COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS : Students Divided on Parking Fee

Students at College of the Canyons are divided over a proposed $20 mandatory parking fee which will be considered Wednesday by the district’s Board of Trustees.

The fee, which would be used for maintenance, lighting and an additional security officer, would be collected beginning with the fall semester.

Student government leaders say the fee is necessary to meet the college’s needs. But other students say the fee, if charged, should be lowered.

Student Carl Seel organized a forum to inform students about the proposal. Seel, members of the student government and the college’s vice president spoke at the event.

“It’s important that students know about this,” Seel said. “Whether they favor the fee or not, I want them to realize that they have an impact.”

In addition, about 15 students met with Seel to voice their concerns. Student Janice Massadeh helped draw up a petition to present to trustees.

“I think the state should pay” for the college’s needs, Massadeh said. “But if it can’t, then I think the fee should be lower than $20.”

But Lisa Jaubert, student government president, said the fee is long overdue. “This has been an issue for a long time,” Jaubert said. “I know I would feel a lot safer walking out to my car at night with the additional lighting and security officer.”

Gary Olmstead, college business manager, said 79% of the community college districts in the state already have parking fees. Olmstead also is chairman of the campus parking committee.