Hartford Students: Do They Need Cars On Campus?

The University of Hartford offers parking permits to its students, faculty, and staff, indicating that students can have cars on campus. However, parking is limited, and students must pay for a permit to park their vehicles. There is a service called Zipcar that students can use to rent a car by the hour or day if they do not have their own vehicle.

University of Hartford parking permits

The University of Hartford requires all students, faculty, staff (part-time and full-time), and contract workers to have a parking permit by the first day of class or as soon as their vehicle arrives on campus. Permits are available online from August 1 and there is no grace period.

All motorized vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, must display a valid virtual parking permit at all times while on campus. Students, faculty, and staff must also pick up a vehicle sticker for their windshield from Public Safety. This is not a parking permit, but it allows easy access to the campus. A photo ID must be shown to the officer at the main gate when entering the campus.

To request a parking permit, log in to the parking website using your University credentials (email address without the @hartford.edu and email password). Select "Request Parking Permits" and complete the form. The parking fee can be paid online with a card or added to your bill.

It is important to enter the correct vehicle information and license plate number when requesting a permit. Failure to do so may result in receiving a ticket.

There are different parking options for resident and commuter students. Resident students may park, on a space-available basis, in unrestricted spaces in the D lot (yellow-painted non-reserved spaces only) or the lots between the Village Apartments. Commuter students may park in unrestricted spaces in the A Annex Lot (a small dirt/gravel lot located between A Lot and the Watkinson School) or the D lot (red-painted spaces only).

There are no special parking provisions for students with chronic medical conditions. Students with a chronic medical condition that would prevent them from adhering to the current parking system are encouraged to apply for a state-issued handicap parking permit. This permit, in conjunction with a University of Hartford parking permit, allows parking in any clearly marked state handicap parking space on campus.

On-campus parking rules

Parking permits are required for all students, faculty, staff (part-time and full-time), contract workers, and dining services staff at the University of Hartford. Permits are available online from August 1 and must be obtained by the first day of class or as soon as the vehicle arrives on campus. There is no grace period. The parking fee can be paid online or added to your bill.

All motorized vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, must display a valid parking permit at all times while on campus. Permits are described as "virtual," meaning no decal will be issued. Instead, students, faculty, and staff must pick up a vehicle sticker for their windshield from Public Safety. This sticker facilitates easy access when entering campus, but it is not a substitute for a parking permit.

When entering campus, a photo ID must be presented to the officer at the main gate. To obtain a parking permit, log in to the Parking Services Web Portal using your University email address without the "@hartford.edu" domain and your email password. After logging in, select "Request Parking Permits" and complete the form.

It is important to ensure that the correct vehicle information and license plate number are entered when requesting a permit. Failure to do so may result in receiving a ticket. University Map Resident students can park in unrestricted spaces in specific lots, including the D Lot (yellow painted non-reserved spaces only) and the lots between the Village Apartments. Commuter students have designated unrestricted spaces in the A Annex Lot and the D Lot (red painted spaces only).

Handicap parking is available for students, faculty, and staff with a state-issued handicap parking permit in conjunction with their University of Hartford parking permit. Vehicles found in violation of parking rules may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. All vehicles parked on university property must be registered with the Department of Public Safety.

Zipcar services for students

The University of Hartford offers parking permits to its students, faculty, and staff. All motorized vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, must display a valid parking permit while on campus. Students can park in unrestricted spaces in certain lots, and parking permits can be requested through the Parking Services Web Portal.

As for Zipcar services, the University of Hartford has partnered with Zipcar to offer car-sharing services to its students, faculty, and staff. Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing network, allowing users to drive a variety of cars on demand by the hour or day. Here are the key features of Zipcar services for students:

• Membership and Sign-up: Students can join Zipcar for a discounted rate of $25 for their first year. They need to apply online and will receive a Zipcard in the mail within 3-7 days. This Zipcard serves as the key to accessing Zipcars.
• Booking and Usage: Once signed up, students can book a Zipcar by the hour or day. They can unlock the car by tapping their Zipcard on the card reader on the windshield. Zipcars can be found on the University of Hartford campus, providing easy access for students.
• Return Policy: After using the Zipcar, students must return it to the same location they picked it up from and lock it using their Zipcard.
• Commuter Membership: This option provides exclusive access to a Zipcar and a dedicated parking spot from Monday to Friday. It is ideal for students who need regular access to a car during the workweek.
• Cost and Inclusions: Zipcar covers gas, insurance, parking, and maintenance fees. Students only pay for the time they reserve the car. The cost of membership and reservations can be checked online.
• Vehicle Options: Zipcar offers a range of vehicles, including compact sedans, larger cars, and vans, to suit different needs and preferences.
• International Students: International students are also eligible to use Zipcar services, as the company accepts drivers from other countries.
• Student Groups and Grants: Zipcar also has a "Students with Drive" program, where student groups can share their community-changing stories and win grants ofup to $10,000 for their group and school.

With Zipcar services, University of Hartford students can enjoy the convenience of having a car on campus without the costs and hassles of traditional car ownership.

Shuttle services for students

The University of Hartford offers a range of shuttle services for students, staff, and guests, both on and off-campus. These shuttle services are designed to provide convenient transportation options for the entire UHart community. Here is an overview of the shuttle services available:

On-Campus Weekday Shuttle:

The on-campus weekday shuttle circles the campus between 7:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. It departs from the main stop at Millard Circle (in front of the Fuller Music Center) and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete a circle.

Main Campus Shuttle to Handel Performing Arts Center:

The university provides a shuttle service seven days a week from the main campus to the Handel Performing Arts Center. This shuttle operates on both weekday and weekend schedules.

Late Day and Evening Shuttle Service:

The late-day and evening shuttle service operates from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, offering both on-campus routes and serving the Handel Performing Arts Center.

Off-Campus Shuttle:

During the weekends, the off-campus shuttle makes stops at Blue Back Square, Bishop's Corner, and Westfarms Mall. This provides students with easy access to popular off-campus destinations.

Shopping Shuttle:

Although not many details are provided, the University of Hartford also mentions a shopping shuttle service, indicating dedicated transportation for students who need to go shopping.

In addition to these shuttle services, the University of Hartford also offers parking services for students who choose to bring their cars to campus. Parking permits are required and can be obtained through the Parking Services Web Portal. Students can park in specific lots on campus, with designated spaces for resident and commuter students.

Furthermore, the University of Hartford has a partnership with Zipcar, a car-sharing network. Students can join Zipcar for a discounted rate and have access to cars on demand, by the hour or day, both on campuses and in cities worldwide. This provides another transportation option for students who may not have their own vehicles on campus.

The cost of parking on campus

The University of Hartford requires all students, faculty, staff, and contract workers to secure a parking permit by the first day of class or as soon as their vehicle arrives on campus. The parking permits are “virtual” and are available online starting August 1. There is no grace period.

To obtain a parking permit, students must log in to the parking website using their University of Hartford email address and password, select "Request Parking Permits," and complete the form. The parking fee can be paid online with a card or added to the student's bill.

The cost of parking permits varies depending on the type of permit and the time of purchase. For example, resident students can purchase a permit for the full year (including the summer term) or just the fall term. The cost of the permit also depends on whether it covers one or two active vehicles.

There are also temporary parking permit options available for a limited number of days. These permits are intended for residents or commuters who do not have a valid parking permit.

In addition to the parking permit, students are required to pick up a vehicle sticker for their windshield from the Department of Public Safety. This sticker facilitates easy access to the campus. A photo ID must be presented to the officer at the main gate when entering the campus.

Frequently asked questions