Parking changes appeals process to benefit students

Parking Services has created a new appeals process, which includes a warning ticket and a chance to appeal in person.

Any person who receives a citation — including students, faculty, staff and visitors — can submit an appeal to the Parking Office, as long as the appeal is submitted within 10 days of the citation, according to Donald Musselman, chair of the Parking Appeals Committee. The form to complete can be found in the Parking Services office, or online at www.jmu.edu/parking under the "regulations" heading. If the appeal has not been made within 10 days, it may be submitted with the parking fee. If the committee finds the appeal worthy, a refund will be made, according to Musselman.

Although neither the Parking Appeals Committee nor Parking Services create statistics of appeals, Musselman guessed that 10 percent of all appeals made each year are upheld.

The committee that listens to appeals is made up of students, staff and faculty.

"There is always at least one student on each of the groups that meet to hear appeals," Musselman said.
It may take a while to hear back from the committee. Senior Drew Morettini said, "It took longer than three weeks to get my appeal back. By that time, I didn’t care anymore." According to Parking Services a decision should be sent by mail to the person appealing within a few weeks.

Student Body President Tom Culligan said a major frustration for students was the lack of communication between the Appeals Committee and the student. New as of this year, students have the opportunity to appear in front of a panel to personally appeal their cases. For many students, it’s hard to explain their situation on paper, so this gives them the advantage by having that personal interaction.

Also new this year is a first ticket "warning" to students without appropriate decals on their cars, according to Culligan. They receive a ticket to alert them that a decal is needed, but the amount due is $0.

Some students feel that Parking Services appeals are ignored. Senior Ryan Curran, who has submitted several appeals, said, "No appeals ever get listened to."