Dinky Break

UC San Diego chancellor Marye Anne Fox announced on July 15 a temporary reduction in parking fees for faculty, staff, and students. Starting August 1, 2009, annual parking fees will be reduced by 5 percent. The reduction will be effective through June 30, 2010. Meter, monthly, and visitor parking fees are expected to remain the same.

“Although operational costs continue to rise and implementing a temporary fee reduction will have long-term financial impacts, Transportation Services recognizes the need to assist its valued campus community,” said Fox in a campus-wide notice.

The UCSD community has about 28,000 students and faculty members with approximately 27,000 staff members. The school is San Diego County’s third-largest employer. The University of California is facing a 20 percent decrease in state funding.

Some students and staffers believe that the reduction in parking fees is a small consolation because they are facing higher student fees and further furloughs/pay cuts in the upcoming school year.

“Maybe they can keep the fees the same and use the money they’re planning on losing from the [parking fee] reduction to subsidize our higher tuition costs instead,” suggested a UCSD student.