Spring Break
Students, faculty owe $333,800 in tickets
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: News
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Director of Visitor and Parking Services Robert Brecklin said ticket fees are used to maintain the parking lots and services.
"It all goes back to supporting parking program expenses which include staff expenses, maintenance and snowplowing," Brecklin said. "We're a user-fee supported program which means we don't get any money from the state through tax dollars and we don't get any money from the university through tuition."
Senior Eric Stelter is one of more than 350 people who owe at least $100. Another 100 people owe more than $200.
Stelter, who lives off-campus, said his tickets resulted from a lack of spaces near the Andersen Library, where he parks for class.
"I had a commuter pass once, and there were never spots when I needed them," he said. "It ended up to be a waste of money."
Brecklin said there is one parking space for every two students, faculty and visitors.
"I think many [citations] are an indication that people are unwilling to walk," he said. "I mean, everybody wants to be next to the door."
Stelter said he has paid some of his citations but didn't realize he still had a balance left.
Brecklin said fees will go up 50 percent of their original cost if not paid within 5 business days. Thirty days later, the fee will go up $5 and another $10 if not paid in an additional thirty days.
From there, the violations go to the state level and the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend the violator's license plate registration. Once citations are turned over to the state, no additional fines can be added to the debtor's balance.
"The consequences of getting caught driving [without vehicle registration] are pretty significant, so people generally pay at that point," Brecklin said.
Academic consequences may also result for students who do not pay off their parking citations. Academic records such as transcripts, semester registration and even graduation can be withheld from students who owe parking services.
Brecklin said these consequences often depend on each individual situation and can be stricter for out-of-state students.
The oldest unpaid ticket in parking services data dates back to November 1999.
Stelter said he'd avoid citations by buying a parking pass only if he knew he'd be able to park close to his classes.
"I would much rather buy a pass at the beginning of the semester than pay meters," he said. "I would just want to know I have a better chance of finding a parking spot when I need it if I bought the pass."
Brecklin said the $200 semester parking permits are essential to parking services funds. He said not allowing free overnight parking, starting at 2 a.m. on weekdays, is to guarantee permits are bought to generate revenue. Free parking for 24-hours is also not available in academic building lots to ensure commuters can find parking for morning classes.
While parking services can not allow 24-hour free parking, there are a few free parking options in various lots and times.
The north side of Lot 4, on Prairie Street, has free parking all day but not overnight. Lots 1 and 2, surrounding the Center of the Arts, have free parking after 7 p.m.
All parking spaces on campus are free from noon on Fridays to midnight on Sundays. Commuters are allowed to park in metered spots after 7 p.m. weekdays.
For a list of the top 100 parking offenders, visit the Web Extras section of the Royal Purple
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