For students, low income and time shortages have always been problematic, but this semester it seems that dollars are being stretched farther than ever before and every minute is just as precious. With continually rising costs and a receding economy, time is money. Most of us, if you’re not one of the lucky few, are simultaneously working and studying full-time. And finding a parking space to keep up with class attendance is the last thing any student should have to worry about.

Unfortunately, for many Mesa students far too many hours each week are spent parking (if a spot is ever found) and then sprinting to class (probably because it’s already started).

There are not enough spaces at Mesa for the current student population and this is an issue that needs to be immediately rectified by the faculty and administration. Student time is much better spent in class, studying, working or even napping. Not wasting gas, time, and money.

Students should not be required to pay for parking passes when there are no available spots. The student budget is already tight enough as is; money shouldn’t have to be wasted on nonexistent parking spaces.

On top of it all, the Campus Police are becoming more and more strict with parking violations because of budget cuts within the district and state. So of course with an increased student population since last semester and not enough parking lots, there will be some illegal parking.

By no means should students be taking handicapped spaces or parking in unmarked stalls, but after an hour of wondering if you’ll make it class on time or even at all, the open space marked “Staff” becomes far too tempting. Last semester, an occasional $25 ticket when you were running late and had to park in a staff lot was easier to swallow than the $50 ticket you are now guaranteed day after day.

San Diego Community College District students have already taken a blow to their bank accounts from rising unit fees, their sanity should not be at risk as well. It is unfair for students to take such a large chunk out of their already busy schedules just to make it to class. Getting to class should be easy, not stressful. The current parking situation makes going to class even less attractive. It seems the only motivation to keep going is the sooner you get your GE’s done, the sooner you won’t have to pull your hair out every time you need to park.

It was great last semester when the parking structure was finally completed; we all had a place to park. But now that two parking lots were taken away this fall (one is under construction and the other is now the football field), parking is as difficult as ever. In addition, a good chunk of the back lot is taken up by portable bungalows. Construction should have been completed before the fall semester began. It is completely unfair to expect students to hunt so relentlessly for parking on a daily basis.

If students are expected to attend class, then parking should be made accessible to every enrolled student. The thought of whether or not you’ll make it to class today because of the severe lack in available parking should never have to cross your mind.