While there are 2,651 designated faculty-staff parking spots available, the University of Mississippi issued 3,155 faculty and staff parking passes for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to Director of Parking and Transportation Samuel Patterson. This means that 504 permit holders could be left without a place to park at any time. 

To ensure every parking spot is being utilized throughout the day, it is common for the university to sell a higher number of parking passes than spaces available. For every designated student parking space on campus, two student parking passes are sold. 

Faculty parking lots, like student lots, are located in various spots around campus.

Jonathan Winburn, a political science professor, was unable to find parking in time for his 11 a.m. class after circling lots for 40 minutes.

“There are a couple lots that are my ‘secret lots’ that usually have spots,” Winburn said. “When I went to those, there were students circling trying to get spots, and traffic was so bad trying to get to other lots.”

After 40 minutes of looking for a spot, Winburn had to cancel his next class. He said that was the first time he had to do so and that parking has gotten worse over the last few years. 

Winburn said the main parking problem he faces is students using faculty spots. Since July 1, more than 1,024 students have received citations for parking in faculty/staff lots, according to Patterson. 

Winburn expressed that he would like the university to resolve parking for both faculty and students. 

“To me, the only way to prevent students from parking in faculty and staff lots is to put gates up,” Winburn said. “I don’t think the university would do that because they are ugly and they cost a lot of money, but if you want to make sure people are parking where they are supposed to be parking, the gate system is the only one that really works.”

Isis Arantes, an instructional assistant professor of biology, often has to park far from her office or even in unpaved areas — like the mud. 

“Sometimes it’s the only spot to find,” Arantes said. 

She believes increased student use of public transportation could help the issue. 

Kathleen McGuire, an adjunct history professor, said she arrives on campus two hours early to secure a parking space. 

“I shape my day around making sure I get the spot that I’m comfortable having,” McGuire said. 

McGuire said she has been noticing this trend as student enrollment has been growing. 

UM reached a record high enrollment of 23,981 for the fall 2024 semester — a 2,385 increase in students since last year.

McGuire suggested building more parking structures, which she acknowledges is a difficult task. 

“I don’t know what the solution is, but it’s certainly something that I would love to see addressed further,” McGuire said.

A $56 million parking garage project set for completion in 2026 will add 1,331 new spaces for both faculty and students. The new structure, officially named Residential Parking — Structure B — will be located in what used to be an adjoining parking lot to the west of the currently standing Residential Parking Garage – Tower A.

Patterson attributes the parking shortage to rising enrollment and construction around campus. 

“This growth is a positive indicator of the university’s success but has strained existing infrastructure,” Patterson said. “Faculty, staff and students can view these challenges as part of a broader effort to enhance campus facilities, attract talent and solidify Ole Miss as a leading institution.”