For a campus population made up of 51% commuters according to admissions, students might expect a more expansive parking system around campus. This seeming lack of parking is further amplified by the risk of getting ticketed not only by the Otterbein police but also by the Westerville police.
When examining the frequency of tickets given out on campus, there is one common offense that stands out above the rest. “Hands down the most common is the parking in the faculty staff lot,” Otterbein police Chief Paul Weiner says. Tickets for parking in a faculty spot will cost $50, so be vigilant for signs with information on who is allowed to park where and when.
Some of the other frequent violations to be mindful of is failing to register for a parking pass, parking in visitor only spots and taking up multiple parking spots. Of all the previously listed violations, the steepest ticket will come from failing to register for a parking pass. This violation will cost $150, but it is typically voided after purchasing a pass.
Another policy to note is the university's policy regarding handicap parking. Chief Weiner said, “Zero tolerance and the fine is hefty for handicapped parking.” This violation risks a $250 ticket and possibly having your vehicle towed. Using a handicap spot, even if for a short period of time, may seem harmless, but the punishment is severe and certainly not worth the risk.
Building off the theme of punishment, there are significant risks of being a repeat parking offender on campus. After your fifth citation, there will be a meeting, and the offender will be informed that the university reserves the right to tow their vehicle upon the next offense. After the sixth ticket, campus parking privileges will be revoked.
Getting a ticket in any capacity would certainly be a mood killer, but remembering that the ticket came from Otterbein is important. Otterbein’s tickets may seem pricey, but they are still significantly cheaper than those of Westerville's or the state's. While the Westerville Police Department has no jurisdiction to enforce parking on campus, it can still fine you on public streets. If it comes down to a ticket no matter what, make sure it comes from the Otterbein Police Department.
In the 2024-2025 school year, Otterbein issued 486 tickets from Aug. 24 to Feb. 13. As of the current 2025-2026 school year, in the same amount of time, Otterbein has issued 478 citations, according to the Otterbein Police Department. This may seem like a lot but most of the ticketed individuals are repeat offenders.
Due to this seemingly high volume of tickets, it may appear as if the police department has some sort of financial gain from issuing these citations; however, this is not the case. All money collected from parking citations on campus go straight to the university's budget, getting funneled back into the campus.
Students' opinions seem to lean strongly in the direction that Otterbein neglects the parking situation. Meanwhile, it also indicates a desire for some kind of change or adaptation regarding parking. Freshman major in sports management Cinjin Gibson said, “I think campus parking is very slim. I think we need more of it, and I also think that the parking spots are way too small.”
This corroborates other testimonies from other students. Carter Boreman, a freshman in political science said, “It sucks. There should be more parking, I have literally like 10 spaces to park in at Mayne.”
While Otterbein’s parking situation is incredibly complex and expensive to fix, there is undoubtedly a shortage in parking that can cause students to get ticketed. Staying aware of where you park and having a keen eye for parking signs are the best ways to avoid tickets while the wait for increased parking continues.
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