Pay Stations and Pay-by-Cell
All pay by phone or pay station areas are considered to be meters/metered areas so you must pre-pay for your parking. You must complete your transaction before leaving your vehicle parked. Note you must park your vehicle in such a way that your license plate is visible from the drive lane. Failure to do so may result in citation. All meters/metered areas have time limits. Click here for a list of lots and the associated meter time limits.
On the first floor of the South University Street garage, coin operated parking meters have been replaced. The pay-by cell phone application has been added to all other campus parking meters. To pay for parking, individuals can pay at one of two multi-space pay stations or using a pay by phone mobile application. Just as with metered spaces, hourly pay spaces contain time limits and they are enforced and must be paid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must pay for your parking before leaving your vehicle parked. Any malfunctions that prevent you from paying for parking must be reported at the time they occur, even if after business hours. Failure to report a malfunction at the time it occurs may result in a parking citation. Call the Office of Parking and Transportation at (309) 438-8391 to report the malfunction. Leave a voice mail with details if calling after normal business hours. You must pay for the entire time you are parked. Vehicles parked in unpaid spaces are subject to citation.
Parking Using the Pay Stations-South University Street Garage (Ground Level) Only
Note you must park your vehicle in such a way that your license plate is visible from the drive lane. Failure to do so may result in citation.
- Visit the pay station located within the lot. If the station you visit is not working, visit the other station.
- Follow the prompts. You will need to know your license plate number and enter this as part of your parking transaction. Please make note of the requirements for license plate entry.
- Zone numbers are automatically entered into the pay stations, so you will not be required to enter the zone number yourself. This applies only when using the pay stations.
- Select payment method and complete your parking transaction. The pay station accepts bills, coin and credit or debit card.
- Return to your vehicle prior to the time expiring. You may extend your time by visiting the pay station, or using the ParkSmarter Parking app. If you intend to extend your time using the ParkSmarter Parking phone application you will need to make note of the zone number. These numbers are posted in each lot/metered area.
The hourly rate is $1/hour.
Parking Using the ParkSmarter Phone Application-Available at All Campus Meters
Note you must park your vehicle in such a way that your license plate is visible from the drive lane. Failure to do so may result in citation.
- Download the app on your Android or iOS device.
- Create a free account using your phone number or email address.
- Add a credit or debit card to your account.
- Enter your license plate number according to the license plate entry requirements. The ParkSmarter phone application can store your license plate information for future use.
- Enter the zone number. This number is posted in each metered/hourly area. Each area has a different zone number. Please ensure you are entering the correct zone.
- Select payment method and complete the transaction. You must complete your payment transaction before leaving the vehicle parked.
- Return to your vehicle prior to the time expiring, or extend your parking time using the application. If using the phone app, you must extend your current session before the current one expires or your will experience a 10 minute lock out period. If the current session expires before you renew and you are in a lock-out status, your vehicle will be parked in violation and will be subject to citation.
- If you experience difficulty with the application, you may use a alternate pay by phone call option. Call 1 (309) 326-5771 and follow the instructions to complete your payment. Have your zone and license plate number number ready.
The hourly rate is $1/hour.
Departmental Parking Validations at the South University Street Garage
Departments who wish to pay for their guest's parking at the parking garage must contact the Office of Parking and Transportation before they can proceed. Each requester must complete the request form found under the "forms" tab on this site. Our office will set up the validation account and provide the department with their validation codes.