The College increased parking fines beginning Oct. 1, raising the cost of a first violation to $25 and each subsequent violation to $100. Additional consequences for repeat violations include towing and the potential loss of parking privileges.
Anna Brookes, associate vice president of Campus Safety and Security, said the changes are intended to ensure that members of the College community can park in their assigned lots, particularly during busy times.
“Colby’s comprehensive parking plan is based on the expectation that all members of the community park in the lots to which they’re assigned,” Brookes wrote in an email. When people park outside their designated areas, she said, lots can fill up, leaving faculty and staff without available spaces.
“Graduated enforcement — increasing fines, then towing, then removal of privileges — is part of an effort to encourage behavior change so that those who commute to Colby daily can park in their designated areas,” Brookes said.
The new fines apply to several violations, including failing to display a parking permit, parking in the wrong lot or zone, violating winter parking and snow removal rules, misusing electric vehicle spaces, blocking fire lanes or emergency access areas, and parking in accessible or visitor spaces without authorization.
Brookes also said the College wants to make parking easier for campus visitors, who are directed to designated spaces throughout campus. When students, faculty, or staff use those spaces, visitors may have difficulty finding somewhere to park.
“We want to welcome our visitors warmly, not make things challenging for them upon arrival,” Brookes said.
While the fines have increased, Brookes said Campus Security’s enforcement process remains the same. Officers continue to patrol parking lots and respond to calls involving vehicles blocking fire lanes, emergency access areas or service vehicle access, as well as vehicles interfering with snow removal.
Vehicles parked without authorization in accessible spaces or fire and emergency access areas may be towed immediately. Vehicles that obstruct snow removal may also be towed. After five parking violations, a vehicle may be towed, and after ten violations, parking or other privileges may be revoked for the following semester or longer.
For students, however, the consequences of a parking violation can go beyond the cost of a ticket. A $100 fine may be difficult to manage on a student budget, and having a vehicle towed can create additional financial and logistical challenges, particularly for students who rely on their cars to travel off campus.
A student who requested anonymity said over text that the increased fines add to the stress students already experience when trying to find parking on campus.
“I don’t know much about the inner workings of parking at Colby, but the prices are really high,” they said. “There’s a general lack of parking on campus and that causes stress for students already, so being worried about a $100 fine on top of that is ridiculous. That might not be a feasible fine for some students, let alone taking care of retrieving their car if it gets towed.”
The policy also establishes consequences for unpaid fines. Payment is required within 20 days of a fine’s issuance. After five unpaid violations, the College may place a hold on course registration until the fines are paid.
When an officer issues a violation, a physical ticket is left on the vehicle, and an electronic copy is sent by email within a few minutes. Students are responsible for keeping track of their violations, but those unsure of their total can contact Campus Security at security@colby.edu with their permit information.
The College’s parking webpage provides information about permits, designated lots, and parking regulations. Permit stickers identify the specific lots where students are allowed to park. Commuter permits allow students to park in the designated commuter area in Roberts lot, as well as the Lower Athletics or West lots.
Students who believe they received a ticket in error can appeal by contacting Campus Security. Brookes said the appeals process is included on the physical ticket and in the email notification. Students are encouraged to address or appeal violations before the 20-day payment deadline.
While the College maintains that stricter enforcement will help ensure parking remains available in designated areas, students point to the financial strain that fines and towing can create amid existing frustrations with campus parking. How the updated policy will affect students’ experiences remains to be seen.
~ Mia Dinunzio `28
Be First to Comment