There seems to be a lot of discussion about freshmen and on-campus parking. As a freshman who lives on campus and has a car, I would like to address this issue.

I will admit that at first I didn’t want to bring my car. The upkeep, the traffic, and having people bug me for rides off campus didn’t seem worth the hassle. I figured I would be content with public transportation and walking. But then I thought about what life would be like without my car. I enjoy my freedom, and I didn’t want to have to sacrifice my freedom when I left home.

I couldn’t believe that a parking permit would cost $69.55 a semester. I started to question if the price was worth the effort to park on campus and whether I could get a scholarship to pay for the permit.

There are only a few lots that residents can park in on campus, and they all seem far away to me. However much I hate having to cross both Holly and Maple Drives to get to my car, it’s better than not having my own transportation at all.

Most of the time, I use my car on the weekends for trips to Wal-Mart and the occasional movie. During the week, it collects dirt in the parking lot. A lot of cars on campus do the same thing. We have every right to have our cars and to use or not use them when we please.

During the week I walk to my classes and occasionally catch a ride on the BullRunner. I don’t complain about walking to class because we all have to. With some good walking shoes and a bottle of water, I’m set. Even if you don’t enjoy walking, ride the BullRunner; after all, that’s what it’s for.

Not allowing freshmen to have cars on campus will not solve anything. A college campus isn’t a high school parking lot where the upperclassmen have priority.

The majority of residents on campus are freshmen. Yes, we are fortunate that we can bring our cars with us to college along with our shower totes and extra-long twin bed sheets. Yet we have to pay the same amount as everyone else who lives on campus for our permits.

I see nothing wrong with the parking situation on campus. There are two parking garages, plenty of parking lots and walking is a great form of exercise.

Don’t hate freshmen because we are allowed to bring our cars with us. There is plenty of room for all of us.

Olivia Hattan is a freshman majoring in mass communications.