Alternate use for new funds

Saturday, IU Parking Operations found new homes for about 250 abandoned student bikes. \nAfter the bikes were left unclaimed for months, those still on campus last semester and during the summer were auctioned to the highest bidder. \nParking Operations Director Doug Porter said this semester's sale raised about $7,000. Those funds, Porter said, will go toward buying new bikes racks.\n"We always have requests for newer and more bike racks on campus," Porter said. "Some requests have been for new racks at Ashton, near the psychology building and near the Career Development Center."\nShould the cost for new racks exceed the $7,000 raised from the bike sale, Parking Operations will take the needed funds out of its budget, Porter said. He said he didn't anticipate any money being left over from the $7,000 for new racks.\nIf this $7,000 gained from the sale of student property is going toward bike racks, what are the high prices student pay for parking tickets going toward?\nWhy can't Parking Operations use its funds to build new bike racks, and use the extra funds from the bike auction for more initiatives that would benefit students?\nWhile the bike racks will benefit many students, it is ridiculous that money made from the sale of student property is not being used for a more worthy cause.\nThe bike auction is a great idea, putting abandoned bikes into the hands of students who can use them. \nBut $7,000 worth of student property sold for bike racks? \nSurely Parking Operations gets enough funding from parking tickets that they can afford to take the necessary funds for new racks out of their own budget.\nHow about donating the $7,000 Parking Operations got from selling student property to charity? Many student groups support important causes: IU Dance Marathon raises money for Riley Hospital for Children. Fraternities and sororities constantly stage events to raise funds for philanthropic purposes. Bloomington organizations such as Middle Way House could also benefit from the funds.\nParking Operations should use their own funds from the ever-present parking tickets to buy new bike racks.