PARKING ON CAMPUS

Student parking in age of COVID

Parking policies and road construction

Tobey Mickelson COMMUNICATOR

The ease of finding a parking place when you arrive on campus can mean the difference between arriving on time for class versus arriving stressed and out of breath from an all out sprint. Avoiding this predicament starts with getting a parking pass if you regularly drive to campus. SFCC Parking Services is where you register your vehicle license plate and obtain your virtual permit. According to the director of parking services, Ken DeMello, the annual parking permit costs $91. A quarterly parking permit costs $3, and a monthly permit costs $15.50. The only other option is to park in spaces with parking meters. The cost of a single ticket is 30 dollars, but according to Parking Services’ website, there is a 25% discount if you pay the fine within five days. For repeat offenders, Parking Services will immobilize your vehicle with the boot until you pay all outstanding tickets. Should you fail to pay a parking ticket, the consequences include: denied admission to CCS, not being allowed to register, inability to receive your transcript, or even graduate. However, if you believe you have received a parking ticket by mistake, there is an appeal process. A couple of other details to help you avoid the boot: Yellow painted curbs are off limits.

“Zero inches of your vehicle can be in the yellow,” according to the Parking Services’ website.

According to the website, faculty parking is indicated with signs, and student parking is indicated with yellow lines. Parking along campus streets also requires a permit. There is no grace period for obtaining your parking permit–you have to have it on day one. More information can be found at: https://sfcc.spokane.edu/About-Us/ Campus-Safety-Parking/Parking-Services The director of parking services, Ken DeMello said that parking rates are going up. He also said that students can park in staff parking spaces after 3:30 p.m. He mentioned that “there is no grace period,” and there are no restrictions on the number of license plates.” There are two other factors that impact parking at SFCC. During the pandemic, many courses were online only, reducing the number of people and vehicles on campus. However, the potential for more availability may have been offset by the ongoing Photos by Tobey Mickelson | COMMUNICATOR Parking on college campuses is always a difficulty, especially when construction is happening. This academic year, the COVID pandemic has lessened the demand for these coveted spots. Planning ahead and using public transportation are good strategies for getting to class.

construction on campus. Many lots are blocked by construction equipment or partially fenced off. As more students return to campus for in person classes, the parking situation may get more challenging. If you are attached to parking in a certain lot, near a particular building, or even in a favorite spot, you would be wise to heed the advice of comedian John Stewart:

“Get there early because hope does not park your . . . car.”

Bag, continued from pg. 10

fitted to you so it is comfortable. It fits you like a pair of shoes. REI.com also has lists of bare essentials for bug out bags.”

While a lot of the items in this- article are expensive, they can be worth it if they keep you or your loved ones alive. Knowing that you are prepared in case of an emergency is good for your peace of mind. You can’t put a price on that.