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University of Minnesota - Parking - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.31

Parking

C
Where does this grade come from?View all Parking rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

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Quick Stats

Student Parking Lot? Yes
Parking facilities include the Art Museum Garage, Armory Garage, Church Street Garage, East River Road Garage, Northrop Auditorium, Nolte Center Garage, and the University Office Plaza.
Freshmen Allowed to Park? Yes
Freshmen can apply for lottery parking. But since most freshmen live in dorms, bringing a car along is not a necessity.
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
  • Garage permits are $127.25 per month ($140.25 for reserved parking and $97 for evenings).
  • Lot permits are $65 per month ($78 for reserved parking and $34 for evenings).
  • Ramp permits are $97.25 per month ($110.25 for reserved parking and $74 for evenings).
  • There is daily parking available, ranging from $2 to max of $12. Some parking lots offer free parking after certain times. There are usually special arrangements made for event parking. Check www1.umn.edu/pts/park/parkingrates.html for specifics.
Best Places to Find a Spot
  • Deeper in Dinkytown or on Como—if you have a friend with an extra parking lot by their house, it is a good option.
  • St. Paul campus—park in the neighborhood for free and take the Connector to your destination.
  • Paid parking ramps or garages that are located in many areas across campus
Good Luck Getting a Spot Here
  • University Avenue or Fourth Street—restaurant patrons and commuters park here. It's very busy!
  • Metered parking all over campus—come early enough to snatch a spot.

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Parking is terrible around the University area. Whether on campus or off campus, it is difficult to find places to park without paying a ridiculous amount of money. Students who bring cars on campus enter the lottery system for parking, where a student chooses a lot or garage in which they want to park. The lottery decides who gets the parking space. The odds are based on how many students apply to get contracted parking. It is expensive to have contract parking, ranging from $65 to $150 a month on campus. Many off-campus apartments have parking options, too, but they are also expensive. There is daily parking available for those who bring their cars up for a weekend or so. Otherwise, there are parking meters on and off campus for temporary parking, but they are very limited, especially when construction is going on around campus. They are risky because of the chances of getting a ticket for expired meters. Students can park on streets in neighborhoods of St. Paul and sometimes in the Dinkytown area for free, but these are limited, as well. Most houses get some parking spaces with them.

All of this hassle is typical in the city environment in which the University is situated. Hence, if it is not necessary, students should consider not bringing their vehicles to school because parking is limited and expensive. Besides, the city transportation is very good around the campus area and takes students anywhere they want to go. Metro Transit bus passes are very popular with students and cost around $100 per semester for unlimited use. And the Campus Connector runs between the three campuses. Thus, bringing a car on campus is not a necessity. Not bringing a vehicle reduces the trouble of finding a spot, paying for parking, and/or getting a parking ticket.

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Minnesota Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Parking at University of Minnesota

prch0008

'12

Finance

1.9
C-

Parking Is a Nightmare

It is very difficult to find street parking, be prepared to spend money!

Jan 23, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
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Parking at University of Minnesota

Grant225

'13

Anthropology and Archaeology

3.8
B+

Parking

Depending what parking lot you park in there usually is lots of open spaces

Jan 08, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Parking at University of Minnesota

stewa702

'15

Genetics

1.5
D+

Bad Parking

Parking is horrible, it may take up to 40 minutes just to find a spot to park. Even if you do find a spot to park, expect to pay.

Dec 06, 2011

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Page 1 of 14

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the campus parking on the following topics

How convenient is off-campus parking?

Facts

Getting a Parking Permit

Parking at the University of Minnesota requires a permit, which can be obtained through a lottery system where a student chooses a ramp or lot or garage in which to park. Usually students get the parking they desire, but some ramps are more in demand than others. So it is better to have a back-up plan in mind. Instructions about how to apply can be found on the Parking and Transportation Services website.

Did You Know?
  • The U of M offers a car sharing/Zipcar facility. Zipcar is an on-campus car-sharing alternative to owning your own car. Wheels when you want them—for job interviews, to run errands, or to transport bulky items. The daily rates range from $8 per hour to $66 per day plus additional $35 per year membership for University students, employees, and staff. It is a 24/7 service. Other information can be found at: www1.umn.edu/pts/park/carshare.html.
  • Parking is also available for mopeds and motorcycles.
  • Odds are that two out of three students who apply get a parking contract.

Parking ServicesWhat's This?

Parking and Transportation Services
300 Transportation and Safety Building
511 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
(612) 626-7275
pts@umn.edu
www1.umn.edu/pts

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at U of M

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Hometown: New Delhi, India

Major: Communication Studies

Grad Year: 2014

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