$200. $350. Students Discuss High Parking Costs at WSUV

“People are already paying so much to go here. At some point, can it be factored into tuition?” WSUV student Jalia Esterlina asks in regard to parking permits.

Parking permit pricing remains a subject of frustration for students at this commuter-campus. Some have raised concerns of affordability, while others have raised concerns of accessibility. 

Sydney Walsh, who holds a red semester-permit for fall and spring semesters, and comes to campus four days a week, said even discounts for buying multi-semester passes didn’t move the needle.

“It was $200, which is cheaper than buying one each semester, but it still felt expensive,” Walsh said. She also expressed concern for people in older generations, who she said could have a “little bit of confusion” in the process of getting a permit. Walsh also expressed concerns of affordability for people in lower-income households.

“Alongside tuition, I wonder if we could bump it down just a little bit. I worry about people from lower-income households who need those parking spots because that’s how they get here,” Walsh said.

Beatrice Camacho, a full-time student who is on campus four days a week and holds an annual red permit, said distance is part of the trade-off.

“I park really far, but there is parking [there],” Camacho said. She added that daily blue passes are an option for students who cannot afford semester or annual permits.

WSUV student Miles Bradley said that clearer parking designations and mapping could improve the overall experience with parking for newcomers to WSUV. Meanwhile, Mayer Hutchinson, who holds a green semester-permit, described the system as “simple and straightforward” when referring to the virtual permit system.

For students paying higher permit prices, expectations shift. Jude Rossetti, who holds an annual Orange lot permit, said “I like this [parking] lot a lot, considering I spent $350 annually.” 

“I feel like you should be able to park in the first lot if you’re paying that much money.”

WSUV student Jalia Esterlina had student frustrations about affordability on her mind, and questioned why parking costs can’t be factored into tuition, especially since WSUV is a commuter-campus.

“If you’re driving, it’s not really your choice; you have to park on campus, so you’re stuck paying for it, which sucks,” Esterlina said.

Katrina Stallaumer, who holds a green semester-permit and comes to campus four days a week, also expressed similar concerns with pricing, but appreciated the switch to virtual permits. WSUV transitioned from paper permits to virtual permits late last year.

“My brother went to WSU when they used paper passes, so this year with the online passes has been easier,” Stallaumer said. “I like not having to worry about switching cars. If I need to, the change is instant.

Parking costs and access have also been acknowledged by campus leadership as part of a broader conversation surrounding enrollment and retention. During a recent town hall, Interim Chancellor Sandra Haynes described parking as “a hot topic” and said the university is actively exploring solutions. “It does add to recruitment, for sure, and retention of students,” Haynes said.

Haynes also explained how student fees contribute indirectly to parking-related costs. “Student fees include a bus pass for every student, campus safety, lighting, and security,” Haynes said. “It’s much larger than parking, but it does help pay for part of the parking lot upkeep.”

Damien Sinnott, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations, explained during the town hall that parking infrastructure at WSUV is self-funded. “We don’t receive state funds to maintain parking lots,” Sinnott said. He added that parking costs “affects faculty and staff as well, and we’re working on it.”