University Plaza Apartments provides Binghamton University students with a close, comfortable and convenient place to live while attending classes. Students may lose some of this convenience, however, when UP begins charging students $150 per academic year for parking.

“I think it’s just another way to take money from students,” Gabby D’Annunzio, a sophomore political science major who plans to live in UP next semester, said. “[The fees] should be less than or equal to what off-campus students pay, or something else should be considered.”

According to Corky Gatewood, vice president of marketing and professional development of the Ambling Management Company, the new charge for parking is the result of a recent decision between the Binghamton University Foundation and UP Apartments.

“This has been mentioned to several students during our lease renewals and there have been no complaints to date,” Gatewood said. “This change has not created a huge impact, as the number of commuters is minimal. For those that do commute but do not own a car, there is a shuttle service provided by Binghamton University, OCC [Off Campus College] Transport, a free service to and from campus with student ID.”

According to Brian Chin, a senior majoring in studio art and expecting his MBA in 2011, he decided to live in UP with the understanding that parking would be free.

“I find it incredibly unfair and unreasonable for them to begin charging us for overnight parking in University Plaza,” Chin said. “It also seems unfair that I would have to pay to park my car on campus and again to park at my own apartment.”

Living in UP costs between $600 and $800 per month, depending on whether students are renting two- or four-bedroom apartments and which of the supplied amenities, such as the fitness center, they use.

Part of the cost for living at UP involves the sheer number of amenities that the student apartment complex provides.

According to their Web site, universityplazany.com, UP provides private bathrooms for some bedrooms, fully furnished living rooms, appliances including microwaves, dishwashers, clothing washers and dryers, air conditioning and heating, additional furniture and high-speed Internet service.

In order to register for parking for the upcoming fall 2010 semester, potential UP residents must sign a lease addendum. Spaces will continue to be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

This new parking fee is set to begin in August 2010. Any students currently living, or considering living, in UP are advised to keep this in mind when applying for a room.