Save meter-money and park where you want today; Ball State University is not ticketing cars.
With a few exceptions, students, faculty and staff can park anywhere on campus during business hours while the school continues to clear snow from Tuesday's blizzard, Director of Public Safety Gene Burton said. This is the first time he remembers Ball State allowing open parking, he said.
With snow drifts several feet high still blocking many parking spaces, Ball State decided to officially not ticket cars. However, since Tuesday, Parking Services has only ticketed cars when someone complained, Burton said.
"I don't think it's necessary for them to have free parking," senior Julia Sabatine said. "I think it's a nice gesture but not necessary. I think they've done a really good job at getting every lot cleared."
Parking is open all around campus except for the parking lot east of the Administration Building. Loading zones, service vehicle spots and handicapped parking are also restricted, he said.
Open parking will help commuters, as many of the commuter lots still need to be cleared, Burton said. But commuters using restricted lots could cause problems for the people who normally park there, he said.
"It probably will," he said. "I'm sure those people who typically park in the restricted lots will probably not be happy about having to park with other people. Sometimes you have to do what's right for the most people."
Senior Ellen Reifeis said she is normally dropped off and picked up, and she was glad she wouldn't have to fight for a parking space.
"I just think it will be really crazy because everybody will be fighting for the same thing," she said.
While parking will be open on Friday during business hours, weekend parking policies will go into effect at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending on the lots. Meters that are 24 hours will be free until 7 a.m. Saturday, at which time Ball State will ticket those spaces, Burton said.
Vehicles in parking garages will not be towed overnight, police officials said. Burton said so far everyone has been very understanding of the parking situation and there have been few complaints and problems.
"There's some extraordinary circumstances going on right now," he said. "It takes some extra patience and cooperation from everyone involved."
The parking attendants who typically write tickets will be helping with the Motorist Assist Program, Burton said. While normally only one truck is outfitted to help motorists, two have been working constantly every day. The MAP jumps cars, provides materials and tools to help dig cars out of snow and takes people out of gas to get more, according to the Web site.
Deborah Barnett contributed to this article.
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