Parking FAQ

Phone: 413-538-2514
Web: Parking Office

Do all cars have to be registered?
Yes; all cars parked on the campus need to be registered. Student parking is $125 per year; a discount of $15 is offered if  registration is done online prior to the start of classes. If you are here for the first semester only, you will need to register the vehicle for the entire year and you will be refunded $62.50 if you scrape off and return your decal before January 1.

If I have a car here for a short time, do I have to pay for a semester?
The Parking Office can issue a week pass (for $10) or a two-week pass (for $20). If a car will be on campus longer than two weeks, it must be registered for the semester.

I have a guest coming, do they need to register? Where can they park?
Yes, guests need to obtain visitor passes from the Parking Office. You need to accompany them, as you will be responsible for any citations issued to the car. Visitor passes are issued for up to one month at a time. Most visitors are assigned parking in the Equestrian Center Lot or the Gorse Lot. Other areas may be designated, based on campus needs.

My guest is only coming for the evening, can s/he park anywhere near my residence hall?
Visitors can park in faculty/staff spaces in the evenings after 5 pm and before 7 am the following morning without a pass. If they are staying later than 7 am, they can park in Torrey Lot (not Torrey Circle) until 9 am, which allows for time to obtain a pass from the Parking Office when it opens at 8:30 am.

Can I appeal a ticket?
Yes, appeal forms are available from the Parking Office Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. During the summer forms can be picked up Monday - Friday 8 am - 4 pm. Any ticket can be appealed within 14 days of the date of issue. The Parking Appeals Committee meets monthly and reviews any appeals. They will notify you of the outcome of the appeal. Appeals are available online or you can call 413-538-2514.

If I need to run into a building to pick up something, can I park there for a few minutes?
Parking in unmarked areas, roadways, or tow zones/no parking zones is never allowed. However, students or visitors can park in ANY LEGAL SPACE with their HAZARD LIGHTS on for up to 15 minutes to load, unload, or pick up items.

Can a student or visitor park in faculty/staff spaces during the break?
No, the parking rules and regulations are the same 365 days a year, including holidays, breaks, and the summer.

I have a temporary car today, how can I park and not get a ticket?
Temporary passes are available at the Parking Office. These are provided free of charge to community members who are temporarily replacing a registered car on campus. Students registering a car (which is not replacing a registered car) can do so for $10 per week or for $20 for two weeks.

If I get a new car, can I put my old decal on that car?
No; a decal can only be affixed to the car for which it was issued. If you are replacing the car, you must scrape off the old decal and bring it to the Parking Office. You will then be able to obtain a new decal. There is a $10 replacement decal fee.

If my car is towed, how do I get it back?
Contact the Parking Office at 413-538-2514. After hours, contact Public Safety at 413-538-2304. Any tickets on the car must be paid, and the towing fee must be paid before a vehicle is released. To be allowed to park on campus again, the car must be registered (unless the car has been banned from campus, in which case it must be removed from campus).

When it snows, how do I find out about a possible parking ban?
Public Safety posts parking ban notices on the main door of each residence hall and in academic buildings, to mhc.chat, WMHC, and to the announcement section of the Student Gateways of the College's Web site. We also notify hall presidents. Call the Public Safety Office at 413-538-2304 if you have any questions about a snow parking ban.

How is the money generated from parking tickets used?
The money generated from parking ticket fines is used to fund scholarships.

Where can I find out more information about parking on campus?
We encourage you visit the Parking Office Web site our MHC Parking Blog.

Where is a Mount Holyoke student supposed to park thier registered vehicle?
Students are to park in student spaces only 24/7; 365 days/year.