The parking fee for students and faculty was recently raised from $22 to $40 in a bid to raise funds for upgrading roads and parking lots.
The increase represents the first adjustment in the price of the permits since fall of 2002. According to Associate Vice President and Director of Financial Services Alicia Currin, the price increase will reflect several changes.
“The additional funds generated from the parking permits will be used to resurface, stripe, light and maintain existing parking lots,” Currin said.
The Budget Review and Development Council initially made the recommendation that the parking fee should be increased by $18. The A&M System Board of Regents then met and approved the increase on May 26, 2011.
Along with maintaining already existing roads, the money is meant to provide the financial resources to allow the University to purchase additional land in order to add parking on campus in response to the growing enrollment.
“The university has set aside funds in a separate agreement with the City of Commerce to improve the adjoining roads that lead visitors, students, faculty, and staff to our campus,” Currin said.
Despite the price increase, some students doubt the administrations resolve to improve the conditions of the current parking lots.
“I haven’t seen any changes in student parking and I’m not sure if I will or not,” Sophomore Pre-Med major Angelo Shildhauer said.
While some are skeptical, Currin is certain that the money will be put to use as soon as possible and believes that the new price is justified.
“We believe the current annual parking fee of $40 is very reasonable and will result in improvements to parking on campus,” Currin said.