The plan, which was announced Wednesday, could raise $566,650 by cutting the price UNC pays for Chapel Hill Transit services, eliminating the EU bus route and making internal cuts in the DPS departmental budget. DPS needed to raise $2 million to balance its 2002-03 budget, which will come from the new cuts as well as an increase the price of day parking permits and gating some lots.
The new proposal was created after the UNC Board of Trustees rejected a budget plan with a night parking permit system and extended hours in visitor parking lots. But the process leading up to the proposal heard by the BOT was an arduous one. The Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee had several contentious meetings and leadership changes over many months, and students actively protested the night parking plan because of safety concerns.
Student Body President Jen Daum said the current proposal reflects collaboration between students and administrators. "I think (the proposal is) an example of students and administrators working together and making lemonade out of lemons," she said.
Former Student Body Vice President Rudy Kleysteuber, a critic of night parking and TPAC in the past, said he is pleased that the new plan calls for cutting expenses rather than raising money by charging for new programs. "We encouraged (UNC) to take cutting measures a semester ago," he said. "I'm just glad someone helped them to see that."
Tommy Griffin, chairman of the Employee Forum, also said cutting expenses rather than raising revenue should have been considered from the start. "We should have looked at being cost-efficient."
University Police Chief Derek Poarch said Wednesday that Chapel Hill Transit was able to reduce the amount it charged UNC by $369,582 because the town was able to make cost-saving reductions. Student leaders and administrators applauded the efforts.
BOT member Richard Stevens said the new proposal will be a good compromise between administrators and students, staff and faculty because it excludes any elements of a night parking permit system and still finds a way to fill the $566,650 deficit.
The BOT Audit, Business and Finance Committee will hear the proposal by teleconference April 25, and following the committee's decision, the full board will vote by mail April 26.
Stevens said the plan sounds like a good solution that will fill the needs of students, faculty and staff. "It sounds like the revisions to the plan are positive, and I hope it can be accepted by the board."
