The newly-elected Student Government Association (SGA) President Justice Horn promised free parking for students during his campaign, but Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said the proposal isn’t realistic–or even on the table.
Asked about the likelihood of Horn’s plan during an interview on Thursday with Roo News, Agrawal said the chances of it happening are “zero.” Horn, a social justice advocate and the previous SGA comptroller, ran on five policies. His top priority is improving the state of parking on campus.
“We’ll fight for lower parking pass costs, a free system and expanded shuttle services to make getting to campus easier for all,” which was posted on his campaign’s Instagram. “We can create a sustainable funding mechanism for parking and transportation. This would ensure parking is both free and accessible.”
Frustrations with parking aren’t anything new. For years, students have complained about the lack of parking spaces and the cost of permits. Previous SGA presidents have attempted to make a change with parking, but have had little success due to complications with city officials.
Agrawal said there isn’t any chance of free parking anytime soon.
“That just cannot happen without really affecting the academic and the research missions of the university,” said Agrawal. “Justice did not talk to me about this, so I don’t know how he can promise this.”
Funding for parking lots comes from the money people spend on parking permits, according to Agrawal. Without that system, the university would have to find different ways to cover the cost like taking away certain Student Success Services.
“You build them [parking lots] based on loans, and then you pay back the loan based on what you collect on permits,” said Agrawal. “Otherwise, you have to dip into the tuition money and take over services from the students that all students pay for.”
Horn said that Agrawal’s approach on parking highlights a disconnect between students and administration. Parking, according to Horn, was the No. 1 concern he heard from students during his campaign.
“In a year when UMKC’s administration raised tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students and dismantled the diversity office, it’s clear the chancellor is out of touch with the realities students face,” said Horn. “UMKC’s refusal to provide free parking reinforces its identity as a commuter campus with barriers that keep students away.”
UMKC parking permit rates for one semester sit at $135 for the Volker Campus. For students who live on the Hospital Hill campus, they can anticipate paying $171 for one semester and $257 if they want to be able to park there during the summer.
Rockhurst University, only a minute drive from UMKC, offers parking permits, starting at $125 a semester, $10 less than UMKC. In the greater Kansas City area, Johnson County Community College (JCCC), Metropolitan Community College (MCC), Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) and Avila University offer free parking to students.
Horn said he remained committed to fighting for affordable parking because it is vital to student success, even if UMKC’s leadership ignores it.
“While administration pours money into flashy projects no one asked for, students are burdened with rising costs and unsafe conditions,” said Horn.
