Parking Problems: Students struggle to find spaces at Chaffey College
By Gerardo Lopez
At Chaffey College, one of the first challenges many students face each day happens before class even begins: finding a parking space. During peak hours, especially between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., parking lots across campus often fill quickly, forcing students to circle repeatedly or park farther away from their classrooms.
“I feel lucky if I can pull into one of the more popular lots and find a spot without circling several times,” said James Kamienski, a Chaffey College student. “There have been days where I’ve had to travel to two or more lots just to find somewhere to park.”
For commuter students on tight schedules, the issue is about more than convenience. Kamienski said the lack of available parking can lead to unsafe or improper parking behaviors as drivers grow frustrated.
“I’ve seen people park where they’re not supposed to, disabled parking, red curbs, or even stopping in lanes just to drop someone off or wait,” he said.
Parking congestion has become one of the most commonly cited frustrations among Chaffey students, particularly during the middle of the day when in person classes overlap.
One contributing factor is ongoing construction near the library, which has reduced the number of available parking spaces in that area. According to Kamienski, the lot above the BE building and near the library has been significantly impacted.
“That area now has construction vehicles with their own reserved spaces,” he said. “Even a small reduction like that makes a difference when demand is already high.”
While some students have questioned whether parking permits are enforced consistently, Kamienski said he regularly sees campus police checking vehicles.
“Most people I see do have permits, and I do see campus police enforcing the rules,” he said. “I don’t think people without permits have a major impact on availability. The real issue is limited parking in high demand areas.”
According to the Chaffey College Police Department’s parking and traffic regulations, all vehicles parked on campus are required to display a valid permit, and officers are authorized to issue citations for violations. The department also notes that the college does not guarantee parking availability during peak periods.
Students say that even after purchasing a semester parking permit, finding a space can still be difficult. For those who commute long distances or juggle work and classes, lost time searching for parking can mean missing the beginning of lectures or arriving stressed before class even starts.
Kamienski believes long term solutions are needed.
“Additional parking would be the biggest help,” he said. “Expanding into available areas or building parking structures would make a big difference. Encouraging alternatives like e-bikes, carpooling, or even shuttles during major events could help relieve some of the pressure.”
Until changes are made, many students say their best options are to arrive early, park farther away or schedule classes outside peak hours. Still, for a campus built around commuters, parking remains a daily challenge.
“Parking shouldn’t be the hardest part of coming to school,” Kamienski said. “It shouldn’t be something that affects your focus before class even starts.”