Because lots around Meadow Brook Festival grounds often aren't used, students would be able to park there and take a shuttle to central campus. Schaefer said the service wouldn't be implemented until next fall but could help create more spaces and alleviate long walks to class. Schaefer said students can also help out by carpooling with other students and parking in lots such as the overflow P3 lot and the P11 lot near the upper playing fields and George T. Matthews Apartments. Many staff members and students try to avoid lack of parking altogether by getting to class as early as possible or staying off campus until mid-afternoon. She suggested that OU stop enrolling so many students because of the bad parking problem.
Students often have to deal with parking problems more than anyone else.
Recent enrollment numbers show an increase of more than 600 students compared to last year. Shannon McEwen, junior, elementary education said the longest it's taken her to park is 15 minutes, but she added that a parking structure on campus would help. In Fall 2000, Walker Parking Consultants surveyed the campus and found that parking was at its worst on Wednesdays in the morning to early afternoon. Meadow Brook Theatre reserves 100 spaces in the P1 lot across from Wilson Hall three times a month for its matinee shows. Last Wednesday, many students and staff were frustrated by even fewer parking spaces as a result of the roped off spaces by both Wilson and Varner Halls.