Parking Policy
Introduction:
With campus parking space at a premium, available spaces must be primarily available to transients to the campus (i.e., commuters and employees). Cooperation on the part of all members of the University community in observing parking rules and regulations will help to assure that the policy is effective and benefits the entire campus.
In order to improve parking facilities, it is necessary that a fee be charged and a permit issued to all eligible students and employees using parking spaces on the West Chester University campus. This is standard practice on most college and university campuses today. Such a fee will defray the costs of administering the parking program, the upkeep and maintenance of parking lots, and possibly additional and improved shuttle bus service between the north and south campus. The permit does not guarantee a parking space; it simply reserves the right to park in assigned University lots. Be sure to read all signs when entering any University parking lot. Signage supersedes written regulations.
Questions and information concerning the West Chester University parking policy should be directed to:
Director of Public Safety
Peoples Building
690 S. Church Street
West Chester University
Telephone: 610-436-3311 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
or Parking Services Manager, 610-436-2709. 9am to 2pm, Monday through Friday.
Please note that all regulations concerning parking are subject to change.
General Information
1. All employees and eligible students desiring to use the designated parking lots must register their vehicles with the Department of Public Safety Parking Services Office and purchase parking permits. Please note, employee lots are ticketed/towed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. All parking areas are designated by posted signs. Vehicles may be parked only in those areas designated for the particular classification identified on the permit. No parking is permitted in areas without painted stalls. Violators are subject to being ticketed and towed.
3. The maximum speed limit on campus is 15 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted. Safe driving practices must be adhered to at all times. Violators are subject to fines.
4. Anyone who has a registered vehicle and who must, for valid reasons, temporarily drive an unregistered vehicle, is required to register this vehicle with the Parking Services.
Parking Options
--Parking Permits: The first option is to purchase a parking permit from Parking Services. A fee set by the Council of Trustees is collected annually. Annual is defined as the beginning of fall semester until August 31 of the following year. All permits are subject to availability. Mutilated or defaced parking permits must be replaced. Please contact the Parking Services Office for the current cost.
--Permit Eligibility:Permit Eligibility: Commuter students living outside the 5 block radius are eligible to purchase a permit to park on North Campus. Commuter students living within the 5 block radius are eligible to purchase permit to park on South Campus. Resident students who have 30+ earned credits are eligible to purchase a permit to park on South Campus. Residents of the South Campus apartments and who have 30+ earned credits are eligible to purchase a permit for that area only. Residents of the Village and East Village apartments and who have 30+ WCU earned credits or 27 transferred credits are eligible to purchase a permit for that area only. First-year residents are not permitted to park their vehicle in University parking lots. This does not prevent them from parking their vehicle in the on campus parking garages by paying the semester rate or hourly/daily parking rate. A first-year resident student is defined as a student having earned less than 30 credits prior to the fall semester.
--Hardship Exception: Those wishing to have a hardship exception considered may obtain more information here.
--The University provides bus service between North and South Campus during the spring and fall semesters. There is limited bus service during the summer. There is no bus service during the winter session. The buses run from 7:15 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. On North Campus, the buses stop at the bus shelter located at the corner of University Avenue/Church Street, on Rosedale Avenue in front of Wayne Hall, and on New Street at Commonwealth Hall. On South Campus, the buses stop at the Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center, McCoy Center, the South Campus Apartment Complex, the Village and East Village Apartment. Complexes, and Q and R lots (upon request). Bus schedules are available at residence hall desks, the Sykes Student Union Information Center, or Public Safety. Students using the bus service are advised that it is impossible to provide timely transportation between North and South Campus within the standard 10-minute class break. Therefore, students should plan and develop class schedules that allow sufficient travel time between the two locations.
--Motorcycle Parking: Motorcycles, motorbikes, motor scooters, and mopeds are considered motor vehicles. They must register with the Parking Services Office and obtain a parking permit. Vehicles in any of the aforementioned categories may park in their designated parking lots; or in those areas specifically set aside for motorcycle parking.
--Regulations: ·You may pick up a copy of the “West Chester University Parking Regulations and Map” from the Parking Services Office. You may also view the regulations on our website. This will be your guide to all parking regulations at West Chester University and also includes the appeal procedures for parking violations. For more information, call Parking Services (610-436-3345) during regular business hours. Purchase of a permit does not guarantee you a parking space.
--Parking Meters/Kiosks: The parking meters/kiosks on the streets through and around the University are owned and managed by the Borough of West Chester. The fees and enforcement hours for the parking meters/kiosks are set by the Borough. Information concerning the fees and enforcement is printed on the meters/kiosks. Additional information can be obtained from the Borough of West Chester’s Parking Division at 610-696-4521.
--The Sharpless Street Garage, owned and operated by West Chester University, is located at the intersection of Sharpless and Church streets. Daily and hourly parking is available in this garage. The maximum daily parking rate is $9/day. Semester passes are also available for this garage. For more information, call Parking Services (610-436-3345) during regular business hours. Parking rates listed above are current rates and are subject to change.
--The New Street Garage, owned and operated by West Chester University, is located at the corner of New and Nields streets. Daily and hourly parking is available in this garage. The maximum daily parking rate is $9/day. Semester passes are also available for this garage. For more information, call Parking Services Office (610-436-3345) during regular business hours. Parking rates listed above are current rates and are subject to change.
--The Commons Garage, owned and operated by West Chester University, is located on North Campus Drive. Daily and hourly parking is available in this garage. The maximum daily parking rate is $9/day. Semester/annual passes are also available for this garage. For more information, call Parking Services Office (610-436-3345) during regular business hours. Parking rates listed above are current rates and are subject to change.
--Student Recreation Center Garage, owned and operated by West Chester University, is located at the corner of North Campus Drive and South New Street. This is a daily parking garage only. For more information, call Parking Services Office (610-436-3345) during regular business hours. Parking rates listed above are current rates and are subject to change.
--The Matlack Garage is located on East Campus Drive and requires a valid West Chester University parking permit.
Accessible Parking Policy
Parking in stalls designated for persons with disabilities will be restricted to vehicles bearing official (as issued by a state, commonwealth, or West Chester University) “Person with a Disability” or “Disabled Veteran” registration plates or placard.
Parking Tickets
Any students receiving a ticket will have a hold automatically put on his or her student account. A hold means that you will be prohibited from registering for classes, receiving transcripts and graduation clearance, and future vehicle registration. Three or more unpaid tickets may result in loss of University parking privileges and towing. Currently fines range from $20 to $40 depending on the violation.
If a vehicle becomes disabled upon any highway of West Chester University or any parking lot, the operator/owner MUST report the location and license plate number of the vehicle to the University police for inclusion on the “Disabled Vehicle List.” Vehicles parked in fire lane areas or reserved parking spaces may be towed at once at the operator/owner’s expense.
Parking Violation Appeal Procedure
If you wish to appeal a violation, you must do so within ten calendar days from the date the violation was issued. The following is the procedure:
Step 1 – Appeal personally or in writing at the Public Safety Parking Services Office within ten calendar days of the issuance of the ticket. All appeals must be submitted on the official appeal form. Appeal forms are available in the Department of Public Safety Parking Services Office, and on the Web .
Step 2 – If Step 1 appeal is not resolved to your satisfaction, then that decision may be appealed to the Parking Committee. The appeal must be received by the Parking Committee chairperson within 10 calendar days of the denial at Step 1. The Step 2 appeal must be in writing using only the official appeal form. Forms are available in the Department of Public Safety Parking Services Office, and on the Web. Decisions by the Parking Committee are final.
Enforcement
It is the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety, empowered by the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, to be prompt, impartial, and certain in the enforcement of all parking regulations.
Traffic control signs have been placed on campus streets. The Department of Public Safety requests cooperation of all University motorists to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and motorists. Operators who fail to obey the direction of a traffic sign or who violate any other provision of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code may receive a traffic citation.
All vehicles found to be in violation of the University and/or Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code are subject to being towed, at the owner’s expense, in addition to fines.
Anyone receiving a ticket will be given a time limit of 10 calendar days by which to pay it at the cashier’s window of the Bursar’s Office, 25 University Avenue.
Visitor’s Parking
Visitors must obtain a temporary parking pass from the Parking Services Office, display it on their rearview mirror to be clearly seen, and park in areas designated on the pass. University personnel should inform their visitors of parking rules and regulations. Visitors may also pay to park in the Sharpless Street Garage, New Street Garage and Student Rec Center Garage. Students are not permitted to obtain any sort of visitor parking pass.
Possession of a permit or temporary pass implies awareness of the University Motor Vehicle Regulations and the responsibility to adhere to them. More information about visitor parking can be found here.
The Parking Committee
The Parking and Transportation Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing guidelines for parking at West Chester University. Members are appointed by the president of the University, and the committee includes a representative from each of the following areas: Facilities Division, administration, Public Safety, RHA, OCCA, Faculty Senate, APSCUF, and AFSCME.
Enforcement: Parking permit requirements are enforced during the following hours:
Student Parking Areas - Between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday–Friday all parking regulations apply. Between the hours of 4:00 pm and 1:00 am, student lots are not enforced for permits, but all other violations of these regulations are enforced. Parking is not permitted in commuter lots between the hours of 1:00 am and 7:00 a.m. Monday-Friday.
Employee Parking Areas - 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Reserved Spaces - 24 hours a day, seven days a week
All other parking and traffic regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.