Statement issued Thursday:

The start of the fall semester brings a flurry of activity to any college campus, and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is no exception. As students, staff, and faculty return and settle into their normal routines, the great quest for a parking space has also returned to campus.

Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs Walt Branson says this is normal for the beginning of any semester. “Many of our students that take evening or weekend classes are here during the weekdays to finish up their enrollment processes, buy books, check on financial aid, and so forth. Because there are so many extra cars on campus, we have opened two temporary parking areas to alleviate the strain. We expect the number of cars on campus during the weekdays to drop in the next week or two as these students establish their normal routines.”

The temporary parking areas serve the north and south ends of campus. The temporary north campus lot is located just inside the north entrance to IPFW at St. Joe Road and Broyles Boulevard. The temporary south campus lot is located across the St. Joseph River on the old Carrington Field. Drivers who park there will be able to access the main campus by using the Venderly Family Bridge to cross the river.

Branson said University Police have reported an extra 400 to 500 cars on campus this first week of classes. He added, “Next fall parking headaches should be at a minimum. We recently began construction on IPFW’s third parking garage, located on the north side of campus, and when it opens next fall its 1,000 spaces are expected to take care of any parking problems we now have.”