Got guest lecturers? Make parking hassle-free with Offstreet
Universities frequently invite guest lecturers to enrich their academic programs, offering students unique insights and perspectives. However, managing parking for these guests can be a logistical nightmare. Coordinating permits, communicating with vendors, and juggling coupon codes often consumes valuable time for Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) departments, leading to inefficiency and frustration.
The problem with traditional permit processes
The current approach to issuing parking permits is not only time-consuming but also prone to confusion. Guest lecturers, who are unfamiliar with campus procedures, often find themselves entangled in unclear instructions or cumbersome steps. This can result in parking citations, dissatisfaction, and a negative experience for all parties involved.
Consider this scenario: The Faculty of Business Administration is hosting a guest lecturer for a Business 100 class. The lecturer needs a daily permit to park in a student lot, ideally Lot D, which is conveniently close to the lecture hall.
With Offstreet, this process becomes effortless:
- Pre-registration: The guest lecturer can easily register for parking up to the day of the event, ensuring they’re prepared well in advance.
- User-friendly checkout: A web-based registration page allows the guest to register their vehicle without needing to download an app or create an account.
- License plate-based virtual permits: The lecturer simply enters their license plate number, eliminating the need for physical permits or pay station visits.
- Clear communication: All necessary instructions and directions are sent via email, ensuring a smooth and transparent process.
- Seamless integration: The guest’s vehicle is automatically recognized as having a valid permit in the enforcement software, preventing any risk of citations.
How to implement Offstreet in your university
Implementing Offstreet is straightforward and designed to fit seamlessly into your existing operations:
- Tailored setup: Offstreet’s team works closely with your department to configure the system according to your university’s specific needs, including location uploads, permit settings, and user accounts.
- Easy integration: Offstreet integrates smoothly with your existing enforcement software, as well as with any necessary permit or pay station systems.
- Comprehensive training: Offstreet provides thorough training during onboarding, ensuring that your staff is confident and comfortable with the new system.
- Gradual rollout: The system can be adopted gradually, with a phased rollout that allows your department to adjust at its own pace. During this time, you’ll also benefit from tips and best practices shared by other customers.
- Simplified billing: Departments are billed for usage through an internal billing system, simplifying financial management.
The typical timeline includes a 2-week setup, a 1-month pilot phase, and full implementation within 3 months.
The benefits of using Offstreet
- Operational efficiency: Streamline your processes, allowing departments to manage parking autonomously and significantly reduce the administrative workload on your parking team.
- Enhanced experience: Offer a faster, more user-friendly experience for both departments and guest lecturers, improving stakeholder relations across the board.
- Increased compliance: Simplified procedures make it easier for guests to comply with parking rules, resulting in more accurate data and better enforcement outcomes.
“Every group we have pitched this to so far is super excited. Offstreet has been a game changer for our campus. Departments, colleges, and clubs save significant time in sponsoring their guests, as they no longer need to rely on our department. The overall reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Using Offstreet gave us our time back, allowing us to focus on other priorities.”
— Takuto Doshiro, Manager, Business Services, Public Safety, Cal Poly
Transform your campus parking experience
Offstreet simplifies parking for guest lecturers, creating a seamless and efficient process that benefits both the university and its visitors. Don’t let parking logistics stand in the way of a positive guest experience.
Learn more about Offstreet for campuses here or book a call with an Offstreet team member today!
