Spring Break
Campus parking fees may see significant increase in 2009
OSU parking committee has proposed 23 percent increase for parking permits that will rise five percent each year
Regi Seitz
Issue date: 1/13/09 Section: News
Parking prices may increase by as much as 101 percent by July.
OSU's parking committee proposed a 23 percent increase for parking permits and an annual 5 percent rise after that starting July 1, 2009.
"These are very unusual times for people and emotions are greatly affected by the current economy," said Steve Sharrow, a parking committee member and professor in rangeland ecology and management.
Under the new proposal, annual faculty parking fees will increase to $243, annual student parking fees will increase to $177 (from $144) and annual emeritus fee will increase to $117. Term rates will increase to $81 for faculty and $59 for students.
"We do have a public process when fees are reviewed, and this will occur before fee schedule changes are submitted by the end of February," said Michelle Rhoads, a parking committee chair and parking services employee.
Fines are under proposal as well. They will increase to $75, but as an incentive to pay fines within 10 days, the discount will increase from 17 percent to 35 percent off the price of the ticket.
Many parking committee members expressed concerns about rising prices; however, the motion to increase 23 percent passed with a vast majority of members voting in favor.
To cut down on costs, students have the option of biking or walking to classes.
Stephanie Tikalsky, a senior in zoology, parks a few blocks away and walks the rest of the way to campus.
"Next year I will move to my sorority and park there, but I don't know if I would get a parking permit if prices increase," said Laura Hawkins, a freshman in business.
Meter rates per half-hour will remain the same at 50 cents. Daily permits will increase by 40 percent to $7, five day permits will increase 42 percent to $34, 10 day permits will increase 42 percent to $68 and reserved spaces will increase 101 percent to $795.
"Students used to be able to bill their accounts for parking, but depending on loan restrictions, many permits didn't get paid," said Roxanne Long, associate director of fiscal services at the November parking committee meeting.
OSU's parking committee proposed a 23 percent increase for parking permits and an annual 5 percent rise after that starting July 1, 2009.
"These are very unusual times for people and emotions are greatly affected by the current economy," said Steve Sharrow, a parking committee member and professor in rangeland ecology and management.
Under the new proposal, annual faculty parking fees will increase to $243, annual student parking fees will increase to $177 (from $144) and annual emeritus fee will increase to $117. Term rates will increase to $81 for faculty and $59 for students.
"We do have a public process when fees are reviewed, and this will occur before fee schedule changes are submitted by the end of February," said Michelle Rhoads, a parking committee chair and parking services employee.
Fines are under proposal as well. They will increase to $75, but as an incentive to pay fines within 10 days, the discount will increase from 17 percent to 35 percent off the price of the ticket.
Many parking committee members expressed concerns about rising prices; however, the motion to increase 23 percent passed with a vast majority of members voting in favor.
To cut down on costs, students have the option of biking or walking to classes.
Stephanie Tikalsky, a senior in zoology, parks a few blocks away and walks the rest of the way to campus.
"Next year I will move to my sorority and park there, but I don't know if I would get a parking permit if prices increase," said Laura Hawkins, a freshman in business.
Meter rates per half-hour will remain the same at 50 cents. Daily permits will increase by 40 percent to $7, five day permits will increase 42 percent to $34, 10 day permits will increase 42 percent to $68 and reserved spaces will increase 101 percent to $795.
"Students used to be able to bill their accounts for parking, but depending on loan restrictions, many permits didn't get paid," said Roxanne Long, associate director of fiscal services at the November parking committee meeting.
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