Many CSU Stanislaus students park off-campus during the semester to save on parking fees. The university offers parking passes that are distributed in limited quantities, with the most affordable pass, the economy pass, which can only be used in four on campus parking locations.
When those run out, students must opt to purchase a more expensive pass or find free parking around campus. Here are three ways to find parking and avoid racking up parking fines at Stan State.
1. Timing is Key.
The vast majority of students attend classes beginning between 8 – 9 a.m. until 3 – 4 p.m. This leaves a window between around 11 – 4 p.m. where students will be leaving, freeing up sone of the closest off-campus parking.
Sarah Lamphere (senior, Art) arrives early to campus and takes full advantage of free parking.
“I noticed that I would always find the best spots when I had early morning classes,” she said. “Finding parking close to class was impossible after Noon.”
If you’re looking for the best spots, make sure to leave enough time to find a good parking space.
Paying for parking each time you come to campus can get costly very quickly. Luckily, Monte Vista Avenue and Geer and Crowell Roads each offer free parking with a minimal walk to classes.
2. Utilize Free Parking Around Stan State.
Stan State offers a number of free parking spaces around the campus. There are available spots on Monte Vista Ave, Crowell Road, Christoffersen Parkway, and Geer Road.
The parking spaces do have curfews, so users must be mindful of the city signs posted. If these are full, some students park on residential streets such as Dells Lane.
David Prado (sophomore, Undeclared) parks off-campus. He is a student that needs to utilize free parking locations to save money during the semester.
“I park off-campus, over on Dells Ln.,” Prado said. “It’s a little bit of a walk but it’s worth it.”
If he ends up having to park even farther away from campus, he is faced with longer travel times after finding parking, he said.
Sometimes free parking around campus does fill up. Prado mentioned an experience he had with this in 2022.
“Once it fills up, you have to park even farther,” he said. “It would be a 15-20 minute walk to get to class.”
This may be the most cost-effective way, but there is an opportunity cost to consider.
3. Parking On Campus.
There are a few ways to park on campus. The first is to park in one of Stan State’s 12 parking lots on campus.
These are available for students, faculty, and the public. Daily parking permits are available at $6 per day. The university does offer hourly and 2-hour permits in parking lot 8.
Some on-campus spaces are available for limited time slots. For example, faculty parking is available to park in after 4 p.m. After 5 p.m. for yellow marked signs. 30 parking spaces are available too. More information can be found at Students & Parents Parking.
It may seem affordable, but students are coming to campus more since State State has made the transition back into in-person learning.
For example, there are roughly 81 instructional days during the Spring 2023 semester. If a student were to pay for daily parking every day it would equate to $486.
Natalie Raya (senior, Sociology) commented on how expensive on-campus parking can be.
“A lot of people don’t buy parking permits because it can be expensive,” she said.
Parking on campus is a perk when driving to class. She experienced difficulty finding off-campus parking.
“If you don’t have a parking permit it’s kind of hard to find outside parking. ” Raya said.
There are many stress factors to account for as a student. Students come onto campus to study, hang out, and attend class. For students who students who are lucky enough to live near campus, their travel time to campus is shortened.
Others have to drive across the city and then find a place to park. While some may even have to commute from another city. Compared to living nearby, driving to campus is a different experience for all students.
Here are some parking resources & information:
-
A view of W Monte Vista and Dells Lane entrance to the Stan State campus.
'
-
Another view of Lot 4 on the Stan State campus.
'
-
Dells lane at W Monte Vista Avenue.
'
-
A parking pass dispenser in Lot 1 on the Stan State campus.
'
