Car restriction for sophomores?

<p>Im an accepted transfer student and I've just been informed that second year students are "not allowed" to have a car on campus. Is this true? If it is, I'll be extremely disappointed -- I've loved everything about W&M so far but, as I'm very much a "car guy" and my specific car means a lot to me, I would have a pretty hard time adjusting to life without it.</p>

<p>So, first of all -- is this correct? And secondly -- is there any exceptions that I might take advantage of by living at the Govorner's Inn? I heard that you can park in the lot there but they were sort of ambiguous as to the possibility of a parking permit.</p>

<p>It is correct that freshmen and sophomores can’t have cars on campus unless they apply for and are granted an exemption. [William</a> & Mary -*Parking & Transportation](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/offices/auxiliary/parkingandtransportation]William”>Parking & Transportation | William & Mary)</p>

<p>From the regulations booklet:

There’s no mention of whether living at Governor’s Inn might also qualify you for an exemption. Have you called Parking Services about that? You’ll need a parking decal to park on campus, even if not to park at Governor’s Inn.</p>

<p>And also – is there the same restriction on motorcycles? Could I park my car in the Governor’s Inn and then use a motorcycle to get around campus?</p>

<p>Here is from the website on the Governor’s Inn:
Onsite parking will be available only for students who live at the Governor’s Inn. Guest parking is prohibited. Students with cars will be responsible for the purchase of William and Mary parking decals that permit parking on campus. Information about the purchase and cost of these decals is available on the Parking Services website.</p>

<p>That said, I know that normally sophomores can’t have cars (there is a severe shortage of parking) but it is not really clear here about whether sophomores who live there can buy a parking pass. If I were you, I would call parking services and ask. Their number is (757) 221-4764.</p>

<p>I haven’t had a chance to check with parking services yet – Im currently at a transfer open house at W&M. I plan to check with them asap</p>

<p>Unless it is special because of the open house, they aren’t open today. I am pretty sure though (re your motorcycle question) that if they do say you can buy a parking pass, you can only buy one and it is not transferable between the car and motorcycle. And thinking that you will just chance the tickets is a quick way to go broke at W&M- sorry!</p>

<p>you can’t really use a car to “get around campus”… you can park it somewhere and then walk, but you can’t like, drive from class to class or class to your dorm or your dorm to lunch.</p>

<p>and has been mentioned, you can have your car if you meet certain requirements.</p>

<p>Know that there’s no way to get around campus/find parking.
Living off campus can get you a car. You can also buy off-campus parking from a company in a hotel parkinglot a few blocks away. </p>

<p>By motorcycle do you mean moped? Because then yes, you can use it to get around campus. Somewhat… there’s lots of stairs/path-less parts of WM. </p>

<p>Know for sure that you don’t need a car to get around campus. End to end is 15 minutes max.</p>

<p>So after touring the campus for a few days it seems like a car isn’t strictly necessary at all in terms of getting around campus. I still want to bring mine just so I can drive home or off campus when/if I want. Additionally, I had a chance to check out that “Governor’s Inn” that seemed like such a convenient idea – that place looks like a murder scene on CSI. Like a straight up higway motel situation. Given the way they built that place up in the little housing presentation they gave us, I was expecting a Doubletree suites type deal. Pretty disappointing. Now considering that coupled with the fact that I am now leaning fairly strongly toward on-campus housing (if I can get it), I’m now faced with the hurdle of trying to get that restricted perking permit. If I can get it, great. If not, it leads into my next question…</p>

<p>Jillsfein: If I’m not able to get one of those restricted permits, I’d like to find one of those businesses that you mentioned that rents out spaces in hotel parking lots – are they typically extremely expensive or is it something manageable? Do you have any names I might research?</p>

<p>you can try here: [Freshman</a> Parking - Take your car to William & Mary](<a href=“http://www.freshmenparking.com/index.php?s=WM]Freshman”>http://www.freshmenparking.com/index.php?s=WM) Not sure if this is what Jillsfein was referring to.</p>

<p>i might suggest that your best bet is to become involved in an off campus activity (job or volunteer work) that you need a car to get to. Then you should be able to get one of the restricted passes for the Hall.</p>