Price for parking spot goes up by Jason Williams The Ranger Reporter

Students should think twice before parking on the hash marks in Amarillo College parking lots beginning Nov. 1, because the ticket price will be $10 instead of the previous $4.

Tickets issued in the parking lots will be given at a flat rate of $10.

"There are two reasons," said J.R. Couser, dean of student services. "A survey showed our tickets as ridiculously low. Harris County Community College parking tickets were $75, and the ticket average around the state is $25. Also, students aren't even bothering to follow the parking lot rules.

"I've had students tell me that they budget money each week for parking tickets."

AC police officers were busy in September passing out more than 1,000 tickets.

"We don't intend to hit the pockets of the students, but we have to have some kind of order on campus, said Mike Duval, AC police chief. "We think $10 may make students think twice before parking illegally."

Some students said the increase will deter parkers from parking illegally. "I think a ticket increase will stop a large part of the problem," said C.J. Morgan, a mass communications major. "Most people don't want to spend their money paying traffic tickets."

"I had my grades held last semester for not paying traffic tickets, and they doubled," said Keith Hernandez, an international business and finance major.

"But I think I would pay them now before doubling, because $20 is a significant amount."

As winter creeps up, some students would rather pay than walk.

"I would still park illegally when it's cold," said Rikki Nolte, a nursing major. "That's why I parked illegal today. I'd have to pay $10 if I get the flu from walking in the cold, so I think it still evens out."

There might be some reason for students to celebrate over the increase, because some of the money from the increase could end up in the general scholarship fund.

"Now, the ticket money goes into the general college fund that carries over to the next year," Couser said. "We are investigating if it is proper for us to channel some of the money into the general scholarship fund and apply it to benefit the students."