VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University students often avoid the $50 parking decal fee and spend 10 minutes searching for parking spots along curbs just big enough to squeeze a car into.

But for students with classes beginning before 11 a.m., the search could be near impossible.

Valdosta City councilmen are looking at implementing a time change for prohibited parking on streets around VSU. Currently, students are prohibited from parking along streets between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The first time period could be extended to 11 a.m.

Von Shipman, city engineer, said VSU officials reported the campus has more than adequate parking for students. The problem stems from students wanting to park closer to classes than parking lots allow.

City councilmen will hear a request tonight to hold public comment periods in January with students, property owners and VSU officials regarding the proposed change.

Shipman said if students paid the decal fee, it would allow for future VSU parking projects, like building a parking deck.

Councilmen meet tonight in council chambers of City Hall at 5:30 p.m.