By Sanger C.
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – For a number of students, arriving to class on time could be costly. Costly for the students who disregard the Motor Vehicle Rules & Regulations. As simple as rules are to follow, Public Safety issues tickets to those who do not abide by them.
Faculty and staff spots are marked with yellow lines and in bold letters: ‘RESERVED.’ By Sanger C./CCC Journalism Program
At Camden County College, there are designated spots for students and sections reserved only for faculty. General parking may be found within white lined parking spaces. Faculty/staff parking lines are yellow yielding the word: “RESERVED.”
It is estimated that in each row, about six cars are still parked illegally.
Line 5 of the Department of Public Safety’s Motor Vehicle Rules & Regulations in bold, capitalized print states: “STUDENTS, GUESTS, AND VISITORS MUST PARK IN SPACES DESIGNATED WITH WHITE LINES. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO TICKETING AND TOWING.” Students who park illegally are issued a warning, and subsequent offenses grant a $25 fine and additional fees thereafter. The common excuse? There is no parking.
For new student Tina Fortunato, finding a spot, attending her class session, then coming back to a ticket on her car was alarming. After confronting the DPS, Fortunato said, “It was issued because I parked in a reserved spot. I told them I was new and unaware of the policies, so they voided my ticket and let me off.”
Other students, such as Traci Gering, were aware. Gering stated, “I parked at a reserved spot because I was late for class and I didn’t want to do loops around the parking lot.” This was a regular occurrence, as she also said, “They’ve issued me a warning once then the next time they caught me, I was fined $35.”
Gering suggested a solution: “I think there should be more spots available. It’s not fair that students have to scavenge for spots. It’s ridiculous.”
A lieutenant of Public Safety, who would consent to be referred to only as Mary, stated, “If a student cannot find parking, we encourage them to ask a Public Safety Officer, and they will happily help direct them to find parking.”
As of fall 2010, to remedy the construction of the campus perimeter roadway, the former CYO property off of Peter Cheeseman Road was transformed into a grass lot to accommodate 300 new student spaces, along with a pedestrian walkway. To many, the inconvenience of having to tread through the property presses too much time.
“Once you park your car, try not to move it, walk from class to class,” the lieutenant said. “I would hate to see students driving around in circles.”
Students are also encouraged by professors to arrive in a timely manner, to allow ample time prior to the beginning of the class session.