To minimize common student complaints against parking rules and practice, the Office of Traffic and Parking has revised some of its rules and policies.

Although students generally know the parking regulations, many do not think all the rules set in place by the Office of Traffic and Parking are reasonable. Students tell stories of receiving parking fines in a matter of minutes from too stringent parking attendants.

"Three times I was pulled up beside my dorm loading or unloading my car and got ticketed in a short period of time," said junior Dustin Temple. "I don't think (the tickets) were fair."

Perhaps the most controversial rule is the directive forbidding the transfer of a parking permit to another student. Noncompliance with this rule results in a $250 fine. Some students do not agree with this policy.

"I think that students should be able to transfer or sell passes to other students if they need to do so," said junior Cristina Villareal.

Students usually transfer their parking permits when one either returns from or departs for a semester study abroad program. Students not needing their parking permits sometimes sell them to other students. Since this practice causes various paperwork problems, the Office of Traffic and Parking suggests an alternate solution.

"Students studying abroad in the spring can receive a pro-rated refund if they turn their permit in to the traffic and parking office," said Tracy Owens, assistant manager of the Office of Traffic and Parking. "If a student returns from studying abroad and needs a permit for the spring semester, they should come to the traffic and parking office and we will issue them a new pro-rated permit for the reminder of the year based on their status."

To address the limited supply of convenient parking spots near students' dormitory buildings, Traffic and Parking has made it possible to trade an F permit for an RS permit, which would allow students to park in Terrace Place Garage. This is especially so residents of Kissam Quadrangle and Vanderbilt/Barnard Halls will not have to walk across campus to reach their cars.

In addition, extra parking for G permits has become available in Lot 75A, a new parking lot at the corner of Blakemore Avenue and Natchez Trace. This will now be a lot for upperclassmen and sophomores to share.

"It was brought to our attention that more convenient parking was needed for upperclassmen in the Kissam and Vandy/Barnard area and for sophomores living in Highland Quad," Owens said.

For more information on the new parking policies and rules, please visit the Office of Traffic and Parking Web site.