SEMO students can go online for preferred parking spots

Southeast Missouri State University students will be able to apply online for preferred parking permits for the first time this summer.

Students may apply starting at 8 a.m. on July 8 for parking permits for the 2002-2003 school year.

Beth Glaus, manager of parking and transit at Southeast, said online registration will allow all students the same opportunity to register for permits.

In the past, mailed parking applications often reached out-of-town students a day or two later than students who live in the Cape Girardeau area, Glaus said.

The new system replaces Web-based registration on Southeast's Department of Public Safety Web site. That system allowed students to apply for perimeter and evening parking permits, but not the coveted preferred permits for parking spaces close to residence halls and other campus buildings, school officials said.

Under the new system, students may apply for any of the permits and pay online as well.

With the new computerized system, applications that include payments will be dated and time marked chronologically to determine parking priority, Glaus said.

In addition to online registration, students can fill out a written application form. Those who file online should click on the "parking permit registration" option on the Southeast Online Services section of the university's Web site. The address is www.semo.edu/webapps/.

Students should apply using only one method, school officials said.

First-come basis

As in past years, paper applications will be mailed to students on July 5. Completed paper applications with payments will be accepted by mail or in person at the bursar's office in Academic Hall beginning on July 8.

Students can select their first, second and third parking choices on the new online system just as they do in the paper application process, Glaus said.

Preferred parking permits are sold on a first-come, first serve basis. First-year resident-hall students aren't eligible for such parking, which is the closest parking to campus buildings. The university also has perimeter and evening parking permits.

Students will pay more to park in the coming school year that begins in August. Preferred parking permits will cost $135, up from $80 this year.

But that could change. School officials said they are exploring the possibility of charging a reduced price for preferred parking for residence-hall students during the coming school year because of parking disruptions expected while two parking garages are being constructed.

The permit fees for the other two parking categories are set. Perimeter decals will cost $85, up from $45 this school year. Evening decals will cost $45, up from $25.