New Student Parking Information
Welcome to Kent State University. Parking Services, a division of the Department of Public Safety, is committed to providing high-quality, user-friendly services to Kent State University students, faculty, staff and visitors. In addition to overseeing the operation of more than 12,000 parking spaces on the Kent Campus, Parking Services also provides a broad range of other related services including:
- Online parking permit sales
- Online ticket payments and appeals
- Special event parking
- Motorist Assistance Program
- Parking lot enforcement
- Parking lot maintenance
- Parking lot snowplowing
PERMITS
The vehicles of all Kent State University students and employees must display a valid KSU parking permit obtained through Parking Services while parked on campus. This includes those individuals with a state-issued disability placard. Short term (one day, one week, one month) parking permits are also available in the Parking Services office.
Parking permits are only sold online via the Parking Services website.
Permits for freshman will go on sale mid-summer. You will receive an email in July reminding you of the sale dates.
FRESHMEN RESIDENCE HALL STUDENTS (students with less than 30 credit hours)
Dix Stadium Permits
Students with less than 30 credit hours will be assigned to the Dix Stadium parking lot located approximately 1.5 miles east of the central campus. Frequent patrolling of the stadium lot is augmented by the addition of a 24/7 private security patrol service. Visit the PARTA website for specific hours of operation and schedules.
We encourage all students to strongly consider whether having a vehicle at Kent State is necessary. Our records indicate that only 33 percent of new residence hall students bring a vehicle to campus the first year.
FRESHMEN COMMUTER STUDENTS (students with less than 30 credit hours)
Summit East and Allerton Sports Permit
Commuter students with less than 30 credit hours may choose between the Summit East lot or Allerton Sports Complex lot. Summit East is located 1-1/4 miles east of the central campus off Summit Street. Allerton Sports Complex is located approximately 1 mile south of the central campus off Campus Center Drive. PARTA bus/shuttle service is available to and from the Summit East and Allerton Sports Complex lot Monday through Friday. Visit the PARTA website or visit SPOT PARTA for specific hours of operation and schedules. Summit East and Allerton Sports permits are also honored in unrestricted staff lots and commuter C lots after 4 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends (see evening parking map below).
Allerton Sports Complex map (PDF)
Evening Permits
Commuter students can also purchase an Evening permit. This permit allows students to park in unrestricted staff lots and commuter C lots after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends.
ENFORCEMENT
Parking Enforcement is intended to maintain orderly parking for the entire university community, to protect pedestrians and cyclists and to ensure emergency access to all facilities. Parking illegally may result in parking tickets and booting and/or towing of the vehicle. Tickets can be costly. If you receive a ticket, do not ignore it! Read and follow the instructions on the back of the ticket for online payment and appeals procedures. Parking rules and regulations are posted on the Parking Services website.
VISITOR PARKING
- Visitors to campus are encouraged to choose one of the following parking options:
- Park and pay at a meter or pay station (some areas do not have meters, must pay using Passport parking app)
- Park at the Kent Student Center visitor’s pay lot
- Purchase a “One Day Only” permit from Parking Services
- Park in designated parking zones using Passport app. View more information about Passport and mobile payments.
- Purchase a residence hall evening visitor’s permit for $30 per semester (permit valid 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)
View the visitor parking guide (PDF) and visitor parking map (PDF) for additional information regarding visitor parking.
QUESTIONS?
If you have parking or enforcement questions ask any Parking Services field or office employee. Do not rely on second-hand information! Information regarding parking rules and regulations, important permit purchase dates and to view parking maps online, visit the Parking Services website.
Contact Information
Parking Services
123 Schwartz Center
800 East Summit Street
P.O. Box 5190
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242-0001
Parking Services office: 330-672-4432
Parking Services dispatcher: 330-672-4444
E-mail: parking@kent.edu
Website: www.kent.edu/parking