Parking Services at the University continues to crack down on violators who don’t park in the proper areas and regulate their time in meters throughout campus.
Many times individuals put money in meters believing they have more time to do things on campus than they actually do, and it will cost the individual $10.
Some students have become too familiar with the orange tickets that are stuck under their car windshield wipers, which may make them upset.
Senior Ryland Ward has received more than 20 tickets because he didn’t want to buy a parking pass during the fall, spring or summer semester.
“I don’t want to get a parking pass because my only usage of it would be for going to the stadium for my football practices,” Ward said. “And there’s no need to waste $100 on [a permit].”
Permits are issued for an annual, semester, monthly, weekly and daily period to individuals at certain prices. Students are able to buy an annual pass for $100.
Ashley Allen, a clerk for Parking Services, said she has seen students who try to park without a pass, which can lead to heavy fines.
“A lot of them that do not get one, they think they can get away with it,” Allen said. “I think they don’t think they need one and that we’re not that serious.”
Parking in a parking lot without a valid permit will first issue the violator a warning. If a second offence occurs, a $25 fine is issued. $50 fines are issued for third violations and beyond.
“They charge ungodly amounts for tickets,” Ward said.
Aaron Michael Kane, a manager for the parking and shuttle services, calculated the total violations and appeals at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Overall, there were 38,843 citations, 1,867 were appealed, and the total cost came to $340,462, he said in an email.
The money collected at the end of the year from parking services goes directly toward parking lot maintenance and repairs, Kane said.
Kane said the most popular reason for them giving out citations was due to overtime in a meter, which is the most appealed citation.
The kiosk system, which is where someone pays before entering a lot with limited time on the ticket before you have to leave, is a preferred method on campus by the parking service to regulate drivers.
“The kiosks bring several positives,” Kane said. “They have eliminated over 100 unsightly parking meters, plus visitors may now pay with dollar bills and credit/debit cards. I believe drivers prefer having several payment options when parking.”
He also said this method also may make their jobs a little easier.
“The collection points are more efficient and the maintenance is more easily managed,” Kane said.
Students aren’t the only ones receiving parking violations around campus.
Allen said faculty members also receive the same consequences as students if they go against rules. She said she deals with the same amount of students as she does faculty members when it comes to tickets.
However, Allen believes that the prices charged to students are pretty reasonable.
“[The prices charged] are totally fair, considering that other colleges charge a lot more,” Allen said.
Students who continue to receive violations due to parking without passes need to know that citations are real and shouldn’t be ignored.
“It will stay on their parking account for sure,” Allen said. “And I know a lot of things with their school work can be affected by not paying their bill.”
In order to lower the amount of citations given to students who refuse to purchase parking passes, possible incentives may encourage them to finally get one.
“Maybe giving out free items or half off on parking passes could encourage students,” Ward said.
The parking service is open from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. all summer.