We all know that parking at SUNY Old Westbury’s campus can be difficult, especially in the beginning of the semester, but just because this is so, doesn’t mean the parking rules aren’t enforced. The most common ticketed offense on campus is parking in a handicapped area without a handicapped permit.

Another common offense is parking in a non-designated or unmarked area. Tickets given on campus range anywhere from $15-$35. Tickets should be dealt with and paid on time because if not, there are further ramifications.

Deputy Chief Thomas Pascale of the University Police Department at SUNY Old Westbury said, “It’s important that people take care of those because if they don’t take care of their on-campus parking tickets, there’ll be a hold on their account at the bursar.”

He went on to say that once a person has received three summonses, “you’re deemed a scofflaw and when a person is deemed a scofflaw, we will seize the car, bring it to a tow facility, and then the car will only be released to the registered owner of the car. Now, most college students have their cars registered to a family member and that’s a very stressful day because you have to go to the bursar – you have to pay in cash – to take care of your responsibility at the bursar. Then, you have to go to the tow facility and you have to pay them in cash, also.” He said this usually amounts to $500-$800 on days like that.

Deputy Chief Pascale did say though that students can appeal parking tickets but the fine on the ticket must be paid first and “if they’re found successful on the appeal, then it winds up being credited back to their account.”

As always, all vehicles must also always be registered with the school to avoid other fines. If you have yet to get a parking permit for the 2019- 2020 school year, you can go online to the ConnectOW Portal, click on the “Finances” tab, and then click on the “Order Parking Permit” tab keep in mind there is a registration fee of $10.