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Every year, students debate whether or not to bring their cars to school with them. But with a limited number of parking permits issued every year, UCLA works to provide alternative modes of transportation so that students do not have to feel compelled to drive on campus.

Catherine Todd, the manager of parking programs, said 8,636 students applied for parking permits for fall 2004, but only 3,608 students received them, the majority of which went to commuter students.

Parking applications for fall 2005 were made available in June, and UCLA Parking Services received about 3,000 applications in the first three weeks of availability. Todd said parking services expects to get about 8,500 applications for the upcoming fall quarter.

In fall 2003, 4,197 parking permits were issued, 589 more than were issued in fall 2004.

“I’m hoping that we can offer more permits to students (this fall),” Todd said. She added that in times of construction on campus, fewer permits can be issued to drivers. But now that some of the construction is complete, Todd hopes more students will be able to park on campus.

Associate Director of Parking Services Brian d’Autremont encourages students not to bring their cars to college.

“We prefer that people find other modes of transportation so that people who need parking are able to get it,” d’Autremont said.

Some students believe commuting to school is a good option.

“People should (commute) because Westwood is expensive to live in, and UCLA should encourage more people to do so,” said Elizabeth Walter, a second-year psychology student.

D’Autremont said most students who get parking permits are graduate students, and teaching assistants are given priority for parking.

In an effort to promote more efficient modes of transportation, UCLA Parking Services offers free parking to students who drive motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. D’Autremont said driving such vehicles is encouraged because they take up a fraction of the space a car would occupy.

As permit applications are submitted, parking services reviews each application to determine who will be granted a permit.

Student parking on the UCLA campus is assigned through a need-based point system that takes into account a number of factors, including class standing, commute distance and employment status, Todd explained. Students who are denied parking but feel they have special circumstances may request to have their applications re-evaluated by submitting an appeal, but most of those who have been denied parking will simply have to seek alternatives to driving their own cars.

Sam Corbett, the manager of planning and analysis for UCLA Transportation Services, said alternative modes of transportation are available to people who want them.

Such alternatives include BruinGo!, which provides discounted fares for students when they ride the Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus; FlexCar, which allows students to rent vehicles on campus; and the upcoming GO!Metro Pass that will be made available starting Sept. 6.

The pass will provide discounted rates for students who ride the city’s Metro Bus lines, which service more of the Los Angeles area than the Big Blue Bus or the Culver City Bus.