Parking

Parking and Transportation in the Clarion Area

A parking permit is needed to park in most areas of the University. Permits are issued to students and employees on an annual basis each August. The fee for student permits is $120 annually. Parking applications can be obtained at the Office of Public Safety, Thorn Street, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Campus Map

In addition to permit parking areas, parking meters are located throughout the campus. A permit is not required to park at a meter; however, students with permits must still pay the meter if they choose to park there. The parking meters are intended for short-term use and have a two-hour or less time limit. Students are encouraged to use the Clarion Area Transit bus service instead of driving to campus. All students may receive a free stadium permit instead of purchasing an on-campus permit, a savings of $120. In addition, students ride free with a student ID. The hours of operation are 7:30 AM until 10:00 PM, seven days a week. Weekdays, the Campus Loop route travels every half-hour to many off-campus apartments in the Clarion area and to the University Stadium. In the evenings, the Mall Run travels hourly from the campus, stadium, and surrounding area to the Mall (exit 62) area. For more information on the bus, visit www.clarion.edu/bus 

Types of Parking Permits

There are several types of student parking permits available. Students are assigned to a parking lot or lots depending upon permit type. The sale of permits is limited. If the number of applications received by August 1st exceeds the number of available permits of that permit type, a lottery will be used to award permits. Historically, only Resident Freshmen permits have sold-out by the August 1st deadline. After August 1st permits are issued on a first come, first served basis. Those who are not awarded a permit may still receive a stadium permit free of charge.

Commuter Students

Students living off campus, including freshmen, who live beyond the radius of 4th Avenue, are eligible for a commuter permit. Off campus students who live closer than the 4th Avenue radius are not eligible for a university-parking permit and are encouraged to utilize parking meters if they need to drive to campus occasionally.

Freshmen living in University-owned residence halls may apply to park in Lot 3, which is located across Main Street from Wilkinson Hall. If Lot 3 is sold out, you may park at the Stadium free of charge.

Students who have accumulated 30 or more credits are considered upperclassmen and are eligible for an upperclassmen residence hall permit. Resident upperclass lots are designated as the blue lots on the campus map and include Lot P, Lot 15 and Lot 8.  Upperclassmen may also use Lot 3

Any student may obtain a stadium permit free of charge. 

All Campus visitors may register at the Public Safety office and obtain a complementary one-day permit from the Public Safety Department. In addition, a limited amount of metered parking is available in most university lots. A permit is not needed to park at a meter, as long as there is time on the meter. 

Penalties and Enforcement

Hours of Enforcement

Permit violations in Residence Hall lots are enforced 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Handicapped Space violations and No Parking Zone violations are also enforced 24 hours a day. Permit regulations in all other lots, as well as meter violations, are enforced from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Except for Residence Hall Lots, all other lots are posted "No Parking 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM" and are closed to all vehicles.

Weekend overnight guests may park free of charge in any Residence Hall Lot from Fridays at 4:30 PM until Monday at 2:00 AM. Students assigned to the stadium lot may also park in these on-campus lots over the weekend.

The parking regulations exist to help ensure adequate parking for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. A successful parking plan depends upon the cooperation of those who use the university's parking resources. The high demand for parking on our campus necessitates active enforcement and additional penalties for those who habitually ignore parking regulations. It is therefore our practice that after the fifth valid ticket in an academic year (paid or unpaid), the fine for all subsequent violations increases to $30.00 per violation. The fine for illegally parking in a handicapped space is $30.00. All other fines are $10.00.

Vehicles with three or more outstanding tickets may be booted. A $30.00 fee, as well as all outstanding tickets, must be paid prior to the removal of the boot.

Any person who violates these regulations, or any campus parking policy, shall be subject to (a) a fine, and prosecution under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code or the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. All penalties, not paid or appealed within the required time limit, can be filed with the District Justice for prosecution. The defendant, if adjudicated guilty, will be required to pay fines and costs of prosecution.

Questions about parking should be directed to the Public Safety Department at (814) 393-2111 or e-mailed to parking@clarion.edu. For more information about parking at Clarion
University, visit the parking website at www.clarion.edu/parking/