By: Jillian Cross
Photo by Abigail McKamey
As the fall semester begins, the University of the Cumberlands faces growing frustrations from some students over limited parking and a shortage of dorm space. While these are common problems at popular colleges across the nation, the overflow has left some UC students commuting from off-campus despite originally planning to live on-site, creating stress beyond the classroom.
Some students who had looked forward to the full on-campus college experience are now being encouraged to commute, due to a shortage of available housing and policies that prioritize students who live farther away. With the incoming class exceeding expectations, housing was not available for some local sudents that live just minutes from campus.
Sophomore Jonathan Gambrel, lived on campus previous years and is now a commuter. “This really affects me because it forces me to have to spent money on gas that I, as a college student, do not have. Considering I have to pay for both gas and other living expenses, I now have to pay for meal swipes in addition to being forced to commute.” Gambrel said.
Freshman Lauren Cox says she is struggling to find parking on campus, something that surprised her, given the impression she had during her recruiting visit. Cox is one of many students facing limited parking options this school year, as an increase of new students has led to overflow that’s left lots full and frustration high.
“I went to Walmart the other day during mid-day, and when I came back, there was no space for me to park my car,” Cox said.
Many report difficulty finding spaces near classrooms or residence halls, particularly later in the day. Cars often end up parked several lots away from where students live, turning what should be a quick walk into an inconvenient trek and creating what some describe as a daily competition for parking.
Regarding concerns, Travis Wilson, executive vice president for operations, buildings & grounds, and chief operating officer, shared that the university currently houses 1,674 residential students, including 1,331 in traditional residence halls and the rest in campus apartments. Parking access is provided at each apartment complex and residence hall.
Wilson said the University of the Cumberlands offers 1,098 designated parking spaces at traditional residence halls. That number closely matches student demand, as 1,072 residential students registered vehicles for the fall semester. “These lots would be about 97 percent full if all registered vehicles were parked,” Wilson said, noting that the number of spaces slightly exceeds the number of vehicles recorded during fall registration. Additional residential parking in nearby lots could also be reassigned if needed.
“From a capacity standpoint, the university is providing enough spaces for all registered residential students, with a small buffer in place,” Wilson said. He added that while the numbers show sufficient capacity, frustrations often arise from location preferences, peak class times or convenience factors.”
While the university has provided detailed parking data, questions remain about housing availability. No official numbers have been released to clarify how many students were impacted by overflow housing this semester. In the meantime, students continue to adapt their routines to a campus life shaped by limited space, balancing official assurances with lived experiences that tell a more complicated story.
September 18, 2025