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Fines put USU students on hold for graduation By
Kimberly Barraclough
Utah State University is known for its excellence in education. However, students are learning that a packet hold could be placed on a student's records if certain issues are left unsettled. A packet hold can prevent a student from registering for classes, receiving their diploma and having transcripts sent to various places. The Merrill Library at USU places holds on records for two reasons. The first is for students to come to the library and make sure their address is current. The library's computer system is set up to find people by their address there are over 20,000 people in its database. However, the system isn't linked with the registration computers. "That's why it's so important to make sure the students address is correct," Vicki Read, Head of Patron Services at the library said. The second reason for the holds is to clear up any overdue book fines. A hold is placed on a student's record when the fine has reached five dollars. "Packet holds are used to make the student aware that they have a fine and need to remedy the situation," said Read. Ann Bluemlein a Graduate student who recently graduated in May let her friend check some books out on her student ID card. The books weren't returned and now she has a hold placed on her records. "Because of the hold that I have on my records, I can't have my transcripts sent for job interviews." "If students let a friend or a professor check out books on their student ID card they're responsible to make sure the books are returned," said Read. Overdue books cost 25 cents a day per book. This can be expensive if the problem isn't taken care of. Books can be renewed over the telephone twice. However, if the book needs to be renewed for a third time it needs to be brought in. "This is just to let the library know that the book still exists," sead Read. The library is willing to work with patrons who have fines from overdue books. Payment plans, have been able to be worked out if books have been lost that are expensive to replace. "We're not cold-hearted people, we try to give the benefit of the doubt," said Read. Overdue notices are sent 12 times. After the 12th time they are turned over to a collection agency. "The bottom line of the library is to have patrons bring the books back," said Read. The library isn't the only place on campus that will place a packet hold on student's records. January of this year Parking and Transportation Services installed a computer system that will help them locate people who have unpaid parking citations from previous years. Parking Services allows patrons to have up to 45 days to pay for a parking citation. If the person who received the parking citation is a student, a packet hold will be placed on the student's records until the ticket is paid. Failure to settle parking tickets may result in the following: 1. Vehicles with four or more unsettled tickets may be impounded at the owner's/operators expense without warning regardless if the vehicle is legally parked at the time of impoundment. 2. Campus parking privileges may be denied to any individual. 3. Transcripts, graduation diplomas, grades will be held. 4. New parking permits, including temporary, will not be issued unless all previous tickets have been cleared. " If you won't take the responsibility to pay for the ticket, then we will be the forcing hand," Teresa Johnson of Parking and Transportation Services said. The hold won't be released until all of the money is paid. If a person has more than three citations Parking Services will contact the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and have them identify whom the car belongs to. What happens if the vehicle that has the parking citations has been sold? A bill of sale must be brought in stating that you don't own the car anymore. By the Utah Statute it's mandatory that when the car is sold the person selling the car needs to remove the license plates. If the license plates aren't removed the car is still registered in their name, and they will be held responsible if a parking ticket is given. Parking citations range from eight to twenty-five dollars. However,
if you park in a handicap space the fine is automatically $75. "The
university is place for learning, the parking office teaches people
how to park legally," said Johnson. |
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