A lengthy conversation is translating to action for Emporia State as the university has moved to end parking fees across campus.
Chief Operating Officer Cory Falldine says some variation of the parking fee discussion has been underway at least since he came to campus 20 years ago. With the university beginning a pilot program Aug. 1, Falldine says the goal is to counter the increasingly high costs of education.
The pilot program goes through the 2024-25 academic year, but Falldine says free parking will remain on campus afterward.
There are still several logistical items that are being fleshed out at this time before the pilot officially rolls out. Falldine says there are conversations underway about exactly how free parking will look. Part of that discussion includes whether there will be dedicated spaces with no payment needed or whether there will be a general free parking approach. There will be evaluations at fall break and spring break to determine what works, what doesn’t work and unintended consequences of moving towards free parking.
Falldine also says ESU will be reallocating some funds to make up for the lost revenue, but that revenue was largely reinvested in parking lot improvements and was woefully short of what the university needed to avoid deferring maintenance projects.
At least for this summer, this move does not change Emporia State’s policy of mostly-free campus parking for the summer months. Violations involving gold parking spaces, handicapped-accessible spaces, areas requiring official placards and fire lanes will be ticketed.
5:15 am Wednesday:
Parking will be free on the Emporia State University campus beginning this fall.
ESU is launching a pilot program to have no parking fees for anybody on campus — students, faculty, staff or visitors. Chief Operating Officer Cory Falldine says this is a way for ESU to counter the increasingly high costs of education.
Falldine also says the pilot program will last through the 2024-25 academic year, but free parking will remain in place afterward. Some logistical matters are still being developed and will be part of the official rollout Aug. 1.
Meters across campus have been removed this week ahead of the announcement Tuesday.
