By Kim Manahan and Ashley Peard (Whetstone Staff Writers)

Commuters say they have to arrive on campus early in the morning to find a parking space. The Whetstone / Songphon Kannasut

Parking spaces can be hard to find on campus.

“I understand we live in a city, so parking is tight, but I wish we could expand it,” said Devon Reynolds, a commuter student.

The college has issued 433 parking permits to students this year, said Walter Beaupre, director of safety and security. Human resources issues faculty permits.

There are 522 spots; 335 of these are in the lots.

The number of spots available varies, Beaupre said.

“It varies depending on the time of day, and the day of the week,” he said.

Expanding parking doesn’t happen overnight, said Eric Nelson, vice president of finance.

“It took two years for Lot E to get approved,” he said.

The locations and lot has to be approved by the state’s department of transportation and the department of natural resources.

The electric power also has to be approved because Wesley is close to the Dover Air Force Base, and the lights have to be a certain way for the air planes coming in, Nelson said.

“At certain hours of the day, parking is hard to find,” said sophomore Samantha Cacoilo. “I usually park on Fulton or Governors.”

Cacoilo doesn’t have a parking pass.

“I bought a parking pass last year,” she said. “It made it easier at times, but I would still park on the street. It was useless to buy one this year since I usually park on the street.”

Some students come early just to find a place to park.

“I end up coming to campus at 8 a.m. to make sure I have a spot,” Reynolds said. “I usually park in Lot E, but if I don’t get there by eight, I don’t have a spot. Sometimes I wind up parking by Malmberg or the Honor’s House.”

Reynolds did not buy a parking pass either this year.

“It’s not worth it,” she said.

Others don’t see a problem.

“I don’t drive much,” said campus resident Elizabeth Wallace. “If I leave sometimes, the spot I left is still there.”

As of Sept. 24, 90 parking tickets have been issue on campus, Beaupre said.