We, the undersigned Colby College students, are asking the College to review its current parking policies and enforcement practices, particularly the recent increase in parking fines and the limited availability of designated student parking.
We understand that parking regulations are necessary to keep campus safe, organized, and accessible. True fire lanes, emergency routes, accessible spaces, and other safety-related areas need to remain clear. At the same time, students should have a realistic opportunity to follow parking rules before facing substantial financial penalties.
One major concern is the limited number of clearly designated student parking spaces across campus. When permitted lots are full, students can be left with very few alternatives. Areas that are not marked as designated parking may be treated as fire lanes or emergency-access violations, even when it may not be obvious that a student is creating a safety issue. This can result in significant fines or towing, even when a student is simply trying to find somewhere to park after their permitted lot has filled.
We believe there should be a clearer distinction between parking that creates a genuine safety concern and parking violations that happen because there are not enough available spaces. Fire lanes and emergency routes should absolutely remain protected, but students should also have enough clearly marked and accessible parking options to realistically comply with College policy.
These concerns are especially important for commuter students. Commuters rely on campus parking every day in order to attend classes, practices, meetings, work, and other required commitments. There are very limited commuter spaces, and at times there may be fewer available spaces than there are commuters who need them. When commuter lots are full, students may be left without a clear legal alternative while still being expected to arrive on time for their responsibilities.
For commuter students, parking is not simply a convenience; it is necessary in order to access campus. Because of this, a shortage of commuter parking can create a situation where students are doing their best to follow the rules but are still at risk of being fined.
The financial impact of the current enforcement system is also concerning. Under the updated policy, a first violation results in a $25 fine, while additional violations can result in $100 fines. Colby is already a very expensive institution to attend, and many students and families are managing significant costs related to tuition, housing, food, transportation, books, and other expenses. Repeated $100 fines can quickly become a serious financial burden, particularly when the violation may result from limited parking availability rather than intentional disregard for the rules.
College is also a time when students are learning how to live independently, manage responsibilities, and be accountable for their decisions. Accountability is important, but consequences should also be reasonable and connected to circumstances students can actually control. If students arrive on campus, make an effort to park where they are permitted, and cannot find an available space, extremely high fines can feel more punitive than educational.
There are also additional challenges for students with early-morning or late-night commitments. Student-athletes, including commuter student-athletes, may be required to be on campus for practices at times such as 6:30 a.m., but are still restricted from parking near the Athletic Center. This can require students to park farther away and walk across campus very early in the morning, sometimes in darkness or difficult winter conditions, even when closer parking areas may be largely empty.
We are asking Colby College to consider the following changes:
- Increase the number of designated student and commuter parking spaces
- Create clearly marked overflow parking when designated lots are full
- Provide clearer signage identifying actual fire lanes and emergency-access areas.
- Distinguish serious safety violations from parking violations caused by limited parking capacity.
- Reconsider automatic $100 fines for repeated violations, particularly when students have limited legal parking options.
- Create a clear and accessible appeal process for students when their permitted lot is full.
- Consider additional parking access for students with early-morning or late-night required commitments.
- Include commuter students and other student representatives in future conversations about campus parking.
We are not asking the College to eliminate parking regulations or compromise campus safety. We are asking for a parking system that is clear, realistic, and fair, especially for commuter students and others who depend on reliable access to campus parking.
By signing this petition, we are asking Colby College to work with students to create a safer, more accessible, and more reasonable parking system for the entire campus community.
