UND recently as of this year introduced a shift in parking services that introduced a new permit price increase plan that span the next five years as well as adjustments to lot designations, more refund flexibility, sign improvements, and stricter parking violation enforcements. These updates have been met with a variety of responses from students.
“The new UND parking policies and permit costs are detrimental to the student body and faculty. By raising the prices as drastically as they have and with plans to raise them even more, they put undue burdens on individuals going to campus. Parking was already difficult before the changes, with limited spots available, but now individuals are forced to walk long distances for classes. Some individuals have disabilities that may not qualify them for assigned parking spaces who are now forced to walk long distances. Some individuals going to campus are working several jobs and need fast turnaround times to get to and from their vehicle. This argument is the same for public transportation. While the concept of public transportation is fantastic, it is not feasible for all individuals.”
This student continued to further explain, “The multitiered parking pass system is unfair and classist. This system favors individuals with more money by having reserved parking at a steep price. At an institute of knowledge where people are all there to better themselves and their futures, it is incredibly unfair to force further financial burdens on them. As far as I’m aware, there were no opportunities for student body feedback on these changes or student body impact research. These changes were made rashly, with little to no thought as to its impact on people and puts burdens on individuals going to campus that are incredibly unfair.”
Another student brought attention to how many spaces were shifted from student to employee when, in fact, more student parking is needed. They said as well, “If a student is an employee somewhere, they should have the right to park in the employee lot when at work.” The price increase was also brought up by this student and how difficult it is for many to reasonably afford. Another important struggle they face is the lack of visitor parking and how that can be stressful for families that come to visit.
It seems that in general more people are finding the new parking updates to be more harmful than beneficial and are a bit frustrated that certain concerns don’t seem to have been addressed. Hopefully the future for parking and accessibility for UND is able to reach a point where logistics as well as student and faculty satisfaction can coexist within a system that operates smoothly and helps promote campus engagement and attendance.
Ed Tortorelli is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
