Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided this page to address questions which our staff hear routinely. If you have any questions you think should be added to this list, feel free to call the Parking Office at x2514 8 am–4 pm (Monday–Friday).

Do I have to register my car?

Yes; all cars parked on the campus need to be registered via my.mtholyoke under Other Administrative Functions, Parking Decal Registration. Select your “Decal Type” from the drop-down menu, but do not check any of the boxes, just click “submit” on the bottom and fill out the form. You can also come visit us during our office hours 8 am-4 pm. Student parking is $150 per year for residential students, and $100 for commuters. Students may only use student parking 365 days a year, including holidays, breaks and the summer.

  • 100% refunds can be issued if you return your decal within two weeks of the first day of classes
  • 50% refunds can be issued for first semester parking if you scrape off and return your decal before January 1st.
  • Second semester decals can be requested online and are effective as of January 1 for that semester
  • If you replace a vehicle during the school year, email the Parking Office to let us know.

I have a medical condition requiring that I have close proximity parking near my hall and academic buildings; can I do this?

Employees and students with state-issued handicapped placards can be parked in handicapped spaces if operated by the person for whom the placard/plates were issued or is being used to transport the authorized person, but need to be registered with the parking office. Students who have a medical condition but do not have a handicapped plate can meet with the Health Center staff for any short-term medical issues (injuries, etc), or contact Disability Services if it is a chronic long-term issue to be considered for a medical pass. Faculty and staff members who have a medical condition but do not have a handicapped placard can request medical parking through Human Resources.

How can I find the Parking Rules and Regulations?

You can find these online on the Parking Office website, or come to the Parking Office. We are in the Public Safety & Service Building across from the CDC and Health Center.

I am a Frances Perkins Scholar; how do I register my car?

You can register via my.mtholyoke under Other Administrative Functions, Parking Decal Registration. Choose the “STDO-Commuter Student-Online” option on the drop-down menu, but do not check any of the boxes, just click “submit” and fill out the form. It is $100 to register for a commuter student decal and will be charged to your student account. You may park at the Dunlap or Gorse lots on campus-please park in Gorse if parking overnight.

I am a student and have a car here for a short time; do I have to pay for a semester?

The Parking Office can issue a week pass (for $10.00) or a two-week pass (for $20.00). If a car will be on campus longer than two weeks, it must be registered for the semester. Park in a student space if you bring your car overnight or on the weekend and come see us when our office opens or email us at parking@mtholyoke.edu

I heard students can park in faculty/staff spaces at night or on weekends; is this true?

No, students must remain in student lots at all times, including weekends, nights, breaks and holidays.

Please remain parked in student parking spaces at all times.

There is no parking anytime in the following areas:

  • In any faculty/staff space
  • On any campus road
  • On the side of any campus roadway
  • In front of any building (residential, academic or administrative)
  • On any grass or unpaved area
  • In any visitor or reserved space
  • In any designated fire lane*
  • In any loading area
  • In handicap areas*
  • On any sidewalk, path or crosswalk
  • In front of or alongside of fire hydrant*

*vehicles parking in these areas will automatically be ticketed and TOWED.

What does the Parking Office do with the funds collected through parking citations?

The Parking Office allocates any funds collected into a Mount Holyoke College student scholarship fund.

I have a guest coming; do they need to register? Where can they park?

Student guests may park in any open Faculty/Staff parking between the hours of 5 pm-7 am weekdays and all weekend. Visitors parking outside of these hours require a pass. The student host needs to completely fill out a Guest Parking Request Form or accompany them to the Parking Office as that student will be responsible for any citations issued to the car.

  • Visitors should not park in student spaces, as these are reserved for Mount Holyoke students.

My guest is only coming for the evening; can they park anywhere near my residence hall?

Visitors without a pass can park in faculty/staff spaces in the evenings - after 5 pm and before 7 am the following morning.

  • If they are staying later than 7 am, they can park in the Torrey lot until 9 am, allowing time to obtain a pass from the Parking Office when it opens at 8:30 am.
  • Students may not park in Faculty/Staff Areas, even with a car without a decal.

Can I appeal a ticket?

Yes; appeal forms are available online under the Parking Violations option, or from the Parking Office Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm.

  • Any ticket can be appealed within 7 days of the date of issue.
  • The Parking Appeals Committee meets monthly and reviews appeals. They will notify you of the outcome of the appeal, and you will receive an automated email if you provided one on the initial form.
  • **Please be aware that if you receive 5 parking violations you will be referred to the Dean of Students for a possible parking ban and addition to our tow list.

I have a temporary car today; how can I park and not get a ticket?

The Parking Office has temporary passes that can be issued to students, faculty and staff.

  • These are provided free of charge to community members who are temporarily replacing a registered car on campus. Email the office at parking@mtholyoke.edu to request one.
  • Students registering a car which is not replacing an already-registered car can do so for $10.00 per week or for $20.00 for two weeks.

When it snows, where can I or a guest park?

The college will communicate any parking restrictions via email and social media. Students should remain in student lots unless your lot is being cleared; email communications will let you know. If you have any questions about winter parking, please call the Parking Office at x2514.