Parking crack down
Increase in tickets and boots anger students
by Kristen Payne
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: News
So just where can you park on Piedmont's campus? Many residents, commuters and visitors alike are learning quickly where you can't park.
Campus police teamed with student affairs and began a discussion about a month ago on the issue of decal stickers. They believe that students found a loop hole around parking violations. If they simply did not have a sticker on their car they would look like a visitor and be able to park anywhere at any time.
It was brought to their attention when local school groups came to perform at Piedmont and visitors were having trouble finding places to park.
About two weeks into the discussion Drew Davis, dean of student affairs, sent out a warning to students via email that campus security was going to crack down on parking violations.
Within four days around 75 students received warnings on their windshields stating they must register their vehicle, get a decal and start parking in their designated parking lots. The warning also stated that any subsequent violations of any of the parking lots would result in a $50 fine and/or the vehicle to be booted.
Melissa Crain, junior, was one of the students who suffered the consequence of a $50 fine.
"I think it is absolutely ridiculous," Crain says. "But I guess I should be thankful my car didn't get booted anyway."
Some students are even having an issue with visitors' parking. Emilee Campbell, sophomore, says her boyfriend came to visit her at Wallace and got a warning ticket for parking in the spaces in front of the Wallace dorm. She said he talked to campus police about it and they told him he must find a designated visitor parking lot to park at and walk to the dorm.
"I think they are taking this stuff way too far," Campbell says. "It is rude to have to tell your parents, friends and boyfriends they have to park and walk to see you when there are plenty of spaces to park at my dorm."
Davis said that student affairs knew nothing of the issue with visitors. It was to his understanding that they could park anywhere. Davis also said that no boots or $50 tickets were to be given out without a warning first.
"Our office handle parking appeals and we have seen our far share lately," Davis says. "It is amazing to see how many empty spots are available around campus now."
Campus police teamed with student affairs and began a discussion about a month ago on the issue of decal stickers. They believe that students found a loop hole around parking violations. If they simply did not have a sticker on their car they would look like a visitor and be able to park anywhere at any time.
It was brought to their attention when local school groups came to perform at Piedmont and visitors were having trouble finding places to park.
About two weeks into the discussion Drew Davis, dean of student affairs, sent out a warning to students via email that campus security was going to crack down on parking violations.
Within four days around 75 students received warnings on their windshields stating they must register their vehicle, get a decal and start parking in their designated parking lots. The warning also stated that any subsequent violations of any of the parking lots would result in a $50 fine and/or the vehicle to be booted.
Melissa Crain, junior, was one of the students who suffered the consequence of a $50 fine.
"I think it is absolutely ridiculous," Crain says. "But I guess I should be thankful my car didn't get booted anyway."
Some students are even having an issue with visitors' parking. Emilee Campbell, sophomore, says her boyfriend came to visit her at Wallace and got a warning ticket for parking in the spaces in front of the Wallace dorm. She said he talked to campus police about it and they told him he must find a designated visitor parking lot to park at and walk to the dorm.
"I think they are taking this stuff way too far," Campbell says. "It is rude to have to tell your parents, friends and boyfriends they have to park and walk to see you when there are plenty of spaces to park at my dorm."
Davis said that student affairs knew nothing of the issue with visitors. It was to his understanding that they could park anywhere. Davis also said that no boots or $50 tickets were to be given out without a warning first.
"Our office handle parking appeals and we have seen our far share lately," Davis says. "It is amazing to see how many empty spots are available around campus now."
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Atlanta Moving Companies
posted 8/17/09 @ 1:29 PM EST
I agree that there should be some middle ground here. It should be possible for both students and visitors to park easily without being fined or booted. (Continued…)
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