Increases in parking permit fees are expected for the 2003-2004 school year. The increases, the first in four years, will be used to fund the operation of the shuttle service, the installation of new parking gates, and the construction of the parking garage.
Recommendations for the new rates have been made by the Parking Review Board, an advisory group consisting of administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The official rates are still awaiting approval by President Jackson but should be released by August.
Because of the increases, it is important that those who pay for parking are able to utilize it. According to Carol Wagar, operations supervisor for Parking and Transportation Services, “The lots will only be oversubscribed between five and 10 percent.”
The parking garage, which is part of the South Campus Renovation project, is scheduled to be completed in January 2004. While the garage may appear finished before then, the road leading to the garage and other site work must be completed before the garage opens. The 500 space garage will be available exclusively to faculty and staff.
Henry Scarton, chairman of the PRB, says that the spots will be made available to students only if they go unfilled by staff.
Commuter students will continue parking at the Houston Field House. The shuttle will begin service on August 18 and continue running 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday throughout the school year.
