Students with questions and complaints about campus parking will have a chance to address Parking and Transportation Services today at an open forum presented by ASUA.
Patrick Kass, director of Parking and Transportation Services, said he will speak for 30-40 minutes about what Parking and Transportation Services does before turning the forum over to students, who he said have complained about the proximity, price and availability of campus parking.
"We listen to everybody's concerns," Kass said. "But we can't always do everything."
Kass said yesterday there will be fewer Zone 1 parking spaces next semester, but said he was unable to specify or estimate how many. He also said there will be no increase in permit fees next semester.
Darin Yee, university relations director of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, said ASUA decided to present the forum because the office had received several complaints about the department.
Complaints this semester about parking problems ranged from poor lighting in garages to why so many parking citations are being issued, Yee said.
"There seems to be a lot of issues with some of the decisions made and procedures," Yee said. "Students should go and voice their concerns."
Students do not take part in any parking and transportation policy-making, said Yee. But issues brought up and suggestions made to parking and transportation have been taken seriously in the past.
Kass said that student recommendations have been used to improve shuttle and bicycle routes, and to make fine placement and wording more effective.
Parking and Transportation Services, an auxiliary that isn't funded by the state or university, provides 11,000 parking spaces for the 50,000 people that come to campus every day, said Kass.
The forum will take place in the Kiva room of the Student Union Memorial Center from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.