Metered Coulter Lot. Photo by Yustin Riopko.
WCU’s switch to the new license plate recognition software caused an uproar when drivers were told not to back into parking spaces. Although the software is part of a plan for quicker, more efficient parking enforcement, some drivers are not pleased with the infringement on their personal driving habits.
“I paid money to park in a space on campus, so I feel like I should be allotted the convenience to park whichever way I would like,” WCU Senior, Taylor Brackens, said.
Parking and Transportation Director, Fredrick Bauknecht, added that he and the department have heard the complaints and devised a solution.
Starting this past January, drivers can purchase a Catamountount plate for the front of their vehicle. The tag will not be an official state plate but will rather display an lpr software approved code that will be attached to your account. The plate will feature a catamount and should cost anywhere between $10-$15, which covers the cost of the print shop.
As of right now, parking enforcement officers usually grant first offenders a warning, after that the vehicle will be ticketed
“Our enforcement application keeps track of warnings, tickets and wheel locks for each vehicle cited,” Baucknect said.
Bauknecht added that physical parking permits that some cars have will be obsolete next school year.
Parking permits are only available to purchase by the year and this is mainly due to their physical form. Bauknecht says that with the new system they will be “looking into” semester rates rather than yearly, though, he makes no promises.
Until that day, fall graduates are stuck purchasing yearlong parking passes. However, graduates, and non-returning students, can return the parking permit and will be refunded the spring semester. A parking permit can be returned by the purchaser at any time and will be refunded by semester.
