Parking Services raises fees on passes, offers HOV lot

Parking Services raised the fee for parking passes for the school year, added a new commuter night pass and removed a parking lot.

According to Parking Services director Tara Armentrout, the full-time student, staff and faculty registration fee was raised $12. The fee for part-time students, staff and faculty was raised $6.

Parking always has been a problem on campus. Junior Jennifer Keating is one of the many frustrated student. "I hate the parking situation and the cost is ridiculous!" she said. The reason for the increase is due in part to plans for a second parking deck on campus which should be completed in 2006, according to Parking Services.

"I am paying $152 for a year pass when the increase in price is being used to build a second parking deck, which I will not be able to use because I will have graduated before it is finished," junior Nicki Adams said.

Armentrout said, "We regret that an increase in fees is necessary. However, it is the only way we can continue to build parking spaces that are needed to support the campus."

Some students are willing to wait for the new parking deck. Sophomore Andrew Spotts said, "It’s pretty bad for us that we have to pay more right now but if it will eventually help make parking better, I can’t complain."

Parking Services has made other changes with a new commuter evening parking pass.
This pass is valid from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday.

"The Parking Advisory Committee received a suggestion from an SGA member regarding the need for a night permit to be used by commuter students who wanted to drive to campus for non-class related reasons," Armentrout said.

The SGA also has worked with Parking Services to create a HOV parking lot. R6 Lot, adjacent to Ikenberry Hall, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for vehicles holding three or more commuters.

Students interested in this option must purchase a commuter parking pass, good for the semester, from Parking Services, more information can be found at their website.

C3 lot, north of Main Street and Cantrell Avenue, which previously was a commuter lot, now is regulated by the Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

The lot in front of Rockingham Hall will no longer be open for use by students, due to the fact that the building was closed and is no longer open to residents..