EDITOR’S NOTE: With the rise in parking costs this year, we have run several stories on parking issues. We also delved into our archives and found this gem, published 40 years ago this week, published to dispell rumors about a rise in parking sticker costs. 
Originally published in the Daily Utah Chronicle Sept. 26, 1973 
After the lengthy spring quarter litigation over the subject of parking and traffic problems on campus, amid mentions of $75 and $100 parking stickers, many may well wonder what became of it all, what can be expected in the future and what the regulations are concerning traffic and parking this year.
John D. Wright, director of parking services, assures that mention of raising the price of parking stickers to $75 or $100 was merely a channel of suggestion that could be one possibility to help reduce the troublesome parking and traffic situation. He stated that before any such changes could be made or any similar policy adopted, it would first have to come before the Institutional Council. Mr. Wright also pointed out that no such policy has been considered or acted upon.
80,000 Trips 
He went on to say that the main problem lies not so much in the parking situation, but rather in the moving traffic situation on campus. Traffic researchers have estimated that there are over 80,000 vehicle trips per day to the campus. Therefore, the main emphasis should be placed on the moving traffic situation with actions taken to alleviate it, such as mass transit and car pooling; the latter of which having been innovated this year. Transferable car pool stickers may now be purchased that should help eliminate some of the vehicle trips to the campus.
All of the new regulations not previously in force are carefully outlined in the 1973-74 Parking Rules and Regulations Handbook, the most obvious of which is the switch from “B” stickers to “U” stickers. Mr. Wright says that this change took place in order to correspond to an international coloring and lettering system here on campus. He also said that the “U” sticker “more readily applies to the gamut of life and activities here at the university than does the old inexpressive “B” sticker.” All other policies governing the regulation, enforcement and prices of the other stickers will remain the same.
 Ripoff? 
Many dorm dwellers sense a ripoff when they are required to purchase a $7.50 “U” sticker just to leave their cars in the dorm lot and wonder why a dorm sticker wouldn’t be enough to do so. Having worked a number of years with the resident halls, Mr. Wright explains that the dorms don’t receive enough capital to keep up with the staggering utility bills, maintenance, repairs, food bills, remodeling projects, building projects and salaries, not to mention their parking lot costs. Most all of the money that is received from dorm residents through the purchase of “U” stickers is pumped back into the resident halls to help keep up with the dorm costs.
The Department of Parking Services is an auxiliary of the University; it is self-supporting. It runs on an approximate annual budget of $400,000. This revenue comes in the form of parking sticker purchases and other indirect means. The money then goes for parking lot repairs, maintenance, building and the many services the department renders to the University community.