Texas A&M University-Commerce Introduces Updated Parking System

Changes to campus parking are coming this fall.

In a move to streamline campus parking and increase campus safety, Chief Bryan Vaughn of the University Police Department (UPD) at Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced several changes to campus parking, set to take effect on Sept. 1. These changes will affect the main campus in Commerce, Texas.

Summer campus photo | Photo by Tyler Holloway | Texas A&M University-Commerce Office of Marketing and Communications

Q&A with Chief Vaughn

What is the most significant change to campus parking this fall?

Among the most significant updates, parking tags for students, faculty, staff and visitors will transition from traditional window stickers to virtual tags. This means all vehicles parked on campus must be registered digitally with UPD, eliminating the need for physical windshield stickers.

How do virtual parking passes affect how UPD monitors parking on campus?

With the new virtual tagging system, UPD will use an electronic license plate reader system to determine if vehicles are properly registered. This system will improve efficiency and campus safety by enabling officers to quickly identify the owner of each vehicle and whether the vehicle is authorized to park in a specific lot.

How much are parking passes?

Effective September 2024, the options for general parking for faculty, staff and students will be as follows:

• Annual Pass: $80 per fiscal year (Sept. 1, 2024-Aug. 31, 2025)
• Monthly Pass: $10 per month

Employees and students may choose the option that best fits their needs. Prairie Crossing parking remains at $120 per permit.

Beginning next year (Sept. 1, 2025-Aug. 31, 2026), an annual parking permit will be $120.

How can I purchase a parking pass?

Passes may be purchased in the following ways:

• Online at tamuc.edu/Parking
• In-person in the McDowell Administration Building at the front-lobby cashier window
• Automatic payroll deduction (Only for faculty and staff purchasing the annual pass) at tamuc.edu/Parking

May I request a reserved parking spot?

New this year, 75 reserved parking spaces will be available for $300 per calendar year. Reserved parking spaces allow faculty, staff and students to claim a designated spot. These spots will be allocated through a lottery system. Before the lottery opens, an email with more information will be sent to faculty, staff and students.

Will the process for guest parking change?

Effective September 2024, university guests will pay $10 for a 30-day visitor pass. Visitor parking passes may be obtained by visiting tamuc.edu/Parking. These passes are good for 30 days from the date of purchase.

During special events, such as graduations, athletic events, and fine arts performances, guests will not be charged the $10 fee. They will not need to register their vehicles before parking in designated special event parking.

The Welcome Center also reserves spots for prospective students and their families. For guests who park in these spots, Welcome Center staff will provide parking passes and help guests register their vehicles on the day of their visit.

What improvements will be made to the parking lots?

In the coming months, many of the parking lots will be resurfaced and enhanced. Renovations or restriping will take place in Parking Lots 1, 2, 3, 18, 21, 23 and 23. The goal is to complete these updates before students return to campus in August.

Additionally, many narrow parking spots will be widened to the standard nine feet to nine-and-a-half feet, making parking more accessible and safer, especially for larger vehicles.

When will parking pass changes take effect?

All parking pass changes will take effect on Sept. 1, 2024.

Improved Parking Experience

These updates aim to modernize and improve the parking experience at A&M-Commerce. By transitioning to virtual parking tags, enhancing parking lot conditions, and providing flexible parking plans and payment options, the university is taking necessary steps to better accommodate the needs of the university and the Lion community.

Learn more about parking on campus at tamuc.edu/Parking.

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