Parking Information, FAQ's, and Parking 101

Information

If you are seeking information about how to legally park on campus, the Traffic and Parking Rules and Regulations (PDF) or Traffic and Parking Rules and Regulations (Microsoft Word) is the document that contains the information. If you have questions, please contact Parking Division at (618) 453-5369.

For your convenience, Frequently Asked Questions and Parking 101 sections have been provided below.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s)

What are the rules and regulations for parking?

Click here for a complete set of Rules and Regulations in PDF format.

Click here for a complete set of Rules and Regulations in Microsoft Word format.

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How were the traffic and parking rules and regulations developed?

The SIUC Traffic and Parking Committee deliberates and recommends traffic and parking related policies to the Executive Director of Administration. Based on the Committee’s recommendation, the Executive Director of Administration then forwards the recommendation(s) to the Chancellor and President for consideration and approval.

What happens to all the monies collected from decals, meters and fines?

Funds collected are used for construction, renovation, and maintenance of the parking lots and garage, street lighting throughout the campus, along with painting and striping crosswalks and roadway centerlines and turn lanes. The campus also owns its own street sweeper to clean the parking lots and roadways on campus.

Why do you oversell parking spaces?

This practice is common in University settings. Typically, faculty and staff remain on campus for longer periods of time during the day than do students. Student spaces are based on their higher daily turnover rate than faculty/staff.

How does one obtain a parking decal?

All eligible faculty, staff and students must purchase parking privileges prior to driving or parking on campus. Stop by the Parking Division office, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The campus uses a color coded parking system to distinguish parking lots where an individual may park. Free yellow parking decals are available for those students attending classes after 4:00 p.m. On–campus resident freshmen/sophomores who are under 21 years of age may apply for parking privileges online via the lottery/wait list. (http://www.dps.siu.edu/Parking/lottcoverpage.php)

Those registering after midnight, July 13, 2005, will be placed on the wait list.

Eligible applicants must present a valid driver’s license, unexpired vehicle registration card (not the title), and an SIUC ID card at the time of parking decal purchase. Payments may be made by check, cash or major credit card.

When are the traffic and parking rules and regulations in force?

Parking is enforced year round, including breaks when campus offices are open, and holidays. The year round speed limit is 20 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.

What do I do if I am not eligible to purchase parking privileges?

Two alternative parking sources are available nearby:

City of Carbondale	Catholic Newman Center
200 S. Illinois Avenue	715 S. Washington Street
Carbondale, IL 62901	Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-3278	618-529-3311

Where may I park if I am a visitor to campus?

Metered spaces are located throughout the campus. The cost is $.50 per hour. Meters must be fed between 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Note: Meters at the Pulliam Circle (15 minutes only) and the Lingle Hall/Arena Ticket Sales Only drive up lot (1 hour maximum) are for a very limited period of time.

Who may park at meters signed “Visitor Only”?

Faculty, staff and students are never considered “visitors” and may not utilize the metered spaces signed “Visitor Only” until after 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. These metered spaces are reserved for bona fide visitors and guests to our campus.

Where do I park to load/unload bulky items?

15 minute loading/unloading zones are available throughout campus for visitors, guests and affiliated individuals with a gold, blue or red commuter decal. Affiliated individuals with a red overnight east/west or a yellow parking decal may only use these designated spaces from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. Affiliated individuals who have not purchased parking privileges or who are otherwise ineligible to buy parking privileges may not park anytime on campus.

What do I do if my department invited a guest (speaker)?

The department may issue a Guest Parking Permit to the unaffiliated individual.

What do I do if my department is holding an event on campus?

The department should complete an online Request for Conference Parking Permits form and send it along with a signed transfer voucher to the Parking Division.

The car I usually drive to work is unavailable (being repaired, won't start, etc.), and I have to drive another car to work. What do I need to do to get the proper parking permit for the substitute vehicle?

If the vehicle is a loaner from a repair shop, you will need a temporary parking permit. Temporary parking permits may be obtained at Parking Division during normal hours of operation. Temporary parking permits may be obtained any other time from the SIUC Police Department Telecommunicator located in Washington Square, Building A. The SIUC Police Department is open 24 hours a day, everyday. Failure to obtain the Temporary Parking Permit may result in a parking citation being issued.

If you bring another vehicle that is in your household, that vehicle is eligible to be registered and should display a decal for which you are entitled. Such a vehicle is not eligible for a Temporary Parking Permit.

What do I do if I sell or trade my car?

When selling or trading in your vehicle, always remove the decal from the vehicle and return the decal (scraps) to Parking Division. Complete a new registration form for the new vehicle and present your valid driver’s license and car dealer paperwork. We will sell you a reduced price duplicate decal. Failure to return the decal (scraps) will be cause for you to remain responsible for any future citations written on the vehicle displaying your old decal and you will be required to pay current full price for the new decal. If the Parking Division offices are not open, go to the SIUC Police Department located in Washington Square, Building A for a temporary permit (valid only until parking offices are open for business).

Where can my guest park if (s)he comes to visit on the weekend? What about during the week?

From Friday 4:00 p.m. until Monday 7:00 a.m. visitors may park free and without a Guest Parking Permit in lots 59 and 100 only.

At other times, you and your guest must present yourselves together at either the Parking Division office during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. or after hours at the SIUC Police Department. A Guest Parking Permit for up to 3 days will be issued to your guest once you present your SIUC ID card and your guest presents a valid driver’s license.

What do I do if my car broke down on campus or was towed from campus?

Immediately call the SIUC Police Department at 618-453-DPS1 (3771). The telecommunicator will log your call and provide you with further instructions.

What do I do if all the spaces are full?

Planning ahead and knowing where alternative parking spaces are is a good proactive step one can take in order to minimize the amount of time you take to find a parking space. If you are affiliated with the University, consult the color-coded map given to you when you purchased your parking privileges. Visitors and guests should follow the signage indicating the locations of visitor/guest parking spaces.

Inability to find an open parking space is not a valid excuse to illegally park.

Why did I get a ticket when the vehicle on either side of me did not?

Enforcement personnel may have passed through the area prior to the noted individuals’ illegal parking activities or they may have received prior permission to park there.

Why was I cited for pulling through/or backing into a space?

Only vehicles displaying disabled license plates or a valid handicapped placard may back into spaces.

How do I avoid parking tickets?

It is everyone’s responsibility to read and obey the signage posted at the entrance to all of the parking lots. Additionally, affiliated individuals should read thoroughly and understand the rules and regulations given to them at the time that they purchased their parking privileges. If you lost or would otherwise like a copy, you may get one at the Parking Division office, or you can click here to view the on-line traffic and parking rules and regulations (PDF) or traffic and parking rules and regulations (Microsoft Word) a complete set available in PDF format.

How do I appeal a ticket that I received?

If you believe you have received a citation in error, you may choose to file an appeal. There are three (3) options available to file an appeal:

1. On-line appeal form. The on-line appeal form is the preferred method of appealing a citation. It is quicker, easier, and can be done from the comfort of your residence or from any computer with internet access.
2. You may obtain an appeal form from the lobby of the SIUC Department of Public Safety's Police Department located in Washington Square A. The Police Department lobby is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

   1. The appeals forms are located inside the lobby.
   2. Complete the form with as much information as possible.
   3. Place the form along with the citation (yellow copy) in the black collection box which is also located in the lobby for your convenience.
3. You may request an appeal form via fax Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. from Parking Division at (618) 453-7456. Please include your fax number so that the form can be faxed back to you.

All appeals must be completed within five (5) business days
of receiving the citation.

Who makes up the Traffic and Parking Appeals Board?

The Traffic and Parking Appeals Board is created under Section 7-105 of the Bicycle and Vehicle Regulations. They have the authority to deny or affirm the charge imposed under these regulations. The board shall be comprised of an undergraduate student, graduate student, faculty member, professional administrative staff member, and a civil service employee that serves for a term of two years and is appointed by the Chancellor or his designee. The Board currently is comprised of a representative from the Undergraduate Student Goverment Organization, Graduate and Professional Student Council, Faculty Senate, Administrative and Professional Staff Council, and Civil Service Council.

Parking 101

This short primer is provided to familiarize you with the campus parking system in the hope that you will avoid parking citations.

It is the responsibility of every student, faculty, staff, and visitor to the campus to make themselves aware of the traffic and parking regulations (PDF) or traffic and parking regulations (Microsoft Word) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

• Traffic and Parking rules and regulations are in force year round, including breaks and holidays, 24 hours per day.
• Valid parking decals must be displayed on the vehicle according to the instructions printed on the peel-off label of the decal.
• All parking lot entrances display signs indicating the type of parking decal required.
• Posted signs and painted curbs must be obeyed at all times.
• The fact that a motor vehicle is parked illegally is not an excuse for another operator to do the same.
• If you park illegally and do not receive a ticket, do not assume that it is ok to park there. Learn the rules and know where and how to park lawfully.
• If you are a student not eligible to purchase parking privileges, you may not park at metered spaces regardless of whether or not the space is signed "Visitors Only". You must purchase parking privileges off-campus.
• Appeals of parking citations must be made within 5 business days of receiving the ticket. Appeal instructions are printed on the ticket.
• If your vehicle becomes disabled on campus or has been towed, call the Department of Public Safety at (618) 453-DPS1 (3771) immediately. DPS is open 24 hours a day.
• If you have a question about parking, don't ask your R.A., professor, friend, or mom. Contact Parking Division at (618) 453-5369.