College Walk Parking Policy

Parking or standing of vehicles on College Walk is strictly limited. The College Walk parking policy sets forth the guidelines for obtaining exemptions for standing or parking of vehicles on College Walk (116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue).

Reason for the Policy

College Walk is closed to non-University vehicular through-traffic and is the main pedestrian walkway of the Morningside Campus. Restrictions on parking or standing of vehicles on the Walk maximizes its use for the benefit of the University.

Primary Guidance to Which This Policy Responds

There is not a primary policy to which this policy responds. It relates to the University's Parking Policy at the Morningside Heights Campus, which is found on the Administrative Policy website and to all policies on events and outdoor space use that are administered by the Office of Student Services, University Programs and Events and Columbia University Facilities (CUF) Events Management.

Revision History

This policy was established in April 2011. This is the first revision to it.

Responsible University Office & Officer

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for administering the policy. The primary contact for exemptions and policy issues is the Public Safety Director of Special Operations and Events.

Who is Governed by This Policy

All faculty, staff, affiliates, students, and visitors of and to the University. Who Should Know This Policy All faculty, staff, affiliates, students, and visitors of and to the University.

Exclusions & Special Situations

The policy addresses exclusions and special situations.

College Walk is the main pedestrian walkway of the Morningside Campus and is closed to vehicular through-traffic. Vehicular access to College Walk is controlled by the Department of Public Safety at all times.

Parking or standing of vehicles on College Walk is strictly limited with the following exceptions:

  • Department of Public Safety Patrol vehicles
  • Columbia University Emergency Medical Service (CUEMS) vehicles
  • Columbia University (CUF) authorized maintenance or delivery vehicles
  • Vehicles receiving special temporary or event based exemptions that are granted by Public Safety’s Director of Special Operations and Events

Special exemptions for parking or standing will be granted only for those occasions that are related to University events, non-recurring and of short duration. All special parking exemptions are limited to no more than one (1) day. If parking is required beyond one (1) day then the Parking Office should be contacted to request longer-term parking in a University parking facility, if possible.

Parking for speakers or attendees of University-related events or seminars and for visitors may be arranged in one of the University’s parking facilities by contacting CUF’s Residential Finance and Parking Office. Approval of requests is subject to availability and the event sponsor will be charged for use of the facilities. Details on securing parking for speakers, guests or visitors can be found on the CUF Website Columbia Transportation and in the University’s Policy on Parking on the Morningside Campus.

When parking or standing of vehicles is required for loading/unloading of materials for University related events on College Walk, the event organizers may request an exemption by sending the request via email to the Public Safety Director of Special Operations and Events. Email correspondence should include the date and time that the vehicle will arrive at College Walk, what is being loaded/unloaded, a description of the vehicle, and name of the company that operator of the vehicle works for.