Allan Harper
Published: August 23, 2005
Want to avoid the stresses of traffic congestion? Sgt. John Milam of the PJC police advises students to arrive early, park their cars in a central location and leave them there to avoid traffic deadlocks during class changes.
The lots seem to be most full on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and noon during the first three weeks of the fall and spring semesters, Milam said. After that, congestion is usually less of a problem on the Pensacola campus.
Parking fines are $10. If they are not paid within 30 days, they increase to $15. ÿParking in a space for the disabled carries a fine of $25 (and is exempt from the 30-day increase).
Failure to pay parking and other traffic fines can jeopardize a student’s financial aid and the ability to receive transcripts and diplomas.
There is an appeal process if a student disagrees with a citation, Milam said. ÿAn appeal form can be picked up and turned in to room 510, which is the office of Student Life. The appeal is subject to review by the student traffic court and the director of student life.
Currently on the Pensacola campus there are 2,467 student spaces, 662 faculty spaces, 85 handicapped spaces, and 18 spaces classified as other (visitor, motorcycle, loading zone, etc.).
“Only once in 22 years have I observed every single space filled,” Milam said. That was in the fall of 2004.
Complaints about places to park have been common for years during the first few weeks of school. When PJC President Tom Delaino oversaw planning and administration as a vice president a few years ago, he told The Corsair that more parking spaces appeared to be needed during the first week of class, but the congestion would clear by the third week. ÿHe suggested that students having trouble finding spots park behind the Student Center or in the parking lot by the Baroco Center.