Contrary to a popular assumption, NIU students cannot park in any campus lot during the weekend.

Students are encouraged to use a map offered by NIU Campus Parking Services that can be used to determine if a lot is reserved at all times. On the map, lots that feature a black box around the number require a specific parking pass at all times.

“People should read the signs at each lot,” said Laura Lundelius, coordinator of parking and traffic for Campus Parking Services. “They will tell them what type of permit is required and when. There are also many spaces on campus that are reserved at all times. There are meters that need to be fed 24/7.”

Though some lots remain off limits to those without the proper pass, anyone can use the non-restricted parking lots on the weekends. Ticketing for non-restricted parking lots stops at 7 p.m. on Friday, Lundelius said.

“Lots are restricted for various reasons, such as needing available employee parking, event parking and for safety and security issues,” she said.

Lundelius advises anyone who wants to park a vehicle on campus to learn the parking rules and regulations, regardless of where they park.

Stan Treger, a sophomore recording major, likes to take advantage of the non-restricted lots on weekends, but is also aware of the lots on campus that are reserved at all times.

“It’s convenient because I live in Neptune and you can park by DuSable over the weekend,” Treger said. “When I have friends come up, they can just park there.”

Commuters, such as Olivia Nesterowicz, junior political science major, also need to be aware of the parking regulations.

“Sometimes there aren’t enough signs, and you don’t realize you’re parking in the wrong spot,” Nesterowicz said. “As a commuter, I keep my eye out more often than someone who lives here.”

In the event a person is unsure of why they received a ticket, or they mistakenly parked their car in a restricted lot, they have the option of appealing the ticket. Tickets can be appealed online or by filling out a form at Campus Parking Services. Such action needs to be taken within 10 days of being issued the ticket, Lundelius said.

Regardless of where students park, they may want to avoid falling for the myth that putting on one’s flashers makes everything legal.

“For some reason, people think that it’s OK to park anywhere if they put their flashers on. This is not true,” Lundelius said. “Putting on flashers does not make illegal parking legal, not even for that one minute you leave your vehicle to drop off a paper to a professor. The flashers actually draw attention to the illegal parking activity and often result in a parking citation.”