Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish the rules and procedures governing traffic and parking on Hofstra University property, in order to protect safety, make efficient use of limited parking resources, and ensure compliance with campus traffic regulations.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals who operate or park a motor vehicle on Hofstra University property, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and visitors.

Policy

Parking regulations balance the needs of the campus community and its visitors against a limited supply of parking and govern vehicle registration, parking permit requirements, parking restrictions, traffic regulations, enforcement, fines, towing, and appeals. Parking privileges are assigned to an individual and are not transferable, including to a student who operates a faculty or staff member’s vehicle.

Parking Permits

Every vehicle parked on University property must be registered with the Department of Public Safety and must display a valid parking permit. Registration is completed online at hofstra.edu/parking. Permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Permits must be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror, with the permit sticker facing outward and clearly visible. Hang tags are available at the David S. Mack Public Safety and Information Center, located at Hempstead Turnpike and California Avenue.

New and Additional Vehicles

One physical permit is issued per individual per year. More than one vehicle may be registered under a single permit; however, only one registered vehicle may be present on campus at any given time. Permit holders must notify the Department of Public Safety immediately of any change to a registered vehicle’s state license plate number, year, make, or color.

Designated Parking Lots

Parking lots and spaces are designated for:

• Faculty and staff

• Commuter students

• Medical school

• Law school

• Resident students

• Visitor parking

• Open parking

Lot locations and designations are shown on the Parking Map.

Resident students may not park on South Campus Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The following restrictions apply to faculty, staff, and administrators:

Parking at the Hofstra University Club is limited to the duration of an event or meeting at the Club and is not permitted for all-day parking.

Parking in restricted lots is limited to personnel who have been issued a special permit, except between 4 p.m. and 6 a.m., when restricted lots are open to all valid permit holders.

Areas not outlined for parking have been left open deliberately, in order to reduce traffic hazards and to permit the passage of emergency vehicles. Vehicles may be parked only in spaces outlined for parking, whether or not a sign is posted. Vehicles parked outside marked spaces are subject to towing.

Disability and Priority Parking Permits

Individuals holding a valid state, county, or town-issued disability placard or license plate may park in any designated accessible parking space on campus.

Individuals requiring a temporary priority parking permit for a medical reason must follow the instructions to request a priority parking permit. Requests are reviewed by the Student Health Center (SHC).

Visitor Parking

Visitors are required to obtain a visitor parking permit in advance of their arrival and may park only in clearly marked visitor spaces.

Special visitor permits assigned to the Light Blue lots are issued by the department hosting the visit. Guests attending admission events or campus tours are directed by the Office of Admission.

Visitors who park without a valid permit are subject to the same fines as members of the University community.

Emergency Assistance

Vehicle breakdowns occurring on campus are to be reported to the Department of Public Safety at 516-463-6606.

Fines for Violations

All drivers must comply with the instructions posted on traffic control and parking signs. Drivers of vehicles parked or operated in violation of these regulations are subject to fines and, in certain cases, to booting or towing at the driver’s expense. A vehicle may be booted or towed for repeated violations, for blocking a fire lane or fire hydrant, for parking in a reserved or Persons First Priority space without authorization. A booted or towed vehicle is released upon payment of the full amount of the fine and a $100 release fee and confirmation from the Department of Public Safety.

Fines may be paid online at hofstra.edu/iparq.

The accumulation of three or more unpaid fines results in scofflaw status, which may lead to booting or towing of the vehicle. Outstanding fines may also result in a hold on grades or course registration until the fines are paid in full.

Students who repeatedly violate these regulations may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Faculty, staff, and administrators who repeatedly violate them may be reported to the appropriate dean, department head, vice president, or provost.

Appeals

Parking citations are adjudicated by the Parking Citations Appeals Board, which operates independently of the Department of Public Safety and of iParq administration. The Board reviews each appeal on its individual merits, free from influence by the issuing office.

An appeal must be submitted through iParq within 10 working days of the date of the citation, together with any supporting documentation. The Board reviews the citation, the appellant’s statement, and any relevant evidence before rendering a decision.

Decisions of the Board are final. For students, faculty, and staff, decisions are sent by email to the appellant’s Hofstra account. Decisions to visitors are sent via mail.

Related Policies and References

Parking permits and vehicle registration – hofstra.edu/parking

Campus Parking Map

Citation payment and appeals – hofstra.edu/iparq

Temporary priority parking permit – request instructions

Campus visits and admission events – Office of Admission