Parking fees and lack of spots makes parking on campus one big headache
By Frank Panzer and Andy Brown
The start of a new semester is always a time for excitement and a new found interest in learning. That is until you have to pony up the dough for a parking pass and hope it doesn’t break the bank. You have multiple options when purchasing your parking passes, options that vary in cost from $99.43 all the way to $341.75 for one academic year.
Photo By Frank Panzer
G1 and G2 permits are the most commonly purchased permits on campus, permitting you to park in most of the lots on campus. The limited reserve, the most expensive option, allows parking in any lot and guarantees you a spot somewhere on campus. You can purchase your permit on the second floor of Deputy Hall at the “cashier’s window.” However they don’t want students getting confused, parking permits are not a money making scheme for BSU, the money made is being used beneficially. The profit goes into the obvious things, general parking lot maintenance, snow removal, line painting, the usual parking lot amenities. Some of it, as well as parking ticket money, goes back into BSU Public Safety, cars, gas, uniforms, training, and other every day operating costs. Knowing these things might make it a little easier to open up the wallet.
You could also compare us to other colleges and universities in the state and BSU officials think we have it pretty easy. U of M Duluth has passes ranging from $143 all the way to $459 depending on your parking preferences and status in the school. St. Cloud State offers a parking plan of 1 dollar per hour up to 8 hours a day. That means if you spend most your time on campus you could end up spending almost 700 dollars a semester. St. Cloud does however offer much better public transportation options than Bemidji does, including buses running all day long to and from free parking lots. Now these lots are not just for school students use so it can be really hit and miss on finding a spot.
Senior Chelsea Lindner's thoughts on the parking passes, " I don't buy a permit, I'd much rather walk from home. The exercise is good for you." When asked why she doesn't drive and park on the street she answered "I used to do that, but most days I would end up walking further from my car to campus than I'd be walking from my house. I figure save some money, save some gas, and lose some pounds."
These comments were reinforced by many off campus students except for one parking permit purchasee. Aaron Thibert, Senior Criminal Justice major told us that he "absolutely hates the cold! I don't care what I have to pay to avoid those blistering walks to and from school. When it's zero or below it, I'm sorry I refuse to walk any farther than from my car in Bangsberg lot to Bangsberg to grab the tunnels." Is he getting ripped off? No. He is being handed an option of convenience by BSU at what they feel is a fair and payable amount for a college student.
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