The student body was told in an email that police would start ticketing cars parked without a parking permit or parked in incorrect areas after the Labor Day holiday.
Most students took time out of their busy schedules to go to financial aid and fill out a form with many unnecessary questions, including home address and emergency contact, for a $150 permit.
The process of obtaining a parking pass seems overly complicated. I had to arrive at the financial aid office, wait in line, be directed to the computers hiding in a closet, fill out the excessive form, wait in line again, and then wait for the information to be received by financial aid. It took me half an hour to get my permit. All of the waiting seemed unnecessary. I should be able to receive the permit that I want within 10 minutes.
Once I received my permit, I remained confused. Campus parking lots are not clearly marked. Identifying the lots I’m able to park in is especially difficult at night. It is easier to park closer to buildings where rehearsals are happening, but most of the lots close to these buildings are not labeled. Oklahoma City has a reputation for high crime activity. Abductions and burglaries have occurred on campus. When rehearsals or practices end late, it is easier to drive home rather than wait for an escort, but I’m afraid to park closer to my buildings for fear of getting a ticket.
Campus police have been through some vast changes in the last year and a half, including a new police chief. The new chief, Alumna Jennifer Rodgers, is into her second semester at OCU. She has done a fine job being transparent with changes, including increasing the frequency of patrols, and has been kind to most all students who have had the privilege of interacting with her.
That being said, the parking tickets already started. I already received a ticket. I am frustrated with the lack of labeled parking lots around campus, making it hard for me to determine where I can or cannot park.
The cost of parking tickets is high, anywhere from $100 to $200. The absence of warnings makes tickets and their cost feel like harassment to me.
The entire frenzy and stigma that comes behind parking permits and ticketing just seems unfair. Students can fill out a petition that explains why they were wrongfully ticketed. The petition hasn’t seemed to work in my favor in the past. I have attempted two petitions, both unsuccessful.
Change is needed when obtaining permits and ticketing students. OCU needs to have clear signage on every parking lot. If your permit matches the color of the sign, it’s okay to park there.
Campus police need to give students more chances. The student probably isn’t trying to break the law and get away with it. They are just confused about where they are able to park.
I’m confused, is this supposed to be informative, or is it an overly critical OP-ED attempting to be passed as news?
It has been placed in the opinion section. Thanks for reading!
Harrison
I agree with your frustration. Last week I received a $100 ticket because my permit had accidentally gotten flipped around to where the back was facing outwards. The ticket said that they could not read my permit and that was why I was being fined. I went to appeal the ticket saying that I was legally parked with the correct permit and they only cut the ticket down to $50. I’m frustrated with the nit picking and feel that this ticket hounding is getting us no where closer to a safer campus.
Olivia,
Thanks for the response! I’m sorry to hear about your frustration. Hopefully, this process will change in the coming years. Thanks for reading!
Best,
Harrison