At the nation’s largest university by undergraduate population, nearly 50,000 students fight for 18,000 parking spaces on the UCF main campus.

In 2016, UCF Parking Services issued 43,000 citations in 2016, bringing the total revenue from the fines to $1.25 million – a 19 percent increase from 2015, according to an analysis done by the Orlando Sentinel.

UCF states that revenue from parking citations goes towards large sums on debt paid annually on parking garages constructed for students. The money also goes to salaries and expenses the university might encounter.

Knight News spoke to university officials earlier this year on policies held by UCF Parking Services.

Krishna Singh, director of Parking and Transportation Services, told Knight News that a one-time grace period will be offered to students during “the first week of each Fall semester to give students an adequate amount of time to get a parking pass,” as in the past.

Students who do receive a parking citation may appeal the ticket through a process conducted by a committee independent of Parking Services.

In the case of hang tags, if a student forgets to display their tag and receives a ticket and it can be proven that the student had a valid parking pass at the time of the ticket and merely forgot to display it, the ticket can be waived, according to UCF. If the infraction takes place again, the ticket can be waived but a $10 administration fee will be charged.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, February sees the greatest number of citations issued at 5,371. August sees a slower volume of citations as students return from Summer break and lax enforcement takes place as mentioned by Singh. On May 19, 2016, however, UCF Parking Services issued 455 tickets – the most for a single day during the year, generating $13,055 in fines, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Winter Springs High School and East River High School practiced commencement ceremonies on that day at CFE Arena. Summer classes began that week in addition to the ceremonies.

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As defined by UCF Parking Services:

Citations not paid or appealed within ten (10) business days from the date of issuance, will incur additional penalties. Late fees will be added, a hold may be placed on class registrations, and your vehicle may be immobilized or towed from campus at your expense. Release of immobilization will not be available after 9 pm Monday through Friday.

Once a citation has been placed on the vehicle, Parking and Transportation Services personnel assumes no further responsibility of notification before the late fee is added.

Parking Citation Appeals

If you believe you have received a parking citation that is unjust, appeals must be filed online. You may request a personal appeal or file a written appeal. If you request a personal appeal, you will be given a date, time and location once the appeal is completed. The decisions of the Citation Appeals Committee will be emailed to you. Should you be required to pay the appealed citation, you will be given a new due date by which to pay. Click here for more information on appealing citation