As I headed back to campus early Monday morning, the recent snow allowed me to see an obvious issue. Cars completely covered in untouched snow. Behold the campus resident. While I realize that many students have occupations outside of campus and other activities to attend, the remaining plethora of unmoved vehicles is a sore spot for a commuter. This isn’t a complaint focused on walking long distances to class, but rather the number of vehicles sitting idle for days/weeks.

Many (if not the majority) of other college campuses have chosen to give commuters the front spots of parking areas or prohibiting freshmen from parking on campus entirely.

In order to arrive on time to my 8:15 a.m. class, I have to leave my home at 7:15 a.m. The sad reality is that I only live 15-20 minutes from campus.

If you live on campus, the advantage of an easy walk to class is already given to you. Living on campus is not an alternative that everyone can afford, including myself.

ETSU could attend the needs of its many commuters by giving residents a different decal that forced them to park in the outer lots. This would open the closer spots for commuters.

Tickets are already issued for those who park illegally, thus the same kind of mandate could apply to this situation. Another benefit to this situation is that it is free.

Proposals of being charged for a spot that could not be guaranteed to you is ridiculous (especially when adding the cost of gas for the trip to campus).

-Alaina Asbury

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