Parking prices on the rise
Money need to finance new parking deck
By Rachana Dixit, news editor
Posted on August 31, 2006

The 2006-’07 school year brings a lot back to the university and Harrisonburg: new students, returning ones, horrendous traffic on Port Republic Road and what seems like an endless number of trips to Wal-Mart, among other things.

It also brings the second cost increase for vehicle registration in the last two years, a full-time annual permit costing $172, making many JMU students groan while searching through their wallets.

However, vehicle registration fees have a large effect on both parties involved. The effect on students is fairly obvious. But what it does for Parking Services, responsible for all vehicle and parking-related issues on campus, is more of a mystery.

Towana Moore, who oversees Parking Services as the associate vice president for Business Services, said Parking Services is an auxiliary enterprise of the university. “As such,” she said, “[Parking Services] is entirely supported from the revenue it generates. No money is received from the university.”

Moore added that parking revenue, mostly generated through vehicle registration fees, directly supports the costs of operating parking services. This includes, but is not limited to, debt service on the existing parking deck, salaries of parking personnel, construction of new parking areas, maintenance of existing parking areas and snow removal.

Currently, there are 2,982 commuter and 2,605 resident parking spots available on campus. If more space is needed, Moore said, the Parking Advisory Committee determines how many spaces should be allocated. The committee is comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives.

The most recent project to add space on campus is the $13.6 million new parking deck being constructed between on Patterson Street, which will add 788 additional parking spots for faculty, staff and students. Parking Services Director Tara Armentrout said this costly expense for Parking Services is the main reason why vehicle registration increased this year. Parking Services’ budget, Armentrout said, is developed with personnel in the Office of Budget Management.

Moore added that fees will inevitably increase in the upcoming years for faculty, staff and students, in order to cover the cost of future parking lots and decks.

“While the university may be able to make small additions to the available parking without increasing parking fees,” Moore said, “any significant construction is going to require that parking fees be increased to cover the cost of that construction and the subsequent maintenance.”

Senior Lori Craley said even though Parking Services runs on its own funds, she thinks the price of parking permits are unfair.

“That’s a lot of money to park your car on campus,” she said. “I think it’s ridiculous, knowing that there aren’t even that many places we can park.” Craley cited an occasion when she thought she would get a spot and was not able to find one before class. She then had to drive back to her apartment and get her roommate to drop her off on campus.

“I don’t think I’m paying for what I’m getting,” she said. 

Nevertheless, Moore is certain that there is no need for additional parking at JMU.

“Even at times of peak demand, there are hundreds of vacant parking spaces available to users,” said Moore. “It’s the distance from the vacant spaces to the user’s destination that’s the issue.”