Below are some frequently asked questions concerning parking on campus. If you have other questions, please email parking@stolaf.edu or call (507) 786-2972.
GENERAL
Q: Is the Parking Policy in effect over the weekends?
A: Yes. The parking policy is in effect year-round, even on the weekends and breaks!
Q: When does a “boot” get put on vehicles?
A: Any vehicle parked on campus property that does not display a current permit and has accumulated three (3) parking citations will be booted. Vehicles deemed suspicious or that appear to be abandoned may also be booted by Public Safety. If your vehicle has been booted, call Public Safety at 507-786-3666 to have the boot removed. If a vehicle is booted and the operator does not contact Public Safety within 48 hours, the vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Q: What if I need to park somewhere other than my assigned lot temporarily?
A: Parking outside residence halls and other campus buildings in yellow-curb areas is prohibited. Short-term parking (maximum of 15 minutes) is permitted in designated loading and unloading spaces or zones, as indicated by signage. If you need to park for longer than 15 minutes, you must utilize designated paid hourly parking spaces.
Q: My assigned parking area is full. What do I do?
A: If your assigned lot is full, you must call Public Safety at 507-786-3666 for instructions on where to park.
Q: Where is the Public Safety/Parking Office located?
A: Public Safety/the Parking Office is located on the ground level (0) of Tomson. The easiest way to access our office is by taking the Tomson elevator to floor zero (0). Proceed down the hallway, through Marketing and Communications, and past the restrooms. Once in the vestibule, please ring the doorbell.
CITATIONS
Q: Why did I get a parking citation? Why wasn’t I issued a warning first?
A: Parking citations may be issued by Public Safety officers at any time for observed/documented violations of the parking policy, which can be found HERE. While warnings may be given as a courtesy, they are not guaranteed, even for first-time violations.
Q: How do I appeal a parking citation?
A: An appeal of a citation must be filed within seven (7) days from the date the citation was issued or the right to appeal will be forfeited and the amount of the fine billed. To appeal a citation, complete the Google Form with all the required information. All student and faculty/staff appeals shall be reviewed by an appeals committee. The appellant will be notified by email of the committee’s decision within two weeks. The appeal committee’s decision is final and there are no further appeal options. Public Safety staff cannot void a citation once it has been written except for a legitimate visitor.
Q: How do I pay for a parking citation?
A: Citations must be paid within 14 days of issuance using THIS link. You will need your citation reference number (located in the citation email or on the printed citation) and the citation amount to pay the fine. Once outside of the 7-day appeal window, and after 14 days of issuance, students’ unpaid citations will be referred to the students’ comprehensive fee statement with an added $10.00 late fee.
Q: I have a citation fee on my student account. How do I get it removed?
A: Citations that remain unpaid after 14 days are referred to the students’ comprehensive fee statement with an added $10.00 late fee. This happens when the citation was either:
a) not appealed within the 7-day window, therefore the right to appeal was forfeited, and remained unpaid after 14 days of issuance
or
b) appealed and upheld by the Parking Advisory Committee and remained unpaid after 14 days of issuance
Please note, the date listed on the statement is not the date the citation was issued. The date listed on the statement reflects the date of referral.
STUDENTS
Q: I’m bringing a vehicle to campus temporarily. Can I park in visitor parking?
A: No. Registered students cannot be considered a visitor, therefore, you may not park in visitor parking, even if your vehicle is unregistered. You must obtain a temporary seven (7) day permit for $30.00 by calling Public Safety at 507-786-3666.
Q: What’s the difference between a temporary permit and a visitor permit?
A: A temporary permit is for students who will have a car on campus for a short period of time. A visitor permit is for non-students who are visiting campus overnight or for a few days. Visitors on campus only during business hours do not need a visitor permit. Registered students cannot be considered a visitor. A visitor permit can be obtained by contacting Public Safety at 507-786-3666. Visitors must be registered through Residence Life. More information can be found HERE.
Q: I’m switching permits. What do I do with my old permit?
A: Make an appointment with the Parking Office HERE. Bring your old permit and new vehicle information (if applicable). Otherwise, the replacement fee for lost or stolen permits is $25.
Q: I didn’t get a parking permit. Where can I park my vehicle? Are there alternative transportation options available?
A: Parking permits are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You can park your vehicle off-campus on city streets at your own risk. Make sure to follow all applicable parking regulations. You can also obtain a temporary 7-day parking permit for $30 by calling Public Safety at 507-786-3666.
Information about alternative transportation can be located HERE.
Q: Does class-year standing/seniority have any bearing on my chances of obtaining a parking permit?
A: Despite what you may have heard, seniority has no bearing on your parking permit application! Parking permit applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Is it possible to obtain a disability parking permit that would guarantee a parking spot outside my residence hall?
A: Disability permits must be pre-approved through the Disability and Access Office (DAC) each year. Please connect with their office and complete the parking permit application if you require an accommodation for parking purposes.
Q: Can first-years apply for a parking permit?
A: Students are not eligible to obtain a parking permit during their first year. Exceptions are granted for students who reside 250 miles or more from campus. Permits for first-years who reside 250 miles or more from campus are still assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, permit availability is not guaranteed.
Q: Why is the first-year parking permit restricted to only those who live more than 250 miles away from campus? How was this distance decided?
A: Parking on campus is extremely limited. There are an average of 800 general student parking spaces for a student body of over 3,000 students. The college has established a distance limit of 250 miles to maintain a reasonable scope of parking availability and usage.
Q: Where do I pick up my parking permit?
A: Unless otherwise indicated, student parking permits are distributed to student P.O. boxes.
STAFF/FACULTY
Q: I’m switching vehicles. What do I do with my old permit?
A: Your faculty/staff hangtag is transferrable, but please note that you MUST update the Parking Office with your new vehicle information. Please email parking@stolaf.edu with the make, model, color, year, and license plate number of your new vehicle.
Q: Where do I pick up my parking permit?
A: Unless otherwise indicated, faculty/staff parking permits are distributed through campus mail.