EDITORIAL: Proposed parking fee increases cause concern

That cyclic request that induces intense pondering and deliberation that we know as the budget proposal is once again upon the UH System Board of Regents.

It can be favored, and in turn, be scorned, especially where fee increases are concerned and especially if those increases are not solidly justified.

The culprit here is a proposed increase in parking fees.

The proposal is to increase parking permits is as follows: annual student and employee permits from $85 to $100; semester student permits from $50 to $60; summer student permits from $35 to $45; annual adjunct permits from $40 to $50; semester adjunct permits from $20 to $30; summer adjunct permits from $15 to $25; and annual employee reserved lot permits from $135 to $170.

These increases do not necessarily empty an individual’s pockets or seem too unwarranted until the exact intention behind the increases is uncovered – then the justification does not appear logical.

It must first be considered that faculty and staff have not had a pay increase in close to three years, and they have already adjusted to paying a parking fee increase that was implemented three years ago.

Secondly, parking fees are intended for parking improvements and lot maintenance, correct? Not necessarily in this case.

The proposed parking fee increases, estimated at $110,000 in increased revenue, would be used for:  1) increased staffing and hours of the Hawk Patrol; 2) maintenance of security technologies and implementing new technologies; and 3) for mail out of all parking permits.

All three items have been ill-received by the majority of faculty and staff who have voiced concerns through different campus committees.

Most complainants believe the current funding is sufficient, especially considering that in fall 2014, the incoming freshmen, sophomores and new faculty and staff should generate an increased parking income.

Faculty and staff would rather see the gate arms returned to parking lot B that were removed two years ago because it is now easier for parking offenders to park in the employee lot, which is causing an actual problem.

Some students do not mind the increase in parking fees – it is how they are set to be allocated that they do not agree with.

The Hawk Patrol is comprised of student employees working to assist the campus police department with transportation escorts and motorist assist services, such as unlocking doors, helping with flat tires and jump starting vehicles.

The patrol also enforces parking regulations and safety by being visible through lot patrol.  However, it is primarily lot D that is patrolled and the student employees are not required to complete any specific law or safety training. Only a valid Texas driver’s license, good driving record and clear background check are necessary to apply for a position as a member of the Hawk Patrol.

The maintenance of security technologies and implementation of new technologies involves obtaining, installing and operating a new access control system for campus rooms and buildings, and a campus enunciator for buildings and parking lots.

The access control system would convert the current keypad system to a physical card system, while the campus enunciator would allow for emergency announcements on campus to be made remotely and instantaneously from any location, even off campus. This sounds like a step in the right direction to upgrading campus security, but these improvements are not parking lot related and should not be funded through increased parking fees.

The idea of mailing out the approximately 6,400 parking permits sold each year simply does not make sense because it really just equates to a projected added cost of about $2.50 per permit. It would make more sense to give the purchasers of the permits a choice of whether they would like to have their permits mailed or picked up in person. Those who choose to have their permits mailed can do so by accepting the charges for the mailing cost.

The UH System Board of Regents will have the final say on what will be approved on this budget cycle when they vote May 14, and then the fate of the proposed parking fee will be revealed.

To ask questions or make suggestions concerning the proposed parking fee increases, contact the UHCL Police Department at policechief@uhcl.edu or the Facilities and Support Services Committee (FSSC) at http://uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/PRE/Shared_Governance/FSSC.