Commuters are required to purchase a parking pass for the Fall 2020 – Spring 2021 school year. Students should have received an email from Public Safety through Denise Russell that read as follows:
“There is a $20 discount for all permits purchased online. You will need your Capital University username and password to log in. Please allow four days to process your order. Permits ordered online must be picked up at the Public Safety Office, 661 College Ave., between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.”
The email also included a link to the website where students could fill out the forms and pay for their permit, as well as a link to the “Parking Permit Guidelines” which specifies the particular permit each student/faculty member should purchase.
This one email sent on Aug. 17, 2020, was the only form of communication students were sent regarding parking passes.
As a student commuter, there is a constant flurry of emails that are sent to each student’s Capital email account and it’s hard to decipher which emails are truly directed towards commuters and which are directed to on-campus/all students.
A couple more emails or maybe even an announcement to clarify that this purchase is required in the future would be helpful.
In addition to a lack of communication, in past years, the price for a student/commuter parking permit has been $180 (or $160 when purchased online). This price has always seemed rather high considering the lack of availability in the lots in years past.
This year they have decided to keep parking passes the same price. While the lack of availability may not be a pressing issue anymore (considering the conditions in which Capital is re-opening), it is a serious concern that Capital did not reduce this price given that there are few classes being held fully in-person. There have also been multiple delays to Capitals re-opening and pending opening for the spring semester.
If students aren’t on campus full time, what sense does it make to charge them for a parking pass as if they are?
This semester has been one unlike any other at Capital. Last week, students were welcomed back to campus (if they chose to return). Leading up to the reopening, students were sent multiple emails with guidelines and expectations.
As a commuter, it’s been challenging to decide whether or not to return because there are different expectations being set for commuters versus students living on campus. Sadly, the parking permit situation has not made the decision to return any easier. It would’ve been nice to have a little more communication and compassion from Capital given the current circumstances of which we are living in.
