As the start of the academic year approaches, Elon University Campus Police released an update about the construction of the freshman parking lot at the Francis Center. Updates to freshman parking arrangements include delays, limited passes, and potentially crowded lots. Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley sent out a statement to undergraduate students from Elon University Chief of Police Joseph LeMire that these new changes to parking are temporary.

New parking policy: 

According to LeMire, freshmen with vehicles are assigned an “FY” parking permit for designated remote parking areas. The lots are the eastern sections of Danieley Center parking lot and a new lot east of the Francis Center. LeMire said that freshman parking in the Danieley Center will open around 120 more spots. The new Francis Center parking lot will add 500 spots to campus. 

Delay in new lot opening: 

Due to weather-related delays in construction, the new lot east of the Francis Center is not ready for use yet, according to LeMire. In the email, LeMire wrote the use of the lot will be delayed until construction is complete and is anticipated to open around a month into the academic year.

Temporary parking for freshmen:

LeMire wrote that freshmen are allowed to park in Danieley Center lots, a section of the Hunt B parking lot, which is located behind the Schar Center, and designated parking locations on south campus.

According to LeMire, there is no change for other students and their parking arrangements, however campus parking capacity may be limited until the new freshman lot is completed. Once the new lot is opened, freshmen will park in their locations and no other areas dedicated for other parking passes.

LeMire said that extra spots have been opened up in Danieley Center, a parking lot that used to station university buses and other vehicles has been opened up, making more parking available. 

Around 370 students have applied for parking passes so far, LeMire said this is around 30 less people compared to last year. Prices for parking permits have not changed, but LeMire expects that more students will purchase permits for the second semester – keeping them on track to hit the 500 mark.