Students vexed by parking tickets

by Kristyn Proctor
Staff Writer

There is always a moment of panic. Long days, lack of sleep and social drama take care of that, and seeing a small, white slip waving from under your windshield wiper can become a breaking point. Nobody likes a parking ticket, but more students than ever are experiencing that familiar rush of disappointment thanks to the enforcement of old policies at Bryan College.

For many years, the college has encouraged students to hold a neighborhood watch of sorts, originally issuing tickets solely through approved student workers and resident assistants. That policy had changed over the last decade, spreading out to include faculty and staff members in the watch and placing less emphasis on the role of students.

However, according to Tim Hostetler, vice president of Operations, more tickets than usual are finding their way onto students’ cars thanks to a revival of using approved student ticketers and other policies.

“We asked SGA [Student Government Association] for suggestions about the situation, and they told us they wanted to see more enforcement,” said Hostetler. Illegally parked students had “definitely become a problem.”

“It’s just not fair to everyone else….When students pay more for parking than others, they should have the option to use it,” Hostetler said.

Hostetler estimates only 10 percent of reported violations come from student workers; however, most students do not care for the idea of being subjected to the judgment of their peers.

“They’re still students; they don’t have the proper authority. They may be working for the person who does have the authority to hand out the tickets, but it doesn’t seem good enough,” said freshman Hannah McDonald.

Hostetler responds that few choices are available.

“Most universities have higher parking fees… and they tow frequently. Here, that’s always a last resort,” he says. “We try to be sympathetic with the students.”

The college also employs two part-time ticketers, David Beisner and Jonathan Bacon, who Hostetler says issue a majority of the notices. Beisner says he tries to give students the benefit of the doubt.

“Unless they’re a repeat offender, if they come up to me while I’m writing them the ticket, I’ll give them the option of moving their car instead of getting the ticket. If I know who owns the car, and have their phone number, I’ll often try calling them first and give them an opportunity to move,” he said.

Single violations can cost an offender anywhere from $30 to $50 and must be handled through Operations.

Beisner offers simple advice to students anxious to avoid extra fees.

“The best way to avoid trouble is just to make sure you’re always parked in the proper lot,” he says.