Preferred parking on surface lot or in garage structure

First of all, thanks to all for the lively discussion on LI 10202 (April through Sep 2013). And if anyone is curious, yes, LI 10202 is still being cited in Review comments. Ours is a campus project, with surface parking close to building entrances, and garages further away. My question - what is the more "preferred" parking location - closest to building entries, or under shade (and yes, closest to the garage entries and/or elevator)? I might add we are in a state that has high summer temps and lots of snow in winter, so shade is a very desirable thing. (Oh, and hail, too.) Has anyone any experience of this? Thanks!