Boyd Law Helping Parking Services Restore Order to Parking Lots

Students at the William S. Boyd School of Law are getting a chance to gain real-life experience judging thanks to the parking arbitration program.

The program gives students who have violated the university's parking regulations a chance to appeal their tickets with law students as the arbitrators.

"Parking Services didn't have a defined appeals system, so they asked us to devise one," said Ray Patterson, associate director for the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution.

The program has been considered a success, as it hears cases frequently, Patterson said. He added that the process has been a learning experience for all involved.

"In most instances, there is not much justification [for the appeal], but there have been times where parking services' rule [on a parking situation] is not that clear," he said. "We learn a lot of things and the students get the chance to do some judging."

The actual process, Patterson said, is just like an arbitration in real life. The arbitrator, in this case a student, listens to the stories of the appellant and Parking Services, asks questions and then makes a decision. Patterson sees this program as a positive service.

"The whole idea of parking fines is to make people pay attention to the rules," Patterson said. "The program is going to continue because many students want their 'day in court.' Students really enjoy being arbitrators and it's good for their résumés."

Click here to find out more on the appeals process.