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Parking:

F

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:

Quick Stats

Student Parking Lot

Yes - Purple lots are for students who live on campus; green lots are for commuters

Common Parking Tickets

  • Expired meter - $20
  • Fire lane - $40
  • Handicapped zone - $100
  • No parking zone - $40

Freshmen Allowed to Park

Yes

Approximate Parking Permit Cost

  • $275 per year

Parking Permits

Applying for a parking permit at UMass is relatively simple, you could go to their offices, call by phone, or visit their Web site. The parking lots are designated by color, the yellow lots being the most undesirable because they are unpaved, crime-ridden, and far away from everything. Freshmen and sophomores are restricted to the yellow, purple, and green lots which cost $155, $195, and $235, respectively. Another option is the campus garage; conveniently located at the center of campus; this option is probably the most expensive

College Prowler Take

The quotes say it all; the parking situation at UMass is atrocious. The entire campus is surrounded by parking lots that are always packed and often unpaved. If you decide on bringing a car to UMass your freshman and sophomore years, do not bring a good one, or even one with a stereo. Having a car your junior and senior year if you live off campus makes a little more sense. You will have to walk great distances, drive around in circles looking for a spot, deal with bottomless potholes, and risk theft.

Something that people learn the hard way in Amherst is that meter maids hand out violations like candy on Halloween. You’d swear the “Big Dig” (an enormous tunnel project in Boston) was being funded by the ceaseless efforts of Amherst and UMass civil servants. Bringing a car to UMass as a freshman and sophomore is basically a bad idea. Besides, there isn’t anywhere you’ll need to go that a free bus ride can’t accommodate. If you absolutely require some mode of transportation, I recommend, in order of convenience: a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, rollerblades, street luge, pogo stick, figure skates, unicycle, stilts, swimming flippers, and lastly a car—get the point?

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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:

UMaAU says:

University of Massachusetts 2015

Communication and Journalism

Freshman can bring a car, but if...

Freshman can bring a car, but if you want to keep it on campus it will cost you some money, and it's not very cheap. The closer the lot is to a dorm, the more expensive it is. The lots are organized by color, as well as number,. You buy the color. Most freshmen leave their car off campus at the administration building or down by Southwest because they are cheaper than the lots closer to the buildings.

Parking: February 25, 2009
Report

UMaJT says:

University of Massachusetts 2014

Communication and Journalism

Parking is crazy, and meters are...

Parking is crazy, and meters are always full. The campus garage is easy and convenient, but the cost per hour can add up fast.

Parking: February 19, 2009
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nrdowney says:

University of Massachusetts 2012

Social Sciences

You Don't Need a Car

B+

You don't need a car, but its convenient to have a friend that has one! Parking is expensive and they love to ticket/tow you if you park illegally.

Parking: November 18, 2009
Report

mckenzie3nick says:

University of Massachusetts 2009

Psychology

F You, Ticket Guy!

D

Have to run to the door to deliver a pizza? Better have change for the meter! Late for an exam? Hope you're on a bike! Parking Services will ticket & tow at the drop of a hat. Sadistic...

Parking: November 17, 2009
Report

mchou says:

University of Massachusetts 2012

Psychology

Parking Isn't Too Bad

C

Parking is available, but at times far away from where you want to be, it is often times easier to walk. Fines and ticketing on campus are high. It is much more convenient to have a car on campus or to know someone with a car, the bus is not always reliable. Parking spots are sometimes also hard to find. After 5 it is pretty easy to park.

Parking: November 17, 2009
Report

Parking Services

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
It depends on where you are going; they all have their drawbacks. If you live in the dorms, then the best place to park is near your building, if possible.

Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
Fine Arts Center

It’s easy to appeal a ticket at UMass, and your chances of being successful are actually pretty good. You can do so online at https://parking.umass.edu/accountaccess/appeals/findCitations.do.

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