2008 Woodie Awards
Parking Pandemonium
Parking tickets stretch student's wallets thin
Amy Salisbury
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Features
You're walking to your car on a beautiful Friday afternoon and things couldn't get better. That killer Econ midterm is over, you nabbed presale tickets to the concert of the year, and to top it all off, it's a three-day weekend. But wait, what is that tucked gently between your wiper blade and windshield? Could it be a note from a secret admirer? No, it's probably just some flyer advertising who-knows-what. As you walk closer, the vicious fluorescent paper gives it all away: Parking Ticket.
A CSUSM police officer issues a parking ticket on campus because a car violates the terms certified by the parking permit it displays, or the car is simply void of any kind of permit whatsoever. With permit prices still on the rise, it comes as no surprise that the number of citations currently given on campus is higher than ever.
Since 2003, permit prices have drastically increased from $158 to $248 causing many students to forego buying permits altogether. Senior Caleb Roddy took this approach, claiming that he chose "to bypass the entire system due to the extreme prices and inconsistent parking." Though under the constant threat of receiving a city citation, or an impounded car, several students still go so far as to park in the Kaiser Permanente and Ralph's Shopping Center lots and walk to campus.
Other options do exists that will not completely break the bank. "I buy the daily passes, because I only go three days a week," says Biochemistry major Farhea Mahmood. These permits range from $2 for one hour to a max of $7 for 24 hours. "I don't think it's worth it to get the full semester permits, especially when you don't know what you're paying for." So, what exactly is this money from thousands of permits and tickets funding?
The campus Parking and Transportation Services claim, "the additional revenue would allow construction of a parking structure that would open during 2010/11, adding 2000 spaces." The 2002 Parking and Transportation Task Force established the all-encompassing fee increase. Do not expect a cost relief in the near future: Fall 2009 permit prices are set to swell another $90 to an incredible $338.
If you are the recipient of a dreaded parking ticket, a glimmer of hope still exists. To appeal a citation, stop by the Parking Adjudication office in FBC 107 and fill out the appropriate forms, visit http://www.csusm.edu/parking/ and complete a Citation Appeal/Administrative Review Form, or go through the US Mail and file a complaint. Be warned, however, that there are only 21 calendar days to appeal the citation before a $25 late fee and hold on the vehicle's registration gets tacked on.
Parking tickets and fee increases are one of the necessary evils here on campus. As our perpetually growing student body brings more cars to campus, the school inevitably needs to boost the parking capacity. Remember: read the posted signs, buy the necessary permits, and if all else fails, carpool.
A CSUSM police officer issues a parking ticket on campus because a car violates the terms certified by the parking permit it displays, or the car is simply void of any kind of permit whatsoever. With permit prices still on the rise, it comes as no surprise that the number of citations currently given on campus is higher than ever.
Since 2003, permit prices have drastically increased from $158 to $248 causing many students to forego buying permits altogether. Senior Caleb Roddy took this approach, claiming that he chose "to bypass the entire system due to the extreme prices and inconsistent parking." Though under the constant threat of receiving a city citation, or an impounded car, several students still go so far as to park in the Kaiser Permanente and Ralph's Shopping Center lots and walk to campus.
Other options do exists that will not completely break the bank. "I buy the daily passes, because I only go three days a week," says Biochemistry major Farhea Mahmood. These permits range from $2 for one hour to a max of $7 for 24 hours. "I don't think it's worth it to get the full semester permits, especially when you don't know what you're paying for." So, what exactly is this money from thousands of permits and tickets funding?
The campus Parking and Transportation Services claim, "the additional revenue would allow construction of a parking structure that would open during 2010/11, adding 2000 spaces." The 2002 Parking and Transportation Task Force established the all-encompassing fee increase. Do not expect a cost relief in the near future: Fall 2009 permit prices are set to swell another $90 to an incredible $338.
If you are the recipient of a dreaded parking ticket, a glimmer of hope still exists. To appeal a citation, stop by the Parking Adjudication office in FBC 107 and fill out the appropriate forms, visit http://www.csusm.edu/parking/ and complete a Citation Appeal/Administrative Review Form, or go through the US Mail and file a complaint. Be warned, however, that there are only 21 calendar days to appeal the citation before a $25 late fee and hold on the vehicle's registration gets tacked on.
Parking tickets and fee increases are one of the necessary evils here on campus. As our perpetually growing student body brings more cars to campus, the school inevitably needs to boost the parking capacity. Remember: read the posted signs, buy the necessary permits, and if all else fails, carpool.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Just Wondering
posted 2/14/08 @ 11:10 PM PST
I've noticed vehicles taking up two parking spaces but only one parking pass - and they don't have bright green tickets on their windshields. What's up with that?
I'm talking about vehicles pulling a trailer. (Continued…)
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