Law student opinions differ in parking costs and safety
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: News
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has signed a multi-year contract with Central Parking Systems to offer downtown parking to students, faculty and staff at discounted rates, but some are saying it comes at too great of a cost.
Students will have the option of parking in one of two garages for about $40-60 per month, said Dan Brown, business officer at the law school. The rate will be dependent on how many students sign up for the parking garage deal.
Although the group rate given to The U of M is cheaper than the typical $71-per-month charge, some feel that the deal isn't good enough.
"It's a big jump from the $72 per semester some students pay (for priority parking at The U of M)," said Yael Julian, second-year law student.
Students like Eric Mogy, second-year law student, said law students were paying $13,710 for instate tuition and fees, which should already cover the cost of parking.
The monthly charge that adds up could hurt some students financially, he said.
"If they're going to start charging everyone, then it needs to be incorporated into our tuition as a whole, instead of having about $250 come out of our pockets," he said.
Law students will still have to pay for general admissions parking at the main campus in addition to parking garage rates because general admission parking fees will continue to be included in students' program fees in the spring, Brown said.
However, the Tennessee Board of Regents could vote to rescind the parking fee if that's what students want, he said.
"We have asked the students for input, and they are polling the students," he continued. "Because if the fees are in there, they still get a pass (for the main campus)."
Having to pay the $30 general access parking fee in addition to downtown parking costs has some students concerned.
"A lot of people think it is unfair because they probably would not be coming back to the main campus," said Seth Guess, first-year law student.
Students will have the option of parking in one of two garages for about $40-60 per month, said Dan Brown, business officer at the law school. The rate will be dependent on how many students sign up for the parking garage deal.
Although the group rate given to The U of M is cheaper than the typical $71-per-month charge, some feel that the deal isn't good enough.
"It's a big jump from the $72 per semester some students pay (for priority parking at The U of M)," said Yael Julian, second-year law student.
Students like Eric Mogy, second-year law student, said law students were paying $13,710 for instate tuition and fees, which should already cover the cost of parking.
The monthly charge that adds up could hurt some students financially, he said.
"If they're going to start charging everyone, then it needs to be incorporated into our tuition as a whole, instead of having about $250 come out of our pockets," he said.
Law students will still have to pay for general admissions parking at the main campus in addition to parking garage rates because general admission parking fees will continue to be included in students' program fees in the spring, Brown said.
However, the Tennessee Board of Regents could vote to rescind the parking fee if that's what students want, he said.
"We have asked the students for input, and they are polling the students," he continued. "Because if the fees are in there, they still get a pass (for the main campus)."
Having to pay the $30 general access parking fee in addition to downtown parking costs has some students concerned.
"A lot of people think it is unfair because they probably would not be coming back to the main campus," said Seth Guess, first-year law student.