Why are first-year resident students restricted from obtaining parking permits?

By restricting permits for first-year resident students, we’ll be better able to accommodate commuter students and students with special needs.  It will also increase the turnover of vehicles parked on campus and ease parking congestion.  Perhaps most importantly, research has shown the first-year students without cars are better able to integrate into campus life and have a more successful university experience.  

Do other schools restrict first-year resident students from getting permits?

They do.  The University of St. Thomas and the College of Saint Catherine both have similar policies. 

I’m a first-year resident student with special parking needs.  How do I apply for a permit? 

You’ll need to obtain an application form from Safety and Security Services, 128 Drew Hall.  Applications will be considered for approval by the Dean of Students, Director of Disability Services, and the Director of Safety and Security Services.  Applications for exemption can be made at any time.  If approved, you will be eligible to purchase a parking permit.

What are “overnight parking controls?” 

Good question!  It means that in order to keep an eye on the cars that are parked overnight and to allow the physical plant to efficiently plow and maintain the lots, students who are parking overnight will be required to park on the north end of the Drew Lot and the south end of the Law Lot.  A vehicle is considered as parking overnight if it is parked on a university lot at 3 a.m.  So, security officers will patrol the lots at night and check the lots at 3 a.m. for vehicles not parked in the overnight areas.  Anyone can park in the lots overnight, but they are restricted to the designated areas.  Permits are not required to park overnight. 

Will everyone find a place to park at night?

The plan is to implement a new lottery system that will increase the number of commuter student permits and reduce the number of resident permit holders.  Resident students now hold roughly half of all student permits.  Residents are more likely to park in the lots for extended periods of time, taking up much of the night parking.  One goal for the new policy is to free up more parking spaces for night classes.  The new lottery system will help but there is no guarantee that there will always be open spaces at night.  If you need to park overnight and the overnight areas are completely full, park as closely as possible to the overnight areas.  Security officers will give special attention to these areas for your safety.