By Katie Miller – New towing signs in front of Lewis Hall have caught the attention of Morningside University students, raising concerns over parking availability and enforcement. The signs reinforce existing parking regulations, designating certain spots exclusively for guests.
Director of Safety and Security Brett Lyon clarifies towing signs in front of Lewis Hall are to enhance current regulations. “Students can park there after 4 p.m. in reserved spots for guests,” Lyon explains. “The stall for the President is reserved 24/7.”
To enforce parking regulations, the university has outside services, such as Meier or Stockton Towing, depending on availability. Security is able to determine ownership by checking for campus parking stickers, and vehicle contents, and with the help of Admissions to identify vehicle owners.
“Those with stickers on their vehicles we know are students, faculty, and staff,” Lyon says. “Others we can usually tell by items in their vehicles and working with Admissions. We also have others who will notify us when people are parking there illegally.”
Although the new signs have caused some confusion, Lyon emphasized that this is not a new policy but rather a way to reinforce existing parking regulations. “This falls under the parking regulations, not the student handbook. We have the right to post signs as we did to help enforce the parking regulations on campus,” he states.
While no email has been sent specifically about the new signs and there is no intent to at the moment, Lyon did note that parking reminders are sent out monthly. The February email will address the towing enforcement.
“That area had been restricted/reserved for guests before the signs were posted,” he adds. “Unfortunately, students, staff, and faculty have not adhered to that, and the signs were the next step in ensuring we have spaces for the guests.”
Students are encouraged to review parking regulations and be mindful of their parking choices.
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