Parking tickets, summonses and even a part of students' tuition help pay for the $10 million debt accrued over the past few years by the University's Dept. of Parking & Transportation, according to their latest budget.
The Department, which receives no funding from the University or the state because it is considered an "auxiliary" service, is an entirely self-sufficient arm of the University, much like the University Bookstore or Athletics Department.
Its proposed revenue, which totals about $5.5 million - a $258,000 increase from last year - comes from the sale of on-Grounds parking permits, student fees, fines, parking meters and interest on its revenue.
Despite making over $5 million annually, the Department still does not generate enough money to pay off its debt because the Department's expenditures cost just that amount.
Department officials explained the debt as part of normal business procedures, especially in light of recent parking construction at the University Medical Center and Scott Stadium - the cost for which was footed by the Department.
"There's a new garage at the Medical Center for staff and faculty which increases blue lot parking at U-Hall and Scott Stadium," Whalley said, explaining that this translates to more parking for students - one of the many concerns students often raise.
The debt for these projects gets paid off yearly through a debt service.
Each year, the Department allots about $800,000 to a debt service which helps pay off part of the debt, and then puts another $800,000 in reserve accounts which save money for future projects and construction. These payments help ease the effects of the $10 million balance.
"These are payments on mortgages and also payments for the Central Grounds parking garage, the West Scott Stadium parking garage and other parking expansions at Scott Stadium," Parking & Transportation Business Manager Bobbie McClemmens said.
After the $1.6 million devoted to paying off Department debts, the rest of the revenue is used for Department necessities such as travel, supplies and equipment, business operations, utilities and personal services.
The $1.6 million in debt and security deposits are noted in the Department's yearly budget proposal as "expenditures."
Last year, the Department garnered about $1.4 million in student fees, $1.4 million from permits, $764,000 from meters and fees and $569,000 from fines. The budget proposal for the 1999-2000 year shows the intended revenue from student fees and permits to rise by about $100,000 each.
Even with these current improvements to the parking situation at the University, some students still worry about the costs and safety of parking, especially in light of the recent security issues on and around Grounds.
And no student is ever fond of parking fines, which can range from $5 to $50.
Katie Kush, third-year College student and off-Grounds resident of Oxford Hill apartments, is concerned about lack of spaces for University facilities.
"There are not enough spaces to park behind Clemons [Library] so you end up walking far because the busses only run until 12 a.m.," Kush said.
She said she sometimes pays to park in the Central Grounds parking garage.
"Having a car here just ends up costing you more money," she added.
The Executive Vice Presidential Committee on Parking & Transportation, comprised of students, faculty and staff, discusses issues linked to parking and transportation at the University.
"We discuss issues such as parking fees to operation of the Escort Service," said Michael Sheffield, University Police chief and Committee member.
Sheffield said he expects the Committee will look at safety issues related to parking because of recent crimes.
The Committee, chiefly an advisory board in nature, recommends issues for change to Leonard W. Sandrigde, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who decides whether or not to implement the recommendations.
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