Zhenzhi Zhang_CAS110
My Topic: Parking
Explanation of the Problem: Parking is the biggest gripe students have about
MSU. There aren’t nearly enough spaces on campus for the number of students.
Many students are frustrated by the one-hour time limit, as classes can run for
two to three hours.
Research:
Facts:
1. Approximately 49,300 total students.
(https://www.msu.edu/about/thisismsu/facts.html)
2. Approximately 4,700 faculty and academic staff.
(https://www.msu.edu/about/thisismsu/facts.html)
3. Approximately 6,400 Support staff employees
(https://www.msu.edu/about/thisismsu/facts.html)
4. Revenue from the parking system is used to support, maintain and improve
campus-parking facilities and improve traffic safety.
(http://police.msu.edu/regulations/student.pdf)
5. Online registration is available for MSU students who qualify for a
commuter; residence hall, University Apartment or graduate assistant decal
restrictions may apply.
(http://www.dpps.msu.edu/)
6. If you live on campus, you must be at least a second year freshman with 20
credits in order to register your vehicle.
(http://www.dpps.msu.edu/permits.asp)
7. About 80 percent of students whom commute.
(http://www.northjersey.com/news/technology-helps-stressed-msustudents-
locate-parking-1.595186)
8. There are over 650 meters on campus, many located in residence hall loops.
(http://www.police.msu.edu/visitorparking.asp)
9. Two-hour, four-hour and 24-hour visitor permits are available at the Visitor
Center, at the Parking Office.
(http://www.police.msu.edu/visitorparking.asp)
10. Visitor, employee and student permits may not be valid in the lots during
special events.
(http://www.police.msu.edu/visitorparking.asp)
Opinions:
1. Personally, I thought that this is an issue not only because parking passes
are expensive, but owning a pass doesn’t necessarily guarantee that parking
will be available.
2. “Off campus parking is great but parking on campus is stressful and hard to
find a place to park.” -Marielle Driskell, sophomore, (734)-395-2858 via
Facebook
3. “If you are attending classes, it is better to find a parking lot off-campus and
walk or take the bus to classes.” –Erica Guynn, junior, via Facebook
4. “Well, it looks like the worst time is game day” -Suzanne Courtemanche,
senior, via Facebook
5. If you live off of campus just take the bus; it is faster and easier and you
waste time looking for a parking spot. -Samantha Schwanz, sophomore, via
Facebook
Guesses:
1. It would cost the university a lot of land to expand the parking areas.
2. The university made enough money, while it may not want to solve the
parking issue.
3. Implement free parking would raise students’ tuition.
4. It is practicable to build more parking lots in campus.
5. Building more parking lots would also bring more vehicles in campus.
State a question:
How can the university offer more meters with free parking to each student?
zhenzhizhangcas110 