Oakland University’s new parking structure opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, and will help ease the parking crunch on campus.

Located on Pioneer Drive across from the new Education and Human Services Building, the three-floor structure provides 550 spaces, two-thirds of which are covered.

In addition to serving the Education and Human Services Building, the lot also provides spaces for Varner and Elliott halls and the Recreation and Athletics Center.

“This year, demand for parking has shifted to this area of campus,” said Rusty Postlewate, associate vice president for facilities management. “The parking structure will relieve some of the pressure and people will be able to park closer to their destination.”

The structure will close between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. each day. Violators will be ticketed.

The parking structure is one of many new infrastructure and facilities projects that debuted this fall on Oakland’s campus. The others are the new student apartments, Education and Human Services Building, and the beginning of a significant Oakland Center renovation project.