Washtenaw Community College is dealing with its highest enrollment ever, which means the commuter campus is experiencing its greatest demand for parking (and lack of supply) ever.

Most other Midwest institutions would conclude they need to build more parking. Well Washtenaw Community College is dealing with the acute parking shortage by asking its students to take the vehicle less traveled – alternative transportation.

"We still have a parking problem but we're redoubling efforts to alleviate the problem," says Janet Hawkins, director of public relations and marketing for Washtenaw Community College.

Those efforts include encouraging more bicycling to class, car pooling and bus service. The college has sold 1,100 $10 bus passes to students and faculty. The passes allow them travel anywhere on AATA's route structure. There is also the option for staff and faculty to park at a parking lot near Eastern Michigan University's Rynerson Stadium and bus to the college's campus between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti during the beginning of the semester.

College officials are trying to reschedule some classes to alleviate the student traffic at peak times of the day between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. They are also reminding students that the college is hooked into the Border to Border Trail and the campus features numerous bike racks.

"Bicycling is a wonderful alternative because we have great paths," Hawkins says.

Source: Janet Hawkins, director of public relations and marketing for Washtenaw Community College
Writer: Jon Zemke