Parking may sometimes be limited, but the rules and regulations on campus still apply. Tickets given by the campus police officers are not biased to anyone. Each student, faculty/staff member and visitor is responsible for receiving a parking decal or pass when parking on campus grounds.
Overseeing parking police officer Kevin Knudsen says the biggest parking problems occur during the fall semester. “People failing to get decals can cause problems when workers lessen after starting the semester. Long lines and a crowded lobby may form when everyone rushes in after the semester starts,” said Knudsen.
"No Parking Anytime" sign stands in Residence Hall Student Parking across from Louisiana Hall. Photo By Ivana Ellis
Parking in a faculty/ staff zone can lead to a $50 fine, and use of someone else’s decal can lead to a $100 fine. Following the campus rules, with the help of a campus map, can save money for parkers on campus.
Vania McKendall, a residential life zone parker, says, “I read the campus map to know the rules. I received it when I purchased my parking decal. I found out about the speed limits, where I can and can’t park, how, and the things I could not do when driving on campus, like playing my music loud.”
McKendall expressed a personal concern about parking zones on campus. “Something I don’t understand is why there isn’t closer residential overflow parking for those in shared dorms. At night, if someone has to park in the overflow parking across the street from St. Tammany Hall, its dark,” expressed McKendall firmly, “and someone may have a lot of stuff to carry.”
Speeding around campus tends to be a problem as well. Speed limits vary based on the area of campus. Campus streets and West Dakota Street have speed limits of 15mph. North Oak Street and North General Pershing Street has 25mph speed limits, and University Avenue has 45mph. Campus police officers are on guard for those passing these limits.
Police officer Kevin Knudsen discusses rules about parking on the Southeastern campus. Photo By Ivana Ellis
Knudsen’s big tip to parkers on campus is to read the pink flyer received with many vehicle registrations. The flyer has speed limits, a how-to on applying the campus parking decal, reminders, a list of commonly written citations and some additional information. If a decal is incorrectly placed, it can be changed for $2, but try not to receive a ticket first.
Remember, it is a must to have your driver’s license and your motor vehicle registration in order to pick-up your parking decal.
The University Police Department’s parking division is open Monday – Friday, 7:30-5:00 p.m. and is located in Pride Hall at 1301 SGA Drive. It can be contacted at 985-549-5695. Parking and traffic regulations may be found at http://www.selu.edu/admin/police/parking/index.html.
Breathe In Letters, Exhale Words 