Parking Permits Considered Costly
September 7, 2012
Filed under News
Parking permits are made available through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for full-time students, part-time students, faculty, staff and visitors, but the permits may cost a pretty penny. In addition to the permit’s cost, one must contend with the scarcity of parking spots, especially during the daytime. DPS is notorious for strolling past cars in the parking lots, ticket book ready, in search of permit-less vehicles.
All of this makes one wonder whether having a car at one’s fingertips is worth the hassle. Those who believe it is find themselves besieged with the burdens of buying the permit, arriving late to class due to a lack of parking, dipping and dodging from DPS because of unpaid tickets, and having to give lifts to all of their friends.
When asked, one student jokingly suggested that for the amount of tuition students pay, parking should be complimentary. Another stated that it is worth it, especially after long nights out in downtown DC when one does not want to have to stand on a platform awaiting the next Glenmont-bound redline Metro train.
At the other end of the spectrum, many students do not plan to have their cars on campus, precisely because of the scarcity of parking and the inconvenience of city driving.
DPS has been working harder to enforce parking permit rules, despite the school year’s only being two weeks old. All students and other drivers on campus should be aware that purchased permits are required to be displayed and that drivers are expected to abide by all DPS parking rules and regulations.
The total number of available parking spaces was not released.
Parking permits for full-time students, which include any part-time students who spend more than two days on campus, cost $446.
For those students who have classes less than twice a week, it costs $133 to park on campus. Drivers are cautioned to keep personal belongings out of sight, to be smart about where their cars are parked and to only utilize designated parking spaces.
Parking is available in any empty space on campus unless reserved for faculty or the handicapped. Garage parking, located under the Columbus School of Law, is only available for students who have purchased a specific permit for it.
If, by chance, a student is reprimanded and fined for not following traffic and parking regulations on campus, he must pay any associated charges within ten calendar days. If not, a late fee of ten dollars is added to the original fine.
Parking permits are available for purchase at the Campus Transportation Management & Identification Office located in 121 Leahy Hall.
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