The Staff Senate has formed a committee that will solicit, collect and review suggestions for alternative ways by which Transportation could pay the fines resulting from a recent court ruling, according to Melissa Watkins, Staff Senate chair.
The ruling demanded Transportation hand over proceeds from parking violations to local K-12 schools. The amount of money Transportation will owe to satisfy the ruling is still unknown.
The Staff Senate is hoping to strengthen its opposition to Transportation’s plan with the help of the Student and Faculty Senate, according to Watkins.
“We are hoping to be able to present to [Transportation] any ideas that may open the door to even more ideas,” Watkins said. Last week members of Staff Senate informed their student counterparts of the committee and encouraged them to contribute suggestions, Watkins said. Staff Senate also invited Faculty Senate to contribute ideas as well.
The Staff Senate is trying to work with different groups so every possibility can be reviewed and perhaps a better solution can surface. Watkins said Transportation received a letter Monday from Staff Senate opposing its plan to increase parking permit prices by an overall 9 percent.
“[The letter] shared that we do not believe it is the responsibility of the faculty, staff or students to shoulder the burden of the fines levied by the court case,” Watkins said.
“[The Staff] do understand that Transportation is a self-supporting business and that there are costs of doing business that will be passed along to users. And we expect to see a 1 percent to 2 percent increase for this,” Watkins said. “We disagree that the costs from the court ruling fall into this category.”
“Nobody is happy,” Nina Allen, Faculty Senate chair, said about the parking fee increase.
Allen said she thinks forming the committee is a step in the right direction, and it is worth exploring other alternatives; however, she added it is possible there may not be an alternative to higher fees.
Allen said parking on campus is a limited resource. She said it is unfortunate users will have to pay more for parking when it is often difficult to actually find a parking spot, especially with construction taking over many areas on campus.
It is also unfortunate, Allen said, that without a salary increase, staff and faculty members end up with lighter paychecks as the parking rates go up.
Watkins said she believes it is beneficial for groups such as Student, Staff and Faculty Senates to come together to address an issue that affects all of the people represented.
It is important different groups on campus “try to be supportive of each other and see the different kinds of things affecting each group,” she said.
Allen said having the three senates working together on this issue along with other affected groups is a fairly new concept that can produce positive results.
Transportation will conduct a presentation to Student Senate regarding the parking fee increase on March 1, according to Forrest Hinton, Student Senate president.
“We will engage in conversations to ensure that the best plan is presented for our students,” he said.
