Menifee, California-For many students at Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee campus, the day doesn’t truly begin until they’ve found a place to park. Limited spaces and heavy traffic have made finding a spot a daily challenge, affecting punctuality, class attendance, and overall student stress. While student success often focuses on classroom performance or resources like tutoring, commuting, and parking can have a major impact on the college experience. Thousands of students travel from across Riverside County each day, and the struggle to find parking is more than an inconvenience; it can be a barrier to learning and engagement.
Students said arriving between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. often means driving several laps around the campus before finding an open spot. “I leave my house early just to make sure I can find a parking spot. It’s stressful and makes me late sometimes,” said Jessica Garcia, a public health major at MSJC. Campus security confirmed that peak hours cause congestion, leading some students to be late due to the search for parking.
MSJC Menifee serves students from neighboring cities, including Temecula, Murrieta, Perris, and Hemet. Long commutes, combined with heavy freeway traffic, make arriving on time more difficult. “Even with a permit, I sometimes have to park in the far lot and walk across campus in the heat. It really adds to the day’s stress,” said Patrick Nguyen, a nursing major. Parking permits are required, but some students question whether the expense is justified given the limited availability of spaces. Facilities staff said permits help fund campus maintenance and security, but acknowledged that high demand is a persistent issue. “A shuttle service or better carpool options would make a huge difference for students who commute long distances,” said Marco Lopez, an art major.
Late arrivals can affect both students and instructors. Students often miss the first 10-15 minutes of class because they can’t find parking. It disrupts their learning and the flow of the course. Repeated parking stress can contribute to fatigue and frustration, creating barriers to engagement beyond the classroom. Teachers are also affected by this and have to deal with their classes being interrupted as students walk in past the scheduled start time. It also puts a strain on the professors conducting an accurate roll call, as they constantly have to add people to the “here” column as they walk in. This can be a distraction to students who are suddenly having their lecture interrupted by the people who are late and walking in during the lecture.
When I asked a campus security guard, he said, “Campus expansion has made parking even more of a challenge.” While additional lots are in the planning stages, students suggest other solutions such as shuttle services, carpool incentives, or expanded public transit connections. Commuting and parking issues are not unique to MSJC. Many community colleges in fast-growing regions face similar challenges as enrollment increases faster than infrastructure can expand. Addressing these concerns is vital, as reliable transportation has a direct impact on student success and retention.
For now, students continue to navigate crowded lots and early arrivals, hoping for long-term solutions. Campus officials say that with creative strategies and student feedback, they aim to make the journey from car to classroom as smooth as possible.
