This is a page for all of you students (and employees) to help you keep from getting those dreaded parking tickets and tows. I'm not going to say where I learned all of these things, but if you doubt any of them, consult the Parking Services rules.

1. Always make sure you have a Parking pass of some type. If you don't have your pass in or on your car the fines go up $20 - $40. Even if your pass isn't for that space, it still saves you money.
   
   
2. Always make sure you park in a marked space. (This means a space with lines.) Anytime you park in what they call 'Not a Space' you can be (and more than likely will be) towed.
   
   
3. As long as you are in a space, and its not a special event or reserved space, your car cannot be towed unless it has 3 past due tickets. A past due ticket is a ticket that has not been paid in 15 days. So if you don't want to get towed make sure you always pay that 3rd ticket before it is past due.
   
   
4. Beware of the Brooks Center... There is a sign at the Brooks Center Parking Lot that says if there is an event that night or not. If it says there is whether you think so or not, make sure you have your car moved from the reserved spaces at the latest by 6:00pm
   
   
5. If you are one of the unfortunate ones to get your car towed, you can pay your fines at Parking Services from 8:00am - 4:30pm. If you need your car and Parking Services is closed you can come to the University Police Department and pay your fines with CHECK OR EXACT CASH (this means they don't have change).
   
   
6. Football games... Everyone on campus pretty much knows when the next football game is, so make sure you have your car out of the reserved spaces. (These spaces are pretty much all of West Campus).
   
   
7. If you have a friend/parent/relative or anyone coming to see you and they will be parking on campus, make sure they get a Visitor's Parking Pass. This will keep them from getting the expensive tickets I mentioned earlier.
   
   
8. When you are needing to unload or load your car and simply cannot find a space close enough, call the University Police Department (656-2222) and let them know. They will give you 15 minutes or so to keep you from getting towed.
   
   
9. Don't ever park in or block a handicapped parking space or handicap ramp unless you are handicapped. These fines are out of this world. And notice I said handicapped and not just have a handicapped placard, these places are for people that have trouble moving around, not for lazy students.
   
   
10. The Habitual Violator rules have effected those who have plenty of money to just keep paying tickets. Once you have 6 or 7 tickets the fine can no longer be reduced and at least $50 is added to the fine. Once you receive 10 tickets, you can't park on campus until next year.
    
    
11. Don't park in the circle at the Hendrix Center. There are no marked spaces except for handicapped, so don't park there unless you want to be towed.
    
    
12. Mopeds... Supposed to be parked in motorcycle parking and have a parking pass to do so. They can be towed if you leave them on the sidewalk.
    
    
13. The biggest excuse Parking Services hears is that there weren't anymore spaces. I have yet in my time here seen every space on this campus full. The CAT buses are timely and consistent and by taking a short ride you don't have to pay to get your car out of the impound.
    
    

These are some of the things that I noticed about parking on campus. As I see more problems, I'll be sure to post them.