Parking Services Improvements

Updated Fall 2025 Campus Parking Map

Key parking adjustments include:

• Reverting core campus lots to employee-only use.
• Establishing new premium student zones at the Archives and Columbia lots, with a limited number of permits available. 
• A new residence hall lot will also open more spaces in the Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center lot, improving general commuter student access. 
• Limit permits to one per student, excluding apartment permits. 
• UND will maintain current Passport Parking zones.

This fall, Parking Services will launch a more flexible refund schedule, providing a longer time window for permit holders to return permits for a refund. This will especially benefit students—whose permits were previously non-refundable after Nov. 30.

With support from University administration, Parking Services is prioritizing wayfinding and signage improvements on campus. Look for updates, beginning as early as this summer, to enhance the overall campus experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Enforcing parking violations protects permit holders, upholds fairness, and helps ensure designated spaces remain available for their intended use. To encourage parking compliance, a repeat offender fine is being implemented. After 8 violations (in a permit year), the violator will receive a repeat offender warning notice, informing them of their status as a repeat offender, and that future violations will result in an $80 fine. If violations continue, Parking Services will have an option to escalate the matter for further action on a case-by-case basis.

Examining the state of UND’s parking system provides an opportunity to develop innovative services that better serve the campus community. Based on early conversations, Kimley-Horn identified initial parking priorities:  

1. Parking permit user allocation practices 
2. Parking permit pricing 
3. Parking program budget evaluation 
4. Enforcement practices and philosophies 
5. Development of guiding principles 
6. Other policies/procedures based on initial data review. 

Balancing cost, proximity, and availability of parking is a central challenge. Most parking systems can only optimize two of the three, making trade-offs necessary. Kimley-Horn will explore goals and solutions that reflect institutional values while addressing these competing interests. 

Data Review

UND’s priorities were assessed using the International Parking & Mobility Institute’s (IPMI) Accredited Parking Organization (APO) framework, which defines best practices for parking programs. This preliminary assessment identified areas of strength and those needing improvement. 

Strengths

• Campus supports bike infrastructure, public transportation service, with free student/ employee rides, and fleet vehicles for staff to rent. 
• Notifications are sent to campus about lot closures, permit sales, and other important updates. Information is also accessible on the UND website and myUND app. 
• Parking pricing is low and thus pleases customers. 
• Recent changes have been made to reduce the punitive nature of enforcement.

Weaknesses

• Average parking utilization is low at 58%, revealing campus inefficiencies.  
• Parking program budget does not allocate funds for future capital projects. 
• No capital improvement/maintenance plan or budget to guide decision-making. 
• Limited permit pricing options. 
• Parking regulations are perceived by users as punitive instead of customer centric. 
• Clear wayfinding/restrictions and educational programs to encourage voluntary compliance are lacking. 

Key Feedback from the Executive Committee

Customer Centricity

• Consider a revenue-driven model versus a customer service-driven model.
• Strengthen relationships with external visitors. 
• Improve communication and coordination during campus events. 

Innovation

• Consider permit offerings to reflect modern needs (e.g., hybrid work). 
• Enhance wayfinding systems for better campus connectivity. 

Inclusive Participation

• Engage the broader Grand Forks community. 
• Ensure meaningful campus and community input, especially from students and City of Grand Forks staff. 

Financial Analysis

• Address recurring Parking Services budget shortfalls. 
• Evaluate financial models, including sustainability of student payment structures or alternative funding strategies. 

During a campus visit in February 2024, Kimley-Horn gathered insights through observations, listening sessions, and extensive stakeholder meetings that included campus departments and groups representing students, faculty and staff, City of Grand Forks representatives, and community members. In April 2024, survey results and draft recommendations were shared with the Advisory Committee. 

Study Participants

2,745 respondents

• 46% students 
  • 83% off-campus 
  • 17% on-campus 
• 53% faculty, staff, and affiliates 
• 1% visitors 

Demand

• The Columbia Hall and Archives lot are the highest demand lots.
• Parking use is split between staff and students.
• Visitors typically arrive midday and use pay as you go options.
• Wayfinding is perceived to be lacking for visitors.
• Parking is difficult between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on weekdays for all permitholders.
• Travel paths do not vary significantly based on weather conditions.
• Shuttle usage increases during the winter, but is significantly below pre-COVID levels.

Parking Priorities

% based on 1-5 ranking including 1-3 priority

Students

1. Having more spaces available proximate to destination (74%) 
2. Students are willing to pay more for proximate parking (72%) 
3. Students don’t see value in park-and-ride options (61%) 
   1. Residence hall students are most likely to use campus shuttle offerings 

• Proximity followed by reliability are off-campus students’ biggest priorities.
• Students overwhelmingly do not use the shuttle service.
• Most students that move their cars throughout the day are either Aerospace students or residence hall students with 2 permits .
• 85% say parking is very difficult or moderately difficult between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on weekdays.
• 93% of on-campus students have a parking permit.
• 93% of off-campus students have a parking permit.

Employees/Affiliates

1. Flat pricing for all (78%)
2. Years of Service (75%)
3. First come first serve (73%) 
4. Salary Adjusted (67%) 

• 76% say parking is very difficult or moderately difficult between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on weekdays.
• Employees rarely use pay-as-you-go parking.
• Employees overwhelmingly to not use the shuttle service.

Visitors

• Visitors generally park in the same location when visiting campus.
• Visitors would appreciate better wayfinding.
  

Value Feedback

Students – Off-Campus

• Value of parking permit pricing – 45% poor 
• Ability to find a space within my permit zone – 62% poor 
• Parking lot conditions and upkeep – 26% poor
  

Employee Permit Pricing Priorities

• Highest priority is flat pricing for all 
• Lowest priority is pricing based on lot location/convenience and employee salary 
• Value of parking permit pricing – 28% poor 
• Ability to find a space within my permit zone – 19% poor 
• Parking lot conditions and upkeep – 13% poor 

Over the summer, refinements were made to the plan, and in September 2024, revised recommendations along with a summary of the consultant’s findings were presented to the Executive Committee. The presentation highlighted key concerns, including the financial sustainability of Parking Services and significant deferred maintenance needs.

Reimagining Parking Allocation

• Implement demand-based pricing, charging more for high-demand, high-proximity. areas and less for low-demand zones. 
• Simplify and clarify permit options to reduce user confusion.  

Rightsizing Enforcement

• Increase compliance with $80 fine for each violation after the 8th offense. 
• Establish protocols for further disciplinary action, including towing or relocation of repeat offenders.
  

Elevating Technology

• Expand short-term payment options with QR codes, Text-to-Pay, and mobile apps.
  

Welcoming the Community

• Enhance online presence and educational materials. 
• Standardize event parking and improve collaboration with UPD/Safety, and communications with departments and event organizers. 
• Improve wayfinding and update signage, especially for the parking ramp.  

Implementing Capital and Organizational Needs

• Address deferred and planned maintenance. 
• Address staffing needs to support system improvements.
  

Rightsizing the Budget

UND faces a cumulative deficit of $10.4M by 2029 under current conditions, or $12.3M with full implementation of the proposed recommendations—highlighting the need for fiscal adjustments.  

Pricing as an Equalizer

Increase permit prices with the following targets by Fall 2028: 

• Reserved: $1,000 
• Ramp: $700 
• Premium Zones: $600 
• General A/S Permits: $425 
• Apartments: $200 

In February 2025, the Executive Committee approved a modified plan, including a strategy for a five-year permit price increase. 

Expense Budget: $2,755,702

Revenue Estimate: $2,755,702

Expense Budget: $3,455,702

Revenue Estimate: $3,455,702

Expense Budget: $3,955,702

Revenue Estimate: $3,955,702