Disabled campus community members began paying for their parking permits this month. It's a cost that has historically been fully subsidized by income from other parking patrons. In 2003-04, the campus will subsidize only half the cost as the new policy is implemented.

Disabled permits are available for $18.50 per month -- a cost based on the long-term monthly 'C' permit rate. That rate increased from $35 to $37 in July in tandem with other parking permits.

"Although it had been recommended that the 'A' permit rate should be charged, the 'C' permit rate will be implemented this first year with an understanding that Parking Services will review this decision for 2004-05," said Clifford Contreras, director for the self-supporting Transportation and Parking Services.

TAPS has now sold approximately 60 disabled permits and expects to issue a total of about 100 this year, he said.

All other UCs except UC San Diego charge disabled persons for access. The UC Davis Medical Center began to charge for disabled parking permits two years ago.

TAPS announced the new policy July 18 after consultation with the Disability Issues Administrative Advisory Committee. The change reflects guiding principles recently developed by the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee, working with the office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration.

Those principles state that all parking patrons should pay for campus access; that permit fees should be based on access to parking facilities; and that fees should include only those costs directly related to providing parking-related services.

Underlying these principles and the resulting program changes is concern over escalating parking rates, especially at a time when salaries aren't increasing, but benefit costs and student fees are, Contreras said.

The change will result in reducing future projected rate increases, he said.

For further details, call (530) 752-8277.