The Rant: Parking tickets unnecessary

Dear ticket givers,

Well, here it is ladies and gentlemen, another parking rant. During the first week of school, I’ve already racked up a $90 ticket tab. Meaning, the University of South Dakota has received $90 of my income I slaved to save over summer.

OK— I parked in a visitor parking lot a couple of times. Clearly, I am not a visitor. But here’s the kicker: I parked in the lots after 5 p.m., and my first offenses were $30 right off the bat.

Apparently, we can say goodbye to a $15 first offense. Here’s my question: Where is that extra $15 going? What could the university possibly need extra funding for that would require each student to pay an extra $15 per ticket, which doubles to $60 if you don’t pay it in time.

I’ve also had a friend tell me they received a $30 first-time offense ticket in the non-visiting parking lots as well. So, it’s clearly not an issue limited to visitors.

Why is it even an issue to park in visitor parking after 5 p.m.? On a Tuesday night, when I will most likely be in the Al Neuharth Media Center until 3 a.m. laying out the student newspaper, I don’t see the problem with parking in the empty parking spaces after hours.

Sincerely,

Emily Niebrugge