2008 Woodie Awards
Parking Rates Up, Consider Other Alternatives
Tricia Blauvelt
Issue date: 9/4/06 Section: News
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Parking rates can now be added to the list of fees that have gone up at UIC in 2006. This fall semester, rates have raised 16 percent, a total increase of $40 more a semester for student parking. When asked for reasoning, the parking administration refused to comply. A receptionist did offer her view however, "It takes a lot of money to maintain the lots. Maxwell street parking lot could have something to do with it as well...and were you aware that we are a self-supporting administration, we're not funded by the state. The increase is difficult for us too," remarked the receptionist who's name will not be mentioned upon request.
To put into perspective just how much 16 percent is, UIC's increased rates have been compared to Northwestern and University of Chicago parking rates.
In 2005, UIC's increased parking rates pulled in at $251 a semester. Within the last year, they have increased 16 percent making the rate for 2006 $291 per semester. An academic school year(nine months) in 2006 at UIC is now equivalent to $582.
At Northwestern, parking for the academic school year in 2005 was not an option, a comparison of 2006-2007 rates will be made.
In 2006, an academic school year at Northwestern was $360, it has since then increased 3.5 percent. An academic school year in 2007 at Northwestern is now $372.60.
The figures are based on U of C's lowest priced parking lot. In 2005, student parking was $90 a quarter. In 2006, the rate has increased 33% pushing the fee to $120 a quarter for students. An academic school year at U of C in 2006 is now $480.
Although U of C has increased its rates by nearly twice as much as UIC, it still proves to be less costly by over $100 for the academic school year, making UIC the most expensive school to park at out of the three universities.
For commuters, this means $80 extra per year to park at UIC. As if the costs of gas weren't enough, the commute just got more expensive.
If there isn't cash to be had for the increase, there are other alternatives.
Public transportation for one, if you are a full time student, use your UPASS. Kevin Monahan also proposes one solution that benefits your pocket, the environment and your health, and is practically free.
Bike to school! Why not? If you live within range of the school, hop on, let your feet push the way and spend your extra bucks on something worth while.
Intrigued?
Kevin Monahan is the president of an organization here on campus called the College of Cycling. His motto, "We promote any able-bodied, healthy individuals, to embrace a bicycle as a friend, and commute rather than pollute."
The College of Cycling meets at 4:30p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at BSB student lounge. The club promotes cycling to anyone, cycler or non-cycler, and is open to have members join from all walks of life, not just UIC.
The College of Cycling holds bi-monthly rides the first and third Wednesday of every month at UIC. The rides begin on campus at 5:30p.m. and end whenever they see fit.
If you're interested in this alternative form of transportation, check out their bike sale, on Sept. 22, (location to be announced), and pick up a bike! The crew has been working at the Working Bikes Cooperative, on Taylor and Western for the past two weeks and has rehabbed over 40 bikes that will range in price from $40-$80. If you already have a bike and are an avid cycler, or just appreciate bikes, stop by the sale and/or a meeting and say hello.
The College of Cycling will also be making an appearance at the Fun Fair East, on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Monahan, along with other members of the club will be accompanied by members of the Chicago Bicycle Ambassador program. The program was created by Mayor Daley to promote bicycling safety to all road users-bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians-and to help all Chicagoans use bikes more. Members of the program will join the College of Cycling and hand out free registration forms to those that wish to register their bikes. Registering a bike allows for recovered bikes to be identified if lost, or stolen. Not a bad option considering it's free.
For more information on the College of Cycling please contact Kevin Monahan at
kmonahan@uic.edu, or visit the College of Cycling website at www.bikeuic.edu.
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To put into perspective just how much 16 percent is, UIC's increased rates have been compared to Northwestern and University of Chicago parking rates.
In 2005, UIC's increased parking rates pulled in at $251 a semester. Within the last year, they have increased 16 percent making the rate for 2006 $291 per semester. An academic school year(nine months) in 2006 at UIC is now equivalent to $582.
At Northwestern, parking for the academic school year in 2005 was not an option, a comparison of 2006-2007 rates will be made.
In 2006, an academic school year at Northwestern was $360, it has since then increased 3.5 percent. An academic school year in 2007 at Northwestern is now $372.60.
The figures are based on U of C's lowest priced parking lot. In 2005, student parking was $90 a quarter. In 2006, the rate has increased 33% pushing the fee to $120 a quarter for students. An academic school year at U of C in 2006 is now $480.
Although U of C has increased its rates by nearly twice as much as UIC, it still proves to be less costly by over $100 for the academic school year, making UIC the most expensive school to park at out of the three universities.
For commuters, this means $80 extra per year to park at UIC. As if the costs of gas weren't enough, the commute just got more expensive.
If there isn't cash to be had for the increase, there are other alternatives.
Public transportation for one, if you are a full time student, use your UPASS. Kevin Monahan also proposes one solution that benefits your pocket, the environment and your health, and is practically free.
Bike to school! Why not? If you live within range of the school, hop on, let your feet push the way and spend your extra bucks on something worth while.
Intrigued?
Kevin Monahan is the president of an organization here on campus called the College of Cycling. His motto, "We promote any able-bodied, healthy individuals, to embrace a bicycle as a friend, and commute rather than pollute."
The College of Cycling meets at 4:30p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at BSB student lounge. The club promotes cycling to anyone, cycler or non-cycler, and is open to have members join from all walks of life, not just UIC.
The College of Cycling holds bi-monthly rides the first and third Wednesday of every month at UIC. The rides begin on campus at 5:30p.m. and end whenever they see fit.
If you're interested in this alternative form of transportation, check out their bike sale, on Sept. 22, (location to be announced), and pick up a bike! The crew has been working at the Working Bikes Cooperative, on Taylor and Western for the past two weeks and has rehabbed over 40 bikes that will range in price from $40-$80. If you already have a bike and are an avid cycler, or just appreciate bikes, stop by the sale and/or a meeting and say hello.
The College of Cycling will also be making an appearance at the Fun Fair East, on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Monahan, along with other members of the club will be accompanied by members of the Chicago Bicycle Ambassador program. The program was created by Mayor Daley to promote bicycling safety to all road users-bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians-and to help all Chicagoans use bikes more. Members of the program will join the College of Cycling and hand out free registration forms to those that wish to register their bikes. Registering a bike allows for recovered bikes to be identified if lost, or stolen. Not a bad option considering it's free.
For more information on the College of Cycling please contact Kevin Monahan at
kmonahan@uic.edu, or visit the College of Cycling website at www.bikeuic.edu.
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