Seton Hall is warning students that parking will be tight this semester and students should plan ahead to ensure they will find a parking spot on campus.
Parking Service Manager Ann Szipszky said students should remember that having a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space on campus.
"Our permits allow you to park in a legal parking space if one is available," Szipszky said.
Szipszky said that parking will be limited, especially in the beginning of the semester when students are getting adjusted to new routines, so students should be checking traffic reports and leaving earlier than usual to ensure that they will get a parking space.
"My best advice to students is to plan to arrive on campus early, listen to traffic reports in the morning to plan your best route in, know more than one way to get to campus in case of traffic congestion and do not pass up the first parking space you see because you think a better space will be available," Szipszky said.
Szipszky also said she urges students to try to take alternative ways of transportation to get to school.
"Consider alternative methods of commuting, like carpooling with friends, taking SHUFLY or mass transit," Szipszky said. "NJ Transit offers discounts to students who opt for commuting by train or bus."
Szipszky added that the University worked with South Orange to create more parking spaces for students, so they do not have to worry too much, though.
According to Szipszky, students are now permitted to park outside of the gates on South Orange Avenue from the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We reached out to the village of South Orange and now Seton Hall community members with a valid Seton Hall parking permit are permitted to park in the designated zone along South Orange Avenue right in front of the university between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.," Szipszky said.
Szipszky added that Seton Hall also formed a Parking Task Force to address any parking challenges that may come up and to propose solutions to these problems.
Szipszky added that it will be even harder for students living on campus to receive a parking permit this year.
"Parking exceptions, which were always tough to get approved in the past, have become even tougher to come by this year and must meet strict criteria set forth by Student Services," Szipszky said.
According to Szipszky, anyone parked on campus without a parking permit will be subjected to even stricter consequences than in the past.
"Permits have always been enforced and that enforcement will become even more vigilant," Szipszky said. "Those without permits will be subject to citations and even towing."
Lindsay Rittenhouse can be reached at lindsay.rittenhouse@student.shu.edu
