WWU student parking permit waitlist opens August 10: Limited spots, key dates, tips for fall student parking

Transportation Services would like to share the parking information regarding the student waitlist. The availability of parking on campus is very limited, and demand considerably outnumbers available spots. Parking on the streets surrounding campus is also very limited. Check out the Transportation Services website to explore all the ways that students can travel without a car while they are at WWU. If students are unwilling or unable to be car-free this upcoming school year and they want to park on campus, then it is best to add themselves to a parking permit waitlist.

Joining a parking permit waitlist:

1. On or afterAugust 10, students can add themselves to a waitlist by logging into the Parking Portal.
2. Click on the "Add/Edit Waitlist" button.
3. Students can add themselves to up to three waitlists.
4. Prioritize selection with number one being the top preference.

Permits will be awarded from the waitlists based on waitlist position and space availability beginningAugust 31. 

Waitlists are ranked based on the number of credit hours a student has on record at WWU, including all accepted transfer credits. This means that their position on the waitlist will change over time. Getting on the waitlist early will not guarantee a parking space.

If a student is awarded a permit, they will receive an email on August 31 with instructions on how to purchase their parking permit. If they do not receive a parking permit award on August 31, they will remain on the waitlist.

Because permit supply is very limited, the Transportation Services office cannot foresee whether any specific student will be offered a permit. It is highly recommended that students only bring a car to campus if they are offered a parking permit.

Please continue reading below for an explanation of which lots are available for resident (living on campus) and non-resident (living off campus) students.

Parking map

WWU Permit Parking Map

Off-Campus Students

The C lot is the primary on-campus parking lot for off-campus students. The Lincoln Creek lot is an off-campus parking lot that is also available for students who commute. Lincoln Creek is a 10-minute ride on a Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) bus for convenient access to campus.

Information on using the WTA bus system to commute to campus can be found on the WTA bus page on the Transportation Services website.

On-Campus Students

Students living on campus have multiple options for parking lot preference. Before adding themselves to a waitlist, Transportation Services recommends students review the Campus Parking Map to determine which parking lots are closest to their residence hall. The resident lots are designated on the parking map with an "R" and are generally adjacent to the residence halls.
Limited resident overflow parking is available at the Lincoln Creek Lot. This is an off-campus parking lot a 10-minute bus ride away from WWU and is designated on the parking map as "LC."

Additional information about using the WTA bus system to commute to campus can be found on the WTA bus page on the Transportation Services website.

The on-campus residence halls are listed below along with the recommended parking lots and priority order for each hall.
Nash: 4R, 3R
Mathes: 4R, 3R
Edens/Edens North:3R, 4R
Higginson:3R, 4R
The Ridge (Alma Clark Glass Hall, Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Kappa, Omega, and Sigma):15R, 20R
Fairhaven complex:18R, 1R
Buchanan Towers:1R, 18R
Birnam Wood:27R

As a final reminder, parking permit waitlists do not open until August 10, and no action needs to be taken until that time.

Please contact Transportation Services at [email protected] with any questions regarding this notice.