New Parking Technique In Center Of SDSU Campus

For Students, finding a parking spot on the South Dakota State University campus is expensive, and can be a challenge, and now some drivers will have to pay even more for their spot.  

The gates are currently open for drivers parking in the Student Union’s east side parking lot, but starting Monday, students like Hillary Haddorff will have to pay to park here.

“We’re already paying $120 to $150 already, why do we have to pay two dollars more, plus whatever for however long I’m going to spend in the parking lot,” Haddorff said.

“In the past it’s been an all class lot, probably six months ago discussion was started on converting it to a revenue control lot, or a pay by hour lot,” Director of auxiliary business operations, Derek Peterson said.

When drivers enter the lot, they’ll just have to simply insert their credit card, or student ID card to use hobo dough, they’ll then be given a ticket to put on the dash of their vehicle, and when they leave the lot, they’ll have to swipe their card again, because they’ll be charged for every hour they’re parked in the lot.

Students and visitors alike, will have to pay two dollars for the first hour they park in the lot, and a dollar for every additional hour. Peterson says with the new eating places being established in the union, the university is trying to bring in more visitors and revenue to the campus.

But, Students like Haddorff don’t like the idea, because as a student, she’s already paid to park on campus.

“Parking on campus is really hard to get already, and enforcing a two dollar fee for this lot just seems rediculous to me," Haddorff said.

So for any student or visitor wanting to get close access to the student union next week, they’ll have to pull out the plastic.

Watch the following video and listen to Derek Peterson describe the particular components to the lot, so that when you use it, it will be convenient for you.

Listen to Derek Peterson explain how the discussion got started to make the lot a pay by the hour lot, and how it became possible to bring this kind of lot to the South Dakota State University campus.