University parking is one of the five key segments of the parking industry, alongside commercial office parking, hospital parking, airport parking, and entertainment district parking. However, university parking stands out due to its unique, seasonal, and cyclical nature. While hang tags and decals remain the primary method of parking permit distribution at most universities across the country, the process can be contentious, particularly when it comes to timing, pricing, and enforcement. Parkers tend to hold on to the one time they were wronged by a parking program. 

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For most universities, the peak time for parking permit issuance comes at the start of the fall and spring semesters, with some additional permits sold throughout the term. However, the implementation and enforcement of parking policies can be highly sensitive, especially when students are living on tight budgets and managing their lives away from home for the first time. The way universities approach parking—its pricing, identification systems, and enforcement—can lead to tensions with students, particularly if those policies are perceived as unfair or poorly timed.  

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A recent example of this occurred at the University of New Orleans (UNO), where students pushed back against the administration's decision to impose full-price parking decals with only a few weeks left in the fall semester. While $130 for a parking decal might not seem like a significant amount for some, for a student body like UNO’s, where many students juggle part-time jobs and tight finances, it became a point of contention. The timing of the fee—announced just days before the end of the semester—was particularly controversial. 

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In response, several student organizations, including the Student Government Association (SGA), organized protests voicing concern over the sudden implementation of the full-price decals. Students also took to social media platforms like Reddit and X to voice their frustrations, with many calling for a boycott of the decals and encouraging others to continue parking without a permit. The fallout from the protest threatened to create a ripple effect, as the university’s enforcement team would be tasked with handling an increased volume of parking violations in the wake of the boycott. 

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The issue stemmed from a new contract the university had entered into regarding parking, which resulted in a delay in issuing permits. For the majority of the fall semester—from August to mid-November—campus parking was not actively enforced, meaning students were not ticketed for parking violations during that period. While some argued that students were essentially being asked to pay retroactively for parking permits they had already used, others pointed out that the university’s contract and planning decisions should not become the financial burden of students. 

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This situation highlights the challenges universities face in managing parking systems, especially when decisions are perceived to be made without sufficient communication or consultation with the student body. As with parking fees in other sectors, the topic is a sensitive one, and missteps in implementation can lead to significant backlash. Successful parking programs, particularly in university settings, often require open communication with stakeholders, including student organizations like the Student Government Association, which could have helped the university better understand and address student concerns before announcing the issuance and fee implementation so late in the semester. 

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In our experience at TPN, we have witnessed both success stories and failures in parking implementation. Open dialogue, careful planning, and a willingness to listen to campus stakeholders are key to avoiding conflict and ensuring smooth transitions when changes are made. Had the administration at UNO engaged more proactively with student groups before enforcing the parking decal purchase, the situation might have been handled differently, and the backlash could have been avoided. 

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In the end, university parking is a complex issue that involves more than just issuing permits. It's about managing a system that balances financial needs with student welfare, and ensuring that decisions are made transparently and with sensitivity to the unique challenges that students face. As a result, UNO has tarnished their student/parking relationship with this single decision, and students will find it difficult to trust the parking program in the future.  

 

To hear more about a university program that worked through change and adversity on a large scale please listen to Our Parking Industry podcasts featuring university professionals Sarah Blouch and Bob Harkins.  

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Our Parking Industry Podcast Episode 10:

Featuring Sarah Blouch 

Campus Parking Dynamics: Navigating the Intersection of University and Private Sector Management 

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Our Parking Industry Podcast Episode 11:

Featuring Bob Harkins 

Parking Perspectives: Inside the Challenges and Solutions of University Campus Management​​​​