Parking Overview
- 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. Park at your own risk.
- Parking regulations are enforced year-round, including summers and semester breaks.
- Parking rules and regulations are subject to revision at any time.
- Parking and Transportation reserves the right to restrict or re-designate spaces or lots at any time for special purposes such as athletic and special events. Please pay careful attention to campus signage.
Rules and Regulations Brochure
A copy of the 2024-2025 Parking Rules and Regulations brochure can be downloaded here.
Parking Rules
- General Rules
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Rules and regulations apply to all vehicles. A vehicle is defined as an automobile, truck, van, bus, motor bike, moped, motor scooter or motorcycle. A vehicle must be operable to remain parked on campus. Inoperable vehicles must be repaired or removed from campus.
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When vehicles on campus are observed in violation of any of the rules or regulations, the owner and/or driver will be held responsible. If a permit is displayed in the vehicle at the time of violation, the permit registrant may be help responsible.
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During snow season, in areas where lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., this rule will be strictly enforced to facilitate snow removal.
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Except in student storage/apartment lots and reserved spaces/reserved zones, the purchase of a permit does not guarantee parking in a specific lot. Lack of available parking is not a valid reason to violate parking rules and regulations.
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Where parking spaces are outlined, or parking chocks provided, occupants must observe the confines of each space. Only one vehicle is allowed per space.
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Yellow curbs indicate no parking. Yellow pavement markings indicate end of rows and no parking areas.
- If a vehicle will not fit within the confines of an individual parking space (e.g., oversized vehicles, vehicles pulling trailers), the driver must contact the parking office to make arrangements. An additional permit may be required.
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Metered spaces must be paid at all times, there is no grace period. Meters are enforced 24 hours per day/7 days per week. When using the pay stations or the Passport Parking application, you must pre-pay just as you would at a meter. Meter fees are not refundable.
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Pay careful attention to signs posted at metered spaces. Parking meters contain time limits that are strictly enforced at all times.
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The responsibility of finding a legal space rests with the vehicle operator. Lack of space in a parking area is not a valid excuse for violation of a regulation.
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Leaving a vehicle unattended in a fire lane is not allowed at any time for any reason.
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Parking in an ADA space without the proper parking placard is not allowed at any time for any reason. The striped area attached to the ADA space is part of the ADA space.
- Permit Rules
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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, or must have purchased a virtual parking permit and attached that permission to the license plate of the vehicle they bring to campus. Physical 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. All vehicles must park with their license plate properly affixed and facing the drive lane.
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The parking permission/permit you purchase allows you to park one vehicle in one space.
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Parking for visitors to the Alumni Center is provided at no charge. Employees of the Alumni Center are required to purchase a virtual parking permission to park in the lot and must park in area designated as faculty/staff parking located in the southwest corner of the lot near the building.
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Permit holders (virtual or physical) must park according to the allowances provided by their permit. Lack of available parking in any given area does not authorize the user to violate parking rules and regulations by parking in an area where their permit is not valid. Permit requirements are enforced regardless of whether or not there are unused spaces at the time a violation is committed.
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Permits are the property of the Office of Parking and Transportation. Ownership is not transferable by any other entity. Permits are for the exclusive use of the registrant. Permits may not be sold, exchanged, given away, or purchased from any person or entity but the Office of Parking and Transportation. Permits may not be reproduced or altered in any way. The Office of Parking and Transportation reserves the right to revoke parking privileges for violations of this regulation. Revocation may apply to both parties involved in any transaction that violates the rule. The permit registrant is responsible for any violations issued while their permit is displayed in the vehicle.
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The Office of Parking and Transportation reserves the right to change parking areas depending on demand and other factors. The Office of Parking and Transportation may control any and all lots for special events.
- Termination of Employment
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Individuals who terminate their employment with the University become ineligible for employee parking and must return their employee parking permit to our office. Virtual parking permissions will be revoked upon termination of employment. Physical parking permits assigned to terminated employees will be revoked and if found on campus the vehicle will be subject to citation and immediate tow.
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Retirees must elect the virtual retiree permit (if eligible) and return their employee permit. When you retire, your faculty staff permit will be revoked and if found on campus the vehicle will be subject to tow.
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Employees on a leave of absence who selected payroll deduction must continue to pay for their permits during their leave. Our office will notify you via your ISU email what is required of you in this circumstance.
Please contact our office if you have questions about this process.
- ADA Parking
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ADA parking spaces are available across campus for individuals who display both their campus parking permit (visitor or annual) and their State issued ADA parking placard.
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Faculty, staff and student are required to register their ADA placard with our office.
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Students needing a temporary arrangements due to a medical condition must contact the office of Student Access and Accommodations. Faculty and staff needing a temporary arrangement must contact the office of Equal Opportunity and Access.
- Vehicular Problems
Vehicles experiencing problems that prevent their removal from a parking area must be reported to Parking and Transportation. Contact our office at (309) 438-8391 from 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact the Illinois State University Police Department at (309) 438-8631 at all other times. Failure to report inoperative vehicles will result in a citation if the vehicle is in violation of rules and regulations. Handwritten notes are not considered acceptable notification.Inoperable vehicles must be immediately repaired or removed from campus lots. Be prepared to provide a timeline for repair to our office.
- Meter/Pay Station/Pay by Phone Malfunctions
Meter, pay station or pay by phone application malfunctions must be reported at the time they occur, or the vehicle is in violation and subject to citation. Call our office at (309) 438-8391 to report and if after business hours leave a voice message. Vehicles must be removed from inoperable meters within 30 minutes from all 30 minute meters, and within one hour from all other meters. If you are using the pay stations or mobile app, you must pre-pay for your parking just as you would at any other meter. Meter fees are not refundable.
- Parking Garage Safety Rules
- Motorcycles, bicycles, roller blades, and skateboards are prohibited in the parking garages.
- No back-in parking is allowed in the parking garages.
- Only one vehicle is allowed per space. No trailer parking is allowed.
- Smoking is not permitted in any of the parking garages.
- Users must obey all posted signage within the garage including clearances, speed limits, stop signs, and one way directional signage.
- In the School Street garage vehicles should be parked within the inner lines of each space.
- Smoke Free and Tobacco Free Campus Rules
In compliance with the State of Illinois' Smoke-Free Campus Act, Illinois State University is a smoke and tobacco free campus. Smoking and tobacco use is prohibited on all campus property including buildings, grounds, parking lots, and vehicles that are owned or operated by a state-supported institution of higher education.
Smoking and tobacco use in private vehicles is allowed in unenclosed parking lots. Smoking and tobacco use outside of vehicles in university owned or operated parking lots is prohibited. Parking garages are considered enclosed structures where smoking is prohibited.
- Vehicle Accidents
All accidents involving a motor vehicle on campus must be reported immediately to the University Police. Any vandalism incurred in campus lots should also be reported to the University Police.
- Snow Removal
Permit holders should be aware that in areas where lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., this policy will be strictly enforced for snow removal. Some areas on campus are posted specifically for snow removal during certain times of the year. Please pay close attention to signage.
- Towing
Parking is prohibited and vehicles are subject to fine and immediate tow at the owners expense for the following violations:
- Parking in a No Parking zone
- Parking in fire lanes
- Parking in yellow painted zones; within 15 feet of fire hydrants; on crosswalks, drives or walkways; on grass or tree plots; parking anywhere that would mar the landscape of the campus, create a safety hazard, or interfere with the use of University facilities.
Vehicles in violation are subject to fine and/or immediate tow at the owners expense for:
- Use of non-metered parking areas without appropriate and valid permit
- Use of parking areas, including metered parking, when $150 or more unpaid fines have been accumulated
- Violation of safety regulations as stated above
- Parking in reserved spaces; service spaces; business spaces; loading zones; ADA spaces or student storage lots without appropriate permit
Vehicles not properly displaying a valid license plate and/or inoperable vehicles will be considered abandoned and subject to immediate tow.
Vehicles are subject to tow 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Press Passes, Handwritten, or Typed Notes
Press passes, handwritten or typed notes will not be honored for parking in University facilities. Contact our office to secure parking arrangements.
- Golf Cart and Authorized Government Vehicle Rules and Regulations
Illinois State University has implemented policies on the use of golf carts and authorized government vehicles on our campus.
Visitors
All Visitors, Event Attendees, and Vendors who plan to bring golf carts to campus are subject to the following rules and regulations:
Visitors, Event Attendees and Vendors who need assistance with training their operators may contact us and arrange to participate in our golf cart training.Please reference the information below for information on how to request our training video.
University Departments
All University Departments that employ AGVs and golf carts in their operations are subject to the following rules and regulations:
In compliance with University policy 5.1.11, all University departments using Authorized Government Vehicles (AGVs) and/or golf carts are required to ensure all current and potential operators in their department have completed operator safety training prior to operating an AGV and/or golf cart. It is each individual department’s responsibility to ensure their employees and volunteers are in compliance by completing the training and the necessary documentation. Individuals who are currently certified will need to recertify through the United Educators Learning Portal. In this portal, they can view the safety training video and complete the online course. Previous training materials are no longer available, and all certifications and renewals must be conducted through the United Educators Learning Portal.
The Office of Parking and Transportation/Fleet Services is partnering with University Risk Management to ensure compliance with this policy. Recertification for Golf Cart Safety Training is now required every four years. Each department is responsible for tracking employee training dates, for ensuring their employee’s compliance with the training recertification requirements, and for completing the necessary documentation.
To complete the safety training, an individual must:
- View a safety training video and complete an online course.
- We will need each operator’s email, first and last name, department, and intended usage for operating a golf cart (ie: daily campus rounds, transporting guests, special events, etc.).
- The required Golf Cart Safety course is offered by United Educators. Individuals will be prompted to create a Learning Portal Account with UE.org.
- Email FleetandBuses@IllinoisState.edu to request individuals to be added to United Educators Golf Cart Safety course.
- Individuals may also self-register by logging into the portal directly and creating an account. Users will enter their full name, email address, password, language and branch code: 3123-95510. This does not require an email to Fleet and Buses.
- Review the AGV/Golf Cart Rules of Operation below:
- Complete a hands-on review of operational and safety features of the specific vehicle the individual will be driving. This review must be provided by an employee designated by the operator’s department who possesses the appropriate skills and knowledge to conduct such training.
- Complete an operator training document. Training documentation and acknowledgment forms for all operators who will be operating AGVs and/or golf carts are to be maintained by the operator’s employing department, and a copy filed in the operator’s official personnel file located in Human Resources.
Documentation must include:
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- Operator’s name
- Trainer’s name
- Date of Training
- List the specific type of equipment trained to operate
- Documentation forms can be accessed here.
Please contact Parking and Transportation Fleet Services at (309) 438-2038, or email FleetandBuses@IllinoisState.edu if you have any questions.