SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – A group of Texas State University students said they’ve collected 2,500 signatures from students for a petition to change the university’s parking policies.

They said there is a parking problem on campus and they’re paying the price for it. The petition called “ParkTXST” demands the school change the current $40 parking fine to $20.

“That money could’ve gone towards my gas, my braces, my car insurance. It could have gone to my groceries,” said TXST student Sandra Trujillo.

Former student body president Catching Valentinis-Dee started the petition. He said with the university growing, there are concerns parking will get worse.

“Students that have bought their parking pass and are looking for spots. Many of them circle the campus trying to find open spaces,” Valentinis-Dee said.

TXST said there are 16,000 parking spaces on the San Marcos Campus for both students and employees. They said along with those spaces, they have a shuttle service as well.

“The university offers a free public transit service to provide students with transportation from outer parking areas into the campus every 10 to 25 minutes. The more than three million bus rides provided to students annually are integral to the university’s parking program.”

Texas State University

According to data provided by the university, the number of parking citations has gone up and down in the past few years.

Parking tickets given:

  • FY19 citations issued 32,220
  • FY20 citations issued 22,992
  • FY21 citations issued 15,708
  • FY22 citations issued 29,908

Last year, TXST Parking Services received $853,800 from paid tickets.

They said that money helps run the department. Parking Services is solely funded by permit fees, permit violation fees and pay-to-park fees.

Students said they are hoping for change. Until then, they said they’ll keep looking for open spots and hoping they don’t get tickets.

“I was shocked. I didn’t know how I was gonna pay for it,” said Trujillo.

Texas State said Parking Services actively monitors and manages parking availability and will continue to adapt as the university grows.

The petition will be discussed at the university’s next Transportation Advisory Committee meeting.