LETTER: Parking needs to be addressed

To the editor:

After waiting in a long line to pay tuition this semester, my pocket book was noticeably smaller. I then realized that I still needed to purchase a parking permit. Several friends informed that the “B” pass would allow me to park near the Taggart Center and my classes.

My friend discovered after paying $84 for a year of parking, that his car could only be parked for two hours at a time. This would be convenient if he only had one class, but he’s a little more ambitious. He has three consecutive classes, so he needs a parking space for over three hours. He is required to return to the parking lot between each class to remove his car from the parking lot and re-enter to avoid exceeding the established time limit. “Parking here is a joke”, he says, “and my stall is usually taken by the time I exit and re-enter.

The parking web page states, “Parking rules and regulations have been developed and are enforced to provide an orderly and equitable method of parking…” The Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee, appointed by the Administration, set a time limit in the premium parking lot. This policy ensures equity among B-permit holders and allows more students to enjoy premium parking by forcing students to forfeit their stall after two hours. Without this policy, students might leave their vehicles in the same spot all day.

A time limit is necessary, but I propose a new policy that allows a student, with a legitimate reason, to park in the premium lot for the amount of time needed. For example, if I present a copy of my schedule while purchasing my permit, I receive a special sticker that says I may attend three classes in a row without being required to re-park between each one.

Isn’t it time to worry about our education while we are in class instead of parking tickets? We pay enough; can’t we just leave our cars stationed for a few hours? I’d say it’s about time for an amendment to our USU Parking Constitution.

Jade Knowles