Volume 67, Issue 7

Hey Buddy, Can You Spare a Parking Spot?
by Yoel Preminger

Several weeks ago, more than ten Yeshiva students received $105 parking tickets for double-parking on 186th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Laurel Hill Terrace during street cleaning.  This certainly was not the first time that people have received tickets for double-parking during street cleaning.  And it wasn’t the first time for many Yeshiva students either.

“I’m getting tired of this.  What are we supposed to do?” asked an irate Sy Syms Junior.  “We have to go to class, but we still have to move our cars.”

“It’s not enough that I have received ten parking tickets this year already, and my car was broken into, but now the city is giving tickets for double parking.  When will YU get involved in helping their students out with parking during the day?” questioned David Simon, a frustrated Yeshiva College senior.

If you have either walked or driven through the streets surrounding Yeshiva, chances are you have noticed the dearth of parking spaces available.  With an ever increasing number of Yeshiva students bringing cars to Washington Heights – either commuting daily or leaving their car at school to travel home for the weekend – it has become progressively more difficult to obtain street parking.  Students must compete not only with fellow drivers but local residents as well, making it nearly impossible to find space.

Indeed, any student who has ever driven around the immediate neighborhood in search of a parking spot has probably pondered the following questions in one form or another: How can this situation change?  Should we not bring vehicles?  Should Yeshiva expand student-parking options to include daytime, rather than just night and weekend parking?  Could Yeshiva build a new multi-level parking garage to accommodate the growing number of cars?

“About three years ago we started nights and weekend parking to accommodate student parking issues,” explained Yeshiva Administrator Jacob Blazer, who is responsible for parking and off-campus housing.  “When we first allowed night and weekend parking we had 30 to 40 students signed up, now it’s almost 130 students.  If all the students were to park in the lots every night we would have a crisis on our hands.”  To accommodate students, the parking office also offers student vouchers to park at the 181st Street lot, for $6.80 for up to 10 hours of parking.  “We are trying to accommodate the students on campus as best as we possibly can,” asserted Blazer.

There is an obvious question lying at the heart of the parking crisis: Is it Yeshiva’s responsibility to accommodate student-parking needs?  While other New York City universities do offer some options, the assistance is generally very limited.  Although Columbia University does not offer any parking on its Morningside Heights campus, it does provide a list of 10 local garages.  New York University, while not offering parking to its students, has six local garages that offer a student discount of 10 percent.

Yeshiva has only two local garages, Empire Lot next to Belfer Hall, whose waiting list for a monthly spot seems to only get longer, and a lot on 181st Street.

The possibility of paying for a parking spot notwithstanding, “most students in other universities have the ability to park more than a two block radius from their campus,” said YC senior, Elliot Steiglitz.  “We can’t do that without fearing for our lives or vehicles.”  Although Yeshiva has security booths on Laurel Hill, there are no security posts anywhere near the angle parking past 190th Street, a popular parking venue when Laurel Hill is full.  “Parking at the angle parking on Amsterdam Avenue is like playing the lottery but with very good odds that your car won’t be there when you get back,” said a Sy Syms junior. “There’s also a chance you’ll get mugged just walking to your car.”

Yeshiva has many parking lots located throughout the campus.  While it’s true that they are all overfilled, some students are left wondering why Yeshiva doesn’t use space to build a multi-level parking lot.  “YU just got $12 million from the Wilf family, so why don’t they put that money to use on a parking solution?” asked a YC senior.  “I would have to assume that most students would appreciate it more than a couple of new flags.”

The average construction cost of building a 500 car multi-level parking garage is between $3 and $5 million.  In order to recoup the costs, Yeshiva would have to charge students a nominal fee to park in a garage.  However, uncertainty remains whether students are willing to pay for parking.  “Personally, I would be more than happy to pay a little bit, as long as it’s in reason,” said one YC junior.  “However, I can’t say the same for everyone.”

Despite students’ complaints, some administrators feel that there are more vital problems that must be alleviated prior to addressing the parking issue.  “Students don’t realize that it is a privilege and a luxury to have a car in the city.  There are much more pressing issues at the University than the parking issue,” asserted Assistant Dean of Students Andrew Leibowitz.

Concurring with Leibowitz, one student leader acknowledged that Yeshiva’s location makes it quite difficult to satisfy parking accommodations. “Sure we can bring this [parking] issue up at a Student Life Committee meeting, and we can discuss it with administrators, but let’s be realistic – we’re in the City, there’s a complete lack of facilities and space, so what do you expect?  It’s an issue that’s only getting worse, but there really aren’t any options.”

Many students disagree, however, and feel that Yeshiva is responsible to maintain and increase student satisfaction on campus. Since improving student parking options is of great concern to many students, it must be addressed.  “We aren’t in high school anymore, there aren’t any school buses to take, how are we supposed to get to school?” asked a YC freshman.  Obviously, then, driving has become the preferred option.

Added Dr. Efram Nulman, Senior University Dean of Students: “If students have an idea or complaint they should speak to us or their student government and we will try to help them.  This is the first I have heard of this parking issue and it will be brought up at the next Student Life meeting.”  He had no further comments on the matter.

If students care to see any changes in the parking situation on campus, it’s imperative that they take decisive action on the matter.  The real question is not what the administration will do but how vociferous students will act toward provoking change. 

So, the next time you grab your car keys and plan on driving to Yeshiva, you’d better think twice.  You might be left driving around in circles wondering if you’ll ever find a pot.♦

What do you think? Click here to send a letter to the editors.
All content is copyright © Yeshiva University Commentator.