Staff editorial
Ah, parking troubles. Countless have been there — five minutes before class, driving as close to our destination as possible, only to find that the only parking spot to be had is painted a prohibited green, blue, yellow or red. Nevertheless these revered spaces beckon our little cars. The inner conflict begins: “It will only be for a minute … or 60. And there’s that 100-pound bag of books I would have to carry up a hill or two … both ways if I don’t take the spot. Plus, peace of mind and a good grade are more important than saving $20 for a ticket. You risk it and park. It happens. Life does not always go as planned — not even in Malibu.
DPS has noticed this student trend and has decided to do something about it.
They’ve joined hands with administration and turned students’ occasional jaunt with fate into a moral issue. There is a ridiculous inconsistency in this decision, proving that Public Safety is the small dog trying too hard to stretch its power. Together with the Administration they have decided, “disciplinary action by the Student Disciplinary Committee may be considered,” for any student with three tickets or more since Fall 2004, if that student so chooses to continue his or her habits.
These students have already received a letter in their mailboxes serving as a “warning” against accruing future violations, even if a student has paid all parking ticket fines.
Dawn Emrich, assistant director of Public Safety said parking is a community problem that disciplinary consequences would vary depending on each students’ individual situation.
“This letter is moving in the direction in which individuals will not choose to receive multiple violations without disciplinary actions,” Emrich said before adding a contradictory statement: “It is not intended to do anything other than open the lines of communications on the topic.”
Wish granted.
Whether Public Safety’s letter is a hollow or genuine threat, the hundreds of students who have received it are likely to be confused or enraged — either that or oblivious and passive. Where else in the world do parking tickets call for disciplinary action beyond fines? In what other judicial model does a parking ticket put a person on par with someone who is caught drinking underage? How ironic is it for those convicted of parking tickets to argue their case to the same committee directly after those accused of DUIs or Community Standard violations such as having sex in the dorms or getting a DUI?
The bottom line is the punishment does not fit the crime. Students are OK with accepting the consequences of their actions. We will pay our fine. It seems to be a desperate attempt, however, to try to make students feel they are being unethical in parking in wrong places.
Emrich compared violating the parking rules to violating the rules in the classroom, but they are not the same. Can’t there be some happy medium where students respect DPS, and DPS respects students instead of treating us like immoral people?
One suggestion the letter made to quench temptations to park illegally is for students to park in Drescher parking garage and Terrace parking lots near the graduate school. Those lots aren’t as empty as Public Safety seems to so optimistically presume. Plus, students who do not get out of class until later in the day, know that the shuttle runs slower after nightfall. Anyone who has spent almost an hour waiting for a putting shuttle after a long day of class, would gladly opt for the $20 ticket. Perhaps better shuttle accommodations should be made instead of a heavy hand of punishment.
The judicial review will not fix the problem. The administration’s alliance with Public Safety only cheapens, not strengthens the judicial board. It is inconsistent with many ways the University works. Public Safety, try again.
04-13-2006