With the available lots and parking passes, Ohio University students still have difficulty finding parking, with ticket fees continuing to be an issue.
There are over 6,300 parking spaces on Ohio University's campus, according to OU’s 2018-19 Finance and Administration Report. As of 2025, there were over 30,000 students on campus. A school year commuter parking pass costs $160, according to OU’s website.
Samantha Pelham, media relations manager for University Communications and Marketing, described how parking is enforced on campus.
“Parking enforcement on University property is handled by Ohio University Transportation & Parking,” Pelham said in an email. “Revenue from parking citations contributes to parking lot maintenance and operational expense support.”
Alivia Gallo, a sophomore studying finance and marketing, said she received 15 parking tickets during her two years at the university, with 13 of them given in the Jefferson Hall parking garage.
She said the tickets in the Jefferson Garage were a consistent rate of $15, but that it inconvenienced her because the tickets would be distributed if her car was there even two minutes over its allotted time.
“I would pay on the app, and I would try to pay to park overnight, but it doesn't allow you to do so,” Gallo said. “So I would have to stay up until like 12 a.m. to make sure my parking was renewed for the next day, and I would come back from class, and I'd be maybe two, three minutes over my time for it to end, and I'd get the ticket.”
Gallo said sometimes metered parking can be difficult for students in case they have classes all day and are unable to move their car.
Gallo also said her car had been parked in Jefferson Hall’s garage, with a parking pass, when the garage flooded. Her car was damaged due to the flood, so she moved it to Parking Lot 109. As her car was sitting in Lot 109 waiting to be towed, she received a ticket.
Gallo was able to call OU Transportation and Parking, and they voided that ticket after speaking with two people.
“They really are kind of like vultures when it comes to it (parking),” Gallo said.
Jacob Mescher, a junior studying studio arts, has also dealt with parking tickets on campus. Mescher said he is not parking on campus right now out of fear for his car.
Due to three unpaid parking tickets, Mescher said if his car is located on campus, it will be towed away or booted.
Mescher also said it has been relatively easy paying his tickets, but attempting to void a ticket is a long process.
“Whenever I just go in and pay for it, it's easy because I think they just probably want their money,” Mescher said. “It's a little more difficult trying to get a refund back or trying to prove that you were able to be parked there.”
Pelham commented on the necessity of issuing parking citations.
“Parking violations are a management tool used to regulate access and ensure compliance with established parking policies and permitting requirements,” Pelham said in an email. “Fines serve as a deterrent for future violations and assist with enforcing parking regulations to support parking availability for authorized users.”
Pelham also said parking plans are reviewed regularly to support the needs of the university. She said there are currently no plans for a new parking garage on campus.
Just because a student has a parking pass does not mean they are exempt from paying at meters. If a student with a parking pass parks at a meter, the fee at the meter still needs to be paid, according to OU Transportation and Parking.
Pelham said there are different parking options for students depending on their needs.
Commuter permits provide daily parking within purple commuter lots; residential parking permits are valid in specific locations to support overnight parking; reserved permit options are available to students regardless of residency location and provide 24/7 parking access within a reserved space.
"Campus parking is operated on a permit and pay-to-park model to ensure space is available to support permit holders and business needs,” Pelham said. “Hourly parking is also available throughout campus to support parking needs, and during non-peak parking hours.”
OU partially closes lots regularly, which can be found on the university calendar.
