If Fines Increase, MSU Should Make Other Changes

Michigan State University officials are publicly (and privately) supporting a bill which would extend the school’s control over “parking, traffic and pedestrian ordinances and fines.” In short, it would allow the university to dictate the fines for parking and traffic tickets. Obviously, the school doesn’t want to seem as though it’s looking for additional revenue from already cash-strapped students (which, of course it is), so, officials are publicly claiming to support the bill in order to motivate students to follow parking rules. In 2009, MSU issued 122,000 parking tickets, bringing in more than $2.5 million. If each ticket is increased by $10, that would mean an additional $1 million in revenue. The article goes on to suggest that if the school really isn’t motivated by money, as it claims, then it should take steps to help those who park on campus. Simple improvements such as more visible and understandable signage, lower parking rates for students, and less expensive parking meters should also accompany this bill.