Every semester, students encounter problems finding available parking spots on campus, with the first month always being the toughest.

For students driving to campus, the beginning of the semester is a chaotic period with morning classes being especially troublesome as campus is busiest from 9 a.m. until noon. As a result, some students feel they are forced to park in the close-by neighborhoods or even park in the staff parking lot.

Lt. Gregory Beckley of the Ventura County Community College District Police Department warns that if students park in those spots, they are going to encounter sanctions from the police department.

“For parking in the neighborhoods [around Moorpark college], drivers need a special permit and the fine [for not having one] is $80,” Beckley said. “In case the students park in the staff parking lot, they will get a $50 ticket.”

Anyone parking in a regular spot without a permit will also receive a $50 ticket. In cases where drivers have more than five delinquent parking tickets, their car will be towed, according to Beckley.

The parking structure helps a lot, but some students don’t think it is enough for the campus. Gabe Perez, a second-year psychology major, thinks the parking structures should be expanded.

“I think there should be another [parking structure] in the dirt field at the end of the campus,” Perez said. “Or they should make the academic center parking lot a parking structure.”

In the meantime, students will have to make do with what’s available.

“I think that if students want to find more parking spots, they should schedule classes later in the day,” Beckley said. “Because the campus is always really crowded [in the morning].”