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Kayla Niese, NieseK4@Findlay.edu
With 192 residents at the Village on the University of Findlay’s campus, and 117 parking spots for those residents, the appearance of a dumpster taking up four spaces brought up questions for the students who live there.
Chief of Police and director of security at UF, Chief William Spraw says the spaces were sacrificed for good reason.
“Trash haulers were having trouble backing their truck in,” Spraw said. “They were worried about hitting other cars.”
While some students don’t have a problem losing their spots, many of the 192 residents do.
The Village is more than a residence hall. It is also home to the Center of Health Professions, which hosts many of the nursing and physician assistant labs and classrooms.
Junior animal science biology major Katie Engel lives at the UF Village and thinks there are more staff parking spots than needed.
“I think we need less staff because the staff spots are never filled,” Engel said.
The UF Village parking lot shares one of its lots with staff parking because the Center of Health Professions is in the Village as well.
In all Chief Spraw says they try to match up the parking designations with the needs of each area.
“We have 1,589 resident spaces and 802 commuter spaces (across campus),” Spraw said. He says that was last updated in 2022. “This year alone they have issued 1,000 commuter permits this year.”
Spraw says one week safety and security issued 100 parking tickets, which he says is extremely high. But it gets the point across that drivers need to stay aware of designated parking spots.
While the University of Findlay website clearly states, “There is plenty of parking” and “All parking is free.”
Engel believes there is enough parking in general on campus. However, she also thinks that residents should have access to parking spots closer residents’ halls.
“I think there could be closer residents’ spots,” Engel said. “But I think there are enough spots”
Engel thinks the UF Village is a relatively easy dorm on campus to find parking at and thinks the quad dorms (Fox, Bear, Myers, Morey) have it the worst.
The University of Findlay’s website states “Guest spaces are located in lot 1, and may also park in any regular faculty/ staff, resident, or commuter space with the pass.”
