Story by Taylor Ward // Staff Writer | Photo by John Connor Coulston // Managing Editor
Finding parking at MTSU can be difficult enough, and then your first parking ticket brings you to a whole new level of headache and confusion. Just about everyone has questions about parking on campus. We did some research and have the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about parking on campus.
Q: Where can I park if I have a residential parking tag?
A: Aside from reserved spaces, the red, residential parking tags allow currently attending students to park in the red and green parking areas. Students who have red permits are also able to park in the parking garages located on campus.
Q: Which parking lots are for commuters?
A: Commuter lots are marked with green signs and are spread throughout campus. These lots include: Rose Lot, Middle Tennessee Lot, Fairview Lots, Bell Lot, Ingram Lots, Greenland Lot, Livestock Lot, Greenhouse Lot, Ezell Lot, Parking Services Lots, Main St. Lot, half of the Public Safety Lot, College Heights Lot, Abernathy Lot, Recreation Lot, City View Lot, Softball Lot, MTSU Lot, Rutherford Lot, Highland Lot and Jackson Lot.
MTSU’s three parking garages located off of Champion Way, MTSU Boulevard and Bell Street are also open to commuters. Students must swipe their MTSU ID cards in order to enter and exit the garages.
Q: After what time is anyone allowed to park on campus without the possibility of being ticketed?
A: “In short the answer is never,” Director of Parking and Transportation Services Tracy Read said. “Campus police can ticket 24 hours a day 7 days a week.”
However, parking opens up to all permitted vehicles at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., depending on the lot.
Q: Where can I pay my parking ticket?
A: Students can pay for a parking ticket in person, by mail, or online through their Pipeline account. Checks must be mailed to the MTSU Bursar’s Office, and cash transactions must be completed in person. Students can pay for their ticket via Pipeline by going to the “Raidernet” tab, and then the “Student Account” tab.
Q: How do I appeal a parking ticket?
A: Students can appeal their parking ticket at the Student Government Association website.
Information regarding parking violation appeals is located on the back of each citation issued.
Q: What should I do if I lose my parking tag?
A: Parking tags that are lost or stolen need to be reported to Parking and Transportation Services and can be replaced for a $25 fee.
Q: How do visitors obtain a temporary parking pass?
A: Visitor parking passes can be purchased at the Parking Services Office located on campus, or by printing out a pass online. Special visitors may be able to obtain a visitors pass from the individual department on campus that they are visiting.
Q: Where is designated motorcycle parking located on campus?
A: Motorcycle parking is available at the Voorhies Engineering Technology building, Peck Hall, Ezell Hall, the Business and Aerospace building and in the Livestock parking lot.
Q: Will MTSU be building new parking lots or garages in the near future?
A: “Not at this time. Last semester we maintained a minimum of 500-750 available spaces at all times,” Read said.
Q: Are there currently more parking tags issued than actual parking spaces available?
A: Yes. According to Read, this is normal due to the variations in student schedules.
“Not everyone is on campus at the same time,” Read said.
The Parking Services Offices is located at 1403 Main Street and open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information about parking on campus can be found at www.mtsu.edu/parking. Questions regarding parking on campus can be answered by contacting the office by phone at 615-898-2850 or by email at [email protected].
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To contact News Editor Amanda Freuler, email [email protected]
