Parking On The Bluff

No one likes being forced to pay for parking. Especially college students who are itching to get their refund check. To most, the parking pass is just another way of the college getting their money. Despite what most may think, parking passes at Southern provide more than just a spot next to the event center. The Digest had the opportunity to speak with the Director of Traffic and Parking, Mr. Eric Reid. We discussed topics such as how the funding is being spent along with the prices of the passes compared to other universities. “It pays for our employees, it pays for any type of road, or field work that we need, signage, any type of directional signs, whatever the department needs.” Reid continues by saying “We are auxiliary, so whatever money we bring in that’s the only money that we get. The money that we get from tickets and the permits goes towards running the office. “Forty-Five dollars is the lowest in the southeastern region. I did research on other schools and we are actually one of the lowest for parking permits.  I was at LSU for thirty-one years. The student permit for LSU was $250. I don’t know what it is now but it has to be that or higher,” Reid explained. Several universities in Louisiana such as Nicholls State, ULM, Tulane, and LSU require their students to pay $50 to $300 for an annual parking pass. The only university to come close to Southern’s prices is Grambling State who requires their staff to buy $30 passes.

Students tend to be much more vocal when the topic of parking is brought up. The Digest interviewed two students to gain opinions on parking passes. These students were Freshman Ricky Critney and Sophomore Logan Hart. We discussed their overall thoughts on the prices on parking passes and if the prices are fair. “I don’t feel like the parking pass is too high, but I feel like as far as life on campus goes the parking pass is pointless because you can’t park anywhere near your class or even the cafe,” Critney explained. “I feel that the cost is reasonable, especially when considering the convenience of being able to park on campus without worrying about constant tickets. I believe the price is fair compared to other universities across the country. For example, LSU charges nearly $400 for their parking garage, so in comparison, our rate seems reasonable,” said Hart.

Compared to other universities, Southern’s parking passes are relatively cheap. Hopefully students can keep this in mind as they pay off their tickets or go to purchase a parking pass which can be purchased at the SUPD station right behind T.T. Allain.