University expecting ‘lot of edginess’ after free parking now costs $300 as executives admit they want to make more cash
STUDENT drivers are set to be out of pocket by an extra $300 after one University has added a fee to a previously free service.
Florida State University has signed off on a new overnight parking charge that will see students forced to pay a fee to park their vehicles on campus during certain times.
GettyFlorida State Univerisity students will have to pay $300 per year for a new optional overnight parking permit for the campus (stock image)[/caption]
GettyThe board of trustees approved the new parking program last week following ongoing parking issues (stock image)[/caption]
What used to be free for students of the university will now cost them $300 a year.
The new fee which is set to come in during the fall has already enraged locals who have slammed the move as a “money grab” by FSU.
All students who wish to park their vehicles on campus overnight between midnight and 5:45 am from Monday to Friday will have to buy the $300 permit.
The decision was made by the university’s board of trustees on June 20 after there had been “controversy” about FSU’s parking situation.
‘SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES’
“I know every time we deal with parking, it leads to a lot of edginess, controversy, and different opinions,” Jorge Gonzales, an FSU board trustee said at a Finance and Business Committee meeting last week, per the Tallahassee Democrat.
“But this is something that appears to be creeping consensus in terms of the two goals we have, which is to generate a little more revenue and also reduce the amount of overnight parking.”
Gonzales’ comments were made ahead of the board’s approval of the new overnight parking permit.
The campus has over 8,000 student parking spaces with six parking garages and several smaller parking lots, a university spokesperson told the news outlet.
Currently, students can get a free regular parking permit or pay an annual fee of $415 for virtual reserved permits for round-the-clock parking in certain on-site garages.
As well as these vehicles, around 5,200 cars currently park overnight on campus for free with 4,200 of these belonging to students living on campus and 1,000 to students who live elsewhere.
However, FSU has historically struggled with on-campus parking with students having complained about being forced to rush to classes because they were unable to find a parking spot.
In response to these issues, the University previously introduced other transport options as well as real-time parking availability information.
While increased bike racks and a shuttle service to and from campus was a welcome move, the issue of parking is still a hot topic for the university as overnight vehicles take up daytime spots.
Approximately one-third of campus parking spaces are occupied around the clock, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
FSU’s senior vice president for finance and administration claims that much of these spaces are taken up by students who do not live on campus.
“When I come to work, I often see several parking lots completely full with overnight parkers who are not located in a residence hall but have chosen to park there because of availability,” Kyle Clark told the outlet.
Absolutely a money grab.
Parent of a former FSU student
He added that new housing being constructed off-campus is making the issue worse as the properties often do not have sufficient parking for tenants.
“It causes significant challenges with students who are commuting to campus,” Clark noted.
BACKLASH
While the new $300 overnight parking permit is hoped to rescue overnight parking by 25% to make room for those who commute to FSU, locals have expressed their concerns about the move.
“Absolutely a money grab,” one parent wrote on Facebook.
“One of the reasons my daughter left FSU.
“Kids spend hours to find parking and have to pay additional fees to park off property ON top of the transportation fees.”
“It’s all about the money,” another added.
“Overnight parking should be free for students living on campus, but students who are just using campus like long-term parking or car storage should have to pay a fee,” a third suggested.
Meanwhile, others highlighted concerns about increased DUI offenses if students decide to move their vehicles after partying.
“Absolutely a very valid point!” a Facebook user claiming to be a former FSU teacher said.
“I’m worried for the students’ safety with this.”
However, the revenue from the new parking program which is estimated to be around $1 million is to be put towards improving parking and transportation facilities, an FSU spokesperson said.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to FSU for comment.
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