By Katelyn Needham/ editor-in-chief
Peter Matthews/The Collegian
The sight of a pink parking citation flapping in the breeze from under the windshield wiper won’t be as familiar on TCC campuses anymore.
Starting this semester, student and visitor parking will combine with the discontinuation of parking permits from all campuses except TR.
“We really wanted to streamline the registration process,” TCC police chief Shaun Williams said. “Getting rid of the permits was a way to eliminate the lines that students had to wait in. We will still be monitoring staff and handicap parking.”
TR will keep the permits due to more limited parking availability than other campuses.
“The continued use of free parking permits to those students attending classes at TRC and TREC is dependent upon our ability to ensure that only those individuals who are affiliated with TCC are utilizing the available parking,” assistant police chief Leigh Dietrich said. “The decision to continue to require permits at both downtown campuses will allow officers the capability of determining which vehicles are rightfully using the parking garage and parking lots.”
Both visitors to the campus and students can park anywhere on campus as long as the space has white lines. Unauthorized vehicles parking in the yellow teacher spaces will still receive a citation. The fine for each incident is $25.
“I think that there is definitely enough parking available,” SE student Drew Cooke said. “It’s a little cramped, but everyone can fit. I think it’s dumb to distinguish the difference anyway. I honestly think the parking here is better than other schools because at TCC it’s more accessible.”
Other ways to receive citations include blocking a fire lane, obstruction of traffic and double-parking, which are all $10 fines. Pulled-through parking will also receive a citation that starts as a $5 fine and increases each additional time.
“The best way to avoid receiving a citation is to be educated on the various offenses that are enforced throughout the district,” Dietrich said.
All information regarding parking violations and how to pay them can be found at http://www.tccd.edu/services/campus-resources/parking/traffic-violations/.
“I would advise all students to attempt to get to campus as early as possible prior to their class,” she said. “This will allow them the time to locate parking that is close to their designated classes and also give them time to deal with any unexpected events that occur. Traffic congestion and special events can create unavoidable delays that we are all accustomed to dealing with.”
