As the fifth week of the fall semester approaches, many Texas A&M University- San Antonio students have questions and concerns regarding campus parking.
As temperatures remain in the high 90s, students’ concerns continue to rise.
Freshman commuter Angelina Vasquez shared her parking experience with The Mesquite.
“I hate it [campus parking]. I park in the city lane and have to walk 15 minutes just to get to class,” Vasquez said.
Campus commuters, which include students, staff and faculty, had the option of purchasing parking permits for Lot 2, Lot 3 or City Lanes when they went on sale Aug. 7.
Lot 2 parking permits sold out the day permits became available, leaving only options for Lot 3 and City Lanes.
In an email sent to all A&M-San Antonio students and employees Aug. 8, Parking and Transportation Services said they would send out another email in October letting commuters know if any Lot 2 permits would be available for the spring 2024 semester.
Lot 3 is unpopular with students because it is more than a quarter mile walk from the main campus.
“I get to class hot and sweaty, because my classes are all the way in the Madla Building and there is no shade on the way from parking lot three,” Juan Garcia, a junior and campus commuter, said.
As students adjust to campus parking, many are still waiting to receive their parking permits.
“I bought my permit two weeks before school started and still haven’t received it,” Garcia said.
An email sent out by Parking & Transportation Services Aug. 28 said “our parking team will email you when your permit is delivered to the Parking Office.”
Many students have yet to receive an email notifying them of their parking permit status.
In the meantime, Parking & Transportation Services suggests commuters print their permit receipts and place them on their dashboard.
The Mesquite reached out to the director of University Services Janae Johnson who declined an interview.
Parking Enforcement began issuing tickets Monday, Sept. 18 after giving commuters a grace period the first few weeks of the semester.
“I’m not trying to get a ticket, but if I get one it’s their fault, not mine,” Garcia said.
This is a developing story. Be sure to follow The Mesquite on Instagram for updates.
