The snow has fallen, and along with the changing weather, Northwestern’s parking rules for students have changed.
However, some rules have remained the same.
“Whether it is winter or not, overnight parking is only allowed in designated student parking lots,” said Peter Boerema, Director of Campus Safety and Environmental Health. “Students may not park in ‘no overnight’ areas from 12-6 a.m. Monday-Friday and 1-6 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.”
The vehicles cannot be parked in the “no overnight” areas for any length of time during those time spans.
“These are areas that vehicles are towed out of when snow removal is necessary,” Boerema said. “Improperly parked vehicles in student lots may also be towed if they are in the way of snow removal equipment: blocking an aisle, on the sidewalk, not in a marked spot in a paved lot or not between the arrow signs in gravel lots.”
When violating parking regulations, students are fined $15 for being in an unauthorized lot, being improperly parked, or failing to display tag. It is a $50 fine for parking in a handicap area without a proper permit and a $60 fine for having to be towed.
“All fines are reduced by $5 if paid within three business days,” Boerema said. “After those three days, the fines are full value. If unpaid after one week, the fines double. It is possible to have multiple violations on one ticket.”
If a student has an outstanding ticket for longer than a month, they may have a hold put on their account until the fine is paid.
When a student’s vehicle is towed, it is important to know where it has been taken.
“Vehicles with NW registration stickers are towed to the gravel parking lot north of the maintenance building (east of the football field) and may be picked up by the owner at any time,” Boerema said. “Vehicles that do not have NW registration stickers are towed to Elite Auto Body. The towing fee must be paid to Elite before the vehicle will be released.”
If students have a bike on campus they also have rules to follow during snow removal.
“During the winter, the bike racks that are on the sidewalk areas around the Bolks buildings need to be left empty to allow proper snow removal,” Boerema said.
Bolks residents should use the bike rack behind Vanderhill Cottage for the winter. Fern residents should use the bike racks on the east side of the building near the main entrance to the caf lobby. Coly and Hospers residents should use the bike racks on the north side of Coly, between the two dorm buildings. Plex residents should use the bike rack to the east of the Plexes.
For indoor winter bike storage, bikes can be brought to the maintenance building to be stored for free as long as they have an NW bike registration sticker. Registration also is free and can be completed in the Student Life office on the second floor of the Ramaker Center.
