As a student at Orono High School, I have witnessed firsthand challenges that arise from the current parking system, particularly for students who drive. My brother, a senior; drives me home from school and parks in the senior lot. However, there are no assigned parking spots –only designated lots– which means that after school, I often have to search for his car, as he isn’t able to park in the same spot each day. Sometimes, he’s forced to park in spaces outside of his designated lot due to non-permitted students filling the senior lot, creating an overflow situation.

I have spoken to many students, specifically seniors, who park in the senior lot, even though they aren’t assigned to it. As a result, students who are supposed to park in that lot frequently struggle to find available spaces, forcing them to park in less convenient areas.

While the school fines students who park outside of their designated areas, this approach doesn’t fully solve the issue. A more effective system would ensure that every student knows they have a guaranteed spot to park, alleviating unnecessary stress. In the past, Orono High School used to assign specific parking spaces to students, but this policy was eventually replaced with assigned lots.

Reintroducing assigned parking spaces would not only resolve parking issues but could also reduce the likelihood of students receiving fines for parking in unauthorized areas. Additionally, many other schools across the country have a tradition where seniors paint their parking spots each year, creating a fun and unique way for students to express school spirit. I believe that this could add a sense of community and pride at Orono, benefiting both the school environment and student morale.

For these reasons, I strongly believe that Orono High School should consider reintroducing assigned numbered parking spaces. The potential benefits–from reducing confusion to fostering school spirit–make this change worthwhile.