The recent enforcement of the 20-hours-per-week rule, which was discussed in last week’s editorial, and the ticketing of cars parked in lots that were once unenforced has left many students feeling out of the loop in regards to university rules and regulations. Both of the aforementioned enforcements are well justified by administrators; that is not the issue.

The lack of knowledge in the student body regarding these changes, however, has caused anger and frustration for those suddenly finding tickets on their windshields for parking in areas that were once thought to be available for students without registration.

Administrators need to communicate changes that have an effect on students, especially those that involve ticketing students who are parked in a lot where they hadn’t gotten ticketed during past semesters and were never notified that parking policies would be suddenly implemented during the third week of classes.

Sudden changes in enforcement of any rules or policies on campus are not only disrespectful to students and staff, but also make students feel more alienated from the university administrators that enforce such regulations on a whim.

It is understandable, of course, that parking rules should begin getting enforced, seeing as the amount of parking spots on campus has shrunk with the construction of Jamrich. Additionally, the amount of students who bike or walk to campus will surely increase with the decline of parking spaces, a benefit to both students living locally and those who commute.

However, when lots such as Lot 8 (near the University Center) have been, for many semesters, a place for students without parking permits to park, it is unfair to begin giving $25 tickets three weeks into the semester for having an unregistered vehicle.

Policies and regulations change, that is to be expected. But with all the construction and changes happening on campus this semester — most notably the construction of the new Jamrich and subsequent elimination of parking in Lot 28 — students deserve to be informed about where they can and cannot park on campus.

In the future, administrators need to strive to inform all students of changes in university policy. It’s as simple as an email, and will make students think more favorably about changes that affect them immensely.