Spring Break
Where do parking tickets go after you pay them off? Student financial aid
John Kennedy
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: News
Any student who has walked out to his or her car and seen a bright orange envelope waiting patiently on their windshield knows that a penalty payment of between $15 and $131 is about to be snatched from their pocket. But where does this money go?
Truth be told, not many people know where the money they are being forced to fork over - at a rate of $1,757.28 in parking fines per day in 2008 - actually ends up.
While some students imagine their money going into the pockets of those who administer the tickets, the money actually goes toward student financial aid.
According to the Connecticut General Statute 10a-139, which covers traffic regulations at the UConn-Storrs campus and UConn Health Center, all fines given to university students "shall be deposited into the scholarship account of the university operating fund."
Ann Denny, manager of Parking Services, said $902,369 worth of student parking fines went toward funding student financial aid in the 2007 fiscal year, and $641,406 was contributed in 2008.
Each year, $250,000 is taken from the amount given to financial aid and placed into an account for student scholarships.
Steve Samela, an 8th-semester English major, agreed that financial aid is important, but said he'd like to see more of the money go toward helping people park.
Samela, who works off-campus at Outback Steakhouse and also needs his Dodge Stratus to attend to "family obligations," said that ,when he tries to get back to campus for class, he often has trouble finding a place to park, especially near academic buildings.
"The way it is now, they make it near impossible to find a spot," Samela said.
Samela suggested that UConn or the state should purchase Farmer Brown's lot for students parking. Corridor Ventures and Propark America, who acquired the lot last year, currently own Farmer Brown's.
Samela believes if UConn buys the 27-acre plot of land, students will be provided with more spaces to park and for a cheaper price than is currently offered there.
Truth be told, not many people know where the money they are being forced to fork over - at a rate of $1,757.28 in parking fines per day in 2008 - actually ends up.
While some students imagine their money going into the pockets of those who administer the tickets, the money actually goes toward student financial aid.
According to the Connecticut General Statute 10a-139, which covers traffic regulations at the UConn-Storrs campus and UConn Health Center, all fines given to university students "shall be deposited into the scholarship account of the university operating fund."
Ann Denny, manager of Parking Services, said $902,369 worth of student parking fines went toward funding student financial aid in the 2007 fiscal year, and $641,406 was contributed in 2008.
Each year, $250,000 is taken from the amount given to financial aid and placed into an account for student scholarships.
Steve Samela, an 8th-semester English major, agreed that financial aid is important, but said he'd like to see more of the money go toward helping people park.
Samela, who works off-campus at Outback Steakhouse and also needs his Dodge Stratus to attend to "family obligations," said that ,when he tries to get back to campus for class, he often has trouble finding a place to park, especially near academic buildings.
"The way it is now, they make it near impossible to find a spot," Samela said.
Samela suggested that UConn or the state should purchase Farmer Brown's lot for students parking. Corridor Ventures and Propark America, who acquired the lot last year, currently own Farmer Brown's.
Samela believes if UConn buys the 27-acre plot of land, students will be provided with more spaces to park and for a cheaper price than is currently offered there.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
David Archutta
posted 3/06/09 @ 11:40 AM EST
I had a car on campus during my time at UConn...0 tickets.
Generally the complaints about parking are way overblown. What people really are complaining about is the inconvenience of parking. (Continued…)
xeviousred
hickman
posted 3/06/09 @ 12:43 PM EST
Beautiful. Park in W lot. Let me tell you something, I'd be pissed if I lived in Towers and had to park 1/2 mile away in W lot let alone if I lived in North or Hilltop. (Continued…)
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