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Parking Fees Cut
September 21, 2008
For this year only, the administration will reduce the parking fees by 50 percent for faculty, staff and students to LE 1500 per year / LE 750 per semester. There will be one parking lot (Gate 2) reserved for faculty and staff. All other lots will be open to anyone with a valid parking permit. All vehicles will be required to display a valid parking permit in order to park on campus beginning Sunday, September 28. For those who have already purchased a parking permit, details on how to obtain a refund will be announced in the next few days.
Cost
How much will a long-term parking spot on the new campus cost?
It will have a LE 3000 annual fee.
How much will part-time faculty or staff members have to pay the parking permit?
Further information on access to parking and the associated fees, for part-time staff and faculty will be available within the next month.
Does the LE 3000 annual fee cover the whole 12 months?
Yes – the annual fee covers all 12 months.
Is there a monthly parking permit or only a yearly parking permit?
The parking permits will be issued only on an annual basis.
Is there a short-term, hourly parking rate?
Yes – there will be a ‘Visitors Only’ lot for short-term parking. Parking fees, as well as sign-up and facilities are being finalized and will be posted on AUC’s transportation web site as they become available. However in the meantime, any updates on transportation issues, including parking, will be regularly posted in the coming AUC On The Move newsletters.
For long-term parking, do I have to pay the annual parking fee all at once?
Faculty and staff will have the possibility of paying for their permit fees by monthly installments and by salary deduction. Students buying the parking permit will be required to pay the full sum.
Why do I have to pay to park my car on the new campus?
There will be 2,000 parking spaces available on the new campus which will result in costs: costs to maintain and operate the parking spaces in terms of employee costs, equipment and supplies. To the extent that the revenues from parking fees did not cover such expenses, they would have to be absorbed by the university's operating budget, roughly 65 percent of which is provided by tuition fees. Under that scenario, all students would be contributing to the cost of the parking lots even if they chose not to use them.
The university is also providing a very extensive bus system, a mode of transportation that is obviously more environmentally friendly (compare the carbon footprint of 50 people, individually driving their private cars to the campus with that produced by one 50-passenger bus). That bus system is very expensive to operate primarily because of the flexibility that our students need to accommodate their varied schedules; flexibility that requires more buses that cost more money to operate. The revenues from bus passes will not cover the costs of the bus system. Any revenues from parking fees that exceed the cost of maintaining the parking lots, will be directed to help offset the cost of the bus system -- an environmental subsidy.
As a graduating senior (Fall 08), would I still have to pay the annual parking fee?
Yes, but you will be able to get a 50 percent refund upon graduation and upon the return of your parking pass.
Is parking on campus during this summer going to be for free?
Yes – faculty and staff will be able to park on campus during the summer at no charge as their offices are relocated; a valid AUC ID card is required to access parking during the summer.
Summer
Can I park my car on the new campus this summer?
Yes – faculty and staff will be able to park on campus during the summer at no charge as their offices are relocated; a valid AUC ID card is required to access parking during the summer.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to use the new campus parking?
All students, faculty, and staff with a valid long-term parking permit will be able to use the general AUC parking spots. Visitors with a valid temporary permit will have access to the short-term guest spaces.
Sign-up
When and where can I sign up for a parking spot on the new campus?
AUC’s transportation web site will soon provide an online parking sign-up facility, in addition to all information relating to the new campus parking facilities. Further details will be announced in the coming AUC On The Move newsletters.
Location
Where are the parking lots located?
Parking lots will be available across different parts of the new campus. While they are located outside the pedestrian-only zone on the campus, they are also conveniently situated within walking distance of all pedestrian entrances to the inner campus and the main buildings. The ‘Visitors Only’ lot for short-term parking is conveniently located near the AUC Park & Square, Information Center, Bookstore and PVA Theater.
Is the new campus located within walking distance of a public parking space?
AUC is not aware at this stage of any off-campus parking facilities available near the new campus.
Availability
How many parking spots are there on the new campus?
There will be 2,000 general parking spaces and 150 short-term guest spaces, with the possibility for expansion. The demand for on-campus parking spots was gauged through the transportation surveys administered to students, faculty and staff over the past months.
Is it possible that even if I pay for a parking permit that I may not find a free parking spot when I arrive on campus?
It is unlikely, as the frequency and use of the parking spots on campus will vary according to time and day. However, in the event of such an occurrence, adjustments in the parking plan may be needed once the commuting patterns to the new campus are better established.
Are there any reserved parking lots for the handicapped?
There are currently no parking spaces allocated for handicapped parking.
Can one reserve a particular parking space if one buys a long-term permit?
That option will be available to faculty and staff.
Permit
What will the parking permit look like?
They will come either in the form of a sticker or hanging tag.
Policies
Can faculty and staff not have the option of either driving their private car or taking the AUC bus service on any given day?
Staff and faculty commuters will be able to either purchase a parking permit OR reserve a space on the shuttle bus. However, they will be able to change their chosen method of commuting during the first semester once they determine what best suits their needs.
If we choose to park on campus and have a driver, can the driver stay near the car or will he be obliged to wait off campus? Will he be permitted to go in and out of the campus at all times?
Drivers will be allowed to park on campus and leave and re-enter as required if a parking permit is purchased. Personal drivers will not be allowed access to the inner campus which is limited to those with an AUC ID card or those with a valid need to access the inner campus for business reasons, in which case they can obtain a Visitor’s Pass.
Will I be able to park my car on campus without a parking permit?
No - other than a single route to a drop-off/pickup point and the short-term guest parking lot, cars will not be allowed on campus without a valid parking permit.
Will there be reserved parking for faculty and staff?
Yes – there will be two parking lots with reserved parking allocated for faculty and staff. One lot will hold 85 spots and will be located beside the Moataz Al-Alfi Hall; the other, near the Bassily Auditorim, will provide 250 spots. Both parking areas are in the vicinity of the Campus Center.
Can I leave my car overnight in an AUC parking lot if I decide to ride the bus service?
No – no cars will be allowed to park overnight on campus, with the exception of on-campus student residents.
Security
If I stay late on campus, will it be dangerous for me to return to my car alone?
The university will provide 24-hour security in the parking lots and around campus.
Information
Where can I find out more about parking on the new campus?
Visit the AUC transportation web site. The parking web site is being finalized; it will include parking policies and guidelines, as well permit sign-up procedures, pricing, etc.
June 15, 2008
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