That dreaded yellow ticket strikes fear into the hearts of many students at Iowa State.

The Department of Public Safety issues the parking tickets that appear on windshields around campus. They even have a reputation off campus.

“I hear they are crazy here with tickets,” said Michael Nassif, a University of Iowa medical student.

DPS gives out approximately 90,000 tickets per year, said Doug Houghton, program manager of DPS.

“Not having the appropriate permit is the ticket we give out the most,” Houghton said.

Even with the number of tickets being handed out, Alex Schiphoff, junior in health and human performance, said he doesn’t hold grudges against DPS.

“They do a good job around campus,” Schiphoff said.

However, not all students feel the same. A Facebook group called “0h Yuck! -Students Against Parking Tickets. & Think DPS Should Go To Hell!!,” is dedicated to complaining about DPS and has more than 2,100 members.

Whether students love or hate DPS, they do work with students if special parking arrangements are needed, Houghton said. DPS is also lenient on towing, if not on parking tickets.

“We don’t tow as often as the rules allow,” Houghton said.

A car can be towed if it’s illegally parked in a full lot, blocking traffic or abandoned.

In recent years, the number of tickets being given out has declined, but not because of increased gas prices, said Houghton.

“Increased fines have had more of a direct impact than anything else,” Houghton said.

With increased fines, students will want to avoid heavily ticketed parking lots.

“During the school year, we write a lot of tickets at residence halls because that’s where the most people are,” Houghton said.

Houghton also said the lots on campus to avoid are Lot 45, near Hamilton Hall, and Lot 65, next to Alumni Hall.

Houghton said there was one way to avoid accumulating parking tickets at Iowa State.

“Simple – park legally,” Houghton said.