When Melanie Ritter walked to West garage this Sunday morning, she saw rows of cars parked on the first floor with white citation tickets sticking out between the window wipers and the windshields.
“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, UT really must need more money,’” said Ritter, a sophomore and sociology major at the University of Tampa. Then, Melanie arrived to her car parked on the second floor to find a white citation ticket sticking out between the window wiper and the windshield of her own car for the second time that same weekend.
Her original amusement instantly changed.
“I was very, very angry. I pay so much money to go here and yet, I apparently can’t park where I want to on the weekends,” Ritter said.
Within just two days, Ritter racked up a total of $70 worth of fines, but she was not alone. This past weekend UT security guards fined the majority of residents’ cars on the first and second floor of West with the only explanation that they were parked in reserved spots for commuters.
“I thought it was a mistake,” said senior biology major Brianna McKenna, who received her first ticket at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. She moved her car to the ramp only to be ticketed a second time the next morning. “I was so upset… and my friends thought it was totally ludicrous.”
Through Facebook, McKenna found out she was not the only one who was fined last weekend.
“Happy Sunday! Everyone on the first and second floor of West has unnecessary parking tickets! Thanks UT!” Alex Sarling, a senior and journalism major, posted as her status.
“This is such crap!” senior and athletic training major Shelby Dale wrote via Facebook. “I don’t have $70 to throw around. I parked there all last semester after Friday night high school football games and never had a problem.”
So what went wrong?
“It was a newer officer that was in possession of an older parking and regulations map. When it was caught, the officer was given the correct information,” said Kevin Howell, the director of Campus Safety.
Campus Safety may have corrected one officer, however, students received multiple parking tickets this weekend from multiple officers––badge #31 and badge #37. When asked about the situation, Howell said, “I was only made aware of one officer. We will take a look at all [citations] and review to ensure no one else has the wrong info.”
For some students, that is not enough. “I’m upset about it,” said Angel Hubaykah, a junior and communications major. “I knew what the rules were and instead I am given the punishment by someone who is supposed to know and enforce them on a regular basis, but does not seem to know them.”
The UT Vehicle Registration and Parking/Traffic Regulations pamphlet states, “The West Parking Garage first floor, first floor ramp, and second floor are designated Commuter Student only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, parking is open to all permits and visitors, except residential freshmen.” However, the back page states, “Non-freshmen resident students can park in Thomas Garage (not on the first floor) or in the West Garage (third floor and high). Faculty/staff lots are open on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends, unless reserved for an event.” The regulations pamphlet fails to mention that commuter spots are available for resident students to use on the weekends. This creates two contradicting statements and depending on the officer, he or she can decide how they want to interpret it.
The newer officer is not the only one who seems to be confused. After Ritter discovered her Sunday morning ticket, she called Campus Safety to question both of her citations.
“All they did was suggest to appeal the tickets because they said they couldn’t void the tickets,” said Ritter.
Ritter filled out the appeal form for both tickets online and is waiting for the outcome, which can take up to a month.
If students do not want to wait a month, they can now go straight to security and have their parking citations voided as long as the ticket was for the incorrect parking infraction.
However, Howell believes and encourages students to always go through the appeal process if they feel they were cited improperly.
“The appeals process is made up of students, faculty and staff,” Howell said. “These people review all appeals and rule on them separately and with all the campus parking regulations at their disposal.”
In the meantime, students with citations that were written for the weekend(s) violations can contact Campus Safety for an appeal. Campus Safety can be reached at campussafety@ut.edu.
Stefanie Crocco can be reached at stefanie.crocco@spartans.ut.edu
Yeah, I remember when I went to UT last semester I got a ticket for parking my horse in the parking garage. I was walking back from my math class with my friend Sarah when I saw a white citation on the saddle of my horse. I was very appalled. I pay so much money to go to this school, and they won’t even let me leave my horse in the parking garage? I really don’t understand what the big deal is.
We should be able to park our horses wherever we want to on campus. What am I supposed to do with my camel? My mom is shipping him down to me next weekend. I feel as though my personal rights are being violated by UT right now. I mean someone help me out here.