Emily Baehr didn’t make it to class Feb. 13.

The junior English major doesn’t usually miss class, but the heavy snow and cold weather kept her from making her 39-mile daily commute.

Last spring, 2,807 NIU students commuted to class, according to the 2005-2006 Data Book.

Baehr transferred to NIU as a commuter this semester.

“I park in the parking garage, but I don’t like commuting,” Baehr said, who paid $49 this semester for the privilege.

With gas prices rising, Baehr said she hopes to live closer to campus next semester.

Junior history major Julia Anderson used to commute from Rockford but now lives on campus.

“The hassle of having to drive back and forth everyday is not a problem anymore, but it’s more expensive living here than with my parents,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she chose to live off campus because she didn’t want to live in a small dorm room. She chose to live with her parents so she could save money and be with her family.

Missing class was also an issue for Anderson, although weather conditions when she commuted in 2003 were more favorable than in the current winter.

“I had to rely very heavily on my car,” she said.

Dr. Karen Castelein, an adviser for commuter and non-traditional student services, said students often must resort to other parking areas.

“Students that live out of town often comment that they have to leave early to find a parking spot,” Castelein said.

Castelein said students also sometimes buy a visitor’s parking pass because they couldn’t find anywhere to park, .

“Commuters will park wherever they can find a place to park,” Castelein said.