The San Matean

Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Danny Castro Kathryn Blackwood

Parking permit fee increases may be on the horizon for students at all three colleges in the district.

The district intends on raising the current parking permit fees to the maximum allowed by law in California from $30 to $40 for fall and spring semesters in the near future.

Daily permits that are purchased at the parking permit machines located in student parking lots will see a 100 percent increase from $1 to $2.

Students at CSM are in complete opposition to the proposed parking permit fee increase, which will be the first of its kind since fall of 2000.

$119,474 is projected to be taken out of the general fund designated for college use on things such as lab techs, computers and other student needs like health services to cover costs from the steadily growing parking expenses, said Kathryn Blackwood, District Chief Financial Officer, who is at the forefront of the rate increase.

"The students are totally opposed to raising the parking rates," said Christopher Knox, Vice President of the ASCSM, which represents students on campus. "Money that is being spent on the parking permits are being spent on collecting parking permit fees and tickets" he said.

The money collected from the parking permit fees pays for security, trash pickup, watering plants, parking lot sweeping and lighting expenses said James Keller, District Executive Vice Chancellor.

Other expenses also being incurred from the parking fund are vehicles and gas for security to patrol the campuses. CSM is the only school in the district that has 24/7 security coverage.

"Cañada and Skyline aren't happy with the suggested fee increase, but they aren't completely against it either," said Jennifer Hughes vice president of student services at CSM.
As of yet no decision has been made on when and if the parking permit fees will go up.

"It's our responsibility to tell everyone what is going on before and when it happens," said Keller.

"Low-income students that qualify for the Board of Governor's Grant will be able to purchase parking permits for only $20 per semester," said Blackwood.Students should ask their financial aid office if they qualify for the BOG grant and see if they meet the criteria to be eligible for it said Michael Claire, President of CSM.

While the district is currently pushing to raise the parking rates, other districts such as CCSF, Foothill,-DeAnza and San Jose-Evergreen already raised their rates to $40 with CCSF charging $3 for daily parking passes said Keller.

As of now, "Our district has the next to lowest parking fees in the Bay Area," said Blackwood.

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