The newly implemented N.C Promise made tuition at WCU decrease but caused an increase in fees, such as parking permits. To park on WCU campus during business hours, a car must have a parking permit or pay to park at a meter. Wanting to save some money and time, here’s how some WCU students are choosing to opt out of buying a campus pass.
Business Passes
For commuters, parking on campus can be a battle consistent of dodging pedestrians racing to class and fighting cars for spots. That’s if there are any available spots to fight over. WCU sophomore, Tyler Garner, explained that because of the parking issues, he is usually late to class. He additionally added that when the commuter lots are all full, he tries to park in metered lots but sometimes those are also full, leading him to have to “hide” his car in a faculty lot.
WCU senior, Wyatt Keller, questions having to pay $324 for a parking pass that does not even guarantee a parking spot on campus. So, rather than pay for a campus pass, Keller chose to purchase a pass from Hillside Grind, a local coffee shop ministry located near the center of campus.
“I paid $325 for a parking pass that grants me an immediate place to park with the convenience of being close to the Belk building, where most of my classes are,” Keller said.
Hillside’s proximity to campus and limited available parking spaces, unfortunately, make the passes hard to get. However, there is additional business surrounding campus that also offers parking passes.
Zack Cotter, a WCU senior, bought a parking pass from 9Lives, formally known as Tucks, located at the back entrance of the campus near the Old Cullowhee Road. The passes are $125 per semester, or $200 for the year, considerably cheaper than a commuter parking permit from WCU Parking Operations & Transportation.
“I don’t have to drive around for 15 mins trying to find a parking spot, which makes you late,” Cotter said. He added, that since his classes are mainly in Stillwell, the location is as convenient as the library lot, but with a guaranteed spot.
Purchasing a parking pass from a surrounding business saves some money and provides the convenience of not having to battle for a spot that is usually already taken. However, a business parking pass only allows you to park in that one location as oppose to being able to park in different lots on campus with a WCU parking permit. Although, one student found a cheaper more convenient way to park on campus this year.
Visitor Passes
This year, Parking operations created the visitor $1 a day pass, available for purchase at a meter located outside the Parking Operations and Transportation building. This pass is geared towards long-term visitors who need to buy a pass on the weekend when the office is closed. However, one WCU student successfully used this pass all semester to save money and park conveniently. Check out his break down of the math and the ultimate reasoning behind his decision.
Although this system may not last much longer and may not work for everyone specifically, there are still additional ways of opting out of buying a WCU parking pass.
Walking and biking
With parking permits at their highest rate, and her only needing to go to campus two days a week, WCU senior, Courtney Normand, chose to save her money and walk to campus from Riverwalk Apartments. The walk is about 25 mins, which is arguably the same amount of time, if not less, that it would take to drive to campus and find a parking spot. Normand also adds that she doesn’t mind the trek, but does not have to walk it every time because she finds other students to carpool with.
These alternative routes offer varying solutions to not buying a WCU parking permit. Business passes can save some money and aid in time but may not be the most convenient if your classes are spread across campus. Visitor passes save money and offer convenience but the system may not work for everyone. Lastly, walking/biking saves all your money but is not the most convenient or timely. Like WCU parking permits, these alternate routes have positives and negatives, but at least it’s nice to know you have options.
