Michael Skiba, 19, a computer major, just pulled on to Studebaker Ave from a congested and chaotic Alondra Blvd. He has 15 minutes until his class at eight o’clock in the Liberal Arts Building, easily accessed through Studebaker Ave by foot.

Skiba, in theory has plenty of time as he motors down the equally crowded avenue. He glances at the typically packed C-5 and C-6 parking lots swarming with hopelessly desperate students attempting to find a spot that maybe one of those twenty other cars in front of them didn’t catch.

He resigns from his endeavor and heads directly to the New Falcon Way which leads him to the C-10 Parking Lot. He finds himself in a relatively better situation. He finds a parking spot at about halfway almost parallel to the Campus Police Office. He parks and gathers his things, and proceeds to his class. As in many cases similar to Skiba’s, students arrived late to class during the first week of school.

It is very simple; student parking at Cerritos College is poor at best. It is a daily grind that, except for the few that can acquire a spot early in the morning, can become a labyrinth and vacuum all at once sucking you dry of any extra time you thought you had and many times leaving you confused and bewildered.

Of course it’s only fair to note that the first few weeks of the semester are always heavy days for parking at Cerritos College. As the weeks progress with the inevitable departure of the drop outs, the parking lots at different hours especially mid-day become vulnerable slices of Swiss cheese with parking spots scattered all through out the lots particularly the C-10 parking lot.

Compared to the sardine cans that are created during the morning crunch and the afternoon swell this is like heaven on earth.

No waiting, no hassles, no headaches, and no worries about time and walking distance.

Doesn’t that sound good? Is this not rational? Is this too much to ask for?

It stands to reason that the administration has noticed the desperate need for more parking. It is also necessary to remember that acquiring more parking isn’t an easy or inexpensive proposition there are understandably plenty of problems when talking about more parking.

What is apparent is that the college is constantly moving forward and that progress is continuous at the college. No better example of that than the construction going on in several parking lots at the school. Not to mention the seismic construction being done to the Liberal Arts building, with construction crews who park the trucks in what used to be student and faculty parking.

Taking this in to consideration we must be ready to sit and wait and hope that the enlargement or further acquisition of parking will come as these improvements have drawn closer to completion. Because do we really have another option?

Well, there is always arriving to school earlier, or heading directly to the larger lots even if they are located less conveniently on campus. In addition to these there is always carpooling and ride sharing that can also save you money on gas and wear and tear to your vehicle.

Not to mention the hassle free (when it comes to parking) bus and shuttle that can drop you off at many different places on the campus. Just remember not to stress out over things that you can’t change and that the parking situation can only get better as the weeks drudge on.