“Where’s your sign?” That is what first popped into my head when I saw that little white paper tucked under my windshield wiper. I quickly got into my vehicle and began driving around the lot, looking for signage I may have missed. I had parked in the parking lot by the residence hall, incidentally, I had been parking there for two years. Later I talked to University Police Sergeant Ed Emilla, he explained all the different avenues students are told where or where not regular parking permits are valid. It was a valuable $30 lesson for this upcoming graduating senior.

There are several ways students and faculty are informed where they are allowed to park. Either attend a transfer orientation or go to the university police web site to view what areas are included with a Texarkana A&M parking tag. When you apply for a parking tag in the business office,  the website (http://www.tamut.edu/about/administration/university-police/parking.html) is listed on the paper form. As I conversed with Sergeant Ed Emilla, he explained that when someone gets a ticket, they have several options. The first option is to appeal within seven days or secondly to pay the parking ticket within ten days. If the ticket is not paid within ten days, the fine doubles. Thankfully, the amount doesn’t not increase after that $60. It is also important to note that all fines must be paid in order to graduate from Texarkana A&M. 

After asking several students, I found this particular area of parking restriction was not common knowledge. Many had never even been to the parking website listed on paper form. How can we fix this? My initial thought would be to place Resident Parking Only signs in the dorm parking lot or perhaps inform via Squawktalk, the weekly communication email sent to Texarkana A&M students. Another couple ideas would be to place QR codes or signs by the elevators, TAMUT social media sites or on the registration form.

The University Police patrol parking lots but also are actively helping in many other areas on campus. Perhaps combined efforts between the University Police, students and those who assist in school/student relationships to work for a solution. The University police are ready to help in any situation whether it be an emergency or in this case, helping students like me understand parking permit policies.