New virtual WMU parking permit system, parking hours coming fall semester

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Beginning fall semester, WMU Parking Services will have a virtual permit system, replacing physical parking tags and stickers, and no longer require permits on campus to park overnight and on weekends beginning fall semester.

The virtual permit system will first be established for student permits. WMU employees will have a similar system in place to obtain their permits at a later date, with details to come.

Under the new system, students purchase an internet-based permit online where parking rights are assigned to the license plate of a registered vehicle.

Vehicles can be registered at any time beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, by clicking the "Get a Permit" button located on the Parking Services main webpage. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

Virtual permits are then scanned by parking enforcement officers to verify the vehicle is parked according to its designated parking rights. When parking with a virtual permit, the vehicle should be parked with the plate facing the aisle so it can be easily read.

The system has a number of advantages for the Bronco community, including:

• Increased convenience. You can register for a parking permit anywhere, at any time, with a computer, smartphone or tablet. Permits are valid immediately, so you don't have to make a trip to the Parking Services office or wait for a permit to arrive in the mail.
• Greater flexibility. Family, rental and loaner cars can also be attached to the users account and selected for the permit during the time they are being used, with the vehicle switch and permit activated in real time. No more trips to Parking Services to obtain a temporary permit while your primary vehicle is out of service. Upon discontinuing the use of a temporary vehicle, such as a rental or a loaner, it can be removed from the account by contacting Parking Services.
• Improved sustainability. Did you know Parking Services replaces hundreds of lost permits each year? With this system, you won't have to worry about paying to replace a lost or stolen permit. In addition, Parking Services will stop printing and distributing tens of thousands of permits annually, which is a plus for sustainability.

More information about this new technology can be found at here.

In addition, to help facilitate an open and accessible campus when the demand for parking is less, permits will no longer be required to park on campus between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. on weekdays or from 4 p.m. on Friday to 2 a.m. on Monday.

Accessibility spaces, reserved spaces, 15-minute spaces, 30-minute spaces, "not parked in a marked space" and tow-zone violations will still be enforced 24 hours a day. Events that have a need for parking are still required to register with Parking Services, even if it occurs after hours or on weekends, and might be charged a user fee in certain instances.

For questions, email @email or call Parking Services at (269) 387-4609 during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

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