‘Skrrt’-ing the Rules of EU’s Parking

Students parked in front of Langhorst Stadium

College parking lots are a nationwide battlefield. Elmhurst University is no exception, featuring a 70:30 Commuter-to-Resident student ratio, heightening the parking challenge during the week.

Finding a parking spot on a college campus can feel daunting, especially compared to the assigned spot you might have had in high school. Getting familiar with the campus parking rules and finding the cheapest parking option will help you park with less stress.

Here is a list of 4 parking tips for EU commuter and resident students.

1. Arrive on Campus before the Morning Rush:

Nobody wants to wake up early to arrive on campus just for parking, but students can use this extra time to their advantage. That extra time can be used to study before an exam, meet up with friends, eat breakfast, or have time to prepare for the day. Along with finding a more remote or smaller parking lot on campus with less traffic, this may make it easier to find a spot.

1. Utilize an Off-Campus Parking Lot:

This year, Public Safety has eliminated two of its off-campus parking options. In previous years, students and staff could park at one of the downtown Elmhurst parking garages and be shuttled back to campus. There was also parking available at the First United Methodist Church, located just across Wilder Park.

Now, the only off-campus option affiliated with the university is St. Peters Church which is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. – a parking permit is required to park here. This lot is not as busy as the main campus lots, which offer more parking availability.

1. Not Purchasing a Parking Permit

If you are looking for a riskier hack to avoid the permit price, some students have found that not buying a parking permit at all can be successful. The price of a parking permit is $75 per semester for commuter students and $125 for residential students. This adds up fast with other tuition costs.

Parking in far-off corners, areas covered in trees, or in a spot with the front of your car facing away from Public Safety’s eyes have all been ways that students have hidden their lack of a parking permit from parking enforcement.

1. Get to Know Public Safety

Some EU students have learned the ticketing habits of Public Safety. They patrol campus for parking permits heavily at the beginning of each semester, but as the weeks progresses, they can have a more laid-back permit patrol.

Public Safety starts the school year off strong by giving warning tickets to those without parking permits, but after the first month, the number of tickets given lessens.

By being a little more strategic, you can turn the daily parking hassle into a minor part of your college experience.