Again I find myself responding to a letter written by Elizabeth Glatt on December 8, 2002 regarding Stevens Fraternities and Sororities. Ms. Glatt does not have her facts straight and makes ludicrous suggestions to remedy her issues.
Regarding students receiving City of Hoboken parking stickers without changing their vehicle registration, Ms. Glatt simply does not know the law. Federal law dictates college students' permanent residency status while attending college. It states that students do not have to change their residence to the state where their college is located if they maintain an out of state permanent residence or are still dependents of their parents while attending college. Which means university students are exempt from Hoboken's local statute regarding parking permits requiring NJ vehicle registration. (This applies to all college students, not just Stevens). All that is required to obtain a Hoboken parking sticker is proof of matriculation to any university and Hoboken residency; which brings me to taxes.
All Stevens fraternity houses pay property taxes. The houses are registered with the city as multiple tenant dwellings where they are entitled to as many parking stickers as residents. Ms. Glatt's assertion that the fraternities get a benefit without paying taxes over other citizens is just plain wrong. The residents of Stevens' fraternity and sorority houses have every right to obtain parking permits and park on city streets. Just like you Ms. Glatt, they are tax paying citizens and, to your assertion, do not have to park exclusively on campus.
Ms. Glatt's suggestion that Stevens should ban students' cars altogether is not feasible. Many students maintain off-campus jobs outside of school where having a car is absolutely necessary for travel. Simply banning all cars is draconian and fascist in nature. Ms. Glatt has directed her apparent frustration about parking in the wrong place. She should be frustrated with her neighbors who have blocked several proposed parking structures. Ms. Glatt, if you are so concerned about Hoboken's parking issues maybe you should fight on behalf of Stevens to get their many capital projects, that include parking, approved through the local electorate and city council, rather than taking on the hard working students of Stevens. I also suggest instead of airing out your issues in print that maybe you can get more accomplished and get many of your questions answered if you simply called the appropriate offices at Stevens. I am sure they are willing to work with you to address your concerns.
Eric M. Monte
B.E. '93, B.A. '94, M.S. '95
Stevens Institute of Technology
President, Gamma Delta Chapter of Sigma Nu Housing Corporation
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