Sometime after spring break, the University of Kansas’ parking commission will decide how much more it will cost to park a car at the University next fall.

Last Friday the parking commission met again to discuss the future of parking at the University, including both long-term planning and short-term goals, such as establishing rates. It was the commission’s second meeting regarding permit price increases.

Revenue generated from a possible parking-rate increase would help finance maintenance of existing lots and construction of a new Park and Ride lot.

A new 1,500-space Park and Ride lot would cost close to $7 million, Tom Mulinazzi, head of the parking commission, said during the meeting March 4. The lot would take about a year or two to build, he said.

A Park and Ride lot would take a lot of pressure off of the main campus and would help keep permit oversell down, Donna Hultine, director of the Parking Department, said.

The commission’s first priority is setting parking rates for next fall and was the main topic of discussion during Friday’s meeting.

Members of the commission suggested solutions such as raising parking rates a certain percentage for all permits or only raising rates on certain permits.

Tom Mulinazzi, head of the parking commission, said he would like to see a wider range in the parking rate structure.

“It should be more money if you park closer, and less if you park far away,” Mulinazzi said.

Jeff Dunlap, student body vice president, expressed concern about raising the rates too much. If the price of a permit is too high, people won’t buy them anymore, Dunlap said.

Chief Ralph Oliver, KU Public Safety Office, said during the meeting that parking at the University is substantially less compared to other schools.

“Parking here is dirt cheap,” he said. “And people are used to it being dirt cheap.”

Before the parking commission makes a decision about next fall’s parking rates, the commission will hold an open forum at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union.

During the forum the commission will present information regarding next fall’s parking rates, as well as any other questions or concerns that people have.

Hultine said the parking commission would like input from people who use campus parking.

“I really hope people will come and hear all the options and all the ways we can go,” Hultine said.

The forum is also an opportunity for students to come and give their perspective on parking at the University, Dunlap said.

big 12 parking comparison

A listing of yearly parking permit prices for this school year at all Big 12 schools.

Permit Type

School Reserved Faculty/Staff Student

Baylor n/a $175 $175

Colorado $474 $396 $315

Iowa State $370 $104 $87

Kansas State $685 $100 $75

Kansas $180 $135 $85

Missouri $300 $180 $164

Nebraska $912 $420 $349

Oklahoma State n/a $54 $44

Oklahoma $820 $205 $162

Texas $420 $120 $100

Texas A&M; $309 $155 $155

Texas Tech $401 $139 $139

Source: Chance Management Adviso