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As fall term begins, students face increased
tuition and a new parking fee and permit system
The Advocate
In addition to tuition increases, MHCC is also imposing a new parking permit fee, effective Oct. 5.
There are signs posted throughout campus indicating where students can acquire their permits. Students can purchase a permit in cash for $25 per term or $75 per year at Student Services. However, students can save a few dollars on both if they buy the permits on the MHCC website.
There will be a grace period until Oct. 5 to allow students the chance to obtain permits before the policy is enforced.
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A citation for parking permit violations is $25.
Students with motorcycles will receive special bands rather than permit slips that can be attached to their vehicle.
Each car permit and motorcycle band will be equipped with serial numbers that are registered into the system and are linked to the student's name and information.
Students can register up three vehicles under one permit.
As for who will need a permit and who does not, as of now, all students are required to purchase a parking permit and faculty will not have to pay (as decided by in collective bargaining agreements) and will be provided annual passes by the school.
Visitors and guests to the school will follow different parking regulations.
Customers of the dental and cosmetology department will have reserved parking spaces in lots H (for dental) and A (for cosmetology). Neither students nor faculty can park in these lots; customers will not be required to obtain permits.
"(Customers) have to sign in at the lobby and desk," said Gale Blessing, head of public safety, in regards to the new parking arrangements, adding that enforcement officers will then check the logs to make sure lots are filled with legitimate patrons.
A similar arrangement will be used for parking lots near the aquatics center.
"Staff and students have to pay, but patrons don't," said Blessing.
Blessing said there would be a log for visitors at the aquatics as well, and that lots P and L will be reserved for them.
As for days and hours the parking permits would be enforced, Blessing said, "It's enforced 24/7. Our public safety department is a 24/7 operation. They not only regulate the permits, but will regulate other parking violations."
Asked if limited public safety staff enforcing these new regulations would put a strain on the departments, Blessing said, "I don't think it's a strain."
"We will have a presence in the parking lots more than ever before," she said, adding, "Last year we were up to 10 staff members. This year we're up to 30."
As for special events and occasions, Blessing said requiring permits would be decided on a "case-by-case basis.
For visitors who are only stopping in the school temporarily, parking E will be available for free 30 minute parking. There will also be permit-dispensing machines throughout the campus where students and visitors can purchase day passes for $3.
As the parking permit system is new to MHCC, Blessing said there will continue to be changes made when necessary.
"After the term, we will be making enhancements and take out what needs to be changed," she said.
Students will also be able to view all of their citations on the MHCC website and will have the ability to pay for the citations online as well.
Blessing also said students can appeal their citations through the citation committee, which meets once a month to review citations.
A limited 75 carpool permits will be also be available per term to students.
To qualify for carpool tickets, the carpool must consist of two or more people and the students must ride together at least three days a week.
According to Blessing, the parking permit will raise $400,000 in the 2011-2012 school year over a period of three terms (fall, winter and spring) and over $600,000 the next year over a period of four terms (including summer).
The revenue will be split three ways: one portion goes to help provide an increased security presence, including surveillance cameras, in parking lots; another portion will support the cost of technology and enforcement used for parking permit sales; and the remaining portion is to go into the college's general fund.
The citations will begin Oct. 5, and will be handed out by the paid staff of public safety as well as the volunteers.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.