September 11, 2013
To whom it may concern:
I was issued a parking ticket on
9/10/13 at 6:37 p.m. for parking in an Unauthorized Area (Faculty/Staff
Parking) and for having an unregistered vehicle - my parking pass expired on
August 30, 2013, of which I accept full responsibility for the expired pass, it
was an oversight on my part; however the ticket for parking in an unauthorized
area I would like to appeal.
When I arrived on campus on
Tuesday, September 10th at approximately 5:45 p.m., there were no
immediate student parking spots available in the COBA parking lot. Due to the fact that my class would be in
session until 8:50 p.m. that night, I was concerned with my own safety walking
around to far away from the building so I parked next to one of the street
lights on the Whiting Hall side of the parking lot in a faculty zoned area; of
which the whole section of faculty spots were vacant. Since I am unable to carry a personal
protection weapon on campus and police escorts around campus are not available
until after 9:00 p.m. (according to the news after the recent armed robbery
report two weeks ago), I chose the safest parking spot. Below are a few reasons why I am concerned
with my safety on campus.
Safety Concerns:
·
Latest armed robbery occurred on August 26, 2013 around 10:20 p.m. (see
attached statement issued by Loretta Heyward)
·
According to the “Your Right to Know” pamphlet
issued by Savannah State University Department of Public Safety, violent crimes
have increased since 2010; forcible
sex offences, robberies, and aggravated assaults have all doubled from 2010 to
2012. (See attached copy of pamphlet)
·
In 2011, “Business Insider” listed Savannah
State University as the second most
dangerous college in America (http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-colleges-in-america-2011-1?op=1).
·
American School Search rates Savannah State
University with a “D” on safety. (see attached)
Furthermore, according to the
Parking Policies, Regulations, and Citation Appeals (version June 2013) Section
H states “Parking restrictions as stated
in Section G will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday,
except when there are no classes.” Hence, the fact that I parked in the
faculty parking spot at 5:45 p.m. and was still in the spot at 6:37 p.m. is
irrelevant since I was under no violation other than the expired pass, of which
I will correct as soon as possible.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter,
Tanya Rich
