Parking on Campus by Marina Mizell

Parking Perils

Because of the high number of students who commute, parking at UMBC can be treacherous if you’re not prepared. I can remember the frustration I felt trying to find parking the first time I arrived to campus. There were so many things I wish I would have known before that first day. For instance, how early to arrive before my first class, which parking lots will most likely be available when I arrive to campus, or a small reminder to make my parking pass visible.

Campus Parking Map

My first course was Chemistry 101 on Wednesday at 1:00pm, so I arrived on campus at 12:45pm and man was that a bad idea! Having never parked on my own at UMBC before, I circled the Commons Garage trying to find a single parking spot, but alas, my search was futile. It was now 12:55pm. Great, my first class starts in 5 minutes and it will take me at least that long to walk to Meyerhoff!

I tried to relax and find another spot by scouring the lots behind the physics building...but still nothing! Now it’s 1:00 pm and I’m clearly going to be late for class. Why does finding parking have to be so nerve racking?!

Taking a glance at my parking map, I then headed to the Stadium Lot. Waaaaay in the back, I FINALLY found one! I quickly parked and ran to class, arriving at 1:15. I may have been late, but at least I actually made it!

Walking back to my car that evening was such a relief. I was so happy to finally be done with my first day as a UMBC student. But of course, just when I thought my day couldn’t have gotten any worse, I found a $40 parking ticket on my windshield for forgetting to put my parking pass on my rearview mirror. I was so frazzled about being late that I had forgotten to get out my parking pass! Thankfully, because I received the parking ticket on the first day, and I appealed the ticket, I was only given a warning and charged $7.

So much for a smooth transition! Looking back, I wish I would have had a guide showing which lots to park in during certain times and reminding me to display my permit. It also would have been less stressful if I had arrived to campus earlier. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been so late to class if I arrived to campus with more time to find parking.

Now that I’ve commuted to campus for four semesters, I’ve learned that arriving to campus 45 minutes before class begins is ample time to find parking and walk to class. I’ve also learned which lots are available when I arrive to campus at various times. Below I have outlined the parking lots where I have the easiest time parking at certain times. Hopefully, my guide is useful and your first day trying to find parking isn’t as hectic as mine! Good luck!

Commuter Parking Guide