“Put your diploma on the windshield so you can park in a handicap spot” is a joke that has been said to deride many institutions of learning. “Why do (Texas A&M—ed.) Aggies tape their diplomas to the inside of their windshields? So they can park in handicap parking” was posted on the newsgroup rec.humor on July 10, 1991. “Why do MSU alums keep their diplomas propped up on their windshields? So they can park in the handicapped spaces” was posted on the newsgroup rec.arts.comics on September 14, 1991.
   
“Graduates of Florida State tape their diplomas to the windshields of their cars so they can take advantage of handicap parking” was printed in the Los Angeles (CA) Times on April 19, 1992.
   
 
Google Groups: rec.humor
A few Aggie jokes
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
7/10/91
Aggie jokes (Texas A&M)
 
Why do Aggies tape their diplomas to the inside of their windshields?
So they can park in handicap parking.
   
Google Groups: rec.arts.comics
Subject: Hellblazer: Value received
Thomas Young Galloway
9/14/91
(...)
“Why do MSU alums keep their diplomas propped up on their windshields?
So they can park in the handicapped spaces.”
 
19 April 1992, Los Angeles (CA) Times, “The Winner Will Drive a Yellow Car” by Chris Dufresne, pg. C2, col. 4:
Ouch: Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along this quip from General Manager Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic: “Graduates of Florida State tape their diplomas to the windshields of their cars so they can take advantage of handicap parking.”
     
Google Groups: rec.sport.basketball.college
UNC tops in grad rate
David Fowler
7/8/96
(...)
DON’T DO THAT!! REMEMBER, IF YOU PUT YOUR CAROLINA DIPLOMA ON THE WINDSHIELD OF YOUR CAR, YOU CAN PARK IN HANDICAP PARKING SPACES 😉
     
Google Groups: alt.sports.college.ohio-state
MERRY CHRISTMAS FOSML GANG
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
12/25/96
(...)
Michigan graduates place their diplomas on their windshields so they’ll be eligible for handicapped parking.
 
Google Groups: alt.pro-wrestling.wwf
Favourite sign on Raw
Luke Michaels
6/18/02
(...)
“If you graduate from THAT school, you could put your diploma in your windshield and park in the handicap spot!”
 
Twitter
james buffington
‏@dailyobamajokes
why do Harvard law school grads, like Obama, tape their diploma to their windshields? so they can park in handicapped spots
1:46 PM - 22 Jul 2009
 
Twitter
Nick Zimmerman
‏@HawkeyeZim
Why do graduates from Iowa State hang their diplomas in their windshields? Because then they can park in handicapped spaces. #iaisu09
2:28 PM - 9 Sep 2009
   
Twitter
stanleyinparis
‏@stanleyinparis
Found my old high school diploma, great now I can put it on my windshield,in case I want to park in a handicap spot.
10:37 PM - 26 Nov 2009
 
Twitter
Clay Smith
‏@ClaySmeezy
Why do #ku grads keep their diploma on their windshield? So they can park in handicapped spaces. #Mizzou #borderwar10
11:54 AM - 24 Nov 2010
 
Twitter
Liz Wood
‏@Wood_Liz20
Why does an IU graduate put his diploma in the front windshield of his car?—-so he can park in handicapped parking
4:19 PM - 13 Sep 2011
 
Twitter
DJ Heltsley
‏@DHelts
@RachelSchartow not! Don’t forget to keep your diploma from ASU. Put it in your windshield and you’ll be allowed to park in handicap spots!
5:21 PM - 21 Aug 2012