Stony
Brook University students protested Wednesday again the campus's parking plan for 2023.
Organizers of the protest tell
News 12 the school is planning to charge up to $600 for spots that have been
free in the past.
A petition against the plan
has more than 2,300 signatures so far.
Organizers of the rally say
the move is a money grab and will force some employees to have to prioritize
parking over groceries.
Stony Brook
officials said in a statement, "Our existing parking model is insufficient to fund routine
maintenance or customer service improvements. The proposed tiered model
and payment for parking will be either by permit or via a daily parking rate.
These changes will align us with our university peers. Details are currently
being reviewed with campus stakeholders including representatives from various
unions."
Stony Brook officials added they are ready to start negotiating with unions
immediately.
Those rallying say they wonder why they have to be among those responsible for
making up a deficit and are asking if things like grants were looked in to from
the state. News 12 did ask the university and have
not heard back yet.