Plans to open West 1 Delayed

By: Victoria Fennell

Disclaimer: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Construction continues in West 1 parking lot. (Photo by: Victoria Fennell)

Parking woes have been a continuing issue for the commuters of Purchase as a series of events over the past three weeks have brought visitors to campus filling up the already limited spaces in the West and East lots.

Purchase College’s initial plan for a partial opening of the West 1 parking lot has been delayed by a day. In a campus-wide email it was announced the 120 spots would be available, only to be followed up a few hours later with news of the setback.

“I do think the events are not fair because it’s causing even more issues for students trying to get to class on time,” said Kaitlyn Hughes a sophomore anthropology major.

Monday brought prospective students and their families to campus blocking off three lanes of parking in West 2, leaving commuters struggling find parking spots at the start of midterms.

“I think that it is important to have new students come but their current students should be the first priority,” said commuter and freshman studio production major, Zoe Fuentes. “Everyday I have to circle around the entire lot multiple times to try and find a spot, it not only makes me late to class but stresses me every day that I might not have a parking spot.”

While the addition of 120 spots on Wednesday will be a welcome relief to many students, some feel that the project should have been finished before classes even began.

“I really wish that they started construction on West 1 in the beginning of the summer because going from 3 parking lots to only having two parking lots is a huge difference,” said Brielle Nostro a sophomore theater and performance major.

As the semester continues additional parking will opened as completed, but the stress of the situation has left some commuters upset over the lack of options.

“I am so sick and tired of them not understanding that 40 percent of the college community is commuters and they are making almost half of the student body very angry,” said Nostro.