By ANNIE GARDNER
annie@newsroom.byu.edu
Sometimes parking on campus can be more challenging and time-consuming than the classes people drive to school for.
Student parking lots are far from campus and finding a parking spot is often 'pure luck' if you don't get to school early in the morning.
Ticket Officers are more than willing to issue citations for the most minor of parking violations. With all the struggles of parking, some people say it's easier to walk to campus.
But if you have to drive, here are a few tips from BYU Parking and Traffic Services to make your on-campus parking experience a little easier and hassle free.
'There is plenty of parking on-campus,' said Emily Tibbitts, supervisor of Traffic Services. 'It just isn't where people want to park.'
Tibbitts said the most popular and most crowded parking lots are south of campus because students think they are closer than other parking options, but parking at the Marriott Center isn't nearly as impacted and is about the same distance away from campus as the south parking lots.
Tibbetts said one benefit of parking at the Marriott Center is not having to walk up a huge hill like the one south of campus on 500 East.
'There's a lack of really close parking not a lack of parking stalls,' she said.
Tibbetts said that all parking lots on campus have markers stating what kind of lot they are. Watching the signs is one way to avoid getting a ticket for mis-parking. There are 13 areas around campus designated for student parking. These lots are marked as Y-lots. In order to legally park in a Y-lot, you need to have a Y-lot permit.
Y permits cost $15 and are effective for one year. Students can obtain Y permits at the traffic office, 700 East 1430 North, just east of the Carillon Bell Tower. According to BYU Parking and Traffic Services, students need to bring their current vehicle registration, proof of emissions compliance, a BYU I.D. or driver's license for new students, and the appropriate form of payment (cash or checks only). Call 378-3906 if you are unsure about any of these requirements.
Obtaining a parking permit saves students money in the long run.
'You can get a Y permit for a one time fee of $15 but every time you're caught parking without it, you're charged $20,' Tibbetts said.
Parking in the wrong zone costs students $20, parking in a tow zone costs $50, and misusing parking permits can result in $200 fines.
Students have 14 days to appeal parking citations.
According to BYU Parking and Traffic Services, students who get seven or more parking citations, paid or unpaid, in a 12-month period are subject to being banned from parking or driving on campus.