2008 Woodie Awards
MU Parking Services increases on-campus violation ticket price
Catherine Couretas
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Front Page
Parking seems to be a continuous complaint among Miami University students-and it does not seem like those complaints will cease anytime soon.
This year those who park in restricted areas or without a permit can expect a $10 hike in parking tickets.
According to Richard Keppler, director of parking and transportation services, more than half of the 35,000 tickets given out last year were given for those specific reasons, and this year students will be forking over $65 for the violations.
"More than half of the tickets given are to students and to people without permits," Keppler said. "Parking without a permit or in a restricted area are the two most common violations."
Keppler also said there are three full-time staff members hired to watch over the university parking lots, and one part-time staff member that patrols during the evening. At any given time, there are usually two or three of these workers patrolling the lots.
"The signs are usually pretty easy to read," said Kathry Vaughn, a Miami sophomore who lives off campus, but frequently parks in university parking lots. "It's mostly people who park there to see if they can get away with it."
Vaughn said that during her first year, students started obeying the laws when they received tickets.
Beginning with the class of 2012, the new sophomore living requirement will guarantee both first-year and second-year students will be required to live on campus-meaning more students will be relying on on-campus parking.
Keppler suggests that to avoid tickets, students should park in the Millet and Ditmer lots and use the shuttle buses.
"There's a bus that runs to both lots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and it will get you there in a hurry," Keppler said. "You can also call nighttime door-to-door or catch an evening bus to the lots. There's always some kind of shuttle running."
According to the Student Handbook, which can be accessed at the Miami University Parking Services Web site, students are responsible for any fines and citations to their vehicle, regardless of who the driver is. Also, a car can be cited more than once if it stays parked in the same location for more than three hours after the first citation.
If a student feels a ticket has been wrongly issued, there is a chance to appeal the citation. The Student Handbook states: "Appeals on citations must be submitted in writing and received at the Parking Office within 10 calendar days of the date the citation was issued."
Forms for appeal are available in parking and transportation services, located in the Campus Avenue Building.
This year those who park in restricted areas or without a permit can expect a $10 hike in parking tickets.
According to Richard Keppler, director of parking and transportation services, more than half of the 35,000 tickets given out last year were given for those specific reasons, and this year students will be forking over $65 for the violations.
"More than half of the tickets given are to students and to people without permits," Keppler said. "Parking without a permit or in a restricted area are the two most common violations."
Keppler also said there are three full-time staff members hired to watch over the university parking lots, and one part-time staff member that patrols during the evening. At any given time, there are usually two or three of these workers patrolling the lots.
"The signs are usually pretty easy to read," said Kathry Vaughn, a Miami sophomore who lives off campus, but frequently parks in university parking lots. "It's mostly people who park there to see if they can get away with it."
Vaughn said that during her first year, students started obeying the laws when they received tickets.
Beginning with the class of 2012, the new sophomore living requirement will guarantee both first-year and second-year students will be required to live on campus-meaning more students will be relying on on-campus parking.
Keppler suggests that to avoid tickets, students should park in the Millet and Ditmer lots and use the shuttle buses.
"There's a bus that runs to both lots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and it will get you there in a hurry," Keppler said. "You can also call nighttime door-to-door or catch an evening bus to the lots. There's always some kind of shuttle running."
According to the Student Handbook, which can be accessed at the Miami University Parking Services Web site, students are responsible for any fines and citations to their vehicle, regardless of who the driver is. Also, a car can be cited more than once if it stays parked in the same location for more than three hours after the first citation.
If a student feels a ticket has been wrongly issued, there is a chance to appeal the citation. The Student Handbook states: "Appeals on citations must be submitted in writing and received at the Parking Office within 10 calendar days of the date the citation was issued."
Forms for appeal are available in parking and transportation services, located in the Campus Avenue Building.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mama Miami
posted 8/29/07 @ 11:35 PM EST
Way to solve the problem, Parking Services.
Post a Comment