Fee increases demand action

I just read the article and editorial concerning the parking fee hike. I especially liked the suggestion that SIUE might be more affordable. The $4 a credit hour increase in parking fees is, of course, ridiculous. Perhaps the fees will provide (eventually) more parking, but I think it is interesting that the students I see circling the garages in the morning will have to pay for future structures.

Last year, when the St. Louis University parking fees increased, I remember seeing that they protested. Of course, SLU has a bit more a sense of community than we do here. Many students at UM-St. Louis (myself included) do rush off campus many days to attend to jobs, family, etc. But I contend that this does not mean we should allow ourselves to be pushed around. The administration is capitalizing on the campus' lack of solidarity. A rally or formal protest gathering would be difficult on our campus. But, we must, as a campus, react. Here is my suggestion.

DO NOT PAY FOR PARKING!!!!!!

Imagine, if you will, that no returning UM-St. Louis student paid for a parking pass. I wonder if the Campus Police could keep up with the ticket writing? I doubt it. They can't keep up with it now. It is true, new students and transfers might mistakenly purchase a pass. But, even if only half of us refuse to participate in the parking-pass system, the University will be stifled trying to write all the tickets. They could try to write everyone a ticket, but doing so would surely require more personnel. They would almost certainly lose more money than they could expect to gain. So, let's make a threat. Hopefully, faced with this kind of threat, the administration would back down and keep fees where they are.

-Geoff Dobran