Since the reopening of Long Beach City College campuses after the pandemic shutdown, more in-person classes, campus engagement such as different campus events, as well as ongoing construction closing multiple parking lots, has made parking at the Liberal Arts Campus almost impossible at certain times.
In the 2024 spring semester, LBCC sent out an email to students stating that early arrival was encouraged and that there would be a bigger limit because of the construction.
However, arriving early isn’t always possible for students; and it still does not guarantee that a student can find a space in time before their class starts.
LBCC also encourages students to park at Veterans Stadium. However, parking that far can be dangerous for students and staff members who are on campus all day.
Students that park so far away from campus might feel nervous to walk all the way back to Veterans Stadium at night alone. Not to mention that some students and staff just might not be able to get to campus from such a distance because of different disabilities they might have.
The easiest solution would simply be to add more parking options around campus. However there are other options LBCC could explore that have worked for other colleges.
One option is to incentivize commuting and to provide more commuting options. While LBCC does offer TAP cards that can be used on LB Transit and the Metro, the TAP card isn’t something that students automatically receive.
Instead of having to apply for a TAP card, LBCC should automatically send bus passes in the beginning of the semester for students to enable and use at their discretion.
Then when students use the pass, or use other ways to commute to campus besides taking their cars, there could be some sort of incentive.
Programs like this have been effective at other colleges. At the University of Arizona, students who commute in different ways such as biking, bus or carpooling receive prizes such as emergency ride vouchers, gift cards and more.
Another option that LBCC could explore is better staggering class times on campus.
Class schedules are currently only staggered by a few minutes, which doesn’t leave enough time for students to walk to their vehicles and leave so another student can get the space.
With a more staggered schedule, for instance fifteen or twenty minutes in between classes students would have time to get to their cars and leave, allowing other students to park and get to class.
Students shouldn’t have to worry about coming to campus thirty minutes earlier just so they can get to class on time. LBCC should be trying to find ways to make parking easier and quicker for its students.