Parking Services… Trick or Treat!

Abike had gone to visit Phil to commiserate with her. Knowing that this was Halloween weekend she looked around but saw neither a notice nor a barricade at the entrance as she packed her vehicle opposite the Wolfe Street Apartment (lot 79). To ere on the side of caution, she asked her host if parking was safe and they chatted about how it would be unsafe the next day – Halloween. By the time Abike came out her car was gone and so was everything in it; her debit cards, books, apartment keys; without a note anywhere near as to where the vehicle may have been towed. Disenchanted she ran up the stairs to inform her host, spraining her ankle as she missed her steps and banged her leg on the steel stair case; she writhed in pain but it was no time to care about a sprained ankle or a swollen leg. Phil went o see the apartment manager who confirmed that though there was no sign on that side of the lot, there had been newspaper adverts, emails and radio jingles. Unfortunately, Phil who is visually challenged had some problems with her oak mail and had not received a prior warning and therefore not in a position to warn her guest.

After calling around for a friend to help, the party of three went first to the OUPD based on the circumstances but an officer explained that the tow was not directed by them. They called Parking Services and got the machine. They drove miles away to 2075 East State Street passing by a number of tow vans going for the kill on their way. On getting to Autotech the excited staff insisted that only Parking Services can let the car off the hook, they did not fail to remind them that by evening next day the fee will go up. Not being able to reach Parking Services to make an appeal or get the vehicle released without a fee they were compelled to get the vehicle the next day to avoid an increased fee. The total charge was $20 for citation, $90 for tow, $8.10c as tax and $30 for making Autotech work after hours!

That is one story but hundreds may have different stories to tell about how a car that was parked in a ‘no sign’ seemingly safe area came to be cited and towed. But my question is, “When does failure to warn and negligence translate to sheer wickedness meted out on ignorant drivers?” Why have Autotech (and other contracted tow services), an independent business punish students for parking during Halloween weekend? Why allow Autotech charge innocent people for their decision to work after hours after charging no less than double for a service they normally carry out?

Few weeks after I got my car, having been told that meter parking lots had free weekend and holiday parking, I parked and went to the library; I returned to meet a ticket. Though I was advised to appeal, I did not especially after I found out that that the wrap round note on the meter pole indicated Saturdays are not free. $5 in my opinion was a fair fee to pay to learn a life lesson but $128.10c plus a violation record is sheer wickedness especially when you consider the following:

1. Students with permit were not towed but not all students are given permit for various reasons:
a) If your residence is considered close to campus
b) If you do not own a lease or have your name on a power bill (most students share apartment and usually one name is written on bill)
2. Some students cannot afford to pay for parking
3. Not all students can access or receive all mails
4. Lot 79 (for example) has 5 entrances and not all had a ‘no parking sign’
5. Lots were not put to any direct use for Halloween; as at 6pm on Halloween day, Autotech had enough business to put some of their vehicles to rest and most lots had three-quarter of their space vacant.
6. The lengthy mail (about 15 paragraphs) sent out on the 18th of October (a week before Halloween) was not adequately designed for students.
7. Lot entrances that had warnings had it placed high up instead of on a white stand by the entrance as it had been done in the past. While some lot entrances had the white triangular barricade others did not.
8. Though line two (2) to four (4) on the third paragraph of the lengthy email states that “Parking Services will only allow Ohio University faculty/staff and currently enrolled students to park in University lots” it was not until some paragraphs later that the mail spelt out category of student/faculty/staff that is permitted to park.

In my opinion, Parking Services treated ignorant drivers to a trick by not placing signs at all entrances. Even if students must add the obligation of reading emails, listening to radio and reading newspapers; Parking Services need to learn to design short and direct messages. The email sent (with well over the minimum required for web messages) failed to reach this particular audience who are prone to scan academic books/mails even when good grades and by implication funding depends on reading.

A similar mail to this or the one below sent via email, post (we receive a number of junk fliers already), and visibly placed by all entrances to lots will serve a better purpose to conserve OU Parking Services’ violation tickets, save OU money on adverts and radio jingles and prevent Autotech (and others) from feeding fat on the community.

“From 3pm 26th October to 7am 28th of October 2007, vehicles without valid OU Parking Services permit will be cited and towed at the cost of $128.10c.

If in doubt about parking during Halloween weekend please refer to http://www.facilities.ohiou.edu/parking/index.php or call 740.593.1917


I implore OU Parking Services to confirm its negligence to carry out a duty to warn and do what is right in relation not only to the previous event but to forthcoming events.