Key parking updates
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is introducing a new approach to parking and commuting designed to make getting to and around campus more predictable, flexible and easier to navigate.
Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, parking, transportation and mobility services will be unified under a new department—ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Parking and Commuter Services—and a more structured parking process will be introduced for faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars.
The full Parking and Commuter Services website is currently under development and will launch in late May. This page serves as the central source for information and updates in the meantime.
What is changing
A new preference-based parking zone system
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is transitioning from an open parking model to a zone-based system.
Employees who want an annual parking permit will select and rank their preferred parking locations during Parking Open Enrollment (). These locations are grouped into zones—defined areas that include nearby lots and garages.
Based on preferences and availability, employees will be assigned a parking zone for the academic year, providing a more predictable day-to-day parking experience. This approach is designed to reduce the need to search across multiple lots and instead allow employees to park within a defined area.
Parking Open Enrollment
All faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars who plan to park on campus during the 2026–27 academic year must complete Parking Open Enrollment.
This is a new process and requires action from all employees—regardless of current parking permit status.
Parking Open Enrollment is June 1–15
During this period, employees will:
- Receive a link to the parking preference form
- Select and rank preferred parking zones
- Submit preferences by June 15
Additional details and instructions will be shared in late May.
Updated parking permit options
Parking options will continue to offer flexibility:
- Faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars may choose between annual and daily parking
- Graduate and professional students may choose between annual and daily parking (The permit purchase window for all students is from July 31 through August 7)
- Undergraduate students may register for annual parking only, in designated zones ()
Pricing updates
Parking rates will be updated to better align with usage:
- Annual parking rates remain unchanged from the 2025-26 academic year
- Daily parking will move from a flat rate to banded pricing
- If you park on campus more than 15 days per month, an annual permit will likely be the more cost-effective option
- Visitor parking rates will decrease
2026-27 Annual Parking Permit Rates
Salary Band | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
Band 1 (<$59,999) | $49 | $588 |
Band 2 ($60,000–$99,999) | $74 | $888 |
Band 3 ($100,000–$149,999) | $101 | $1,212 |
Band 4 (>$150,000) | $143 | $1,716 |
2026-27 Daily Parking Rates
Salary Band | Daily Rate |
Band 1 (<$59,999) | $3.50 |
Band 2 ($60,000–$99,999) | $5.25 |
Band 3 ($100,000–$149,999) | $7.25 |
Band 4 (>$150,000) | $10.25 |
More distributed visitor parking
Visitor parking will transition to , helping campus visitors and guests park closer to their destinations.
Departments should plan to direct visitors to these locations rather than utilizing employee parking areas.
Shuttle service & free parking option
Expanded daytime VandyRide service
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is expanding daytime VandyRide service to support the new parking system and improve mobility across campus.
- Multiple daytime shuttles will operate on a (clockwise and counterclockwise circulators), and will now be available for the entire ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ community, including faculty and staff
- Additional shuttles will increase capacity during peak times
- Service levels will be adjusted based on demand
VandyRide will provide frequent, reliable connections between parking areas, offices, academic buildings and key campus destinations—making it easier to move across campus without relocating your vehicle during the day. )
A free parking option at Chestnut Street
A free parking option will be available at Chestnut Street (), with access to both VandyRide and WeGo transit.
This option provides a no-cost alternative for employees who are comfortable parking farther from the central campus core and using transit or shuttle service to reach their destination.
How the new system works
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During Open Enrollment, rank your preferred parking zones
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Zones are assigned based on preferences and availability
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You will be notified of your assigned zone before the academic year begins
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Once you have been assigned a zone, you can purchase your annual permit
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Throughout the year, you will park within your assigned zone, providing a more consistent and predictable experience
What's not changing
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ will continue to offer a range of parking and transportation options:
- WeGo access
- Rideshare programs
- Student mobility resources
- Evening VandyRide service
Employees will still have choices. These changes are intended to make those choices clearer, easier to use and better aligned with how people move around campus.
Important dates
- June 1–15: Parking open enrollment
- July 6 – July 30: Employee permit purchase window
- July 31–August 7: Student permit purchase window
- August 7: Waitlist allocation begins
What you need to do now
No action is required yet
Additional information—including maps, zone details, FAQs and step-by-step instructions—will be shared in late May ahead of Parking Open Enrollment.
Looking ahead
The full Parking and Commuter Services website will launch in late May and will include:
- Interactive parking maps and zone details
- Permit options and pricing information
- VandyRide routes and schedules
- Visitor parking guidance
- Frequently asked questions
Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.