The Daily Helmsman asked commuter students, in an informal poll, if they would rather pay a higher parking fee to build a new general parking garage or be forced to park at the Park Avenue campus and take a shuttle to the main campus. A majority said they would rather take the shuttle. The Helmsman interviewed 55 students for this poll. Nearly 90 percent of the university students are commuters. Student government will vote Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on whether they agree with a parking fee hike to pay for a parking garage.
The Student Government Association will meet Thursday night to vote on whether or not they agree with the University of Memphis’ proposal to build a $18.6 million parking garage and increase parking fees.
While the student senate does not have the power to increase student fees, they are expected to vote on whether or not they agree with the fee hike during their 7:30 p.m. meeting; a vote that, sources in SGA say, is expected to pass.
If the plan goes into place, parking fees for most full-time students would increase by 67 percent, while the average student would pay $27 more per semester, and the main campus would add 245 more parking spaces.
If fees do not go up, the campus would lose 695 spaces as a result of the construction of the rec center and bridge.
“I think it’s a good investment for the University,†U of M student Daniel Stevenson said. “Students, including myself, are constantly complaining about the lack of available parking.â€
The U of M is already “landlocked, and the only solution is to build up,†according to Speaker of the Senate Ali Kingston.
“SGA was given three options no garage, a general garage and a priority garage,†Kingston said. “We are going to try to make the best decision for the whole student body.
Parking is a hot topic and SGA is considering all sides.†As reported earlier, funding for the garage will come largely from students’ pockets.
Most full-time students pay $42 per semester to park in general lots at the U of M, which will likely jump to $69 per semester starting fall 2017 to fund the parking garage. Priority parkers will have to pay $95.
Rachel Brandon, SGA senator and author of the bill, said that it is “vital that we have convenient parking†for students.
“I feel that the senate will vote in favor of the most beneficial option for all of the student body, as we are the voice of the students and want to represent them adequately,†Brandon said.
Student fees were increased by more than $300 a semester in 2014 to pay for the $62 million rec center and pedestrian bridge. Some former SGA senators thought that the money they paid for the new recreation center would have covered the new garage.
Student fees were increased by more than $300 a semester in 2014 to pay for the $62 million rec center and pedestrian bridge. Some former SGA senators thought that the money they paid for the new recreation center would have covered the new garage.
“One problem I do have is that the administration led us to believe that this was part of the recreation center fee that was passed two years ago,†former student senator Charles Uffelman said. “I was really disappointed to find that wasn’t the case.â€
Some students feel like they already have to “pay enormous amounts of money†to pay for tuition, food and other necessities to go to school, U of M student Danielle Curland said.
“Parking is already a pain in the neck on campus,†she said. “I know that it is only a $27 increase, but that means I have $27 less to pay for rent, gas, school, books and food.â€
While some students feel unhappy with the idea of having to pay an additional fee for the garage, more parking spaces may weigh heavier than a fee increase.
“I don’t think we have a choice but to build it because if we don’t, then there definitely won’t be any parking spots,†U of M student Atsuhito Saito said. “If we want a better, more appealing school, we have to invest in it a little bit.â€
