Tucked away between the physical plant and the Dorland Building, NIU Transportation Services’ 10 employees tend to a flock of 226 vehicles ranging from Sedans to charter buses.

Jacqueline Warren, a senior special education major, uses the vehicles on classroom observation trips.

“This is my second semester using the service,” Warren said. “The people here are always so nice and the cars are always clean, warm and ready to go.”

Transportation services is responsible for every vehicle on campus, except the Huskie bus line, which is the Student Association’s responsibility. The department is self-sufficient, supporting itself through the funds it receives from use of the vehicles and provides all the preventive maintenance, fuel and the majority of repairs for the vehicles without contracting outside help.

“I’ve been working with that department for 25 years now, and they are always very friendly, professional and accommodating,” said Judy Santacaterina, an adviser in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. “When you’re out on the road, you know you can call them anytime and they’ll be there to help.”

Use of the vehicles is restricted to official university business and is typically pre-arranged and paid for by the department conducting business. Faculty, staff and students are permitted to use the vehicles in conjunction with classes or university-related business.

The transportation department is conscious of the environmental impact these vehicles can make. With eight fuel-efficient Toyota Priuses in the lot and four more on order, the department has received two environmental pride awards for waste reduction in the last three years.

“Overall, all our vehicles combined drive about a million miles a year,” said Bill Finucane, transportation services manager. “We’re trying to be environmentally friendly.”

The university’s rules are strictly enforced, and irresponsible or unethical behavior has led to privileges being retracted in the past. Each vehicle owned by the university bears a number and the words “Northern Illinois University” in white reflective lettering.

“Those vehicles are rolling billboards,” Finucane said, “and that bad PR is hard to make up for.”

In the time he’s been there, Finucane also said few serious accidents and no fatalities have occurred. Information on the policies and how to obtain vehicles can be found at www.finfacil.niu.edu/busproceduremanual/08-05.htm.