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Let's be honest. At least once in our time here at Carolina, we have all received some kind of parking violation. Whether it be parking improperly, parking in a no parking area or parking meter violation, the list goes on and on. Honestly, students will always complain about parking here at USC because look around, there is not enough parking for the University, unless you want to pay a couple hundred dollars for a decal. In that case, when you do pay for that decal, sometimes you still get parking violations.
The parking regulations are ridiculous. Students are constantly getting punished and fined for parking, while Parking Services is earning bank. If you've ever see someone in a gray shirt, black pants and helmet on a bicycle, watch out. These are the "parking police." They will write you tickets for parking, whether you are breaking their rules or not because with each ticket they write, the more money they earn. These people are on their toes, waiting to find another violator.
As we all know, the Coliseum has huge parking lots. The decal for these lots cost $70 dollars. Students who have this decal are still having trouble parking in these lots during class due to it being "too full." The parking staff sit outside of the gates just to tell students that the lot is full and to park at the Discovery lot, where students have to drop more money to park there. Why can't students park in the lot they are assigned to whether it's filled or not? I'm sure students don't mind waiting for a car to pull out in order to snag a spot. In result, being delayed by the parking staff and having to drive to another lot makes students late for their classes and extremely frustrated.
Also, from personal experience, I got a parking ticket in Bull Street Garage for parking improperly. My car was not even touching the white lines, and yes I was a little too close to the fire hydrant in front of me, but no closer than the car right next to me. I was confused about my parking violation and luckily my appeal went through, so I did not have to pay the ticket. Unfortunately, all appeals are not approved like mine was, and students are still paying for these unnecessary tickets.
Not only are students paying the price for these tickets, but so are parents. Last year, during Patterson Hall move-out, a parent was sitting outside Patterson in the fire lane waiting for her daughter to bring down the rest of her luggage. While the parent was standing by her car, the "parking police" came up to her car and handed her a ticket. She was probably parked there for no more than five minutes while her daughter was moving out! What else was she supposed to do? Park in the visitors lot and have her daughter lug her stuff around in the street? Again, parking is absolute insanity and someone needs to take action and stand up to Parking Services.
Students are constantly getting penalized for parking, when we are the ones practically broke in this economy. Some of us can barely get by to pay off these parking tickets. We already give enough to this school in tuition, housing, etc., so why should we have to pay even more for parking?
On the other hand, I know the city requires tickets to be made out to those violating meters, and yes, that should still continue to be enforced. However, those that park in garages and invest money into parking decals through USC, should not be penalized even more for parking.
I advise you all to take a stand, and if you do receive a parking ticket, definitely appeal them. Most likely, if you have a believable situation, then your ticket will be appealed. Parking Services definitely needs improvement, and by students taking a stand, it will happen.
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