Students driving over-sized sport utility vehicles take note. The Webster?s dictionary defines the word compact as “occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space.” So when you see a “compact” parking space in the student lots, don?t park there.

Let?s examine the Parking Structure where so many of us park our cars. The spaces labeled “compact,” are for small vehicles such as a Honda Civic, a small BMW or even a Mustang. These spaces were not meant for cars the size of a small country. This means a Cadillac should not park in one of these spaces, nor should an Explorer.

So imagine my surprise when I found my car, parked in a compact spot, sandwiched between a humongous Cadillac and Explorer. Not only were these cars parked in spaces they could not fit, encroaching on my parking space. In fact, the Cadillac was parked so badly that I had to maneuver my body in ways I didn?t think possible in order to get into my car.

Upon inspection of my car, I noticed that there was a lovely white gash on the passenger side where a white vehicle had presumably hit my car when pulling into the compact spot. There was also a really cute ding in the door where some moron had opened their door into mine because they didn?t leave themselves enough room to get out of their car. Needless to say, I was livid.

I realize the parking situation on this campus isn?t the greatest. However, there are 8,548 spaces on campus, and a great deal of them are full size. So there is no reason why vehicles that are obviously too big for compact spaces should cram into them. Until now, I parked my small car in a compact space, is because I realized there are bigger vehicles that actually need regular sized parking spaces. It would be nice if those students driving larger vehicles would respect those of us who drive smaller vehicles by not parking in these compact spaces. When you do, it makes getting into our cars difficult and there is a good chance that someone?s car could be hit or dinged. Take the two extra minutes that it takes to drive up to the next floor of the parking garage and pull into one of the bigger spaces, it would make everyone?s lives a lot easier.

Until then, I am going to forego my own show of civility and park in regular spaces. My car has been hit enough for one year. If someone in an SUV has a problem with that, go park in a compact space next to a Cadillac, then we?ll talk.

Erin Kauffman majors in women’s studies and government. She can be reached at [email protected].