University Star: Parking Services Faces Deficit

1. http://star.txstate.edu/node/862

2. Category of Problem/Issue Identified in the Article: College/Financial

3. Level of Problem/Issue: Local

4. A potential policy that is being considered to help a problem/issue that individuals/families face.

5. Why this is important to individuals/families/how does this affect individuals/families? 

This affects college kids who utilize parking at Texas State. It's important because parking is an ongoing expensive issue so it's shocking that they say they're facing a deficit. 

6. What are your views on the issue/policy?

I greatly disagree with raising the cost of parking permits. The number of students has doubled this year so I don't understand why they feel that this is a pliable solution. It actually annoys me greatly. I couldn't even afford to buy the silver permit this semester because it was $115 on top of books, rent, and monthly living expenses. It just seems like Texas State Parking Services has a reputation of being an inconvenient and expensive resource.

While reading this article, I actually felt more informed about where all my hard earned money is going when I have to pay for a ticket or a permit. They SAY it's going for unexpected repairs on the garages and to pay back the bonds for three different lots. This could be true, all we can do is take their word for it and hope they're not cheating us. What I see as an outsider looking in is the new parking services building and the new UAC building and more and more parking services police patroling around. I don't see anyone actually fixing the repairs on the supposed parking garages. I could be wrong but I'm just giving my perspective as an outsider looking in.

I just think that they really need to get this under control because students are complaining and rightfully so. It's just an extra cost on us. They may use the argument of using the trams but honestly, I tried that one day last week and it took me 45 minutes to get home. That's time that I've wasted just because I can't afford a permit. It's ridiculous and unfair and I can't wait until I graduate this semester.