Using your arguments if I borrowed my fathers car and used it to park on campus (sans permit) my father should be liable for the tickets. Sorry, not happening. While
Maybe you can clarify a few things;
Is the registered owner a student at the same campus?
When the tickets were issued was the registered owner driving it?
When the tickets were issued, if the owner was driving it, was it being used to transport you?
Is there any sort of parking pass or sticker still being displayed on the car when the violations occurred?
Is there some reason the owner hasn't obtained a parking pass?