Student parking revoked

Beginning today, students parking in Lot 21 east of the tennis courts will be issued a parking citation.

David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said the lot was originally for faculty and staff only but was opened to students because construction of the parking garage limited student parking in 2006. He said when construction was completed in January 2008, the lot was supposed to be closed to students and signs were posted to inform them they were no longer permitted to park in the lot. However, ticketing was never enforced and signs were removed.

Mrizek also said that in late July, student parking Lots 26 and 31, surrounding Luther’s Café at 1425 N. Main Ave., will close to accommodate construction of a new parking garage and student housing. An exact date of closure has not been confirmed, but he said the date of closure may be pushed into August.

Mrizek said a portion of Lot 33 might be closed to accommodate construction, but the decision is not final.

The construction is part of the public-private partnership forged between this college and the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association to construct retail stores, student-priority apartments, academic space, a parking garage and a central plant for heating and air conditioning.

The Ranger reported April 25, 2011, that the parking garage will have 1,000 parking spaces.

Mrizek said student parking decals will not decrease in cost, though he understands parking will be a problem next semester.

He said the colllege is working with VIA Metropolitan Transit to increase opportunities for student transportation.

Public information officer Julie Cooper said the business office will increase its availability of semester passes to students by having 1,200 semester passes available for purchase during the fall semester as opposed to 700.

She said there will be promotions through emails, and digital signage and other on-campus promotions to inform people about VIA options.

According to the San Antonio College website, parking permits are $50 in the fall for a 12-month pass, $30 in the spring for an eight-month pass $18 in the summer for a four-month pass and $10 for a replacement pass.

Fines are $16 for each violation if it is paid within 10 school days after issuance, $21 if paid from the 11-20 day of issuance and $27 after 20 days. Failure to pay tickets will result in a hold on a student’s account.

The website states that the permit allows students to park in the college’s lots but does not guarantee parking.