Parking

UNCG Parking Operations,

I am writing this letter to express my concern with the parking permits that are offered at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. When I initially purchased my “Class E” parking permit that allowed me to park in the lot on 1720 West Lee Street, it was to my understanding that there would be adequate space for parking as well as efficient transportation via the Park-and-Ride bus to the UNCG campus. Unfortunately this is not the case for me or any other student that I have had the opportunity to talk to. Parking is very limited, transportation to and from the parking area is scarce, and the price of parking passes is astronomical.

The biggest issue at hand with the parking permits is the enormous price that is charged to obtain the permits. For the “cheaper” parking pass that allows commuters to park in the Park-and-Ride lot as well as a few other designated lots at appointed times, the price is $175. Students who choose to park in one of three parking decks are laden with a $445 fee (Student Parking Permit Options). These fees are extremely astronomical especially considering the service, or lack thereof, that is provided. For that price, one would expect to have valet parking and possible a concierge awaiting them with breakfast when they arrive at the parking lot. Instead I am greeted with a lack of parking spaces and untimely bus schedules. The parking permit fee’s are a monopoly for commuters as for many students, including myself, driving their vehicle to school is the only transportation that they have or that is feasible for them. Lower prices would benefit many students as the increased price has a negative effect on the amount of money that students can spend on educational needs such as books or other materials, especially students that are financially strapped. The lowered prices would also benefit UNCG. An online article via the UNCG Online Library Catalog states “it is found that both price-ceiling and quantity...