There's a common subject across everyone's newsfeed: parking. Whether it's from a Murray State student or a University of Kentucky student, parking is always an issue. If there's one thing that I have learned throughout my undergraduate career, it's that Murray State students have it made when it comes to parking. When you look at our situation and compare it to other universities, big or small, we have a great parking management team who works to make our parking system the best as it can be.

I contacted parking offices from several other universities across the United States to gather information about the parking procedures instilled on their campus, along with contacting students on those campuses to hear about their frustrations with parking. One thing that was common among every student was that everyone complains about parking daily. One thing that was common among every university parking office was that students want a parking lot directly next to their building, which is impossible.

Murray State students pay $75 a year for a parking tag, which is cheaper than many universities. Our campus has 7,000 parking spots across campus with over 11,000 students enrolled. These numbers have had students in an uproar, but what they don't know is that other universities are the same way. Parking takes up a lot of land, land that might not be available, which is why universities don't necessarily have a parking spot for every student. The number of students enrolled include online students and students who don't own a parking tag. It is not required to own a parking tag if you are a student, only if you plan on parking on campus. This means that it is not necessary to spend money on a parking spot that will not be used.

Austin Peay State University charges approximately $100 each year for a student parking tag. They have around 2,240 commuter parking spots and 923 residential parking spots. APSU has just under 10,000 students enrolled in their university and have said that not once this year has every parking lot on their campus been full. APSU student Tyler Bailey said that it takes the average student 10 to 15 minutes to find a parking spot and an additional 10-minute walk, even at a fast pace.

The University of Toledo charges students $125 per semester for a parking tag. They have roughly 21,000 students enrolled. University of Toledo student Noah Oetting said that it takes around 20 minutes to find a parking spot with an additional 5- to 15-minute walk. These are all very similar to our campus and the time it takes to find a parking spot. The one difference is that we pay much less.

Parking doesn't get better at large universities, even with parking garages. The University of Kentucky charges $272 for a parking tag. They have 8,636 commuter parking spots and 1,890 residential parking spots. UK has approximately 30,704 students enrolled. UK student Autumn Robards said that she tries to take the campus bus most days. When she does drive, it takes her 10 minutes to find a parking spot with an additional 10-minute walk to class. Robards says that for other students, it's even worse. Students that park in Kentucky's K lot have to walk 20 minutes or can take a 10-minute bus ride.

Below are even more comparisons:

• The University of Mississippi

Enrolled students: Over 22,000

Parking tag price: Different tags ranging from $60 to $750

Amount of time spent parking: "Everyone leaves about 30-45 minutes before class to find a parking spot. Then it's about a 15-minute walk." said Kelly Mattix, Ole Miss student.

• East Carolina University

Enrolled students: 28,289

Parking tag price: Different tags ranging from $120 to $480

Amount of time spent parking: "If you live in an apartment off campus, you have to take a bus to campus if you don't have a parking spot. There's a bus stop for all busses at the end of College Hill and it's a 5- to 10-minute walk to most classes. There are visitor parking spots that you pay for by the half hour, which is a 5-minute walk to classes, but it's impossible to find a spot. We have separate lots for different passes. D lot is the cheapest, but you have to take a bus to get to your car." said Sarah Owens, ECU student.

• University of South Florida

Enrolled students: Over 48,000

Parking tag price: Different tags (including annual and semester) ranging from $59 to $1,076

Amount of time spent parking: "It takes me 5 to 10 minutes to find a parking spot in the garage. Then I walk another 10 to 15 minutes to my class depending on where it's at." - Katie Hosie, USF student.

In my opinion, Murray State students are not being mistreated when it comes to parking. We actually have it really good. Just remember that every university deals with the same issues, if not bigger ones. Be grateful that it's not worse.

If you would like to learn more about our parking system or you're still questioning why our parking system is the way it is, come out to the forum with Parking Management hosted by the Student Government Association September 21 at 5 p.m. in the Curris Center theater.

And next time you claim there are not any open parking spots, go check out the sorority suites parking, I bet you can find an almost empty lot there.