Have you parked in a reserved spot on campus without a permit because you thought you could get away with it?

You might be right.

Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer said the Department of Public Safety has received multiple complaints from faculty and staff about students parking in their spots.

But officers tend to give students a lot of chances before ticketing them, the chief said.

Kapfhammer said Public Safety sends emails to students at the start of every semester to remind them not to park in faculty and staff spaces, and then responds to complaints from permit-holders.

“So we let everybody know ahead of time,” Kapfhammer said. “And then as the year goes on, we will get complaints from employees saying that … now their spots are being taken up. So we come out and we are forced to … do some enforcement.”

Some students have reported receiving warnings rather than fines when they park in reserved spots without a permit.

Faculty and staff members can apply for a permit that allows them to park in reserved spaces that are typically closer to campus buildings.

Most students do not qualify for permits.

“The people who work here have to have the spot to park in so they can get into their jobs,” Kapfhammer said.

The typical fine for parking in a reserved space without a permit is $35, but some students have managed to get away without being issued tickets.

Students who receive tickets must either pay them at the cashier’s office or appeal them within 14 days.

Fines are due 28 days after a student receives a ticket. After that, a $10 late fee kicks in every two weeks until the ticket is paid.

The maximum fee is $100. If the fee goes unpaid, the college places a hold on the student’s account. That student may not be allowed to register for classes.

Corinne Sypniewski, a second-year psychology student, said she parked in a reserved spot because “it was closest to me” and found a $35 ticket on her windshield.

Sypniewski appealed it and did not have to pay the fine.

Ivan Garcia, a second-year chemistry student, said he has parked in reserved spaces multiple times but has received a warning and no tickets.

“I like parking in empty spaces,” Garcia said.

Likewise, paramedic student Theodore Speier said he has parked in permit spots on multiple occasions but has never received a ticket.