A delicate balance has to be struck between how many parking spots are available, where they are and how much students pay for them, Parking Services Director Randy Ristow says.

But that balance hasn't been found, according to many Kent State students.

"Parking sucks," says Lindsay Gebhart, a freshman pre-fashion major. "There should be some way where we can park somewhere, anywhere, relatively close to anything."

Ristow admits parking isn't perfect but also says it's not that bad. "There are some problems," he says. "But we're in a lot better spot than we were 10, 15 years ago."

Ristow says Parking Services constantly reevaluates where parking is needed. In the 16 years Ristow has been in charge of parking, there's been a demographic change.

"About 50 percent of residence hall students have a car on campus now," he says. "Ten years ago it was 45 percent, and I don't have the records before that. More people are driving cars to campus."

Thirty years ago when much of the campus was pieced together, no one thought cars would overrun campus, President Carol Cartwright says.

"When our residence halls were built, it was unusual for students to have their own car," she says. "Who could have imagined that income levels would permit more than one car in a family? It was unheard of to have a car in high school. Now it's expected."

Terry Webb, Residence Services director and a member of the parking commission, says the setup of the campus is also part of the problem.

Looking at a campus map, he says if he could rearrange the campus, it would look nothing like it does now.

"Unfortunately, you can't pick up buildings and move them around," he says as he slides his fingers across the map, as if pushing Tri-Towers off to the side. Laughing, he says, "They're kind of planted firmly in the ground."

Even if the buildings were rearranged, other priorities would have to be considered, Cartwright says.

"We have a commitment to preserve our green space," she says. "We have a beautiful campus, and we don't want to stick a parking lot in the middle of a nice area."

But some students say while green space is nice, they'd be happy to lose a little if it meant they could park in convenient spots.

"Kill the trees. Kill the green. Give us parking!" Gebhart says with her voice rising. Then she smiles and says she just wants a place to park her car.

John Sojourner, a sophomore electronic media production major, says the university may have its priorities out of whack.

"I think they need to worry about students more," he says. "I've been late to a lot of classes. I think students should be allowed to park wherever they want. I'm here for my classes."

But everyone has needs. Parking is not just a Kent State problem.