Parking and Transportation Services, University of Minnesota

The University makes every effort to pay special attention to pedestrian walkways, disability parking, entrance/exit grooming, and the methodical sanding and salting of all affected areas. The ramp tops must be plowed whenever there is snow accumulation exceeding two to three inches and/or freezing precipitation. Under normal circumstances, entrances, exits, and aisles are plowed, sanded, and salted during and/or immediately following any significant snow accumulation.

Snow removal of surface lots normally begins at the most logical time of day following snow accumulation that reaches or exceeds two to three inches. Public lots will have signs with specific instructions when the lots may be closed without advance notice and until adequately plowed, sanded, and salted in the interest of safety.

Plowing Around Vehicles
If vehicles are parked in facilities during plowing, every attempt will be made to clear snow from around the vehicles and as close to them as safely possible. If a vehicle is blocked into the stall by plowed snow, assistance to help move the vehicle may be provided when available upon request. Under normal conditions, the University will not tow vehicles out of University parking facilities unless they are illegally parked or pose a threat to safety or vehicle or pedestrian access. However, when absolutely necessary, Parking and Transportation Services reserves the right to move any vehicle to an already-plowed stall in the same facility in order to best serve the entire facility. When a stall is not plowed, it is assumed that parking patrons may choose to either avoid the stall and park elsewhere, or accept the apparent risks of parking in a vacant but un-plowed stall.

Icy Conditions
When appropriate, salt and sand are applied before icy conditions occur or when ice has accumulated on campus. When a specific University parking area is reported as being particularly slippery, it is serviced at the earliest opportunity and may be posted "Caution Slippery" at the main entrance(s). To help keep our facilities and roadway safe during icy conditions, members of the University community are reminded to use caution.