Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:
Quick Stats
Common Parking Tickets
- Non-registration - $30
- Parking in a loading zone - $15
- Parking in fire lane - $25–$50, and/or towing
- Parking in traffic lane or double parked - $15
- Parking outside authorized permit area - $15
Freshmen Allowed to Park
Yes
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
Parking Permits
On-campus students receive a red permit, and off-campus students and commuter students receive a yellow permit. Designated parking times are 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Parking regulations are not enforced on the weekends.
College Prowler Take
While students like to complain about the increasing prices of parking permits, $140 a year is small beans in comparison to students at other schools who pay twice as much each semester—many high schools charge more than that. Permits are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, but most students do not have a problem obtaining a permit if they want one. While first-years were once assigned their own parking permit color, leaving them with the worst parking on campus, all resident students are now assigned the same color parking permits. Though parking is easier because commuters and faculty are assigned to different colored parking permit lots than residential students, all of the lots can fill quickly, and don’t be surprised if you have to inconveniently park your car a few times per week. If you do decide to bring a car, it’s better to shell out the cash than to think you can park in the visitors’ lot for days on end without getting a ticket.
Safety and Security does patrol the lots, and repeat offenders will have their cars impounded. They do a good job of monitoring the lot for vandalism as well. A parking permit is worth the convenience, rather than having to search out a spot on the street. The city has greatly reduced street parking in recent years and tickets cars that haven’t been moved after 24 hours. Plus, during the winter, almost all street spots are in emergency snow routes where cars either have to be moved or face impoundment when city crews clear the streets.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
There are a lot of parking lots,...
There are a lot of parking lots, but there are also a lot of students with cars. Honestly, compared to a large city school, parking isn’t that bad, and the distance you may have to walk if you can’t find a close spot isn’t that far. But I distinctly remember having to walk all the way across campus more than once because I couldn’t find a parking spot anywhere near my dorm. |
Anonymous says: |
If you have a parking sticker, it...
If you have a parking sticker, it is very easy to park on campus. If you don’t, though, you are better off leaving your car at home as the daily parking tickets will lead to a trip to the impound lot. |
Anonymous says: |
Permits must be purchased for...
Permits must be purchased for decent spots, and parking on the road is not advisable due to the snowplows, and because you cannot drive to class and expect to park with less than 10 minutes of walking in store for you without a permit. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking is a lot more convenient...
Parking is a lot more convenient on Gustavus’s campus than most others that I have visited, but most people still complain about it. |
Anonymous says: |
It sucks! There isn’t parking...
It sucks! There isn’t parking anywhere! If you come away from GAC with less than two parking tickets, I’ll buy you a bottle of vodka. |
Did You Know?
Best Places to Find a Parking Spot:
College View and Arbor View parking lots, behind the football field
Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here:
The Complex lot
The Co-Ed lot in front of the Caf
Non-registered cars will receive a ticket from S&S, but they will not be fined by the local police. This means that non-students without permits can park in campus lots without any real consequences. However, if your vehicle has four or more unpaid citations on record, it will be towed at your expense.
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