I have recently had an unpleasant experience with the Ohio University Parking Services.
I received an OU parking violation, and was told that I cannot discuss this with anyone—I must pay the $30 fine, submit an appeal on the Web and within six weeks I would receive a response.
I submitted an appeal that included the following:
“I have an Emeriti permit valid until 2014, and I retain an emeritus office in Stocker Center. During the 30 years that I was a professor at OU I do not recall having received any violation. I always knew that I could park where there was a dark green OU faculty parking notice. I was invited to a meeting of the Music department and parked in Lot 39. No one ever informed me that currently all parking notices are dark green, and only a small strip states the color of the lot, so I was unaware that this was a grey lot.”
A few weeks later I received a notification from the Appeals Committee (appointed by the President’s office) stating that after careful review the appeal is denied and all decisions are final.
No second appeals process is available. Is this a reasonable and fair response?
Israel Urieli is an Emeriti Associate Professor of mechanical engineering.
