[mdphd] Quick parking update

[Andrea Rhea]

Good afternoon,

I just met with chief of police, Officer Waltz, and the officer who oversees South Campus, Officer Nappo. Two COM student representatives also attended regarding the alleged parking policy changes.

What I learned:

The parking office and police department are not always on the same page.
Pre-covid, there weren’t enough spots in B-lots because the parking office issued too many. They decided to assign spots to prevent over-issuing.
During covid, spots were open to anyone coming in for research.
Post-covid, some B-lot permit holders remain on a hybrid/flex schedule. Their hours aren’t necessarily M-F/9-5. Sometimes their spots were taken by non B-lot permit holders. There are other issues dealing with VA. SU games and such..
The police department decided to aggressively ticket cars without permits last week. This was not supposed to include any cars indicating lot-pass holders and/or U-pass holders. The misinformed officers thought they were supposed to ticket any car without B-lot permit permissions after hours.

Bottom line:

Policy hasn’t changed. Police department needed to take some aggressive action due to said issues. Some of the ticketing public safety officers were misinformed on how to proceed. Ticketing is going to be heavier for violators.

What I will do:

I’ve requested that all students who were ticketed last week should have them appealed without conflict. Chief Waltz said he is already working on that. If you wrongfully received a ticket last week and this isn’t the case, let me know ASAP.

I am going to draft a memo outlining regular parking policy. I just want to reiterate policy and to create a simple reference. I will include contact information and resources for how to proceed in outstanding situations (i.e. if you are driving a rental car onto campus, how to request a U-pass, etc). I will write this tonight and then I’ve requested a review by Officer Nappo. If all the information is deemed accurate, COM student reps and COGS will send out to the corresponding student bodies.

Chief Waltz is willing to meet at any time if any other concerns regarding his department. He isn’t overly accessible, but he will make the time if you request it. He’ll probably give you a cool pin, too!

Let me know if you have any concerns. Otherwise, if you are a lot-pass holder (including Geneva Towers, Jefferson) and/or a U-pass holder, policy hasn’t changed. Park in B-lots as needed after 4pm (move car by 7am).

If after all of this, you are still wrongfully ticketed, just put your ticket in an envelop and I’ll get it in front of the Chief Waltz.

Best,
Andrea Rhea (she, her, hers)

Coordinator of Combined Programs and Special Initiatives
MD/PhD Program Coordinator
Postdoctoral Affairs Coordinator
PREP-Up and SURF Coordinator
College of Graduate Studies
Weiskotten Hall 3118
rheaa at upstate.edu<mailto:rheaa at upstate.edu>

In-office Monday - Thursday (PM), Telecommuting Thursday (AM) and Friday

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