When applying for parking passes during the summer, a number of students may have noticed a change in permit pricing.  The rates have remained the same for first and second-year residential students, but increased substantially for all other students.  

Third year residential permits have increased from $150 to $250, with fourth year and graduate residential student rates increasing from $100 to $250.  Commuter students also saw a $50 increase placed on their permit costs.  

This is the first alteration made to parking pass rates in several years, prompting many to question the reasoning for the price increase, especially in the wake of a new lot project being cancelled.  Joseph Della Posta, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Le Moyne College, says the increase was necessary.

“Permit prices have not been increased for several years while the cost of maintaining parking lots, such as repaving, striping, and plowing, has steadily risen,” he stated. 

Della Posta defended the permit pricing by pointing out the benefits that on-campus parking brings.

“When compared with other institutions, Le Moyne offers a number of additional benefits, including the [close] proximity of parking lots to academic, athletic, and residential buildings,” Della Posta said.  “Lot locations at some schools result in much longer walks or even the need for transportation to get to campus.”

Della Posta noted that there was not much pushback from affected students and their families regarding the price increases, stating, “We understand that no one welcomes an increase in fees, but overall there were very few complaints.”

The increased revenue will help fund various projects on campus.  Aside from helping to cover the rising costs of maintaining the campus parking lots, Della Posta says, “the additional income is being used to support the college’s overall operating budget, which funds all aspects of campus, including facility maintenance operations.”