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Police chief: Layered parking suggested to save budget, no serious discussions though

By on March 15, 2010 5:30 am in University / 4 comments

 
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Many freshmen acknowledge the opportunity to park on campus at Central Michigan University as an advantage over other schools across the state.

But in a time of financial distress, is it time for officials to re-examine permit costs as a chance for added revenue?

“Layered parking” was one of about 150 recent suggestions to Central Michigan University officials to address the school’s budget woes. The Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group fielded a related question among suggestions sent to the group.

The suggestions read: “Create a layered parking price by year at CMU for students. May be a disincentive for freshman to bring their vehicles to campus and keep them on campus on weekends (one suggestion freshman pay $450, sophomores $350, juniors $250, and seniors $150).”

The university’s response was: “Under consideration.”

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said he does not see changes coming to the parking system just because of the idea.

“There is no serious discussion about changing the parking system right now. At the moment, it is just a suggestion,” Yeagley said. “There needs to be a lot more details about a new system before talk of throwing out the current system.”

Student reaction

Chesterfield senior Matt Mihelich said adjusting parking permit fees to a tiered system may cut down on the number of freshmen with cars their first year.

“If freshmen have to pay that much, it might discourage them from bringing cars,” Mihelich said. “That might help reduce some of the traffic on campus too.”

Troy freshmen Jake Simmons said he would not necessarily be opposed to the idea. But he expressed concern because of the location of some parking.

“Freshmen being allowed to have cars on campus is a privilege,” Simmons said. “Will freshmen still have to park far away in the freshmen lot if they pay $450 for their pass?”

Belding junior Mike Griffioen said tiered parking fees are a good idea if the system generates money for the university.

“I’m all for it if they decide to do the layered parking,” Griffioen said. “If it will help bring in revenue then it’s something that should be looked into.”

Students, however, should not expect changes any time soon. Yeagley said there are no active intentions to change the parking system.

He said he is pleased with the way things are operating now. Michigan State University charges anywhere from $89 for commuters to $268 for other students, as long as they are above freshman standing. At Western Michigan University, it costs $300 for an academic school year to park on campus. At CMU, it costs between $150 and $175 to park for an academic year.

Yeagley has been an officer for 31 years and said he has seen the parking improve drastically over the years.

“CMU probably has one of the top parking systems I’ve seen,” he said. “I think it is a good system right now.”

 

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  • JP

    I agree that some changes could definitely be made to parking on campus. I would agree that a tiered system would lighten up traffic, although I think $450 for freshmen is a bit steep. Perhaps $350 for freshmen, $250 for sophomores (that would open up some of those prized east campus parking spots!), and $150 for commuters. Some of the lots need changes too. That brand new faculty parking lot by the EHS building is never full, and I’m always seeing a billion cars just there to pick up and drop off people…why not change a row or two into 15-minute parking?

  • Rob Hayes

    this was my roommate’s suggestion, and while I may not agree with the actual prices, the idea is legit. Too many freshman (upperclassman as well) go home every weekend and never get the chance to truly experience college, which is disappointing. I think upping the price for freshman/sophomore parking would help to remedy that.

    Also, how about a parking garage??? I am sure parking services will find a million excuses as to why we don’t need one at CMU, but when I look at the amount of space on campus that is covered in cement, I get sick to my stomach. How about a “build up, not out” philosophy for a change??

  • James O’Bryan

    You guys are right, over charging kids might force them to leave their cars at home. The only risk in raising the parking prices might change their minds when they come to CMU. Our percentage of kids who stay here after their first year is great, we don’t want to turn them off before they get a chance to see campus. I know the other prices in other universities is pretty steep too but that just means CMU has an extra perk over them. With the lack of a certain “promise” and rising tuition, we need more perks to attract potential students, not to punish them before they get here. I like the new parking garage style and/or better space management for our lots, but freshmen already have to park out my the SAC anyway. We should look into other strategies.

  • Rob Hayes

    As I said, I do not totally agree with the actual prices listed in this suggestion. We shouldn’t be in the business of pricing people out of services on campus as a deterrence but freshmen parking on campus is a privilege, not a right. The point I am trying to make is that having underclassman pay a little extra for their passes may help to solve some problems on campus.

    Someone said in another article that with so many underclassman bringing their cars to campus at such little cost, CMU has become more of a “commuter school.” I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, but it is true that there are too many students that never develop a connection with the university and end up dropping out or transferring, in large part because they are only in town for their classes, then they’re gone.

    In these rough economic times, I would prefer the university to increase prices for amenities, rather than cut funding to programs that enhance the university’s academic reputation.