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Kent State University’s Parking Services makes an estimated $4.5 million dollars a year on meters, passes and tickets – mostly funded by students.

And most people can agree that getting a ticket is a sure-fire way to ruin anyone’s day.

For Kent State University senior communications major Marissa Mercurio, Parking Services has been nothing but a headache, especially during the winter months.

“There was a time where my car was actually plowed into a ‘C’ parking lot, and I did not have a pass at the time. And every day that it was stuck there, they gave me a ticket even though I couldn’t get it out,” says Mercurio.

Mercurio claims to have paid around $400 in tickets and $600 in passes over the past four years.

She admits she has been in the wrong some of the time, but believes that fighting with Parking Services is a battle that no student can win.

“They always try to give you a hard time when you’re trying to explain to them, I have a pass, look it up. I was parked fine,” says Mercurio.

But Parking Services recommends that if you want to prevent yourself from getting a ticket, you should always have your pass clearly displayed on your front windshield. Also, carrying a little bit of pocket change is a good idea for meter parking.

Larry Emling is the manager of KSU’s parking services and says parking services oversells the passes, but it’s for good reason.

“The answer is, not everyone is here at the same time. You can go out there at any given day and find space in most lots.

In addition, Emling assures that the money is being put to good use.

“The Kent campus is auxiliary operation. We have to be self-supporting, which means we have to cover our own expenses, and we have to fund any projects that are parking related,” says Emling.

Emling admits that avoiding a ticket is all about a choice.

“In most cases, you have made a choice,” says Emling.

Emling also recommends that students take time to plan out their schedules if they want sufficient parking spaces. He says that 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. are peak traffic hours, and it’s important to plan accordingly.

Contact Mike Holden at [email protected].