TPAC Gives Moeser's DPS Budget Guidelines Mixed Vote

The resolutions came from a list of five elements of an "acceptable" proposal that Chancellor James Moeser and his Cabinet gave to TPAC Chairman Bob Knight at the Cabinet's Tuesday meeting.

But many TPAC members said they are upset by the way they thought Moeser imposed the guidelines upon the committee. The guidelines aim to raise revenue and partially alleviate the projected $2 million shortfall for the 2002-03 DPS budget.

"I think it is absolutely appalling for the administration to step in like this," said Joanne Kucharski, a TPAC representative from the Employee Forum.

David Cooper, president of the Residence Hall Association, said TPAC rejected similar guidelines earlier in the year and that he is displeased the committee is forced to accept them now.

Members voted to approve a recommendation for some form of paid night parking permit system. The debated resolution passed 13-7, with one abstention.

Emily Williamson, a TPAC representative from the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, said she is concerned about how the night parking recommendation will be presented to Moeser, who must approve the recommendations. Williamson, who has been a vocal opponent of any form of night parking regulation, said she does not think 13-7 was a consensus and that she hopes Knight will convey the deep division in the committee to Moeser.

TPAC members voted 20-0, with one abstention, to reject the administration's statement that the University will not contribute money to the DPS budget next year. TPAC members asked for a contribution of $500,000 to $1 million.

Knight said officials told him Tuesday that the University was not able to contribute to the TPAC budget because it is also facing a budget crisis.

Jimmy Workman, a TPAC representative from the Employee Forum, said the shortages in the DPS budget were caused by the decision to make some services, like busing, free of charge. He said it is not fair for the University to enact a program like fare-free busing without increasing funding.

The only money that UNC contributes to the service is revenue generated by a $8.49 increase in student fees.

Members also voted 17-4 to increase the price of daytime parking permits and create a tiered pricing system that would charge different rates for parking permits based on employee salary.

By a margin of 19-1, with one abstention, members voted to increase the departmental transit tax. The tax is charged to each department of the University based on the number of employees in the department.

TPAC members rejected the administration's request to set a date for phasing out on-campus parking for students living in residence halls by a vote of 17-4. Many members of the committee said they do not feel there is a need to eliminate parking for on-campus students.

Knight said he will present the committee's recommendations to the chancellor and his Cabinet on Tuesday and said he hopes Moeser will take these ideas into account before approving a final budget.

The budget will be presented to the UNC Board of Trustees on March 28.

Derek Poarch, director of public safety, said there will be other changes to student parking next year. In the fall, parking permits, which are currently valid for 12 months, will be based on the academic year. Students who want to park on campus during the summer can purchase summer permits separately. The permits will be prorated so students will only pay for the part of the year they need to park on campus, Poarch said.

Poarch also announced that parking lots with a large number of parking violations will be gated next year.

The Morehead Planetarium; Porthole; 440 North and South; Cobb, Connor and Paul Green Theatre; Bennett and DPS lots will be gated.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.