Parking

Benjamin West House is the College's Visitor Information Center and home Public Safety

All members of the campus community (faculty, staff, students, and visitors) are expected to follow the College's parking and transportation policies. These policies are enacted in order to increase campus safety and to preserve parking for Swarthmore College employees and students who are issued permits. The Department of Public Safety oversees all aspects of parking on campus, including permit applications/distributions, fines, appeals, and revocations. The Division of Student Affairs may also revoke parking privileges as part of the Student Conduct Process.   

Visitor Parking

While the Benjamin West House undergoes renovations in the summer of 2025, the College's Visitor Information Center is located in Bond Memorial Hall, on the other side of the Benjamin West Visitor Parking Lot.

Those visiting Swarthmore College Monday through Friday from 7:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. may park in the visitors' section of the Benjamin West Lot or in signed Visitor spaces in the Fieldhouse House Lot or the Whittier Lot. Many faculty/staff parking spaces are available to visitors Monday through Friday from 3:30p.m. to 7:00a.m. and on weekends; obey posted signs. Click here for directions to other visitor parking locations on campus. 

Permits

Parking permits are required for students, faculty, and staff who wish to park on college property and are not transferable. The person who registers a vehicle is responsible for assuring that the vehicle, regardless of who drives it, is parked in conformance with the College's regulations. Faculty-Staff Permits must be clearly displayed on the rear view mirror of the vehicle with the permit number facing the windshield. Student permits must be displayed on the rear windshield/bumper of the vehicle on the left side. On a motorcycle or motorized cycle, the permit must be on the fender near the license plate. Permits shall not be obscured by the plate or any other equipment on the vehicle. Possession of a permit does not guarantee a parking space. Student permits are valid from the date of issue until the close of the Spring term. Permits must be displayed on the vehicle described on the application by the second week of September.

How to Apply

Faculty-Staff and Student parking permits can be applied for through the My Swarthmore application directly or by clicking on the link HERE.

Late Student Applications

Any student who applies for a parking permit at any time other than the standard application period may not park their vehicle on college property while awaiting the decision on their pending application.

Student Temporary Permits

Those having a short-term need to bring a vehicle on campus may request a permit from the Department of Public Safety. These permits are issued contingent on availability of adequate space and determination of reasonable need. The vehicle must be parked only where assigned. Upon expiration of the temporary permit, the vehicle must be removed from college property.If a temporary permit is denied, the student may not park the car anywhere on campus, including Visitor Parking, at any time.