Frequently Asked Questions - Parking and Transportation (2024)

Parking and Transportation

• Do I need a permit to park at KSU?

  Yes, all students, faculty and staff must have a permit to park in any KSU parking area, including off-site shuttlelots. KSU allows one vehicle per permit to be on campus at a time. If two vehicles are on campus at the same time, both vehicles will be considered in violation, and both will receive a citation. Visitors and anyone who does not have a parking permit must utilize a Visitor parking area and pay at the pay-per-plate station in that lot.

• Can I purchase a permit for a single semester?

  Yes. If you only plan to attend classes for a single semester, then we recommend that you select a single semester permit. Your Owl Express account will be charged the amount associated with the parking permit you select for one semester only. It’s important to note that your permit will not renew. If you return to campus for the next semester, you will need to pick a new permit from the parking areas available for that semester.

• Do I need to make a parking selection each semester?

  No. Students may choose to select a Fall/Spring permit that is valid for the fall and spring semesters. The full value of the permit (cost per semester x 2 semesters) will be charged to your Owl Express account when the permit becomes active. If you select a single-semester permit, you will need to purchase a permit for every semester you are on campus. Permit rates do not include the mandatory parking infrastructure fee, which is $83 per semester.

• How much does a parking permit cost?

  Please visit the pages below to view the parking permit options available and the cost associated with each permit.
  

  • Student Permits
  • Alumni Permits
  • Faculty/Staff Permits
  • Visitor Parking

• Where do I pick up my parking permit?

  There is no physical parking permit. Your vehicle’s license plate will serve as your virtual parking permit; therefore, once you have selected a permit, you also need to add the license plate information for any vehicle that you plan to drive to campus. You may link up to five vehicles that you own or operate to this permit, but only one car may be parked on campus at a time and vehicles may not be linked to more than one permit. If two vehicles are on campus at the same time, both vehicles will be considered in violation, and both will receive a citation. Note that by adding a vehicle to your account, you are claiming responsibility for any citations received by the vehicle while it is on campus. Should you wish to remove a vehicle from your account, you will need to provide appropriate documentation for that vehicle.

• How do I know where to park?

  Each parking permit is valid for a specific parking area and many have reciprocal parking on both campuses. View the parking maps for the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses to see a list of parking decks and lots associated with each permit.

• Where should I park if my lot/deck is full?

  If there are no spaces available, you can park in the Shuttle Lot on either campus and ride the Big Owl Bus to the center of campus.

• Can I exchange my parking permit?

  Before exchanging your permit, first log into the Parking Portal, to see if there are other permit types available or contact the Talon One Service Center regarding permit availability. Confirm a permit type exists that you would like to exchange your permit for before returning your permit.

  If you exchange your current permit type, you could risk losing your current parking selection and the one you hope to get. Be aware that you will permanently relinquish your permit for your current parking area when you click “Return Permit.” This area, and any previously shown, may not be available by the time you complete the return process and go to make your selection for a new parking area.

  See Also

  Summer Shuttle Routes - Parking and Transportation

• How do I return my parking permit?

  To return your permit:

  1. Log in to the Parking Portal using your NetID and password
  2. Select "View Your Permits"
  3. Select your permit to return
  4. Click the "Return Permit" box

  Parking Proration Tables

• What are the hours of parking enforcement?

  Parking rules and regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All employees and students must have a parking permit to park on the Kennesaw or Marietta Campus. Visitors and anyone who does not have a parking permit must utilize a Visitor parking area and pay at the pay-per-plate station in that lot.

  Flex Parking Hours

  KSU students and employees with any valid KSU parking permit can utilize any available commuter parking areas on campus during the following hours for the fall, spring and summer semesters. Flex Parking may also be in effect during holidays and off-peak times. These instances will be communicated to permit holders as they occur.

  • Monday – Thursday, 4:00 PM – 7:00 AM
  • Friday at 4:00 PM toMonday at 7:00 AM

  Commuter parking areas include:

  • West Parking Area
  • East Parking Area
  • Central Parking Area
  • West Economy
  • East Economy
  • Town Point Economy
  • Marietta Economy
  • Shuttle Lots

  Residential lots, designated Faculty/Staff spaces and lots, and visitor parking areas are not included in the Flex Parking program. A valid KSU parking permit is still required during Flex Parking hours.

• Do motorcycles need a parking permit?

  Motorcycles do not need a parking permit. However, motorcycle owners must register their vehicle information through the Parking Portalfor safety and security purposes. Motorcycle parking is available on campus in areas marked for "Motorcycle Parking Only."

  Motorcycles MAY NOT park in any regular vehicle parking space. Parking in a regular parking space will result in a citation.

• How do I pay for my parking tickets/citations?

  Within seven days of receiving the citation, please visit the Parking Portal to pay all parking citation fines and to review or appeal parking citations. After seven days, the cost for any citations will automatically be applied to your Owl Express account.

• What if I obtain a new vehicle or drive more than one car to campus?

  If you obtain a new vehicle or drive more than one vehicle to campus, you will need to update your vehicle information through the Parking Portal. Your vehicle’s license plate will serve as your virtual parking permit; therefore, once you have selected a permit, you also need to add the license plate information for any vehicle that you plan to drive to campus. You may link up to five vehicles that you own or operate to this permit, but only one car may be parked on campus at a time and vehicles may not be linked to more than one permit. If two vehicles are on campus at the same time, both vehicles will be considered in violation, and both will receive a citation. Note that by adding a vehicle to your account, you are claiming responsibility for any citations received by the vehicle while it is on campus. Should you wish to remove a vehicle from your account, you will need to provide appropriate documentation for that vehicle.

• What if I am driving a rental car or using another vehicle temporarily?

  Please visit the Talon One Service Center on the Kennesaw or Marietta Campus to have the vehicle temporarily added to your parking permit.

• How do I remove a vehicle from my account?

  1. Log in to the Parking Portaland click on the "Vehicles" tab located at the top of the screen to view the list of vehicles linked to your account.
  2. Next, click on the license plate information for the vehicle that you wish to remove, and a delete option will appear underneath the vehicle information.
  3. Once you click the delete option, a prompt will appear asking if you are sure you would like to delete the selected vehicle. Click "ok" to remove the vehicle.
  4. Be advised that if a vehicle has outstanding citations linked to it, you will be unable to delete the vehicle from your account until the citations are settled. A disclaimer stating, "This vehicle has outstanding citations and cannot be deleted from your account," will appear at the top of the vehicle screen.

• Are vehicles parked at the off-site Shuttle Lots subject to citations?

  Yes.

• Is security provided at the off-site Shuttle Lots?

  Yes, University Police patrols all KSU parking areas.

  For safety, download the LiveSafe app.

  The free LiveSafe app provides students, faculty and staff with a direct connection to campus police so that everyone can easily communicate all their safety needs. Its easy-to-use features help you stay safe every day and enable us to provide better protection for you.

  Make a Difference: See something of concern? With a few taps, send picture, video and text info to campus police. The tips you send can even be anonymous!

  Steps to DownloadLiveSafe

  1. Download

     Search for and download “LiveSafe” for free from the App Store or Google Play. Open LiveSafe and enter in your email address or tap “Connect Using Facebook.”

  2. Verify your email address
     You will be sent a verification email. Go to your email inbox to verify your LiveSafe account. Then tap “Open” on the next screen of the app. Create a password and fill in your name. Tap Next.

  3. Select your organization

     Search for "Kennesaw State University" to select it as your organization. You will see the KSU logo at the top of the home screen of the app once you are connected.

  4. Bonus Points: Add to your profile
     Complete your profile by tapping the left menu icon. Tap “Settings” then “Profile”. Enter in your mobile phone number so that you can better connect with University Police in an emergency.

• Are the shuttles handicap accessible?

  Yes. All shuttles are ADA compliant and equipped with a ramp and restraining harnesses for handicap accessibility.

• What are the clearance heights in the parking decks on campus?

  For those individuals who may have high-profile vehicles in terms of height, below are the clearance heights for the parking decks on the KSU campuses. If you are unsure whether your vehicle will clear these areas, please park in an alternate lot within your permitted parking area to avoid damage to your vehicle and/or decks and blocking the deck entrances. Clearance heights are clearly marked on ALL deck entrances. Please make sure your vehicle will have sufficient clearance prior to entering any deck.

  IMPORTANT: KSU is not responsible for damage incurred to vehicles caused by entering a deck with insufficient clearance. The vehicle owner may be responsible for any damage done to the physical deck structure if caused by a vehicle attempting to enter a deck with insufficient height clearance for that vehicle.

  PARKING DECK	CAMPUS	CLEARANCE
  Central	Kennesaw	8 ft. 0 in.
  East	Kennesaw	7 ft. 2 in.
  North	Kennesaw	6 ft. 8 in.
  West	Kennesaw	7 ft. 2 in.
  Deck P60	Marietta	8 ft. 2 in.

• How do I select a Faculty/Staff parking permit?

  Log in to the Parking Portal using your NetID and password. You can then select a new permit from one of the available parking options located in the “Get Permits” section under the “Permits” tab at the top left of the portal. Your permit will become active right away; however, you may not see an auto-deduction on your paycheck until the next payroll cycle.

• How do I return a Faculty/Staff parking permit?

  To return your permit:

  1. Log in to the Parking Portal using your NetID and password
  2. Select “View Your Permits”
  3. Select your permit to return
  4. Click the “Return Permit” box

• If I return my permit, when will the auto-deduction end?

  Once you return your permit, your parking deduction will end for the next applicable pay cycle based on whether you are on the bi-weekly or monthly payroll schedule and the date that you return your permit. Viewthe payroll deadlines. Returning your permit is not retroactive.

• If I choose to return my parking permit, where should I park when I need to come to campus?

  If you choose to return your permit and find it necessary to come to campus, you will need to pay to park in one of the Visitor parking areas for $3 per hour up to $12 per day.

• How do I know if I am better off returning my permit or paying for Visitor parking?

  Visitor parking areas cost $3 per hour and up to $12 per day. Depending on how frequently you come to campus, and the type of permit that you have selected will determine whether it is more cost-effective for you to keep your parking permit or pay to park in one of the Visitor parking areas.

• I am a faculty/staff member who is returning to campus. How do I reinstate my parking permit?

  If you returned your parking permit while working from home, you will need to follow the steps below to select a new permit before returning to campus.

  1. Log in to the Parking Portalusing your NetID and password
  2. Click on the "Permits" tab at the top and select "Get Permits" in the drop-down
  3. Select the permit option that you prefer from one of the available options then click the boxes indicating that you understand Parking and Transportation's rules and regulations
  4. Select "Add an Additional Vehicle" option to link up to five vehicles to this permit and then click "Next"
  5. If everything is accurate, click the box indicating that you have read and understand the above statements and click "Pay Now" to authorize your payroll deduction

  Once you have completed the purchase, you will receive a confirmation email from Parking and Transportation and your permit will become active right away. You will see an auto-deduction on your paycheck in the next payroll cycle. If you have any questions, please contact the Talon One Service Center at talonone@kennesaw.eduor (470) 578-8663 (T-ONE).

• How do I know which spaces are for Faculty/Staff in the decks and lots shared with students?

  Faculty/staff parking spaces are marked with a green stripe painted on the pavement. Students may not park in spaces or lots designated for faculty/staff at any time. Faculty and staff are not permitted to park in student parking spaces except when the campus is in Flex Parking. View the maps of the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses for areas with designated faculty/staff parking.

• Do I need to display a Faculty/Staff decal?

  Faculty/staff parking decals are no longer issued—your vehicle is registered to your permit through its license plate number. Please log in to the Parking Portal to select a permit add vehicles that you currently drive to campus to your account. KSU allows one vehicle per permit to be on campus at a time. If two vehicles are on campus at the same time, both vehicles will be considered in violation, and both will receive a citation. Also, vehicles may not be linked to more than one permit.

• How does riding the Big Owl Bus work?

  The Big Owl Bus system is made up of 22 vehicles and 11routes. These routes serve the major activity points on both campuses and five student housing complexes surrounding the Kennesaw Campus. The service also provides shopping routes on each campus on Friday and Saturday.

  In order toutilize the service most effectively, we recommend planning your trip using the schedules and route maps provided on our website. You can alsovisit theBig Owl Bus Live Trackerto view the buses androutes in real time andreceive service updates.

  Understand that the Big Owl Bus driver is only authorized to travel along their designated route and stop at Big Owl Bus stops.

• What does it cost to ride the Big Owl Bus?

  All students pay a mandatory $58 transportation fee, which allows students unlimited Big Owl Bus rides.

• What are the rules for eating and drinking on the Big Owl Bus?

  Eating and drinking on the Big Owl Bus is prohibited. However, feel free to carry food in closed containers and drink beverages in resealable plastic containers.

• Can I listen to music or talk on the phone on the Big Owl Bus?

  Out of respect for other riders on the bus, we ask that you refrain from talking on the phone or listening to music so that others can hear. When listening to music or watching videos, please keep the volume low and always wear headphones.

• I've lost something on the Big Owl Bus. What do I do?

  Items left on the Big Owl Bus or found in parking lots are collected at the end of each day and taken to the lost and found, which is located in the Office of Student Life in the James V. Carmichael Student Center on the Kennesaw Campus, and the Welcome Desk at the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center on Marietta Campus.