Parking Updates

CAMPUS Parking services prohibits backing into spots

By EMMA KIRKEMIER Copy Editor

Following an update from Auburn University Parking Services for the fall 2020 semester, students will no longer be allowed to back into or pull through parking spaces.

AU Transportation Services first announced the new “back up/pull through” rule on Twitter on July 2, saying the policy would go into effect at the start of the fall semester. It was later decided to push it back to Sept. 14.

“We are actually delaying that in response to the COVID situation,” said Arishna Lastinger, parking operations manager.

According to the AU Parking Services website, drivers can pick up a “back in/pull thru decal” from the Parking Services office that, when displayed on a vehicle, will allow them to back into or pull through a parking space without being penalized.

Lastinger said anyone can pick up a decal, but that things may change depending on how well things go this year.

She explained that when enforcing parking policy, employees are unable to scan the tags of cars that have been backed into spaces. Employees must exit their vehicles and attempt to scan the license plate with a phone instead.

“These extra steps cut into overall parking enforcement, preventing staff from effectively covering all parking lots,” Lastinger said. “It makes it hard for us to read your license plate. The new policy is intended to make the enforcement process more efficient.”

Lastinger said that in the first month of the semester, Parking Services will be working to provide better protective measures against COVID-19 in its office.

“Usually at the beginning of a semester the Parking Services office is flooded with students who have received parking tickets,” she said. “Parking Services is delaying the new policy to offset this influx of students in the interest of protecting its office workers.”

The Parking Services office will be available for drive-thru or in-office service.

For customers who need to go inside, they ask that a mask be worn at all times and that social distancing guidelines are followed.

In addition to this new rule, a few lots have been re-zoned. PC3 lot will now be designated as a B Zone, PC4 has been expanded, the CVD lot is now a PC5 lot and Hayfield parking will be RO/C parking.

An updated and complete parking map can be found on the AU Parking Service’s website.