The Board of Trustees met Wednesday and approved the $5 parking fee increase proposed by Chief of Police Richard Bukowiecki.
After 12 years without any changes made to the policy of parking fees, the Cerritos College student body expect to see the new change in fee, effective summer.
Parking permit fees will be $35 in the fall and spring semester, and $20 in summer session.
The idea of proposing the increase was made by Chief of Police Richard Bukowiecki last month. The lack of funds has the campus police working on a deficit due to the majority of the campus’ safety and maintenance budget coming from the parking fees.
The parking fee increase will benefit the students, as well. The funds will be used toward the restoration of parking facilities, the re-enforcement of campus security and the emergency alert system.
Campus security will improve and remain efficient, services like the escort service for the students attending during the evening will continue to run, as well as the Emergency Alert system, via text at AlertU. Students using AlertU will be alerted in case of any emergency, with a simple text.
“We need to improve our security and make campus safer, four cars were broken into last year, if campus security improves we wont have problems like this,” stated Suzette Vega, member of Student Senate.
Students that are eligible for the BOGG waiver will not be affected by this increase. The price will remain at $20 regardless of the new proposal, due to the educational code and state law.
Students around campus are expressing their reaction toward the fee increase.
“My only concern is that as the years pass by, they are going to continue raising the fee,” stated Jesus Rodriguez, architectural design major.
Gustavo Briones, computer programing major said, “We already had an increase in tuition, and now another change in fee. We are just students, our money is limited.”
Natalie Salazar, undecided major stated, “I feel safe during evening classes walking around campus. If the money is going toward our safety, then you cannot argue with the increase in fee.”
