Where Can I Park
- Students
- Faculty & Staff
- Additional Parking
- Eligibility
- Obtaining a Decal
- Proper Placement of Decals
- Visitors
- Temporary Parking Permits
Students
Out of State Parking
Registration of a vehicle is not complete until the WPI parking registration insignia is permanently affixed to the vehicle. Student decals expire annually in August.
Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L c.90 § 3, as amended by chapter 46 of the acts of 2003. This form must be completed by every nonresident enrolled as a full time student at a school or college in the Commonwealth who operates a motor vehicle in Massachusetts that is registered in another state or country during any period beginning on September 1st of any year, and ending on August 31 of the following year. This applies to students commuting from out-of-state to a school in Massachusetts and students temporarily residing in Massachusetts. The school will issue the required decal, which must be affixed to the uppermost center portion of the windshield. The penalty for a nonresident's failure to comply as required is up to $200.00.
Student Parking Areas
Designated Student Parking locations in accordance with the decal color coded system:
| Res. Hall/Status | Parking Lot | Sticker Color |
|---|---|---|
Stoddard A, B, or C | Stoddard | Blue |
Morgan Hall | Stoddard | Blue |
Daniels Hall | Stoddard | Blue |
Sanford-Riley Hall | Stoddard | Blue |
Fuller Apts. | Fuller | Red |
Ellsworth Apts. | Ellsworth | Green |
Founders Hall | Founders | Purple |
Institute Hall | Institute | Yellow |
Commuter/Grad. | Library, West St. | Orange |
Gateway | Gateway Garage | Gray |
East Hall | East Hall Garage | Tan |
Student Lots Designated By Color Coded Decal
The Stoddard Lot is intended as an overflow lot for all members of the WPI Community. Any community member displaying a current / valid decal (of any color), may park in the Stoddard lot.
Faculty and Staff
Any university employee who operates a vehicle on campus must register that vehicle with the WPI Police Department, located at Founders Hall, lower level. The vehicle registration process must be accomplished within seven (7) working days from the effective hiring date. A registration form must be completed and signed by the employee and will be kept on file with WPI Police.
Faculty and staff will be notified by WPI Police of the appropriate steps to follow when decals and procedures are up for revision.
Parking on Main Campus
WPI faculty and staff who have registered with WPI Police and display a maroon decal may park in any legal space in following campus lots: Quadrangle, Higgins House, Library, West Street, Stoddard, Private Way (West Street extension), Boynton service road to the Library stairwell (Exception: Goddard/Olin lot requires a yellow decal)
Parking rules and regulations will be disseminated to all faculty and staff annually and upon the registration process.
Parking in East Hall Garage
There is an annual charge of $350.
Parking at Gateway
Faculty and staff at Gateway Park are issued a green decal from the Department of Biology and Biotechnology. NOTE: WPI ID cards must be activated to access the Gateway garage.
Additional Campus Parking Areas
Private Way (West Street Extension)
Parking is available to faculty and staff on both sides of the West Street extension (the section owned by WPI). A winter parking ban may be necessary on one side of this road when slippery road conditions exist. Commuter and graduate students with orange decals may also use this area.
Boynton Service Road to Library Stairway
Nine designated spaces are clearly marked on one side of the service road that runs from Boynton Street to the stairway behind the Library for community members with a parking decal for the library lot. (During snow removal operations, all service road areas must remain open and clear of parked vehicles.)
Eligibility
Permission to operate a vehicle on the WPI campus or other land owned by the university is a discretionary privilege bestowed by the president, through the Board of Trustees; such privilege may be denied, revoked, suspended, or modified by action of the board or the president and/or designee herein authorized to take such actions.
No vehicle shall be registered for operation on the campus or other land owned by WPI unless requesting registration has met the motor vehicle liability requirements for the operation and use of motor vehicles upon the ways of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Decal Registration Expiration
With the exception of faculty/staff vehicles, registration expires annually on August 1 or under the following conditions:
- All registrants: upon revocation, transfer of ownership of the vehicle, or change of license plate number.
- Employees: upon termination of employment at WPI.
- Students: upon termination of status as a student at WPI.
Obtaining a Decal
Students
The dates for registering vehicles will be announced and decals will be issued to undergraduate students at the Campus Center within the first two weeks of A-term. Additional dates and times will be announced for graduate students at the start of A-term to accommodate evening schedules.
All eligible vehicles must be registered with the WPI Police Department and must display a current parking decal within the first two weeks of A-term. Parking rules and regulations are provided to all students during the registration process.
Cost for Decals
All undergraduate and graduate students:
$75 main campus only; $50 Gateway only;
$100 main campus and Gateway; $350 East Hall garage
After the first two weeks, decals will be available for all WPI Community members, between 8:00am and 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, at the WPI Police Department, located at Founders Hall, lower level. A valid driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate, and student/employee identification card are required when registering a vehicle.
First year students who live in residence halls are not permitted to park their vehicles on WPI campus property, unless they have been granted special permission by the chief of the WPI Police (as a result of extenuating emergency circumstances). Individual requests for freshman parking will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A hard-copy letter must be sent to Chief Cheryl Martunas, WPI Police, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280. The specific nature of the circumstances must be indicated regarding a request for parking privileges. Work-related requests require a documented memo from a supervisor on official letterhead. These requests will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt, and a reply letter will be generated. If parking is approved, the letter must be brought to the WPI Police Department when applying for a decal.
Commuter students who live outside a (verified) one-mile radius, may register a vehicle with WPI Police, obtaining an orange parking decal.
All other students may register their vehicles and be issued decals in accordance with the decal color code system.
Registration of a vehicle is not complete until the WPI parking registration insignia is permanently affixed to the vehicle. Student decals expire annually in August.
NOTE about out-of-state vehicles (students only): Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L c.90 § 3, as amended by chapter 46 of the acts of 2003. This form must be completed by every nonresident enrolled as a full time student at a school or college in the Commonwealth who operates a motor vehicle in Massachusetts that is registered in another state or country during any period beginning on September 1st of any year, and ending on August 31 of the following year. This applies to students commuting from out-of-state to a school in Massachusetts and students temporarily residing in Massachusetts. The school will issue the required decal, which must be affixed to the uppermost center portion of the windshield. The penalty for a nonresident's failure to comply as required is up to $200.00.
Faculty and Staff
WPI Faculty and Staff will be notified early in A-Term of the appropriate procedure to follow in order to register their vehicle(s) with the Campus Police. Also, faculty and staff must register their vehicles with Campus Police each year.
Faculty and Staff will be using a maroon decal.
Proper Placement of Decals
Proper placement of your decal.
On vehicles with stationary rear window, display decal in the lower right-hand corner of the rear window. On convertibles or vehicles with tinted windows, place decal on the driver’s side, lower left corner of the windshield.
Visitor Parking
Parking spaces marked “Visitor Parking Only” are reserved for WPI visitors and guests. These spaces are located in the following areas:
- 13 visitor spaces in front of Alumni Gymnasium
- 5 visitor spaces in the Library lot, near the stairs
- 5 visitor spaces on the service road behind Boynton Hall
Admissions Visitor Parking
Parking spaces for Admissions visitors are located on the north and south sides of Bartlett Center. Six spaces on each side, identified as “Admissions visitors only,” are monitored by WPI Police and will be strictly enforced up until 5:00pm on weekdays. After 5:00, these spaces may be used by community members and other visitors.
All visitors should obtain a temporary parking permit, which should be displayed in plain view on the vehicle’s rearview mirror. (The department inviting the visitor should arrange for a visitor permit ahead of time from WPI Police.)
Motorcycle Parking
Two areas on campus are clearly marked “motorcycle parking only”:
- Quadrangle lot, at the north side of Morgan Hall
- Library lot, near the the stairs
All motorcycles are to be parked in these spaces and must be kept away from building entrances and sidewalks. Decals are not required for motorcycle parking, but all motorcycles must be registered by filling out a registration form at the WPI Police Department. Other motor vehicles may park in motorcyle spaces ONLY under two conditions: during the winter months and/or by the direction of a WPI Police officer.
Special Events Parking Procedures
Individuals and/or groups scheduling an event on campus that will attract visitors, especially those using buses, vans, and private automobiles, should notify the WPI Police Department (attention: Chief of Police) in order to secure assistance and plan for providing proper and safe parking.
The WPI Police Department will provide individuals/groups with special parking instructions regarding parking in designated areas. Organizers of large events should work with WPI Police to arrange for traffic control and safety and parking away from heavily used areas of the campus.
Temporary permits are not necessary when attending special events (athletic events, concerts, Commencement, etc.), but visitors may not park in fire lanes, service vehicle spaces, or any area designated as a tow zone.
Temporary Parking Permits
Temporary parking permits are required for vehicles not permanently registered with the WPI Police Department. These permits may be obtained through the WPI Police, located at Founders Hall, lower level.
Temporary permits are dated and specify the location where the person is authorized to park their vehicle. All temporary permits must be displayed in plain view by hanging them on the vehicle’s rearview mirror. Temporary permits are customarily designated for short-term stays at the university. Temporary permits are issued by the WPI Police to the following:
- Faculty, staff, or students who find it necessary to drive a different (unregistered) vehicle to the campus.
- Guest speakers or other invited visitors to campus.
- Visiting consultants, contractors, auditors, and vendors.
- Guests of student residents.
Temporary Medical Permits
WPI community members temporarily immobilized by injury or sickness may apply for a medical permit on a provisional basis through the WPI Chief of Police. Detailed information of the impairment must be noted on letterhead by the attending physician. Upon approval, a temporary handicap permit will be issued, with a specific end date, not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days. Individuals who have received a temporary medical permit may park in handicap spaces through the time period designated. All medical permits must be displayed in plain view by hanging them on the vehicle’s rearview mirror.
Handicap Parking
Several parking spaces have been designated on campus for handicap parking. These spaces have been identified by signs and painted decals within each parking space. Motor vehicles displaying a valid handicap license plate or official placard are authorized to park in designated handicapped parking spaces. Placards must be displayed in plain view for identification purposes.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 16, 2008 09:23:36
