Parking (LPC) 2:

January 2006 issue

I am not submitting my name because I am a coward, but because I need to keep my job and I know how sensitive this issue is. I have a suggestion regarding the parking problem. I don't think that anyone parking here expects to park for free but the fees have gone up an average of $100.00 per year since I have been at DePaul. The people involved in making the decisions in this matter are making at least a 6 figure salary. In fact I wonder if any of them are even required to purchase a permit since a certain consideration is given to those in the inner circle. Anyway, I wonder if a sliding scale would be appropriate since the people making a fifth or less salary than the people making the decisions are finding it very difficult to keep pace. Our merit raise only covers this increase each year and it could be argued that this increase allows me to pay for but it would be nice to realize some of that gain and not have it eaten up by parking every single year. I feel as if I'm working for insurance anyway and this only adds to the drain on my already strained budget. Please reconsider the sliding scale idea. I'm sure those working for much higher pay wouldn't even notice the increase but for most of us this is becoming a hardship and I know the standard reply will be "take public transportation" but I live too far and it would take me forever to get here. At 7:30 when I arrive on LPC, there are no parking spaces available because few people have left for work and the spaces available you can't use until 9:15. What am I to do? If I lived in the DePaul area or downtown I wouldn't mind taking the bus or EL but I live straight west and the only CTA available to me is the bus. I would have to leave hours earlier especially in the bad weather. Please reconsider an alternative for those of us who are loyal DePaul workers and give us a break. Try to remember that we all don't make $100,000. per year.

Response

According to Facility Operations, parking rates have not gone up $100 per year. In fact, there has in fact only been one large increase, which occurred in 2003-04.

Currently a sliding scale charge system is not under consideration. However, for 2006-07 the charge for a permit is being reduced to $480 per year. This is a reduction of in excess of $100 and rolls the rate back to what it was several years ago.