Editors’ note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How do students obtain parking permits?
A: Students can go to https://wlu.thepermitstore.com/index.php to register their vehicles and obtain a parking permit for locations based on their place of residence. Permits are $65, which is less expensive than other colleges. Students can obtain a parking permit at any time of the year, although permits are not infinite. The school ran out of certain permits last year.
Q: Does getting a parking permit mean I can park anywhere on campus?
A: No, the letters on the permit determine which lots students can park in. More information about what different permits mean and where to park can be found here: https://my.wlu.edu/student-life/health-and-safety/public-safety/parking-and-vehicle-registration. If a student is found to be parked somewhere they are not allowed to be in, Public Safety will start their enforcement procedures.
Q: How is parking enforced?
A: Public Safety officers are not proactively going to parking lots looking for people parked illegally. However, if Public Safety sees someone parked in an area they aren’t supposed to, they will take action.
Q: What are the consequences of parking illegally?
A: Public Safety will just be giving out warnings in the beginning of the academic year. [VanClief] implemented the system last year, which heavily enforced parking only after Sept. 19. The “drop dead date” this year is Sept. 23.
Q: What will happen after Sept. 23?
A: [VanClief has] a three step system for parking enforcement that begins with a warning. If a car is found parked illegally, Public Safety will call the driver to give them a warning. After the second offense, the driver will be issued a citation which will be charged on the student’s account. Public Safety gives violators 15 days to pay their citation before they send the fine to the Business Office and add a $25 processing fee. Students in violation a third time will have their car towed and will deal with fines and fees from the tow company instead of the university.
Q: What happens if I park illegally four times?
A: After three strikes, your car will be towed each subsequent time you are found to be in violation.
Q: How much are the parking citations?
A: It depends. The fine can reach up to $250 for parking in a disability spot and as low as $25 for simply parking in the wrong lot, according to the university’s parking enforcement and penalties website.
Q: What can I do if I see someone parked illegally?
A: If you see something, say something. Call Public Safety.
