Most Sturgis students arrive at school around 8:00-810. With classes ending at 3:10, there is not enough time to get your car out of the lot before the six hour limit. This leaves the Red Cross parking lot as the only lot available for students. In order to learn more in depth about this issue and possible solutions, I did some research and sent out a survey out to the senior, junior, and sophomore class (Most likely to have drivers in their class). Here is what I discovered:
With the help of the map app on my phone, I was able to count the number of available parking spots in the Red Cross parking lot. There are 59 available spots in the red cross. From my survey I received responses from 74 students, 52 of whom are drivers. Well, it may seem like we don’t have a problem. However, we do; we always have a problem. We must take into account that this survey was sent out several weeks ago and in that time many more students have received their licenses and are driving. We must also consider the fact that not every driver filled out the survey and that the new town law has also affected those who park and take the the ferry. Now I may not be in HL Math, but I know that these numbers don’t add up. Based on the survey results, it seems very likely that almost half of Sturgis students who drive must park in town lots. Because of this situation, students must fight to the death for a parking spot, they must wake up earlier and hope for the best, or park in a town lot and pay $40 per day for the fine.
“Because I have to arrive earlier so I can get a spot, I therefore have to wake up earlier. Therefore, this parking issue has negatively impacted my sleeping patterns. This has had a detrimental effect on my grades this term” - (Sturgis student)
As a community at Sturgis, we do understand that the town is merely trying to make sure that tourists and ferry riders are not taking advantage of their parking. However, we are students trying to get an education.
- (Sturgis student)
Possible solutions proposed by Student Council:
- Providing passes for the students
- Extending the time limit for students during the off season
- Contacting the owner of the parking lot at 39 Pearl Street and see if we can use their lot.
All we can do now is try to help the cause, hope for the best, and BLEED BLUE.