I’ve never had anyone pay for parking for me, it’d be nice, but it’s really the pain of parking somewhere I’m unfamiliar with that sucks more. I don’t know the good spots. So maybe pass along the tips you do know as part of any solution.
As far as the costs, I’m not sure how it works on your campus but two things that have worked for me
> Most parking lots and garages offer monthly rates that usually work out to 10–15 days parking there. That might save some cash depending on how often she comes in.
> I used to park in a huge lot at a stadium near the college and then just take the bus the 10 blocks or so to the school. It was free (students were free around campus) and usually took 15 minutes or less since there were a number of buses headed the right way. Not as convenient, but if she’s there all day it might work out.
The monthly parking might also be a way that the lab can add one parking spot to their budget in a controlled way and then use that for volunteers, visitors, VIPs, etc.. (I’m assuming there are others as well?). Sometimes it’s not the cash that makes it hard on the organization but the ability to budget it correctly. Saying they’ll pay for volunteer parking sounds like a blank check, saying $85/mo will let you keep volunteers and visitors happy is something they can weigh more easily.