For NIU students, finding a parking spot can be difficult, with specific lots requiring the possession and display of appropriate color-coded permits.

Parking consists of different-colored permits, and each color has a designated lot for parking. A yellow permit allows commuting students to park at NIU. An orange permit allows students who live on campus to park by the residence halls. The orange and yellow permits are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Brown permits are for students who do not live in the residence halls. There are some blue permit lots in which students with brown permits can park after 4 p.m. Green permits allow students who live in the residence halls to park for a less expensive fee.

Green permit holders use the lot located by the Convocation Center, lot C-2.

“Students, as well as faculty and staff, are allowed only one color parking permit, for whichever type they qualify for,” said Laura Lundelius, the coordinator of parking and traffic. “This is to limit the amount of vehicles on campus.”

Annually, the price for a green or brown permit is $27, while a yellow or orange permit is $65. Permits can be purchased for the day, week or the month. Permits can also be purchased for the summer, fall, and during the spring semesters. A permit used in the wrong parking lot location is considered not valid and the fine is $40.

“I believe that issuing parking permits and controlling parking lots is a very good thing for campus,” Lundelius said. “If we didn’t use this process, I believe that parking on campus would be worse than it is the first week of fall semester, all the time.”

NIU Parking Services is located at 121 Normal Road. Students may purchase a parking permit at this location in person or online. Purchasing a permit online has a $3 processing fee.

“I think [the parking permit] is helpful,” said Amanda Saward, a sophomore special education major. “At least you know you can get a spot by the residence halls.”