13 years ago, Parking Services decided to take away the grace period for parking fines for the upcoming 2004 fall semester. 

Previously for the first two weeks of classes, students were given a grace period to understand the parking system at NIU. After taking away the grace period, students were given tickets immediately the following fall semester, according to an April 23, 2004, Northern Star article.

In addition to taking away the grace period, 13 faculty handicapped parking spots were moved away from the front of DuSable Hall. Orange and green permits were not allowed to stop, stand or idle in lot M6 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Around 170 parking meters were removed throughout campus and meter fees increased from 50 cents per hour to $1 per hour. 

Today, parking meters outside of Campus Life Building continue to be $1 per hour.