The Rocket

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Nate Daymut [Click to enlarge]

The Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees approved the recommendation of an increase of the cost of parking violation tickets.

The council of trustees, which approved the recommendation on April 4, is seeking the approval of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors to raise parking violation tickets from $15 to $30 and to raise the fine for not having or not displaying a parking permit from $15 to $50.

SRU President Robert Smith said that a group of students met with the parking committee, which comprises students, faculty and staff, to discuss what the price change would be.

"Students decided they would rather raise the prices of tickets rather than sticker prices," Smith said. "That way you only pay more if you are in violation."

Assistant Vice President of Student Services John Bonando said that the basis of raising parking violation tickets is to help maintain parking control.

"If the price of not having a parking sticker is $50, (students, faculty and staff) will be less likely to gamble and park in the wrong lot," Bonando said. "When they park in the wrong lots, it throws off the entire count, and that's when we have problems with parking spaces."

Ryan Kozlowski, a 21-year-old senior criminal justice major, said, "I've paid fines before and I think (raising parking fine prices) is ridiculous. It should be first come, first serve. Students don't have a lot of money, so we can't afford extra fines, and we can't afford to park three miles away from class, either."

Bonando said that the university administration is hoping to present the proposed fees to the board of governors during a July meeting.

"Compliance equals a benefit to everyone," Bonando said. "We are just trying to enforce our (university) parking policy."

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