, but it is unlikely that the lack of parking is a result of cars with out permits. With parking around Loyola as difficult as it is, many have no other choice than to buy a permit, despite the cost and no guarantee of parking.
Loyola student parking permits cost between $340 and $400, several times more than those at most other universities around New Orleans. If permits are going to cost that much, there should be some form of guaranteed parking.
Dining in the Orleans Room is another issue that has not improved. The lines for lunch, especially during the window, discourage many from eating there, although it is the most affordable option for those with a meal plan. Making time for lunch between classes is difficult enough with out having to deal with more wait time.
The seating shortage has also worsened since last year. There are more students on campus, but the university has not added enough seating to the Orleans Room.
Dining Services has made an effort to amend the situation with the new OR To Go program, but the program is too restricted in its current form. OR To Go is limited to meal plan users, and does not extend to those with Wolfbucks. This eliminates the use of the program for upperclassmen and commuters, most of whom, don’t have a meal plan.
In addition, OR To Go has a limited selection of food available. There is a lot of choice available in the Orleans Room, but it is not offered for OR To Go. If OR To Go intends to be an effective alternative, it should encompass the same qualities that make the Orleans Room appealing.
Yet, the issue of limited seating goes beyond the Orleans Room. It’s commendable of the university to constantly reassess the dining needs and preferences of the Loyola community, but the current options have little seating.
With the current rate of freshman enrollment, overcrowding does not seem like it will improve in the future. 
If Loyola does not address the matter now, the quality of campus life will heavily diminish. It is uncomfortable for many now as it is. How much worse does it need to get for the university to deal with the situation?