After the 12th census day the University Police Department will begin issuing parking citations to students without a 2011-12 parking permit. The 12th census day is the 12th day of class, or Sept. 9.
Students and faculty can purchase a permit for $60, an increase from $21 last year, in the business office at the Gillette Campus located at 1450 Gillette Blvd.
In order to purchase a parking permit students and faculty must provide a vehicle description including, license plate number, registration expiration date, vehicle ID, make and model and year.
Also, bring proof of insurance and a driver’s license for information required on the parking permit request form.
After the form is complete and the bill is paid, students will be directed to the outside portable where the University Police Department is located. Students must ring a door bell to enter the office.
Students are instructed to place the silver, self-adhering decal on the bottom, left rear window of the vehicle. Faculty and staff are issued hang-tag permits, which can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle.
The permits are pro-rated from the time purchased. For those who purchase permits in the spring, the cost decreases to $40, and permits purchased in the summer are $20.
Dr. J. Eric Coleman, chief of the University Police Department, said although there may be students graduating in December, this university will not reimburse those students. He said some students fall short of credits and have to return the following semester. Also, the majority of students enroll in fall and spring semesters.
Coleman said, “I think for the most part students are happy. The decals add integrity to the system, where everybody from the president on down buys a parking permit at exactly the same price.”
With the expansion of this university and new high level facilities added, the adjustment of parking prices increased and 800 parking spaces were provided at Main Campus.
Math senior Jason Lopez said, “It’s ridiculous. Last year I paid $21 for the whole year and now it’s like a three times jump.”
On the other hand, math senior Janeth Gonzalez, said she was aware that the reason for the price increase was because of the expansion of the school.
Communications Specialist Jillian Reddish said, “Before the semester began a parking committee established the price and decided whether the prices this year were to be competitive or comparative.”
For students and faculty, the increased price of permits may be inconvenient because some students, new and returning, are dual enrolled and may have to pay for two parking permits this year. Dual enrolled students are taking courses at A&M-San Antonio and another college or university.
However, when compared to other universities, Texas A&M-College Station charges as high as $700 for a priority bay parking permit. UTSA offers a premium permit for $726 and a C Pass for commuter students for $130, which the majority of students purchase. Evening students at UTSA can purchase a twilight pass for $58.
History junior Cindy Boyd said, “It’s not that bad.”
She said she paid $30 last semester when she attended Northwest Vista College, and added, “My son goes to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and has to pay $120 per year.”
With new permit prices increasing, parking fines also have increased.
“Fines are imposed to encourage compliance. It would not be fair to students not to enforce these regulations,” Coleman said.
At this time Brooks Campus has yet to receive signage to determine where students and faculty can park.
Coleman said Brooks signage has been ordered, therefore, police will not enforce parking regulations until the signs are posted. Main Campus has some signage.
For more information about parking permits, visit www.tamusa.tamus.edu/upd/docs/parking-regulations.pdf.
The University Police Department is located in Room 120 of Main Campus and in Room 156 Brooks Campus. For information about the department or for an emergency, call 210.932.6211.
Correction: Communications Specialist Jillian Reddish said university police officers are expected to start issuing citations Sept. 9, which is the 12th day of classes. The original story didn’t take into account the Sept. 5 holiday.
