Surviving Campus Parking

For many, the thought of parking on campus brings on headaches, frustration, maybe even tears. You can put away the ibuprofen and tissues because we are here to help you survive campus parking.

The first step is getting a parking permit for your car. If you don’t have one, stop reading and go purchase one from Transportation and Parking Services.

Once you get your parking permit, you need to know where to park. This map will help you learn all of the designated lots.

• Parking Tip: Avoid parking tickets by making sure you are in the correct lot. There are color-coded signs in the lots that tell you what permit that lot is for. If you park in a faculty/staff lot and you don’t have that permit, you will get a ticket.

Depending on where you park, remember the first few weeks of the semester is when campus parking is most congested.

• Parking Tip: Give yourself extra time to park and get to class the first three weeks of school. Campus is the busiest 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. weekdays.
• Parking Tip: Park farther and walk. By parking farther away, you can find a space quicker and get to class faster. Plus, you’ll get some health benefits from the extra steps! TPS has mapped out the time it takes to walk from lots on the Park & Pace Map.

Still running late for class? Hop on an e-scooter – zip across campus at a breezy speed of 10 MPH and arrive at class without breaking a sweat. Make sure to follow the usage guidelines when using an e-scooter.

• Parking Tip: Check the TPS Facebook and Twitter before you head to campus. Follow @UCOParking for real-time updates on where open spaces are located the first few weeks of school and for other transportation and parking-related updates.

Now that you have some tips and tricks to survive campus parking, here’s to no parking tickets this year.

Sarah Ward

At the Office of University Communications at the University of Central Oklahoma, we bleed bronze and blue — Pantone 116 and 282, to be exact. The University Communications staff of professionals promotes Central to the community through news releases, media relations, advertising, branding and marketing initiatives, publications and electronic media — and, of course, using the university's official colors (that's the Pantone 116 and 282). We believe the University of Central Oklahoma is a thriving, opportunity-rich institution located in one of the best metropolitan areas in the country with innovative students, faculty and staff who make a difference in our world. It is our pleasure to share the Central story with you.