Night permits could create more revenue

Nov 3 2009 - 10:57pm | Kaycee Toller

I remember when I first discovered the widespread myth parking services officers do not give tickets at night was completely untrue.

My printer had broken at about 10:30 that night so I decided to run up to the library to print my paper that was due the next morning.

I parked in a nearly empty lot, and returned to my car 20 minutes later to find a little orange envelope under the windshield wiper.

After pleading and pouting to the folks at Parking Services, I was directed to the Web site, which states, “There are no ‘After Hours’ when the parking rules do not apply. Permits are required 24 hours a day and the rules are enforced at all times.”

I rode my bike to school for the rest of the year, but riding late at night is not always a fun experience, especially if it’s cold.
ASG senators had an idea for night time-only permits that could solve transportation problems for students who want the convenience of taking a car at night.

Unfortunately, from the looks of the less than supportive comments from university officials in The University Star last week, this may be a difficult task for ASG senators to accomplish.

Currently, there are no “after hours” for campus parking lots, no matter how many empty spaces or how late it is. Officers work all hours of the night to make sure no car misses the opportunity to get a little orange ticket on its  windshield.

Parking lots at night are teases. You see tons of empty spaces, but have to park in The Square or a friend’s apartment and walk to campus to avoid forking over a $30-plus fine.

There’s no reason for the university to not make money by allowing students to use these empty spaces at night.

Students who ride the bus or a bike during the day would not be willing to pay for an $85 commuter permit for the times they need to go to campus at night for meetings or study groups.

These students may be more likely to pay a smaller price for a permit that offers a convenient and safe way to get to campus at night.

Parking Services officers could ticket vehicles with night passes if they remain in the parking lot after a certain time in the morning, since they patrol at 7 a.m. anyway.

The university would be allowing safe, reliable transportation at night by adding permits. Individuals who want to park on campus between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. help make money from otherwise unused spaces.

There’s no real reason for the university to not look into allowing a cheaper permit with limited hours.

In last week’s news article about the possible permits, ASG Senator Colter Ray said the idea for night permits was discussed last year.

Let’s hope students don’t have to wait another year for a convenient and safe way to get to campus at night.

—Kaycee Toller is a journalism senior

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