Student Council posted a Web page outlining towing rates for parking violators on University-owned property last Wednesday.
The new Web page follows a Council meeting with Rebecca White, director of University parking and transportation. During a question-and-answer session with students at the meeting two weeks ago, White told the crowd that fees for University towing are set at a base price of $30, Council Chief of Staff Noah Sullivan said. White's statement caused a general sense of shock and confusion among students. Some of them said they had been overcharged for towing fees, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said the dialogue prompted Council President Daisy Lundy to include a statement in a student-wide e-mail warning students about overcharging and to subsequently publish towing costs on Council's Web site. Lundy could not be reached for comment.
The Web page tells concerned students to obtain a receipt if they believe overcharging has taken place in order for the towing company to be sanctioned.
White said towing companies enter a contract with the University that sets service rates.
"The nature of contract includes how much they can charge," White said. "The contactors, if they are towing for [University] purposes, have to follow those fees."
University policy requires rates to be set at a $30 base towing fee. If a student arrives on the scene when his or her vehicle is hooked up to the towing truck, the student must pay a $30 fee. Students who arrive before the car is attached to the truck must pay a $15 fee.
Tow companies are permitted to charge a $10 per day storage fee after 24 hours of storage, and may charge a $10 fee for after-hours pickup, according to White.
The University rotates between four towing companies when requesting towing services. All the towing companies must meet a set of parameters required for a University contract, including securing cars properly in lots and 24-hour availability. Towing companies that violate their contracts are subject to sanctions from the University, including removal from the rotation, White said.
White added these rates only apply if the vehicle is towed from a University-owned lot. Vehicles towed from other areas are subject to separate fees.
Despite concerns raised at the meeting, White said no students have brought towing complaints to the parking and transportation department.
"No one has come forward with any specific allegations," White said.
Sullivan added no specific complaints have been brought to Council either.
One official with Lethal Wrecker Service declined to comment on the record regarding the company's pricing policy.
Lethal Wrecker Owner George Morris was unavailable for comment.
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