How much more money do we have to pay until our pockets are dry?
By: Jada Taggart
The bright orange slip was already flapping under my windshield wiper as I walked over to my car. My backpack felt heavy on my shoulders and my hands were still cramping. I owed the school even more money, not for tuition, not for books, but for simply parking in the lot outside of campus.
Parking at CSI should be free for students who attend. We already pay thousands of dollars for our tuition. Let’s not forget the fee for books, textbooks, and class material. Now we have to pay just to attend class. It’s feels like a punishment.
Charging for parking adds financial pressure to students who are already balancing work and school. How many shifts do college students have to pick up before we are too burnt out to even appear on campus?
Burn out can harm students mentally and physically and negatively impact the university in the long run. CSI can improve students’ lives by giving them less to pay for.
I know the parking pass is about $80, and some might say it’s nothing. But to the students who have to support their families and pay for rent, car insurance, and gas, saving $80 would provide them with more stability.
What’s the need for the parking pass? It’s the hunger for money. It’s about running our pockets dry. You want to come to CSI? Give us every penny you make! Adding another required expense feels excessive to me.
Students shouldn’t have to worry about parking tickets just to attend the classes they’re already paying for. If showing up is part of success, then parking shouldn’t come at an additional cost.
