Winthrop University Police Department

Traffic and Parking

Parking Areas

Authorized parking areas (as indicted by signs and/or painted lines)

  • Visitor Parking only (Green Lines) - Vehicles bearing a Visitor parking pass and who are not Winthrop Univeristy affiliated, such as students, faculty, or staff. Current Faculty/Staff and Students are not considered visitors and must have a Regular parking permit or Temporary parking permits. At no time can current Faculty/Staff and Students park in Visitor parking areas.

  • Faculty/Staff Parking only (Garnet Lines) - Vehicles bearing (F/S) permits.

  • Resident Student Parking Only (White Lines) - Vehicles bearing (R) permits and Vehicles bearing (CY) permits.

  • Commuter Student Parking Only (White Lines) - Vehicles bearing (C) permits.

  • Disabled Parking Only (Blue Lines) - Faculty, staff, and students must still purchase the current year parking permit. This will allow them to utilize the disabled spaces in conjunction with their official state disability placard or license plate. Vehicles which display a current academic year parking permit and an official state disability placard or license plate may park in the other parking areas listed if there are no disabled parking areas currently available. When utilizing an official state disability placard, the official state disability placard should be placed on the rear view mirror and the parking permit should be displayed on the front dash area of the vehicle.

  • Courtyard Parking Only - Vehicles bearing (CY) permits are permitted to park in the Courtyard Gated Area and the Courtyard Overflow Area on a first come, first served basis. Vehicles bearing (CY) permits are also allowed to park in areas marked as Resident Student Parking Only.

  • Purple Heart Parking Only - Vehicles bearing DMV Purple Heart license plate AND a current academic year parking permit -OR- a current academic year parking permit bearing Purple Heart designation. If these spaces are occupied by other Purple Heart veterans, the student must then park in the designated area indicated by the parking permit affixed to their vehicle. The Purple Heart designation will not allow the veteran to park in Disabled or Faculty/ Staff spaces.

  • 20 Minute Parking Only - The 20 minute parking spaces have been designated for those with a current academic year parking permit as a method to temporarily park close to a building for drop off purposes. There is sign at each space indicating to contact Winthrop University Police Department at 803/323-3333 in order to gain authorization. You will be asked various questions in order to identify your vehicle and the area it is being parked. If you utilize these parking spaces over the 20 minute time frame or if you fail to get authorization, you are subject to receiving a parking citation.

Designated Areas of F/S Parking 

Parking on campus in F/S spaces is prohibited until evening hours as posted on signage. A current academic year parking permit is still required to park on campus or any property owned by Winthrop University.

Places You Should Not Park

  • Any Visitor parking space if you are a Faculty/Staff member or a Student.

  • On a pedestrian crosswalk

  • Disabled parking areas

  • Reserved spaces - unless authorized - 7 days a week

  • Where there are "No Parking" signs

  • All areas not specifically designated for parking are considered "No Parking Zones"

  • Where there is two-way traffic, you should not park left of the center line (left wheels to the curb)

  • In front of dumpsters or in an area where emptying a dumpster is impossible.

  • Fire zones

  • Unmarked spaces

  • Closed areas or areas signified as closed by traffic cones

  • All areas not specifically designated for parking are considered "No Parking" zones.

  • Emergency flashers do not permit illegal parking.

Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to include weekends and holidays.


Designated parking areas have been established at the coliseum and related recreational areas. These areas will be patrolled and parking regulations will be enforced. Failure to comply with posted speed limits and parking regulations will result in citations and/or towing of vehicles.