Parking restrictions change, fees go up
Parking is a constant issue for college students, and changes in fees and open parking times are the Parking and Transportation Services’ way of dealing with the issue at USU.
All parking permit fees have increased in price 4 percent since last year, said Lisa Leishman, director of Parking and Transportation. This constant increase is part of a resolution approved by the parking and transportation committee that will stay in effect until 2012. Student B permits increased from $78 to $81, economy permits from $19 to $20, and motorcycle permits from $18 to $19.
While these increases are to help pay for expense increases, they are also being used to pay for the new Aggie Terrace next to the Living and Learning Center on campus.
“I think it’s ridiculous that we pay more for our permits but can’t park in the new terrace,” said Andy Christensen, an accounting senior.
The terrace is for the Living and Learning Center residents, staff and visitor parking.
More permits are often sold than there are spots available on campus, and while Leishman receives complaints about there being no more B permit parking, she said the parking lots next to the radio towers and to the south of the Nutrition and Food Science building always had spots open last year.
Other changes in parking include times when lots become available for anyone to park in. In previous years the times have varied depending on the lot, and now the majority won’t
be open until after 5 p.m.
“This is to make things uniform,” Leishman said. “It’s an easier system and places a higher value on permits.”
The exceptions to the after-5 p.m. rule include the parking lot between the Business building and the resident parking lots, which require permits 24 hours except weekends. The Big Blue Terrace and the staff parking lot east of the Ag Science building are not open until 9:30 p.m., and the Aggie Terrace requires a permit at all times.
Parking and Transportation committee member and faculty member Stephen Allan said he feels the changes in opening times will be good for the faculty because at times he has had to leave and come back after open time began and hasn’t been able to find a spot. Faculty and staff permit rates also increased, and Allan said he believes his is around $120 for the year. As he pays more than students, he feels the time increase is justified.
Meter parking prices have also increased, Leishman said. A quarter once bought 30 minutes at the meter, but now it will only give people 20 minutes.
Enforcement of these times may be hard, Leishman said, as it is a new policy, but signs have been posted and warning will be given for the first two weeks of school as everyone is educated about the changes.
-alison.baugh@aggiemail.usu.edu