Students of The Columbus School are more and more displeased with high parking costs of local parking lot, Fresas, which is near full and is currently only one of the few parking facilities near campus.

Students are not allowed to park on campus, making Fresas the main alternate parking spot for students, meaning students have to account for an extra cost and limited access for parking for student members.

“We’re already juggling so much as students, and having to worry about parking outside the school adds unnecessary stress.”Senior, Jeronimo Serrano remarked.

Fresas has little competition for parking off campus, the dependance of Fresas for parking has become a real issue. This absence of alternatives makes students feel stressed and unsure of their parking situation.

“It’s pretty frustrating. Having little competition means they can charge whatever they want, and we have no choice but to pay. Senior, Emilio Agudelo shared his frustration.

Logistical difficulties are experienced during peak periods when students report overcrowding and uncertainty for whether or not they will have a place to park tomorrow. Serrano also wrote, “Sometimes it’s totally packed, I have to wait or even park further out. It’s really frustrating, especially on busy mornings.”

Moreover, the existing parking situation also causes concern in the matter of money, some students really struggle paying the parking fee. Agudelo pointed out that those struggling to afford parking fees are placed at a disadvantage, “It’s not fair that financial constraints affect something as basic as parking.

When comparing their situation to other schools, many students feel that The Columbus School’s leave them in a day-to-day struggle.

At least other schools offer on-campus parking, or at least they’re not as expensive as they charge at Fresas. It’s like we’re being ripped off,” Miguel Sanin (Senior), said.

In order to address these problems, students are calling for change. They believe the school should take action by either modifying its policies or to work together with Fresas or another form of off-campus parking to provide a place to the older student members of the school to be able to park..

They should allow us to park on campus for the sake of the school, or help us find more forms of off campus parking. Maybe even build a new parking lot nearby.”Serrano suggested

“I’d tell them to put themselves in our shoes. They should also think about how this system causes students stress and try to come up with an ideal solution.