The Buccaneer

Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Marcus Como An instructor strikes back at a parking space squatter in the parking lot behind the science/technology building.

With enrollment up and continued construction plans on the board, Peninsula College has seen parking needs expand beyond its means in recent months. For some this has meant parking on the streets and side lots surrounding PC; areas off campus which are neither regularly monitored by security, properly lit or maintained leave student vehicles in potentially dangerous places. Several solutions are parking permits and more fines for vehicles violating PC's parking regulations, according to the proposed policy changes.
Peninsula College's solution to crowded lots and insufficient spaces may be to implement student parking permits. ASC Advisor Rick Ross is working with college administrators on proposed revisions to PC's motor vehicle regulations. The new regulations will improve the safety and congestion of current parking areas.
The proposed parking permits would identify vehicles as those belonging to students in a way more reliable than license plates. According to Nate Thompson, one of the PC security staff, current repeat parking offenders have their plates run through the state Department of Licensing database.
Due to the nature of the DOL files, records only reflect on the registered owner of the car and make it difficult to enforce rules and fines on students which may be borrowing a parent's or partner's vehicle. The new system, which will be maintained by the security office, will allow security personnel to identify students by their parking permits and thereby make it much easier to address parking violations or potential emergencies.
According to Thompson, the new student parking permit system would be an expanded model of the existing faculty permit system, handled by the security office. The benefit of expanding the current system is no additional cost to the college, with the possible exception of additional security staff to manage the parking permit system.
Although permits will be free to students, the corrective measures of the revised parking policies revolve around the fines for improperly parked vehicles. Parking in reserved spaces, parking in restricted areas and failing to have a permit displayed are all conditions warranting fines from $15 to $25 respectively, according to the proposed parking policy. With an improved ability to identify student vehicles, fines can be attached to student records and students with repeat unpaid fines could have their grades held or be barred from registering for following quarters, according to Thompson.
Ross hopes the proposed policy changes will "tidy up" the campus parking areas. "Some faculty members have their reserved spaces taken by students frequently. Hopefully, stronger enforcement of parking rules will change that" said Ross.
Currently, the proposed policy revisions are making their way into final draft. Once the wording is set, it will be voted on by the ASC, College Council and finally the Board of Trustees. At any point during the process of approval the voting parties can choose to change the language of the policy to be more specific or remove undesirable portions. Only when it has been successfully voted on by all three managing bodies will it go into effect this Fall quarter, according to Ross.
With voting taking place in the following weeks, there is plenty of time for students to voice their concern with their ASC representatives.

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