University Parking Information

The University Parking Portal

Students and employees can use their University username and password to access the University's Parking Portal while visitors staying longer than two (2) hours can create a guest account. Individuals can register their vehicle, purchase a parking permit, appeal citations, and pay outstanding fees.

Parking on Campus

All individuals parking a vehicle on campus for a period of time longer than two hours must register their vehicle and purchase/register for a parking permit using the University's Parking Portal. Please review the information below based on your affiliation with the University.

Students

All students who need to park a vehicle on campus must purchase a parking permit through the University Parking Portal. Student permits are available for the full academic year, by semester, or per day. The University Parking Portal Guide for Students provides step-by-step instructions to access your account, add a vehicle, and purchase a permit.

Student Visitors

All student visitors who need to park a vehicle on campus for less than two hours may utilize any available Visitor parking space provided they are not reserved for an event. No vehicles with a University parking permit may utilize Visitor parking spaces.

All students visitors who need to park a vehicle on campus for longer than two hours must purchase a parking permit through the University Parking Portal. Visitor permits are available for up to 1-week periods. Visitors will need to create a guest account, enter their vehicle information, then purchase a permit.

Employees

All employees who need to park a vehicle on campus must register for a parking permit through the University Parking Portal. Employee permits are available annually June 1 - May 31. The University Parking Portal Guide for Employees provides step-by-step instructions to access your account, add a vehicle, and register for a permit.

Eligible contracted employees who do not have a University email address must have their supervisor coordinate with the Parking Clerk to gain access to the University Parking Portal and the correct parking permit.

University Hosted Guests

University hosted guests are those individuals hosted by a department on campus. Guests should communicate in advance with their host department to register for a Temporary Parking Permit. Temporary Parking Permits should be printed and placed on the vehicle's dashboard. 

Event Parking

Individuals visiting the campus for an event such as an Admission's Tour, Opening Weekend, Family Weekend, or Athletic events, should park according to the information provided by the event organizer or University Police. 

Permits for the 2024-2025 academic year are available online in the Westfield State University Parking Portal:

  • Parking Permits for employees and students are sold on-line by logging into the Westfield State University Parking Portal using your University username and password. Be sure to click on the WSU Login button. Visitors are also able to purchase parking permits online by clicking on the Guest Login button.
  • Once logged in, click on VEHICLES at the top of the page to ensure your current vehicle is in your account. If it is not, you must add it before proceeding.
  • After you confirm your current vehicle is listed in your account, click on PERMITS to view your current permit, or get a new permit.
  • South Lot permits are open to all residential student regardless of class year.
  • The cost for a (resident or commuter) permit is $100 for the academic year or $50 per semester.
  • Permits for graduate/PA students cost is $60 for the academic year or $30 per semester.
  • Permit cost for Westfield Promise and Certificate programs is $30 per semester.
  • Resident students can only purchase a permit for the South Lot. Resident students who are selected for a Main Lot permit through the Main Lot Drawing will be notified and assigned the Main Lot permit by the Parking Clerk.
  • Commuting students can only purchase a permit for the Commuter Lots.
  • All permits are virtual, there are no physical decals. The Permit will be linked to your vehicle’s license plate number.
  • If you have to make a change to your vehicle information after your permit have been issued, you can log into your account online to make the change at no additional cost.
  • If you believe you may be eligible for a medical pass, you will still purchase your regular permit and then send an email to ds@westfield.ma.edu to request medical accommodations. If approved, a Medical Permit will be attached to your account by the Parking Clerk. No physical pass is necessary.

Permits are virtual and are attached to the license plate. If you are having difficulty logging into the permit website, please send an e-mail with the students' name and the issue you are having to parking@westfield.ma.edu.

Special Accommodations and Alternative Parking Information

If you are active military, veteran or military connected and need assistance applying for your permit, please contact Robert Vigneault in the department of Veteran and Military Services, located in Bates Hall 015 or via phone at 413-572-8420.

If you are requesting parking due to a medical reason please contact Disability Services at ds@westfield.ma.edu

Non-Massachusetts Registration

Massachusetts law requires students enrolled in a state university who operate a vehicle registered in a state other than Massachusetts, complete and return the Non-Resident Registration form.  Failure to complete and return this from may result in fines.  Please return the form either in person to University Police or by mail to: Westfield State University Police, Attn: Parking, 577 Western Ave., Westfield, MA 01086.  All forms must be received no later than the second week of the academic semester.  Only one form needs to be completed per academic year per vehicle.

Important Campus Parking Information

  • Every student who operates a motor vehicle on university property must purchase a parking permit.
  • All students holding virtual permits, should not have a physical permit affixed to their vehicle.
  • All students with a South Lot permit must park in the South Lot parking lot, the only exception is between 5:00 PM Friday to 12:00 AM Sunday when you may park in any posted commuter parking lot.  At no time are you permitted to park in any Faculty/Staff or Visitor spot.
  • All Commuter and Continuing Education students must park in posted Commuter lots. 
  • All overnight guests to campus must register their vehicle with University Police and obtain a temporary overnight pass to park in the South Lot parking lot.  Overnight guests to campus are not permitted to park in any Faculty/Staff or Visitor parking spots. 
  • When a snow ban is in effect, you must move your vehicle to the appropriate lot identified by the Parking Office/University Police or you may receive a $100.00 violation.
  • Tickets may be appealed online within 21 days of the ticket issue date by logging into the Westfield State University Parking Portal.
  • If you need assistance with a ride to or from a parking lot, please contact University Police for a transport at 413.572.5262, they are available 7 days a week/24 hours a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I change vehicles during the year or buy a new car? 
    Students can update their vehicle information, add a new vehicle to their permit, and remove an old vehicle from their permit by logging into the Westfield State University Parking Portal to update their information online. Please e-mail parking@westfield.ma.edu if you have any questions.
  • My car broke down and I will be driving a different car for a few days/weeks, what should I do? 
    Log into your account and add the temporary vehicle to your account. Attach the vehicle to your permit which will register it with the University. Once you are no longer using that vehicle you can remove it from your permit.
  • My housing status has changed, do I need to change my parking permit? 
    Yes, if you were living on campus and are now a commuter or if you were a commuter and are now living on campus, you must contact Parking so your current permit can be switched. 

How To Appeal A Ticket

To appeal a ticket to the Parking & Traffic Appeals Committee, you log into the Westfield State University Parking Portal to submit an appeal. The Committee will consider all appeals filed within twenty-one (21) days of the date of issue of the violation. Please submit all relevant information with your on-line appeal. The decision of the Committee is final and will be forwarded to the appealer via campus e-mail. While a ticket is on appeal, no late fees will be added.

The Parking & Traffic Appeals Committee hears many appeal requests and while these reasons may seem valid to the violator, they do not address the policies of Westfield State University.  

These following reasons will not result in the violations being dismissed:

  • Lack of knowledge of the rules and regulations
  • Parking for "just a short period of time"
  • Inability to find a parking spot in your authorized lot
  • Failure to obtain a temporary parking permit
  • Failure to notice parking signs
  • Failure to properly display a parking permit
  • Being late for class
  • Others were not ticketed

If you do receive a ticket and choose to do nothing, late fees and penalties will be added to your ticket totaling up to $50 and may prevent you from renewing your license and/or car registration as any outstanding tickets are forwarded to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Unpaid parking tickets may also prevent you from registering for classes since a hold will be placed on your student account. 

How To Pay a Parking Ticket

Parking citations may be paid on the Westfield State University Parking Portal page with either a credit or debit card.

  • Enter the citation number into the text box and click "Search Citations" to retrieve the citation. Any citation affiliated with the vehicle will also appear and can be paid at the same time.
  • Add the outstanding citations to the basket and follow the steps to submit your payment.
  • If you have a hold with the RMV you need removed after submitting payment for the citations, you must email parking@westfield.ma.edu to request it be removed.

Faculty/Staff  

Faculty/Staff Temporary Pass

Westfield State University's Parking Program

The University's parking program is managed by multiple entities on campus. Below is an overview of each group/individual and their responsibilities.

Parking Control Board

A body established by the Board of Trustees and appointed by the President to review and recommend parking rules, regulations, and procedures. Student parking privileges can be revoked by the Board, when appropriate, for violation of these Parking Rules and Regulations. The Board also provides consultation to the Parking Clerk, upon request, relative to general policy matters.

Board Membership:

  • 4 Students
  • 1 Faculty member
  • 1 Administrator
  • 1 Staff member

Ex Officio Members:

  • Chief of Police
  • Assistant Vice President, of Facilities and Capital Planning
  • Parking and Traffic Appeals Board Chair
  • Parking Clerk
Parking and Traffic Appeals Board

A body established to provide all members of the University community with ready access to an impartial and informal review of actions resulting from specific application of the University's Parking Rules and Regulations that are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court. The board will consider all parking ticket appeals filed within twenty-one (21) days of the date of issue of the violation and render a decision. The board will regularly report its findings to the Parking Control Board and the Chief of Police, and will advise the Parking Control Board of parking issues that may need to be addressed by either the University Police Department or the Parking Control Board.

Board Membership:

  • 3 Students
  • 1 Faculty member
  • 1 Administrator
  • 1 Staff member
University Police

Empowered by the Parking Control Board, the University Police are responsible for enforcing the University's Parking Rules and Regulations. During campus events, the University Police works with departments to establish designated parking areas and direction. In the event of a weather related emergency, University Police will communicate temporary changes and/or closures to campus parking areas.

Parking Clerk

The Parking Clerk manages the online parking portal, facilitates the sale of permits, communicates appeal decisions made by the Parking and Traffic Appeals Board, and communicates changes made by the Parking Control Board to the Parking Rules and Regulations. During break periods when classes are not in session, the Parking Clerk may review appeals on behalf of the Parking and Traffic Appeals Board.

Disability Services

Students may apply for a medical accommodation for parking through Disability Services in the Banacos Center. If a student is approved for an accommodation, Disability Services will communicate with the Parking Clerk in order for a virtual medical permit to be applied to the student's account.

Parking Rules and Regulations

The University's Parking Rules and Regulations apply to anyone operating a motor vehicle on the Westfield State University campus and all lands associated with the University. They are designed to provide orderly and safe movement of all vehicles; provide for pedestrian safety; and assure free and continuing access to all buildings. It is the responsibility of any individual operating a vehicle on campus to review and follow these rules and regulations.

South Lot
Sunlight shines through the globe sculpture on the campus green

Contact us

Joshua Hettrick
Parking Clerk
Scanlon Hall 155