EL PASO — Parking lots at the University of Texas at El Paso are abundant and generally close to the classrooms providing good access to facilities, but there is one problem at this commuter campus of 20,000 students —parking is expensive.

Student receiving a ticket in a red zone for failing to display a permit. (Héctor Santana/Nineteen Underground)

UTEP permits for the 2009-10 academic year went up from $80 to $85 and students who do not buy the permits have their reasons.  “UTEP doesn’t provide theft insurance,” said Cristina, a senior who asked that her last name not be used. “The closer to campus they are, the more expensive the permits get,” she said. Many students are worried that their car could be stolen.  In 2007, 17 cars were stolen from UTEP lots.

Students also take the bus to school or park off-campus and walk to class to save money. “I spent $270 last semester on permits,” another student said. Royzell Smith, an outside linebacker for the UTEP Miners football team. He said the $5 increment for permits is not a big difference. “I agree of course. It is better to help UTEP. I wish they would stay a little lower though,” he said.

Buying a permit is a definite advantage for students. Giving them the opportunity to get to class on time instead of walking  or running to class in the burning southwest sun. But the cost keeps rising. “They are not helping  us out,” said a senior student concerned about the yearly $5 increments. In 2004 the permit for the most remote lot was $10 and the perimeter lot was $40. By 2009 the remote permit price reached $85 and the perimeter price had climbed to $135. Compared to other universities of similar size, however, the permit  prices at UTEP are not that expensive. The least expensive permit at UT Austin costs $110 and goes up to $743.

The students who choose not to buy the permit at UTEP create another problem in the UTEP area. They park in nearby neighborhoods and in front of establishments creating problems for residents who can’t exit their driveways because a student’s car is parked outside their home.

UTEP permits are defined by zones. Premium and Deck permit holders park in the covered parking garage on Sun Bowl Drive. Premium is for the covered section of the garage and Deck is for the uncovered portion of the garage. The UTEP Parking and Transportation Services Department issued the following price schedule for the 2009-10 academic year:

• Garage Covered, $272.00 (includes $12 deposit)
• Garage Deck, $222.00 (includes $12 deposit)
• Silver, Lots S-1 through S-5, $185.00
• Perimeter, Lots P-1 through P-14, $135.00
• Remote, Lots R-2 through R-9, $85
• Perimeter and Remote motorcycle lots, $80.

A sign outside the Geological Sciences building warns individuals without proper permits that their vehicles can be towed if they park in the reserved area. Signs like these can be seen throughout campus. (Héctor Santana/Nineteen Underground)

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