Clemson University has recently issued a statement implementing updated parking regulations starting next fall, reducing the ability for freshmen and bridge students to have their cars on campus. While the official statement regarding exactly what these rules will be has not been released yet, this has raised much concern among prospective, as well as current students, and rightfully so.

Freshman year can sometimes feel like everything is already planned out for you. Whether it’s having an identical general education class schedule no matter your major, or eating the same dinner as everyone else in the horseshoe, making your own choices is few and far between. Deciding to go home on a whim, taking a friend to a doctor’s appointment or even heading out on a joyride to Target are all things that might sound mundane, but are taken away when there’s no car to get you there.

Having a car that’s accessible in college is an ounce of freedom that shouldn’t have to feel like a luxury. It’s more than just getting you from point A to point B, but an emotional reset as well. And for some people, being alone is a way to recharge. When the roommate gets too messy, The Dish at McAlister’s food starts to all taste the same or you just want to call your mom, an easy, safe haven is to start the engine and go for a drive. The first year of college can feel like a constantly blaring alarm clock, and taking some time for yourself can help with that. Stripping that away feels like one less thing we’re in control of.

The transition to college is a scary thing; there are so many changes happening, and in a way, you’re starting back at square one. With over 50% of students at Clemson coming from in-state, this means that more than half are within an acceptable driving range from home. This is something to be considered, because even though Clemson has stated that it will implement shuttles to the airport on major holiday weekends, many students do not need to fly home. And let’s just be honest, asking someone older than you to take you home for the weekend and then back up to campus can feel like a real inconvenience.

While we may not know the full extent as to why Clemson’s parking is being limited, we do know the importance of being able to have a car as a first-year student. The severity of having a car for accessibility, emergencies or just a sense of comfort should take a higher priority than Clemson is considering. This is more than just freeing up some parking lot space; it’s a restriction of freedom.

Abney Smith is a senior communications major from Marietta, Georgia. Abney can be reached at [email protected].