Miami University

Parking pardon placed in policy

12/23/2003

Responding to students who said the school's parking policy was too complicated, Miami University officials have decided to cancel two parking tickets per year per license plate for faculty, staff, students and visitors upon request.

The parking pardon came about after Associated Student Government (ASG) president Mike Chapman stopped by the office of parking and transportation services director Richard Keppler over summer. Chapman requested a monthly online survey about parking and Metro (campus) bus concerns.

Keppler's office put the survey online in late August and sends monthly results to ASG. Via the survey, many students have complained that the parking policy was too complicated and the fine for an honest mistake too high.

Survey results prompted student senator Megan Ruhe to suggest that a measure similar to what is offered to visitors should be available to students.

The parking office extended the measure to include faculty and staff, with the policy taking effect Jan. 1, and following the fiscal year, July 1-June 30.

There are some restrictions:

• The ticket must be received at the parking office within 10 calendar days of the date the ticket was written. The ticket must have been written after Jan. 1, 2004.

• The ticket may be presented in person or sent by mail to the parking office.

• The name and operator's license number of the person responsible for the vehicle must be legibly printed on the back of the ticket in the space provided.

• A ticket issued for violation of handicap parking, illegal use or reproduction of a permit, and immobilization or impoundment will not be canceled.

• A ticket that has been appealed will not be canceled under this accommodation.