Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Mary Chou Stephanie Wong, staff for Campus Crusade for Christ, turns away to find parking elsewhere on Jan. 31 after finding out that the service costs her $8 per day with a daily pass. "It's just too much to pay for parking," Wong said. The cost is $3 per day with a permit.

Sacramento State students and faculty members are now parking with class using University Transportation and Parking Service's new "convenience parking" that has been operating since Jan. 29.

UTAPS Director Nancy Fox said that the service, which came after the campus community expressed a need for faster, more convenient parking, has gone smoothly and that the service has been a hit with students.

"(UTAPS) is very happy to report that convenience parking is being used by the campus community," Fox said.

Fox said the service is averaging about 35 customers a day, with students making up about 30 of those, and employees and faculty members making up the remaining amount. There are 120 spaces allocated for the program.

Fox went on to say that the "convenience parking" service, the only of its kind at all 23 CSU campuses, is meeting the expectations of UTAPS employees.

The hours of operation for the service have been set from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday through Friday when classes are in session.

"However, since (UTAPS) is hoping to see increased usage of convenience parking as the semester progresses, these hours are subject to change," Fox said.

Sophomore business major David Smith and Assistant Professor of English Fiona Glade said they would like to see more hours.

"I had a really hard time getting to all of my classes on time (last semester)," Smith said.  "Knowing that I can simply pull up, hand over the keys to my car, pay the attendant and go to class has made my mornings a lot less stressful."

Glade, who agrees with Smith, said that any service that actually helps students and faculty members should be available for as many hours as possible.
While the service has caught on well with students like Smith, others, like senior civil engineering major Tony Deus, remain skeptical about operational safety and employee responsibility.

"I don't really see the point," Deus said. "I could maybe see some use or benefit in it if the money (collected) was going back to the school, but it isn't."

All convenience fees will go directly to the outside company, which is providing the service.

"There will be no additional payments made by the university to the outside company for its service," Fox said.

Deus said that he does not think the service is safe because of accountability on the part of the valets or UTAPS employees.

Fellow senior Travis Porter, who is an art studio major, said that he would not be able to focus on schoolwork or while in class unless he knew the service was 100 percent safe. 

"I don't like the idea of people, I don't know, having access to my car and my CD collection," Porter said.

Porter said his main concern was regarding the kind of precautions taken to ensure the safety of personal belongings in the vehicles.

Fox, who hopes to squash these fears as quickly as possible, said that the service is not only safe, but guaranteed.

"The service is actually being performed by Neumann Enterprises, which is a professional valet parking and limousine company," Fox said. "Only seasoned and trained employees are scheduled to work. (UTAPS) has confidence in the service being provided because of that fact."

Fox said that Neumann Enterprises performs background checks on all applicants before hiring them.

Ashley Evans can be reached at news@statehornet.com

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