Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Paul Rios [Click to enlarge]

It may be price gouging, or it may just be the result of our slumping economy, but one thing is certain: Sacramento State students can expect another fee increase with a necessary campus service.

Last week, Sac State announced parking rates are going up across the board, starting in spring 2009. Of course, students who purchase the semester parking pass will feel the biggest pinch. The semester pass for non-resident students is going up $10 a month, or 42 percent.

University Transportation and Parking Services director Nancy Fox said UTAPS had done everything in its power to prevent hiking up parking fees for "as long as we could."

Although our state is losing money from virtually every sector and the California State University system will face substantial budget cuts in 2009, UTAPS is separate from the CSU and doesn't receive any money from Sac State's operating budget. It collects its income from bonds, parking tickets and parking passes.

One way that UTAPS delayed inflating the cost of parking was by putting maintenance projects on the back burner. So anyone who wanted the cracked, pothole-ridden excuse for a parking lot in front of the campus police station repaved in the near future needs to reduce his or her expectation for that indefinitely.

In one of the most questionable aspects of the fee increase, the cost of residence hall passes will go up nearly $100 dollars. This wouldn't seem to go along Sac State's vision to create a campus that invites students to live on campus.

Fox said UTAPS decision to raise parking fees for student residents was based on how the spaces are used. "Those students use the spaces 24/7," she said.

The Hornet understands that this year has been tough on everyone and isn't the least bit surprised or dismayed that yet another service is experiencing an increase in price. However, we can't say we approve of the timing. It seems a little shady that this announcement was made within a month of priority registration for the upcoming semester.

Instead of railing against UTAPS, which accomplishes nothing anyway, The Hornet believes it is best to offer helpful suggestions to help you avoid forking over your hard-earned cash for oil-stained and overpriced concrete next semester.

If it's at all possible, park on University Avenue and walk across the Guy West Bridge to get to class. The only downside to this solution is that you must move your car every two hours between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Another option is to take public transportation, such as the bus or lightrail. While the bus stops on campus, the nearest light-rail stations require a bit of walking to get to.

For students who live near campus, riding a bike to school is a logical alternative. Fox said that Sac State has many bike racks and that UTAPS is pushing to install more.

Unfortunately, many students have no choice but to drive to school and park on campus. There is little that they can do except pay the fee and try to graduate before the costs go up again.

The State Hornet Staff can be reached at opinion@statehornet.com

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