Parking
Illinois State University assumes no responsibility or liability for loss or damage to any vehicle, nor does it assume any personal liability in connection with its parking program.
All vehicles occupying University parking facilities, other than those utilizing paid metered spaces or visitor pay lots, must properly display a valid and appropriate parking permit during the posted hours. Permits must be hung from the rear view mirror of the vehicle to be considered properly displayed. Permits must be clearly visible through the windshield and not covered by any other material or object. Motorcycle/moped permits must be displayed at the rear of the vehicle in such a way that they are clearly visible. All vehicles occupying university parking facilities must display a valid vehicle registration.
There are many different parking options at Illinois State University's campus, including:
Metered Spaces
Any parking space with a meter or meter sign in front of it is considered a metered space. Lots that do not contain meter heads are still considered metered areas (you must pre-pay like a meter) and pay stations or the Passport Parking pay by phone application are in place as methods of payment. Meters/metered areas are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Meters/metered areas have time limits to ensure space availability. Meters are not meant for long-term parking. Note when using metered areas you must park in such a way that your license plate is visible from the drive lane.
If your meter fails, or if the phone application/pay station is not working, you must contact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391. This notification is required even if the malfunction occurs after normal business hours. Leave a message on the parking voice mail. Failure to notify our office of a meter/application malfunction will result in a citation. Vehicles must be removed from inoperative meters within 1/2 hour for 30 minute meters and within 1 hour for all other meters.
All meters have time limits. Click here for a listing of all metered areas and the associated time limits/renewal allowances. Note the renewal time limits apply only when using the Passport Parking pay by phone application. When using a different method, you must return to the car to pay the meter or the paystation to extend your time. To identify the location of the areas, please reference the campus parking map found under the maps tab.
For additional information about using the Cale payment kiosks at the South University Street garage and the Alamo lot, or the Passport Parking pay by phone application, please reference the information tab on the left side of this page titled "Pay Stations and Pay by Cell".
Pay Lots
At the Bone Student Center parking is available for an hourly fee. There is no overnight parking allowed in the pay lots, they are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Vehicles are subject to overtime charges and towing unless removed by 4:00 a.m. The ticket you take at the entrance is a license. No bailment is created. The ticket holder may park one automobile in the lot at their own risk of any fire, theft, damage to vehicle or contents of same.If you intend to pay your hourly parking charges with coins, no large amounts will be accepted unless they are rolled. No exceptions. If you cannot produce the time ticket you took when entering the lot, you will be charged from the time the lot opened.
At the South University Street parking garage, parking is available on a pre-pay basis. You must determine the amount of time you need and pay before leaving the vehicle parked. There are two pay stations on the east side of the lot that accept cash and credit/debit cards. If you have been provided with a parking validation, you will enter the information at one of the two pay stations. Note you must park with your license plate facing the drive lane.
There is also a pay by phone application (Passport Parking) available for download. If you pay for your parking using the phone application, you can elect one more parking session before your current session expires. This will provide you with twice the normal time limit
Faculty-Staff Surface (Red) Lots
Restricted for faculty-staff permit holders from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m., anyone displaying a valid commuter permit can park in these lots until 4:00 a.m. Lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Commuter Surface (Green) Lots
Restricted for commuter surface permit holders and faculty-staff surface permit holders from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. These lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Reserved Spaces
These spaces are reserved for the reserved space permit holder from the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These spaces are closed to anyone except the reserved space permit holder from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. After 5:00 p.m. vehicles displaying a valid faculty-staff, other reserved space permit, reserved zone or commuter permit can park in a reserved space until 4:00 a.m. Any vehicle (other than those belonging to the specific reserved space permit holder) not removed from a reserved space by 4:00 a.m. will be subject to immediate tow.
Departmental Reserved Spaces
These spaces are reserved for the department at all times, they are not included in after hours permit allowances, and are only to be used with the express consent of the department.
Reserved Zones
Located in the three parking decks on campus, these zones are reserved for the red reserved zone permit holders from the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These areas are closed to anyone except reserved zone permit holders from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. After 5:00 p.m. vehicles displaying a valid faculty-staff, reserved space, or commuter permit can park here until 4:00 a.m.
Student Storage (Blue) Lots
Storage lots are for residence hall students only. Students with blue permits may leave their car in these lots 24 hours a day. Note you may be asked to relocate your vehicle due to special events taking place on campus, especially if you park on west campus. You will be notified via email if you need to relocate and will be provided with an alternate parking option. Please pay careful attention to the instructions to avoid a citation.
If you can not find a spot in your lot, please contact the Office of Parking and Transportation at 309-438-8391, between 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. After hours, please contact the ISU Police Department at 309-438-8631. Our office or the police department will find a temporary parking arrangement for you. If you fail to notify us and park in an area where your permit is not normally valid, a citation will result.
Motorcycle/Moped Parking
Motorized vehicles with no more than three wheels must display a valid motorcycle permit to park in campus parking lots. Parking is restricted to designated motorcycle areas only. Motorcycles and mopeds who park in the campus pay lots must park in the designated motorcycle areas and must enter and exit through the entry and exit lanes. Motorcycles and mopeds must pay the appropriate fees to park in the pay lots even if they hold a motorcycle permit. Motorcycles aren mopeds are not allowed to park in campus bicycle racks.
Evening and Weekend Parking
There is open parking in the red (faculty/staff) and green (commuter) surface lots Monday through Thursday beginning daily at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 4:00 a.m. the following day.
After 7:00 p.m. Friday to 4:00 a.m. on Monday, open parking is available in the red faculty/staff surface lots and the green commuter surface lots.
Open parking does not include meters, pay lots, reserved spaces, reserved zones, business spaces, service spaces or blue residence hall student storage lots.
Service Vehicle Spaces
Service vehicle spaces are designated for university vehicles displaying "U" license plates only, or by special permission from the Office of Parking and Transportation.
Business Permit Spaces
Business permit spaces are restricted to departmental business permit and/or vendor business permit holders only. These spaces have a two hour time limit and this limit is strictly enforced. Moving from one business permit space to another with the sole purpose of resetting the time allowance is not allowed and vehicles observed engaging in this behavior will be subject to citation.
Loading Zone Spaces
Designated loading zone spaces will be located adjacent or as close to campus buildings as possible. These spaces are for loading and unloading only and will be limited to 30 minutes. Moving your vehicle from one loading zone to another with the sole purpose of resetting the time allowance is not allowed and vehicles observed engaging in this behavior will be subject to citation.