If you are a freshman bringing your car to campus, a housing parking pass is a necessity. The cost may seem a little high at $195, but it is worth it to avoid a plethora of parking tickets that can range anywhere from $15 to $150.

However, a parking permit does not mean you can park your car just anywhere. Freshmen can park in the housing lots around the dorms as long as they are not labeled for priority housing and in the multipurpose lots near the Huston Huffman Center.

Sometime the rules and parking limitations can get confusing, and some of last years freshmen had their questions cleared up the hard way.

I was not told the difference between priority and housing parking until it was too late. I could have paid for an all-inclusive trip to Cancun with all the money OU stole from me because of those damn tickets, said Matt Felty, public administration sophomore.

The freshmen came to find out that the yellow slip of paper under their windshield wiper was not a friendly note from a classmate. As the yellow slips pile up, be prepared for the consequences.

Apparently, after a certain amount of tickets and citations, they are allowed to tow your car. I received a letter in the mail telling me that my car was on the list to be impounded, said Kimberly Cahill, international business sophomore.

Other students quickly learned that theyre not safe even if they are just going to park illegally for two minutes.

Those parking people come out of nowhere, said Andrew Boes, music education sophomore.

Try not to get confused with all of the different permits and designated parking lots. And no matter what, never assume

Here are a few other parking myths wed like to clear up:

1. Myth: If I park in a priority housing spot during the weekend, I wont get a ticket.
Fact: Even though it is the weekend, you still cant park there according to the parking and transit office.

2. Myth: I have a housing parking permit, so that is the only place on campus that I can park.
Fact: Dorm residents should keep their cars south of Lindsey Street from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday though Friday. However, there are several places with metered parking across campus. Most gated faculty and staff lots are open to all motorists during the weekend and from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m.

3. Myth: If I get a ticket, it is no big deal. I can just try and get out of it. I mean, I am just a freshman, right?
Fact: While you can appeal you parking citations at parking.ou.edu, it is your responsibility to read the parking guidelines when you buy your permit.

4. Myth: I parked in spot where the meter was jammed, so I figured that means it is my lucky day and dont have to worry about paying the meter.
Fact: Though the meter may be out of service, you could still be cited.

Sower, the new-to-OU magazine, is an annual publication to introduce new students and their parents to the University of Oklahoma.

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