Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:
Quick Stats
Common Parking Tickets
- Fire lane - $50
- Handicapped zone - $50
- No parking zone - $25
Freshmen Allowed to Park
Yes
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
Parking Permits
SU has parking lots throughout the campus for student, staff, and faculty parking. Students must register their vehicles with the University Police by filling out a registration card, showing proof of insurance, paying the fee, and affixing a parking permit on the back window of the vehicle. It’s very easy to get a permit. They sell them at orientation.
College Prowler Take
Southwestern is so small that students rarely, if ever, use their cars to get around campus; this generally means you won’t ever be late to class because you couldn’t find a parking space, or had to park too far away. Cars serve as vehicles to get out of town or to go shopping, not to get to class. Keeping that in mind, the parking situation on campus is actually pretty good, despite what whiners may say. When you only have to find a parking spot once a week, it really isn’t that big of a deal if you have to walk five minutes (and usually that’s the max you’ll have to trek from your car to your dorm). After all, it only takes 10 minutes to walk across campus! According to students, the best parking is near Lord Center or Brown-Cody.
Overall, the parking situation is pretty good, especially in contrast with UT’s. It still proves to be a hassle for some students, but most are thankful that even if they have to walk a little bit, they will always be able to find a spot somewhere on campus. There is a rumor on campus that the administration oversold parking permits, but this might just reflect the frustration of some students who do not get to park right where they want to.
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:  |
Unless it’s the weekend, there’s...
Unless it’s the weekend, there’s never a parking space; they oversold spots again. |
Anonymous says:  |
It’s easy to park, but you might...
It’s easy to park, but you might have to park relatively far from your dorm. |
Anonymous says:  |
You can always find parking, but...
You can always find parking, but frequently you’ll have to walk a long way to get where you are going. It eases up on weekends, because everyone is at home or in Austin. |
Anonymous says:  |
Here’s a hint: park your car...
Here’s a hint: park your car during the weekend, and leave it there during the week. |
Anonymous says:  |
Parking is getting worse every...
Parking is getting worse every year. I hear that it is especially bad for commuter students. |
Did You Know?
Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
McCombs Center lot, Cullen Building lot
Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
The Jones Complex Lot, outside of Brown-Cody dorm, anywhere along Southwestern Blvd.
Write for Us!

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more >