Michael Reyes, a senior architecture major, parked by Treehouse Apartments last year for baseball games. He did it to avoid the extra parking fee that is charged during baseball and basketball games, but he will no longer have to.
"Students have paid enough for their parking permits," Reyes said. "I don't think it's fair that students have to pay twice for the same spot."
Double-pay parking is a phrase coined by students because of the $3 fee that was being charged to all vehicles parking in Reed Arena during baseball and basketball game days, including those vehicles with a valid permit.
Student Body President Jack Hildebrand said many students with assigned parking in Reed Arena filed complaints about this extra fee.
Because of complaints, student leaders worked with Transportation Services and canceled double-pay parking. A new policy allows students with valid parking permits to park in Reed Arena without having to pay the $3.
Rod Weis, director of TS, said he appreciated input from student leaders on the matter.
"I appreciate the student leaders on this campus and how they have stepped up," Weis said. "They have really started working these past two years with us, and we have gained a lot more acceptance."
The money that was being collected from the parking during basketball games was going to Reed Arena, but Weis said he has been asked by Reed Arena officials to administer parking spots during games from now on.
Regarding the $3 fee, Weis said there is no such thing as free parking.
"We pay maintenance and utility fees," Weis said. "If we don't charge visitors to park there, we end up charging the students or increasing the price on parking permits."
Weis said that by charging everyone for parking, TS was minimizing costs. Weis' biggest concern was finding a way to pay those operation costs, if TS was to remove double-pay parking, but found a way to administer them evenly Weis said.
"We've come a long way. Now, students who have paid for their sports pass and parking permit can avoid an extra fee," Weis said. "This change is a win for the students."
Ben Peña, a senior history major, said he thought it wasn't right that students had to pay twice to support A&M teams.
"The basketball program expects students' support, and hopefully this change will help increase the attendance at Aggie games," Peña said.
Double-pay parking was an issue on Hildebrand's campaign platform in the spring.
"I bet Bill Byrne will be pushing this change to encourage students to attend games," Hildebrand said. "This is something I campaigned all last semester, and I believe this new policy will alleviate some fees for students."
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