THIS PETITION REPRESENTS THE SOLIDARITY OF STUDENTS, FACULTY/STAFF, RESIDENTS, HOSPITAL WORKERS, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY IN THE CONTINUED FIGHT TO RESTORE UNIVERSITY-WIDE 'FREE-AND-ACCESSIBLE' PARKING.

Beginning in the Fall of 2022, Stony Brook University unveiled a new parking model centered around "Commuter Parking Premium" that charged commuter students $112/semester and $224/year to park in the same lots that have been free-and-accessible to the student population since the founding of the university in 1957. However, The University has historically used the Hospital Parking Model to extract millions from their hospital employees, visitors, and students through their rates. 

As of February 2023, in response to continued backlash from the student population and local Brookhaven community about parking inaccessibility and fines, Stony Brook University administration decided to reconvene and establish a proposed Fall 2023 Parking Model that would essentially pay off the university's $11 million deficit, once again using the wallets of students, faculty, staff, residents, and local community members. 

The rates of this new parking model ranged anywhere from $100-$600 per year, again, for parking spots that have always been 'free-and-accessible' to paying students and working faculty/staff.

This Fall 2023 model would transform the University's 16,000 free parking spots alone into an (at minimum) $5 million profit a year! This does not account for the millions of dollars to be extracted from the University Hospital structure. It requires every single individual parking a vehicle on Stony Brook University property to choose between purchasing a Premium, Core, Perimeter, Satellite, or Residential Parking pass that would charge individuals based on the distance the lot is from the center of the university. 

** Under this new model, Faculty/Staff will now be expected to front money for parking at their place of employment. It will also revoke any free Residential parking for students who already pay to dorm on campus, and remove the last free Commuter parking lot in the South P for students who already spend thousands each year commuting.

Students already pay on average $400/year in Transportation Fees (which are included even during asynchronous Summer/Winter sessions), and this fee applies to everyone, regardless if you use Stony Brook public transportation or bring your own. This fee alone amasses almost $8 million annually for administration spending.

The plan then goes on to expand the Ticket Enforcement hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., giving the University 3 more hours to continue issuing tickets in half/completely empty parking lots closer to evening classes. This would make it more costly for students, and faculty/staff to locate reasonable parking during darker/colder hours of the day. It would also make it more expensive for community members to park after they've already paid for tickets to attend evening sporting events.

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Regardless of any rate that Stony Brook University wants to set for parking, the result remains the same:  paid parking = inaccessible parking. The University continues to prioritize profit and 'money grabs' over the accessibility of education for its student population and community.

Not only does Stony Brook University force individuals to grapple with yearly tuition increases, meal-plan increases, and dormitory increases, but now seeks to place an even greater burden on individuals who must commute to or reside on campus! Not only does Stony Brook pay workers below the Livable Wage, but now they expect those same employees to prioritize parking over groceries. 

Paid parking models at educational universities disenfranchise much more than the mass population of students who are unable to afford basic living costs. These changes also largely ignore the various faculty/staff who live paycheck-to-paycheck, while other administrators enjoy salaries of up to $500,000+ a year. 

**Throughout the 2020-2022 academic school years, Stony Brook University launched one of its most free-and-accessible parking models to accommodate COVID-19 adjustments and economic hardship. For commuters, it offered exclusive and accessible parking along Gym Road, Island Federal Stadium, and South P. For Faculty/Staff, they were allocated the majority of the core lots all around campus. Residents were able to keep their zone passes, and the LIRR North Parking Lot was left completely open and accessible for public use. Everyone seemed to be easily accommodated and for free. Yet, Stony Brook University revoked this model to make a quick profit. If you're interested in checking out the COVID-19 free and accessible parking model, visit this link: Stony Brook 2020 Parking Model

By signing this petition you are joining the fight to demand that Stony Brook University restore a free-and-accessible parking model (similar to the 2020 model linked above). This action alone would continue to make it easier and more affordable for students to pursue higher education, faculty/staff to access their place of employment, and residents of the Stony Brook community to enjoy our shared spaces, regardless of their financial situation.

*****DISCLAIMER: WE APPRECIATE ALL SUPPORT BUT WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING ANY MONETARY DONATIONS TO THIS PETITION

(Click here for more information on Stony Brook University's Proposed 2023 Parking Model)