IMU increases parking prices

Convenient and inexpensive student parking is hard to find in the heart of campus. As a result, many students have discovered the luxury of parking in the Indiana Memorial Union lot. \nA few students pay the full price of $19; most students pay a discounted rate thanks to parking validations; and dozens of students each day pay nothing at all by keeping their cars in the lot until the attendant leaves at midnight. \nThe daily maximum rate for non-IMU patron parking has been increased $5.50 from last spring. The half-hour rates, however, have not changed. IMU Manager of Sales and Business Development Beth Smith said rates are set in conjunction with parking operations, with budgetary factors as a primary concern. \n"A vast variety of individuals park there for a number of reasons," Smith said. \nStudents are not the only patrons using the IMU facilities and services, such as conference rooms and catered events. According to IMU Associate Director Thom Simmons, the philosophy behind the rate change is to increase the inventory of available parking space for all IMU patrons.\n"We periodically distribute student satisfaction surveys, and the most common complaint is lack of adequate parking for IMU patrons," Simmons said. "The IMU is geared towards the entire campus community, and our biggest client base is students going to class." \nIMU patrons are given the opportunity to validate their parking pass in any IMU business in order to receive a 50 percent discount for parking in the lots. \nWhether it's ice cream from Sugar & Spice, buffet gourmet dining at the Tudor Room or a notebook from the IU bookstore, patrons can trim the all-day rate to $9.50. Kiva supervisor Leisa Knight encourages all IMU patrons to validate their passes for the discount. \n"It's worth the effort to park and come to the Kiva (for parking validation)," she said. "We offer vegetarian and vegan selections at reasonable prices." \nMost students take advantage of the 50 percent discount offered by the IMU. Senior Amie Herr does not mind validating her parking pass by becoming an IMU patron. \n"There are certain days, if I have one class, I go inside and buy a cookie to validate my pass. I don't mind paying $3 or $4," she said. Junior Kyle Dietz would like something better, like free half-hour lots.\n"The prices are ridiculous. I don't understand why we have to pay a $30 athletic fee when we have no parking," Dietz said. \nThere are no simple solutions to students' parking troubles, Simmons said.\n"One of the biggest issues is the congestion at Seventh and Woodlawn (streets)," he said. "We do not have the street structure to support a larger parking facility." \nAs a result, Dietz and dozens of other students bail their car out of the IMU for free when the lot attendant leaves for the evening at midnight. Junior Elizabeth Ralph is one such student. \n"I didn't want to pay. The prices are kind of ridiculous," Ralph said. "I'm surprised it's not packed every night." \nUnfortunately, students who are employed as booth attendants often get caught in the crossfire, like junior Vishal Shah. \n"Some students try to heckle me about the prices," he said. "I understand; I personally wouldn't pay that much." \n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu .