UNLV is revising its new parking fee structure in an effort to minimize inconvenience for members of the public who visit the university campus in the evening. No parking fee will be charged to campus visitors after 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, after 5 p.m. Fridays, and all day Saturdays and Sundays, according to President Carol C. Harter.

"The last thing we want to do is create a hardship for the many people who attend university programs in the evening," Harter said. "It is in the evenings and on the weekends that the university's friends in the community come to the campus to enjoy music, theater, and dance performances, or to attend lectures and meetings. We believe these modifications in the new parking fee policy will address the concerns of those who wish to take advantage of our many public cultural and educational programs."

A new system of parking fees at the university requires visitors to pay $2 a day to park on the campus. Although the intent was originally to enforce the fee 24 hours a day, it has become apparent that there is no convenient way for visitors to pay in the evening, according to Dr. Robert Ackerman, vice president for student services. "Our parking policy is continually under review, and adjustments will be made as they are needed," according to Ackerman, who is responsible for the Department of Public Safety and its parking enforcement unit. "Clearly, we don't yet have a cost-effective, convenient way to collect a parking fee at night. We are looking into ways to do that, but until we develop an appropriate system, we will defer enforcement of the parking fee at night and on the weekends."

Although parking fees will not be enforced at certain hours, red zones and handicap parking will continue to be enforced around the clock, seven days a week.

Ackerman pointed out that the new fee will eventually generate sufficient revenue to build a much-needed parking garage on the campus, which will greatly improve the parking situation.

Visitors to the campus are reminded that metered visitor parking is available at several locations on campus, and a pay lot is available in front of the Richard Tam Alumni Center on Maryland Parkway. Free parking is always available in the Green Lot of the Thomas and Mack Center. Signs at the entrance to all campus lots indicate permit requirements.