Students continue complaining, violation trend increases
Parking violations are at an all-time high at LU, thanks in part to a new enforcement policy and the daily scramble over parking spots close to the classroom.
Since September, Lindenwood security has issued 205 parking violations across campus, compared with 224 tickets written during fall 2009. In spring 2010, when the new enforcement measures begain, 490 were given out.
The university began amping up its parking enforcement last spring to cut down on violators, said Kurt Smith, who became director of public safety and security this year.
“[Dean of Students] Terry Russell and I talked when I came on board, and one of the issues was a lack of [parking] enforcement,” Smith said.
In order to discourage students from multiple offenses, the public safety and security department has developed a three tier system for violators. The first offense receives a warning, the second a boot and the third allows the vehicle to be impounded.
Parking difficulties have encouraged Lindenwood to repave the parking lot across from the Spirit Shoppe as well as to remind students that parking spots are available at the Cultural Center, in the Harmon Hall lot and also at the J. Scheidegger Center.
While these areas may not be convenient, the empty spots in them are proof that there should not be a parking epidemic among students. However, due to a lack of spots in close proximity to classrooms, many students and faculty on campus disagree.
“Last year was really annoying, but this year is just ridiculous,” said Val Krause, a Lindenwood resident. “During the week it is nearly impossible to find a spot on campus.”
Assistant professor Erica Blum feels that specific parking lots would be helpful. “Because Spellmann is a hubbub it makes it extra hard for everybody. They should make other sections at busy areas for staff and commuter parking and have someone police the area to ticket those people that shouldn’t be there.”
Lindenwood has distinguished a number of parking spaces and even the parking lot next to Young Hall as commuter and faculty with specific adjunct faculty parking spots. Some students, however, are unaware of these changes.
Sophomore Ami Taylor and her sister are examples of these students. Taylor said she didn’t know “it was private parking in front of people’s houses [behind Roemer Hall].” Taylor also mentioned that her sister, unaware of the new lot specifications, parked by Young Hall in a specifically commuter and faculty spot and received a ticket as well.
Smith mentioned that “we’ve identified places to park. People just don’t want to walk that far.”
There are a few areas on campus that were previously acceptable to park in that are no longer available. Senior and resident Danielle Echols said, “I got a ticket for blocking the sidewalk over by that one-way street by Young. I see a car parked there every single day but never once have I seen someone get a ticket.”
Echos adds, “the same goes for parking in a fire lane. I did it, got a ticket, see students parked there every day and haven’t seen one [student] get once since.”
Lindenwood, however, is not the only university with a parking pandemic. Considering the small price students pay, $2 for residents and $3 for commuters, a walk across campus isn’t so bad. At St. Louis University, the prices are much higher at between $280 and $1,410 per year, and faculty parking for $1,047 per year.
Another suggested solution to the LU parking situation is a parking garage, which is something that Washington University has available on its campus.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Ed Voss, said, “Parking in the Heritage side of campus is really tough. I think they should raise the parking fee and build a parking garage.”
The Wash U parking garage, however, is only available to certain students and faculty at certain times based on the color of their parking permit. Their permits can range anywhere from $102 to $1,049.
