2008 Woodie Awards
Parking: past, present and future
Megan Henderson
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: News
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Parking can be a headache for students, faculty and staff at UMKC. Chances are if you haven't had a ticket, someone you know has.
Possibly the biggest headache for many students is finding a parking spot.
Rachel Lowes, junior Spanish major, lives 10 minutes away from campus and leaves 30 minutes before class.
"I'm nearly late by the time I park and walk to class," she said.
Lowes bought a parking pass, but some students, faculty and staff try to park on campus without one. For them, metered parking is another option.
In 2003, there were around 1,200 meters on campus. Now, there are roughly 340, according to Parking Operations. Though some suggest taking parking meters out for more permit parking, Michelle Cone, manager of Parking Operations, said not everyone is on campus enough to necessitate the $96 student permit, or the $40 per month faculty/staff permit.
"If we took [the meters] out, there would be an outcry," she said.
Parking on campus streets is also an option. However, street parking is monitored by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and those tickets are often more expensive than most UMKC parking tickets.
Matt Bunch, officer for Parking Operations, said the beginning of the fall semester is busiest for ticketing students. Parking officers look for vehicles occupying UMKC parking areas without permits.
"Most tickets are voided if the students purchase a permit," Bunch said. "We try to get everyone on the same page at the beginning of the semester."
Mallory Skinner, senior History major, agreed with Bunch.
"I see people stalking students walking to their cars," she said. "Once people realize they don't have to come [to class] it gets better."
Not all students are pained by campus parking.
"I like the garage, it's great," said Daniel Green, senior History major.
There is currently no cap on how many student parking passes are sold. There are 2,939 student parking areas and so far this semester, 2,292 day parking passes have been sold, according to Cone. The Oak Street garage is used as a gauge.
Possibly the biggest headache for many students is finding a parking spot.
Rachel Lowes, junior Spanish major, lives 10 minutes away from campus and leaves 30 minutes before class.
"I'm nearly late by the time I park and walk to class," she said.
Lowes bought a parking pass, but some students, faculty and staff try to park on campus without one. For them, metered parking is another option.
In 2003, there were around 1,200 meters on campus. Now, there are roughly 340, according to Parking Operations. Though some suggest taking parking meters out for more permit parking, Michelle Cone, manager of Parking Operations, said not everyone is on campus enough to necessitate the $96 student permit, or the $40 per month faculty/staff permit.
"If we took [the meters] out, there would be an outcry," she said.
Parking on campus streets is also an option. However, street parking is monitored by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and those tickets are often more expensive than most UMKC parking tickets.
Matt Bunch, officer for Parking Operations, said the beginning of the fall semester is busiest for ticketing students. Parking officers look for vehicles occupying UMKC parking areas without permits.
"Most tickets are voided if the students purchase a permit," Bunch said. "We try to get everyone on the same page at the beginning of the semester."
Mallory Skinner, senior History major, agreed with Bunch.
"I see people stalking students walking to their cars," she said. "Once people realize they don't have to come [to class] it gets better."
Not all students are pained by campus parking.
"I like the garage, it's great," said Daniel Green, senior History major.
There is currently no cap on how many student parking passes are sold. There are 2,939 student parking areas and so far this semester, 2,292 day parking passes have been sold, according to Cone. The Oak Street garage is used as a gauge.
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