I have been attending UTM for the last three years as a non-traditional student. I do not consider myself stupid or even slightly ignorant, but I have recently figured out why I am considered a commuter.

It is not because I live off campus.

Instead, it seems to be because I have to walk so far, from the farthest parking lots available to commuters to the buildings in which my classes are being held (usually on the opposite side of the campus).

I understand the terminology of commuter to be one who travels from outside campus limits, or one who does not live on campus.

I do not have a problem with this terminology and I put up with it, without even getting as much as a parking ticket.

I guess I know where and when to park.

I do get frustrated when I pull into a parking lot only to find someone has either parked illegally in a handicapped zone or has parked without a correct parking sticker.

I paid my $26 for the use of the parking lots this semester.

When I cannot find a parking space because someone has inconsiderately parked, I plan to start calling 7777 to turn in license plate numbers, just to see how long these inconsiderate people can keep spending their nonexistent money to keep paying for parking tickets.

I had a professor complain to the class last semester that she had to walk two blocks because people inconsiderately parked in the professors parking areas.

I do not like walking as far as I do to get to my class, any more than the young people do.

If you want to park in the designated commuter parking spaces, the least you could do is get your proper parking permits and stickers; otherwise, pay the consequences.

Chris Smith is a Sophomore Management major.