As the new school year rolls in, the dynamic in the student lot is shifting. Parking passes have always been a privilege for seniors; this year’s distribution has sparked considerable frustration. Many seniors were denied permits while juniors received priority over them.
For seniors, getting a parking permit feels like a rite of passage. That’s why this year’s outcome has left some people shocked and disappointed.
“I feel like I waited three years to receive a parking pass just for some juniors to get it over me, I feel like I shouldn’t have to fight for a parking spot against juniors,” senior Sofia Jalil said.
Other seniors exclaimed their frustration, feeling overlooked by a school system that was supposed to prioritize them.
“It’s hard seeing juniors park in the lot even though they have passes, since I know a lot of seniors who were unable to get parking permits for this first semester. Last year, no juniors had parking permits,” senior Julie Baroody said.
Several juniors were granted parking permits during the first round that parking permits were distributed, which is something that hasn’t traditionally happened. Seniors say the issue, aside from being a personal inconvenience, is more about fairness and recognition, believing they should have been guaranteed spots before any juniors were even considered.
“Parking has always been a senior’s privilege, and it seems unfair that there are juniors who are receiving permits over the seniors who have waited the past three years to be able to park in the lot” senior Juliana South said.
The controversy has created conversations about whether the parking permit system should be different to prioritize seniors before juniors are even considered. For now, there are a lot of mixed emotions between seniors and juniors.
“I think that it’s important for seniors to get a spot to park, but I also think it should be need-based. If a junior is driving siblings and plays sports, it is more difficult to find a spot to park and still make it to commitments on time.” junior Chloe Russ said.
