Demand for parking stays same, fees increase

08/17/08 - According to the University of Rhode Island Web site, there is a record high of 3,150 members in this year's freshman class.Despite this, Director of URI Police and Security Robert Drapeau said his department has not seen a notable rise in parking demand.

Another constant when discussing parking is students' unhappiness with the location of the lots.

"A lot of complaints you hear about people riding around for 20 minutes looking for a spot is really unnecessary if they went to the large Plains Road lot," Drapeau said, referring to space issues at the two more popular lots, one near Christ the King Church and one behind the Fine Arts Center.

The small change in numbers in the past two years might be due in part to drivers who have failed to register their vehicles with Parking Services, Drapeau said.

"We have adequate space according to our numbers," he said, "in fact we're better off than our numbers would say, but we know there are a whole bunch of vehicles that are either one-time use or trying to avoid the system."

Junior Dylan Murphy, who owns a car on campus, said he has noticed a change in parking.

"Parking's tighter than last year I think, it's been harder to find a spot," he said. "I think it's gone downhill pretty much over the years. Freshman year was the best."

But Drapeau said students were just unwilling to park where it wasn't "convenient" for them.

Sophomore commuter Jacqueline Rivera voiced a different opinion.

"I don't feel like there's enough parking spaces," Rivera said. "The days that I come later, I have to park all the way over at the Ryan Center to even get a spot, even though I have a sticker and I have to get to work."

Rivera said she does not think the situation is any different than in previous years.

Part of Rivera's difficulty in finding spots may be attributed to an assignment change in certain parking spots. Parking Services has added 90 spaces to those allotted for residents, taking these spaces from the commuter section of the Keaney lot.

But not everyone has something negative to say about parking on campus. Freshman resident Patrick Cole said he has had no real problems with parking.

"I feel fine, I don't know what it was like last year," Cole said. "It's a decent walk to it but I don't really mind."

Junior commuter Wendy Lopez offers a different take on the parking available to students.

"What do I say the parking is like on campus? Terrible, it's too far away and the buses take a little bit long sometimes, it's a problem," she said.

But, Drapeau said those who park illegally hurt those who buy the parking passes to park on campus. By failing to register their vehicles or purchase parking decals online, drivers trying to avoid fees hurt the parking system by forcing the office to raise fees for other drivers, Drapeau said.

Fees go to support the parking system, financing lot maintenance and the upkeep of the blue light system.

Parking decals can be purchased through the parking services Web site, and cost $125 for commuters and $200 for most residents. Graduate assistant commuters park for free in their designated lots, and graduate residents pay $75.

Sophomore resident David McLellan does not find fault with the space available, but said the parking fees are too high.

"For the most part I can usually find a spot, but I think it's expensive to park," he said.

Unregistered vehicles also throw off data used by the office in distributing space and arranging transportation to and from lots.

"If we're basing them on these numbers, we'd all say we're in good shape," Drapeau said. "But if you and I drive around we can see that the place is being used heavily, that the shuttle buses are being used heavily."

Unregistered or improperly parked vehicles can be towed at the owner's expense only after three warnings, except in specially marked lots.

Parking Services does not impose fines, but drivers are responsible for towing expenses. With towing expenses in the area of $150, it's cheaper in the long run for students to register their vehicles, Drapeau said.

While parking services handles violations of campus parking rules and regulations, students can be ticketed by university police for moving violations and for parking in handicap spaces or fire lanes.

The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal handles tickets for these violations, and proceeds go directly to the state.

Under state law, these tickets have recently increased from $45 to $85.

Campus Police Officer Mark Chearino spoke about the increase at last Wednesday's Student Senate meeting, urging senators to help warn students about the recent hike.

"I do understand that parking is an issue here at URI, it's been for the past 11 years that I've been here," Chearino said in an interview following the meeting. "But the fees now are substantial at $85 and I don't want to have to see anyone pay $85 on top of their tuition, books . and everything else you've got to pay for as a student here at the university.