What is the Priority System?
The Priority System is an algorithm used to assign permits based on a few user groups and specific parameters. during the permit request process, The Priority System helps to streamline traffic and distribute parking throughout campus.
Individuals are ranked based on nine different user groups, categorized by your relationship to UGA. These user groups are further prioritized by different considerations based on the lot locations. Each parking location type has a different structure that prioritizes specific user groups (see chart below).
Take into consideration where you fall within the priority system of the lot you are wishing to park in.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the priority system that are not addressed below.
Special requests, such as disability parking, reserved parking, or multi-area parking, will be considered on a case by case basis.
How do I get chosen within the Priority System?
Students are scored based on their cumulative hours (academic hours earned at UGA) and housing status.
Student employees are scored based on days of continuous service at UGA.
Employees are scored by their employee classification (or BCAT code) and days of continuous service.
Two people with the same housing status or BCAT code will be ranked based on how long they have been with UGA. The person here longer will be placed ahead of the other.
These factors allow our customized computer program to rank each applicant based on comparisons with others being considered for the same lot. It is important that all applicants understand the priority system and how it applies to them to ensure the best chance of getting a parking spot.
What are the different categories?
Within the four types of lots in the Priority System chart, each of the nine user groups is ordered according to their priority for the area. Those having the highest priority are at the top, and those with lowest priority are at the bottom.
The Priority System separates applicants by the following user groups:
- Senior Administration
- Faculty
- Administration
- Staff
- Graduate Assistants
- Graduate Commuters
- Graduate Residents
- Undergraduate Residents
- Undergraduate Commuters
Each lot has a different priority tier system:
- Administration / Faculty
- Staff / Graduate Assistants
- Housing
- Staff
Why do we have a Priority System?
The Priority System was devised by the Parking Services Department in 2002 to streamline traffic and to distribute parking throughout campus. Before the parking priority system was introduced, permits were sold to anyone at anytime, but as our campus grew, traffic jams, overcrowded lots, and frustration developed. Under the Priority System, traffic is streamlined and parking is distributed more evenly throughout campus.
