For the first time in six years, the University is set to raise rates by $10 for every parking zone on campus. This came as a shock to many members of the University community.

“In my opinion, the staff is not pleased. One of the things [that bothers them] is the fact that the administration – who earn large salaries – enjoy the same increase as someone who makes $20,000,” said Shannon Scott, past president of the Staff Council.

Scott said the increase will hit the lowest paid employees at the University especially hard because many choose to park in the $10 lots because that is all they can afford. With the new rates, they will experience the largest percentage increase of anyone on campus.

“We need the extra revenue to service our guests, to maintain lots and to pay off debt,” said George Stafford, associate vice president for auxiliary and administrative services. “We took a look at several methods of increasing the rates, and the increases reflected the relative values of the parking.”

“We had several options, five to six options at least. A percentage amount, a certain amount increase, a certain amount over a number of years,” Don Walter, parking services manager, said at the May 2008 Staff Council meeting, which The Red & Black obtained through staff minutes of the meeting.

“The one thing that surprised me that wasn’t part of our options was they said we wouldn’t increase it again for three more years. That was not what I wanted to do. If you don’t increase rates every year, no one cheers, but you wait five years and then do a big increase, everyone gets upset.”

The increase also came as a surprise to many University employees, said Stuart Ivy, president of the Staff Council.

“No staff members were involved in the decision making process. It came straight from the administration,” he said.

The increase will hit the lower income employees more, Ivy said.

“While employees are receiving a 3 percent increase from state and .5 percent increase from the University, yet the cost of health insurance, parking, Ramsey Center and inflation are all cutting into the raise.”

Parking is a difficult issue on a growing campus with new construction being placed on previous surface lots. The University has 552 less parking spots than it did last year, Walter said.

Stafford suggested alternative means to parking on campus for faculty and staff who don’t want to pay.

“We have the Athens Transit system where student, staff and faculty can ride for free. We also offer a carpooling plan to work with people,” he said. “We would love for you not to drive. We want to increase alternatives in the future.”