EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The University of Texas at El Paso is beginning the fall semester with its highest enrollment in university history, bringing more students and more demand for parking to campus.

Students told KFOX14/CBS4 they have struggled to find open spaces, with some saying they have spent 30 to 40 minutes looking for parking and risk arriving late to class.

“There’s too many students and too many people taking up spots they didn’t pay for,” one student said.

Another student said finding a space can take about 20 minutes, adding, “I do have to leave super early to find parking.”

Some students said they have paid hundreds of dollars for parking permits but do not feel they are getting their money’s worth.

David Estrada said his parking pass cost $225.

“I don’t see that it’s worth it,” Estrada said.

When lots are full, some students said they feel stuck choosing between being late to class or risking a citation by parking somewhere else.

“I do contemplate just parking somewhere else and getting that citation and paying it off,” student Ezekiel Cisneros said.

Student Ariadna Balles said the time spent searching can make that decision feel unavoidable.

“Sometimes you can’t take 30 minutes just to find parking,” Balles said. “You just have to risk it and it is what it is. At the end of the day, even if you get a citation, it’s way cheaper.”

Brendan Gallagher, UTEP’s vice president for business affairs, said record enrollment is contributing to the challenge, along with the busy start of the semester, ongoing construction and preparations for Karol G’s concerts at the Sun Bowl on Sept. 5 and 6.

“We have the highest enrollment ever, which is fantastic,” Gallagher said. “That does have the additional effect of increasing the volume, the amount of traffic to include the number of vehicles that come here to campus.”

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Gallagher said construction of the Miner Crossing student housing complex has temporarily taken some parking spaces out of use.

The project is expected to include 507 beds, a dining hall and a fitness center.

He also said about 100 vehicles connected to the Karol G production, including tour buses, trucks and trailers, are expected on campus as crews prepare for the two concerts.

Gallagher said UTEP does not have enough spaces to accommodate every student, staff member and faculty member.

“If we were to provide parking to all 27,000-plus students, plus the associated staff and faculty, we would need about 30,000 spaces overall,” Gallagher said. “As we know, we don’t have anywhere close to that.”

UTEP has expanded Miner Shuttle hours to help people traveling from more remote parking areas.

Gallagher said the university is also exploring possible parking opportunities with nearby partners.

“We have additionally started to expand our Miner Shuttle, the hours of it, to meet that demand as best we can if people have to park in more remote areas,” Gallagher said.

Balles said better shuttle service could help students who cannot find nearby parking.

“You have to leave an hour before class, just because it takes a really long time,” Balles said. “Even for that, that’s supposed to accommodate and make it easier to get to class.”

The university is contacting permit holders directly when their assigned lots are partially or fully closed, providing alternative parking options when available.

UTEP recently changed its parking-permit issuance system after many students tried to secure permits on the same day last year.

This semester, permit access was staggered based on student classifications and other categories.

Gallagher encouraged students to arrive early, carpool when possible, use public transportation or park in remote areas and take the free shuttle.

“We’re doing all we can to be as accessible as we can,” Gallagher said. “We do appreciate the patience and support of our community.”

UTEP expects the acute parking pressure to ease as the semester progresses.

Students are urged to watch for parking updates, posted signs, and temporary lot changes.

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