By Reshelle Bihasa, Staff Writer 

Each academic year, Xavier Parking Services collects approximately $150,000 from parking tickets and fines with all revenue going towards the university, according to Auxiliary Services.

This leaves many students who have previously received parking violations to question what the money from their parking tickets has gone toward. 

“Parking revenue goes first, towards offsetting parking related expenses, including software, wages and parking lot maintenance,” Parking Manager of Auxiliary Services Amber Yuellig said. “Any remaining revenue after expenses are covered goes to the university general operating budget.”  

The purpose of parking tickets is mainly to provide security for vehicles on campus, to encourage compliance for the appropriate permit and to educate the campus community. 

“Citations are not issued to meet quotas or revenue targets; they are issued when parking policies are not followed. Parking Enforcement issues most first citations as warnings with no associated monetary fine,” Yuelligsaid. 

Some students, however, disagree with parking tickets they have previously received. 

“I received a parking ticket for parking too close to the fire hydrant on Ledgewood. I don’t think the fine was fair because I was clearly far enough away from the hydrant, and they don’t paint a line or mark how far you need to be away from the hydrant,” junior criminal justice major Joe Schenkel said. 

Schenkel also emphasized the amount of money students are fined, along with the idea of charging them for parking violations. 

“I also think it’s excessive because XUPD’s motto is to ‘protect, serve and educate’ and giving students a $75 fine isn’t educating; it’s just making students angry. I think the fine amount is a bit excessive because most students don’t have jobs in college,” Schenkel said. 

Other students share their concern over the cost and accessibility of parking on campus. 

“I can barely afford to put food on the table as a college student while also paying all my utility bills,” junior marketing major Treva Wadsworth said. “I feel like no matter what you do, it is inevitable to avoid getting one.” 

Wadsworth also claims to have received multiple parking citations for briefly parking near the Brueggeman Center for 30 minutes to unload groceries, parking more than 12 inches from a curb and overnight parking in C3 near Buenger Hall after returning from a late work shift. 

Xavier Parking Services determines the amount charged for different parking violations by comparing permit fees and citation fines with similar colleges in the region to ensure reasonable and appropriate rates.  

“The fact is, the university would generate far more revenue and increase customer satisfaction with parking on campus if everyone purchased a permit, followed the rules and we didn’t issue a single citation,” Yuellig said. 

Although the majority of the revenue from parking citation goes towards parking and similar expenses, revenue is not directly allocated towards student events or activities. The revenue goes to offset general university expenses. 

“Why isn’t parking more accessible? Why aren’t there more overnight areas or places that are closer to the actual dorms that people can park properly, especially after being expected to pay money for a parking pass?” Wadsworth said.