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July 17, 2007

Editorial/Our View

Here, Or To Go

Purchasing parking permits is convenient but financially challenging, not top priority

Students have a choice: They can wait in line for a couple of hours at the Parking Office, or with a few clicks, order a parking permit online. Ordering online has an obvious advantage, but students already manage the extreme inconvenience of driving in circles looking for a parking spot, so a couple queued-up hours makes little difference.

The Parking Office encourages students to order permits online to avoid the long lines that accumulate at the office in the weeks before the fall semester begins.

Parking Office manager Mary Mabry said that as of Wednesday, 20 percent of current fall enrollees have ordered a permit online. She said last year the number of permits ordered online was about half of the total permits issued. These numbers are disappointing considering that the online service gives students the option of having the permit mailed or picked up at the office.

The 25 percent increase has bumped the price from $90 to $112.50. Students wanting access to the Maverick Parking Garage have to pay $380, and on-campus residents can purchase a dual permit for $225.

Looking at the numbers in terms of economics, these amounts may seem small, but consider that students also have to pay tuition, books and other school necessities.

Once these add up, a parking pass probably doesn’t fall into a student’s priority pile, such as paying tuition on time to guarantee a spot in fall classes. A permit doesn’t guarantee a parking space, which might be the reason many put off purchasing one until the last minute.

A discounted price for permits ordered online might encourage more students to purchase permits through MyMav. A $5 or $10 discount could catch the attention of students looking for a bargain.

Maybe it’s not about the convenience of getting an online permit but the inconvenience a permit brings financially. Long lines and extended cruises around campus looking for parking has become the same for students.