The Division of Operations and Parking and Transportation Services are rolling out a one-year pilot program to assist the university’s lowest paid employees in meeting increased parking permit costs. The pilot program will be evaluated after one year.
The program, designed by a committee that included representatives from the Administrative Professional Council, the Classified Personnel Council, and the Emergency Hardship Loan Fund committee, will automatically provide a 50 percent reduction in annual permit fees to employees who meet criteria.
The discount was created after extensive conversations across campus about potential changes to the campus parking model and a necessary increase to parking permit fees. The discussion process included analysis from the Center for Public Deliberation and feedback from various groups on campus, including Administrative Professional Council, Faculty Council and Classified Personnel Council. An option to assist lower-income employees emerged as an important consideration, particularly for employees who are unable to use alternative transportation due to their work schedules.
“This new discount program is a great step in answering faculty and staff feedback that low-income employees may need assistance with parking permit fee costs,” said Jeff Sturgeon, immediate past chair of the Classified Personnel Council.
The discount will not apply to monthly, daily or hourly parking permits.
To qualify for the discount, employees must be half-time or greater and eligible for university benefits, and make less than $30,000 as their base salary. Employees who do not work full time must make less than the equivalent of $30,000 in base salary if paid full-time to receive the discount. Employees who meet all criteria will receive a letter confirming their eligibility within the first two weeks of August.
Employees who meet all criteria will automatically receive the discounted price when purchasing their annual parking permits; no application process is necessary. Employees may purchase their permit online or in person at Parking Services. Human Resources will provide Parking and Transportation Services with information about employees who meet the criteria. Employees who qualify for the discount, but who have already purchased a full-price annual permit for 2015-2016, should contact Parking Services for a 50 percent refund of the cost.
The university identified the need to increase parking permit fees to increase and maintain university parking inventory. Fees will help pay for the construction of an additional parking garage between Pitkin and Lake Streets on the east side of campus, and an additional parking lot on the south side of campus, to be completed in a few weeks.
Employees who believe they may qualify but who did not receive the discount should contact Parking Services at 970-491-7041.
