Campus Safety at Aquinas College

Parking Information and Regulations

Overview

The Campus Safety Department oversees all parking and traffic needs and is responsible for the management and enforcement of the campus parking and traffic rules and regulations.

  • All vehicles require a current and valid Aquinas College parking permit in order to park on campus. 
  • The campus speed limit is 15 mph on roadways, 10 mph at speed humps, and 5 mph in parking lots.
  • Vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks.
  • Vehicles must come to a complete stop at all posted stop signs encountered, using caution before proceeding into the intersection.
  • Aquinas College considers all campus roadways to be fire lanes.
  • Parking outside of a defined parking space, including along the curb, in a roadway, on unpaved ground/grass, or on a sidewalk, is strictly prohibited.
  • Failure to abide by the parking rules and regulations may result in the receipt of parking tickets, the immobilization or towing of a vehicle, and/or the revocation of parking privileges.

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Parking Permits

Visitor Parking

Parking Lots

Parking Citations


Quick Links to Forms and Documents


Parking Permits

Parking permits are available at the Campus Safety Building, located at the west end of the Wege lot (lot 10).  All vehicles require a current and valid Aquinas College parking permit in order to park on campus. Parking permits are only valid when displayed in the correct location and fully adhered to the vehicle as a sticker/decal.  Permits are to be placed on the inside surface of the front windshield in the lower passenger side corner.  See the Permit Placement Diagram for a visual depiction of correct permit placement.  Permits are not transferable between vehicles.  Please remove any and all expired permits from your windshield before adhering the current permit.

Ordering a Parking Permit

The permit registration form is online and may be completed from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection.  First-time users will need to create an account in the parking system before they can register for a permit.  The system will require payment for student parking permits via credit/debit card in order to submit your order.  Please contact the Student Accounts Office (616-632-2864 or studentaccounts@aquinas.edu) if you would like to request a different payment method.  If you believe that an incorrect permit option is displayed when you go to fill out the form, please call the Campus Safety Office before submitting your order.  Aquinas reserves the right to deny refund requests; approved refund requests will be processed less a processing fee.

Picking Up Your Parking Permit

Permits are available for pick-up at the Campus Safety Office. Individuals must bring a valid driver’s license, state-issued vehicle registration, and Aquinas ID card to the Campus Safety Office to pick up their permit. If you do not have an Aquinas ID card, Campus Safety can issue one to you.  Permits will not be issued without these documents, so please ensure that you are prepared.

Upon receipt of your permit, individuals should immediately fully adhere the permit to their vehicle on the inside surface of the front windshield in the lower passenger-side corner (see diagram) and ensure that they are parked in a lot that they are authorized for.  Improperly placed or adhered permits are subject to citation.  Lost permits are replaced for a fee.

Resident Student Parking Permits

A resident student is a student who has contracted with Aquinas College to reside in an on-campus residence hall.  Resident student parking permits restrict parking to one specific parking lot for the duration of the permit.  Should your assigned parking lot be full, the overflow lots are Woodward and Mayfield Lots. Residents must call Campus Safety at (616) 632-2462 for a Request Not to Ticket (RNTT) to park in these lots. Residents must move their vehicle back to their assigned lot as soon as spaces in their assigned lot become available.

Purchasing Options

Resident student parking permits can be purchased by the semester or by the academic year.

  • Annual permit: Annual permits are valid for the entire 2022-2023 academic year and cost $300.
  • Semester permit: Semester permits are valid for one semester (fall or spring) and cost $155.

There is a limited number of annual permits available.  Once they have all been purchased, only semester permits will be available.  Spring semester permits will become available for purchase towards the end of the fall semester.

Resident students who would like to be put on a waitlist for an alternate parking lot assignment can complete the Request Parking Reassignment Form.  Please be aware that form entries are only valid if you have already purchased a parking permit valid for the current academic term.  Form entries submitted by individuals who have not purchased a current and valid resident parking permit will not be considered.  Don’t wait to pick up your originally ordered parking permit, as we often aren’t able to move anyone’s assignments until mid-semester.  Requests are considered in the order they are received.

Commuter Student Parking Permits

A commuter student is a student who has not contracted with Aquinas College to reside in an on-campus residence hall, therefore, must commute to campus.  Commuter students may park in any of the following parking lots with a commuter permit: Fulton Lot (1), Mayfield Lot (4), East Albertus Lot (13), Plymouth Lot (14), and Woodward Lot (27).

These parking lots are marked in blue on the Campus Parking Map.  Please contact the Campus Safety Office for any overnight parking needs, as commuter students do not have the same overnight privileges as resident students.

Purchasing Options

Commuter student parking permits can be purchased by the year, the semester, or the quad.

  • Annual permit: Annual permits are valid for the entire 2022-2023 school year and cost $105.
    • High school dual-enrolled students may purchase an annual permit for $25.
  • Semester permit: Semester permits are valid for one semester (fall or spring) and cost $65.
  • Quad permit: Quad permits are valid for one quad (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) and cost $40.

Commuter students who drive more than one vehicle on an alternating basis may purchase a permit for the second vehicle, valid for the same term as the first permit, for $25.00. Each permit must be registered to the vehicle on which it is displayed. Individuals may have a maximum of two (2) vehicles registered at a time, but only one of these vehicles may be on campus at any given time.

Employee Parking Permits

Employees are individuals currently employed by Aquinas College.  Employees are generally classified as staff, faculty, or vendors.  All employees are required to have a current and valid parking permit on their vehicle in order to park on campus, regardless of whether they are considered full-time, part-time, adjunct, etc.  Employees may register up to two personal vehicles at a time for active parking permits.  Please notify Campus Safety when you are no longer using a permitted vehicle (due to sale, ownership transfer, lease trade-in, vehicle accident, etc)  and return the permit to our office. 

Faculty permits allow for parking in the following lots: Fulton Lot (lot 1), Mayfield Lot (lot 4), Academic Lot (lot 9), Wege Lot (lot 10), Gatehouse Lot (lot 11), East Albertus Lot (lot 13), Plymouth Lot (lot 14), Holmdene Lot (lot 19) - marked “faculty” spaces only, Hruby Lot (lot 20) - middle “business” section only, Hawkins Lot (lot 22), Browne Lot (lot 23) - east “business” section only, and Woodward Lot (lot 27).

Staff and Vendor permits allow for parking in the following lots: Fulton Lot (lot 1), Mayfield Lot (lot 4), Gatehouse Lot (lot 11), East Albertus Lot (lot 13), Plymouth Lot (lot 14), Hruby Lot (lot 20) - middle “business” section only, Hawkins Lot (lot 22), Browne Lot (lot 23) - east “business” section only, and Woodward Lot (lot 27).

Special/Reserved Parking Permits

Due to their respective positions and responsibilities, certain College employees may be eligible to receive a reserved parking permit.  Reserved permits are issued for restricted parking lots/spaces and provide parking privileges in addition to a faculty or staff parking permit.   To be considered for a reserved permit, employees must fill out the application form.  Reserved permits will be issued after careful consideration of the employee’s needs, the nature of & responsibilities of their position with the College, and the availability of parking spaces in the requested lot(s).  Employees will be notified via email of whether or not their application has been approved.

Temporary Parking Permits

For students who only need to park on campus occasionally, temporary permits may be purchased by the day ($3 per day) or by the week ($15 per week). Individuals who already have a valid permit may register a temporary alternate vehicle at no charge. Temporary permits are issued at the Campus Safety Office; the online registration form does not need to be completed for this type of permit. If a student is found to be abusing the temporary permit system, judicial actions and penalty fees may apply.  Payment may be made with cash or by applying the charge to your Aquinas student account.


Visitor Parking

Parking for Guests of Students

The campus permit requirement extends to guest vehicles, including friends and family members. Guest permits may be purchased by the day ($3 per day), the week ($15 per week), the semester ($35 per semester), or the academic year ($60 per year). Permits for parents/guardians and grandparents are issued for the entire academic year at no cost. To obtain a permit for your guest, bring them to the Campus Safety Office. The guest must present a valid driver’s license and state-issued vehicle registration, and the hosting student must present their Aquinas ID card.   Payment may be made with cash (exact amount) or by applying the charge to the sponsoring student’s Aquinas student account.

Aquinas College Department Guest Parking Permits

College employees must register guest(s) in advance for a guest parking permit. Please submit your parking requests at least two (2) business days in advance of your guest's arrival. Once processed, the permit will be emailed to you and your guest. Have your guest park in the assigned lot and place the printed permit on the dash.

Visitors Attending an Athletic Competition on Campus

Individuals attending an athletic competition in the Sturrus Center or Alksnis Center may park in the Mayfield Lot or the Fulton Lot. Individuals attending an athletic competition at the Athletic Field may park in the Woodward Lot. Individuals attending a performance at the Performing Arts Center may park in the Plymouth Lot. Individuals attending an event in the Donnelly Center may park in the Donnelly Event Lot or the Woodward Lot. Visitors are never authorized to park in resident student parking areas or outside of a defined parking space, including along the curb, a roadway, or on unpaved ground/grass.

Visitors to the Grace Hauenstein Library

Individuals wishing to park on campus to utilize the Grace Hauenstein Library are required to obtain a visitor parking permit from the Circulation Desk of the Grace Hauenstein Library or the Campus Safety Office. Students, staff, and faculty of Aquinas College are not eligible for a visitor permit.  Permits issued at the Library are valid for one day only.  Permits issued at the Campus Safety Office are valid for up to one semester at a time.


Parking Lot Restrictions

Parking is allowed on campus as follows.  A parking permit is required to park on campus at all times except for any specifically noted exceptions listed below.  The Aquinas College campus Parking Map is available for viewing here.

  • Fulton Lot (Lot 1): Parking is allowed in the Fulton Lot with the following parking permits: Commuter Student, Faculty, Staff, and Visitor. Accessible parking and timed parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
    • Resident students with a valid parking permit may park in the Fulton Lot on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 am until 11:59 pm.
    • Visitors attending an athletic competition in Sturrus or Alksnis may park in this lot for the duration of the competition without a parking permit. 
  • Lower St. Joseph Lot (Lot 2): Resident student parking only with a valid GOLD Lower St. Joseph Lot permit.
  • Upper St. Joseph Hall Lot (Lot 3): Restricted by posted signs at all times. Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. Resident Assistants are not authorized to park in “Reserved” or “Staff” parking spaces. Accessible parking and timed parking spaces are available.
  • Mayfield Lot (Lot 4): Parking is allowed in the Mayfield Lot with the following parking permits: Commuter Student, Faculty, Staff, Vendor, and Visitor. Accessible parking spaces are available.
    • Visitors attending an athletic competition in Sturrus or Alksnis may park in this lot for the duration of the competition without a parking permit.  
  • Bukowski Lot (Lot 5): The Bukowski Lot is reserved for use by the Marywood Dominican Center at Aquinas.  Individuals unaffiliated with Dominican Center or its business may not park in the Bukowski Lot. Accessible parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • AMC Loading Zone (Lot 6): Loading zone - 15-minute parking only.
  • Maintenance Lot (Lot 7): Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • Academic Lot (Lot 9): Parking is allowed in the Academic Lot with a Faculty parking permit. Accessible parking and timed parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • Wege Lot (Lot 10): Parking is allowed in the Wege Lot with a Faculty parking permit. Accessible parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
    • The Wege Lot is open to all vehicles with a valid parking permit Monday through Thursday from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am, on Fridays from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, and Saturday through Sunday from 6:00 am until 12:00 am. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).  Parking spaces with posted signs will be enforced at all times.
  • Gatehouse Lot (Lot 11): Parking is allowed in the Gatehouse Lot with the following permits: Faculty, Staff, and Vendor.  No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • East Albertus Lot (Lot 13): Parking is allowed in the East Albertus Lot with the following parking permits: Commuter Student, Faculty, Staff, and Vendor. Accessible parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).  Parking spaces with posted signs will be enforced at all times.
  • Plymouth Lot (Lot 14): Parking is allowed in the Plymouth Lot with the following parking permits: Commuter Student, Faculty, Staff, and Vendor. Resident student parking is allowed with a TEAL Plymouth Lot permit in the northeast section of the lot only.  Accessible parking spaces are available. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am) for permit types other than the TEAL Plymouth Lot permit.
    • Visitors attending an event at the Performing Arts Center do not require a parking permit to park in the Plymouth Lot for the duration of the event.  Performers/presenters attending rehearsals DO require a parking permit.
  • Theater Annex Lot (Lot 15): Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • Carriage House Lot (Lot 16): Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).  Accessible parking and timed parking spaces are available.  Moose Cafe student staff are not authorized to park in designated “Staff” parking.  Restricted by posted signs at all times. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
  • Regina Lot (Lot 17): Restricted by posted signs at all times. Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. Resident Assistants are not authorized to park in “Reserved” or “Staff” parking spaces. Timed parking spaces are available.
  • Holmdene Lot (Lot 19): Parking by special permission with a Reserved parking permit. Faculty, visitor, and Accessible parking as designated by posted signs. Visitor parking spaces are not available for use by guests of students. No overnight parking (2:00 am to 6:00 am).
    • The Holmdene Lot is available to all vehicles with a valid parking permit for weekend parking from Friday at 6:00 pm until 2:00 am and Saturday through Sunday from 6:00 am until 2:00 am.
  • Hruby Lot (Lot 20): The Hruby Lot is divided into three sections.  The west section of the lot is for visitor parking as designated by posted signs. Visitor parking spaces are not available for use by guests of students during business hours  The center section of the lot is available for employees with Staff permits and Faculty permits.  Reserved parking spaces and posted temporary parking (15-minute) spaces are enforced at all times. The east section of the lot is available for resident students with a RED Hruby Lot parking permit only. Overnight parking is authorized for resident student parking only during the week.  Accessible parking and timed parking spaces are available.
    • The center “business section” of the Hruby Lot is available to all vehicles with a valid parking permit for weekend parking beginning on Friday at 6:00 pm until Monday at 2:00 am.
  • Willowbrook Lot (Lot 21): The east row of the Willowbrook parking lot is available for parking with an ORANGE Willowbrook Lot resident parking permit.  The west row of the lot is reserved for the residents of Willowbrook and their guests.
  • Hawkins Lot (Lot 22):  Parking is allowed in the Hawkins Lot with the following parking permits: Faculty, Staff, and Vendor.
  • Browne Lot (Lot 23): Parking in the Browne Lot is divided into two sections - see map. Resident students with a valid BROWN resident student parking permit may park in the north and west sections of the Browne Lot.  The two east-most rows of parking are available for parking with the following parking permits: Faculty, Staff, and Vendor.  Individuals attending an OLLI class/lecture may park in the two rows closest to the Browne Center without a permit during their class/lecture and to meet with OLLI staff members as needed.  Accessible parking spaces are available. Overnight parking is authorized for resident student parking only.
  • Grounds Lot (Lot 24): Grounds department vehicle parking only.
  • Woodward Lot (Lot 27): Parking in the Woodward Lot is available for the following parking permits: Faculty, Staff, Vendor, Commuter Student, Visitor.  Accessible parking and Carpool parking spaces are available.
    • Visitors attending an athletic competition at the Athletic Field may park in this lot for the duration of the competition without a parking permit.
  • Donnelly Lot (Lot 28): Restricted to event parking only.  Visitors attending an event in the Donnelly Center may park in the Donnelly Lot without a parking permit. Accessible parking spaces are available.
  • Meijer Lot (Lot 29): Resident student parking only with a valid YELLOW Meijer Lot permit.
  • Flannery Lot (Lot 31):  Parking in the Flannery Lot is allowed for employees who work in Mother Victor Flannery Hall.  Visitor and Accessible parking spaces are available. 
  • Wisdom Lot (Lot 32): Parking by special permission only.  Visitor spaces are reserved for visitors attending Mass, Reconciliation, or an event at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel.  Aquinas employees, students, and guests of students are not permitted to park in the visitor parking spaces in the Wisdom Lot.  No overnight parking is allowed.
  • Knape Lot (Lot 33): Resident student parking only with a valid SILVER Knape Lot permit.
  • Dominican Lot (Lot 34): Resident student parking only with a valid BLUE Dominican Lot permit. Accessible parking spaces are available.
  • St. Rose Lot (Lot 44): Resident student parking only with a valid GREEN St. Rose Lot permit. Accessible parking spaces are available.

Parking Citations

Parking citations are a tool used by Aquinas College to enforce parking and traffic regulations on campus and to encourage compliance.  If you receive a parking or traffic citation and have questions, please contact the Campus Safety Office.

Citation Appeals

An appeal should be based on the fact that the parking or traffic citation was issued contrary to the Aquinas College Parking Rules and Regulations or in error.  Appeals are reviewed by the Director of Campus Safety or his designee, and appellants will be emailed with their decision.  The citation fine payment deadline is paused while a citation is in appeal and restarts once the appeal decision has been made.  Fines may be upheld, overturned, or reduced.  View, pay, or appeal a parking or traffic citation here.

Flagrant Violators

Individuals are considered Flagrant Violators after receiving three parking and/or traffic citations.  Citation fines increase as follows for flagrant violators.

  • 1-3 citations: Normal fines, defined by offense.
  • 4-7 citations: All citations are issued with a fee of $52.72, regardless of offense.
  • 8-10 citations: All citations are issued with a fee of $105, regardless of offense.
  • 11+ citations: All citations are issued with a fee of $155, regardless of offense.

Flagrant violator status resets for campus community members at the beginning of each academic year on August 1st.

Vehicle Immobilization

Vehicles are subject to citation and immobilization (i.e. “booting”)—without notice—by the Department of Campus Safety for the following reasons:

  • Persistent and flagrant violations of the Aquinas College Parking and Traffic Regulations (i.e. registered vehicles or vehicles not displaying a valid permit) receiving ten (10) or more citation
  • Unregistered vehicles receiving three (3) or more citations.
  • Vehicles parked without a valid license plate will be cited/booted for parking without proper identification.

If your vehicle has been immobilized, please contact Campus Safety for more information.