The SGA is going to bat today to keep student fees down, arguing that the cost of a parking ticket immunity program for visitors to the campus should not be paid for by increasing student fees.
Under the friendly ticket program, which was created with the purpose of making the campus more welcoming to visitors, first time parking violations are not punished with a fine.
The committee that reviews student fees - which is made up of student leaders and faculty members - approved the program last year on the condition that the lost revenue would not be made up by charging students more in parking or general fees. But they may increase to pay for the program, nonetheless.
After exchanging letters on the subject last week, Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson will meet with Vice President from Student Affairs Linda Clement today to discuss possible solutions.
"While I support the program," Friedson wrote in a March 24 letter to university President Dan Mote, "I believe the burden of the cost is being unfairly misdirected upon students."
Friedson's exchange with Mote highlights the complexity of ensuring parking fees are spread equitably across the campus community.
Mote pointed out in his response to Friedson that "half the parking revenues for athletic events goes to the university parking system ... . Few parkers are students and faculty, so should they get the credit?"
He argued that students are at least in part benefiting from the friendly ticket program judging from "the drop in angry parking ticket mail from parents and students."
Friedson asserts that despite "anecdotal evidence," the program's overarching goal is to improve the university's image, consequently, itshould not be paid for by students.
The program "was not a student initiative, nor was it intended in its inception to most directly and proportionally help students," Friedson wrote in response to Mote's letter. "Therefore, I find it inappropriate for you and your Cabinet to place the burden of your program on the backs of students."
In 2006, Department of Transportation Services Director David Allen projected the cost of the ticket immunity program as $100,000.
In a recent meeting, university administrators decided that it could no longer bear the burden of the program's cost and discussed ways it could shift the cost to students. While nothing has been finalized, if they do pass along the cost it could come either in the form of parking or general student fees.
Allen said the university was prepared to absorb the cost during the first year of the program "but it would not be something that we could just absorb in future years."
Clement said she was optimistic about coming to an agreement on the issue. "This is not a thing of sides," she said. "I am hoping we can find a solution."
Mote's chief of staff Ann Wylie declined to comment.
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