On Monday, May 9, the school announced that all daily parking passes were sold out for the rest of the week. While daily shortages are not a new problem, this event caught students by surprise.

“I didn’t expect the passes to run out so fast. First semester, I had no trouble getting a daily pass so I wasn’t expecting to not get passes this semester,” said Albert Pan, 11.

The lack of parking passes is caused by a combination of more drivers and fewer passes. In the spring, newly licensed sophomores vie with upperclassmen for daily passes, and more students choose to drive overall due to better weather. In addition, spring sports have a greater number of athletes (who receive priority for semester-long passes), so fewer daily passes are available for purchase.

With nowhere to park, students have turned to parking at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Although parking is free, it is a half-mile walk away.

Some students, like Noah Xiong, 10, have accepted the situation. “I park over the bridge next to St. John’s. I wouldn’t say it’s a problem… there isn’t much to be done because we are pretty much ‘out of land,’” said Xiong.

“I was actually relieved that I decided to start parking at St. John’s,” said Pan. “Recently, as the weather continues to improve, I’m beginning to enjoy the walk to my car because I get more time to just think and relax. I sometimes imagine the amount of money I’m saving myself by parking away from the school and how it really does add up.”

Other students, however, aren’t willing to accept the half-mile walk. “[The shortage] is a problem. I have to park over by [St. John’s] which is an inconvenient walk,” said Max Vinyon, 10. “[The school] should sell more passes or only [sell] them the day of.”

Despite student concerns, there is not much administration can do about the problem. “There haven’t been any serious complaints or a compelling case for why it needs to be fixed,” said Front Desk Greeter Matt Goldsmith.