The number of parking spaces available is inadequate for the amount of traffic flowing through the city. Lack of student parking is a problem that arises each year - and each year the University fails to resolve student concerns on the issue.
However, the University is not the sole culprit in the ongoing mess. Ann Arbor collects more than $1 million a year from the ticket-writing business. Mayor Ingrid Sheldon said the city would have trouble meeting its budget if this revenue were eliminated.
The rationale behind her statement is disconcerting. Given that a substantial portion of the city's money comes from student pockets, it means that Ann Arbor depends on students to break the law to fulfill fiscal obligations.
Students always meet or exceed the city's expectations because Ann Arbor does not have enough parking spaces to accommodate students - both live-in and commuters. To find parking and make it to class on time, commuters may resort to parking in Staff Paid designated lots, thereby risking a punitive $17 ticket. If students are fortunate enough to find a convenient metered space, they must promptly return after class to feed the meter, or risk receiving a $7 citation ($5 if paid within the hour). In every scenario, the burden falls squarely - and unfairly - upon the shoulders of student motorists.
Right now, the University can take one small step on its own. The area formerly occupied by the Sigma Epsilon fraternity house, which was destroyed by fire last September, is slated to be a parking lot.
However, the University plans to designate the lot as another Staff Paid lot, a proposition that gives no relief to student motorists. If the University is serious about alleviating the perpetual crisis, it should open this lot so everyone affiliated with the University - including students - can obtain a permit. Such a small lot would not solve the problem completely. But the gesture would signify that the University is willing to work for student concerns.
To date, the city and University have responded to student needs with tow trucks. The only cooperation between the two involves ticket collection methods. Before April exams, the Department of Public Safety and the city will hit the streets to ensure that no one goes home without paying up.
Students have proposed solutions in the past - including the reduction of outrageous ticket fines. Students also have recommended opening formerly restricted lots to wider use.
A better collaboration: The city and the University could put their powers together to build high-rise structures, lower meter and ticket rates, and implement other creative remedies.
The city and the University need to rethink student suggestions, or concoct new ones to solve the perpetual parking crisis.
