If an unregistered vehicle is found parked on campus, the owner will no longer have to pay a $25 fine. Instead, that person will be forced to pay double.

Student parking passes have increased by $15, and faculty and staff will have to $278 to only hope they will be able to find a parking space when they get to work.

According to parking services, general parking consists of over 2,500 spaces that make up about 80 percent of the campus, and there are 406 reserved spaces. Parking permits for reserved spaces cost $550. 

While making the decision to increase parking fines, A&T examined other schools in the system and increased its fines up to the level of other corresponding schools. 

Although parking prices and fees may seem steep to students and faculty, A&T’s rates are not as high as other schools.

“Parking services fees are the lowest, or are some of the lowest fees or fines for violations in the UNC system,” said Jacob Teagle, assistant director of Auxiliary Services.

Due to parking fee increases, parking services wanted to have a minimal increase in student parking permits. The price increase is to help cover the cost of painting lots, replacing signs, painting curbs, and any other needs that may be associated with parking.

There has not been an increase to parking fines in almost six years, and according to Teagle, there will be no increase to parking permits for at least another six years.

Finding parking spaces has been a major concern for many students.

To insure students have enough parking spaces available, parking services will not create anymore reserved parking spaces which is a relief to most commuters. 

“It is very hard to find a parking spot on campus because there are too many students on campus that have cars,” said Isaiah Long, junior environmental studies major. “Everywhere I go, I have trouble finding a place to park.”

Auxiliary services believed that if ticket fines increased, owners of unregistered vehicles would think twice before parking on campus creating less spaces for those who purchased a permit.

“We do have enough spaces provided [if] we get these unregistered vehicles off campus.”

A&T has also enhanced its parking enforcement by placing Parking Services officers in specific zones at all times.  

—Email Kamil at [email protected] and follow The A&T Register on Twitter

@TheATRegister

• KAMIL LOCKLEY, Senior Reporter