A new semester hallmarks another parking debacle as Pierce students fight for limited spaces during the first weeks of classes.
“Students usually get frustrated because they can’t find parking or they have to park further out, then they’re late for their classes,” Officer Bryan Alvarenga said.
23-year-old science major, Donya Montazeri has adopted a growing Pierce trend.
“There’s always not enough parking at Pierce. I used to drive, but now I prefer to be dropped off,” Montazeri said.
Students are required to purchase a parking permit by Feb. 22 in order to avoid getting a parking ticket. The preferred parking permit costs $27, which includes the $7 ASO fee.
“Students can either come into the Business Office to pay for the permit or online and pick it up at the Business Office,” said Business Office assistant Linda Diehl.
Students are also given the option to pay for a one-day or a 30 minute parking permit which are available to be purchased at pay validation machines. The one-day parking permits cost $3 and are available to use in Lots 1, 6, 7, and 8. The 30 minute parking permits cost $1 and are only available in Lot 1 for use in specified 30 minute spaces.
“I just got here, and paid too much for the preferred parking,” said former student, Ross Pardess.
Pardess recalls receiving a parking ticket 5 years ago, which he says was not warranted.
“I went to the Sheriff’s Office and talked to them about it. It was really an inconvenience,” Pardess said.
Angie Moore, senior offices assistant, states that once students get a parking ticket they can either pay for it online, mail it in, or contest it with an admin review form which they can obtain in the Sheriff’s Office.
“The first two weeks of the spring and fall semester, and the first week of the summer and winter semesters are grace periods,” said Moore. “During the grace period no parking citations are given to students without parking permits.”
