As of Jan. 6, 2020, Campus Safety, along with a group of faculty and students representing the various parking permit holders on campus, recently unveiled new parking designations across campus.
The idea is to continue working toward having equal and convenient parking for all permit holders. Therefore, the changes include five lots exclusive to residents and four lots exclusive to commuters. There will be two lots for faculty/staff, six for both commuters and faculty/staff and one for residents and faculty/staff.
Throughout the first week of the semester, Campus Safety enabled a one-week grace period. Moreover, they issued warning citations across campus to spread additional awareness of the changes.
The new parking spots across NCC were effective as of Jan. 6, 2020. Screenshot by Gianna Scheuneman.
For Dee Ekvall, ’20, a resident permit holder, parking congestion continues to persist on campus. “Parking here will never be solved because we have so many people in a small space that commute and keep their car here.”
Commuter Parking
Currently, NCC’s student body consists of almost 3,000 students. But a significant portion of these students commute from surrounding neighborhoods ranging from 10 minutes to two hours away.
“I think the commuter lot next to New Hall should be faculty/resident, same with Lot J and the rest should be commuter, except Lot F,” said Ekvall. Campus Safety took into consideration where most car congestion occurs around campus.
But commuting to campus varies for each student depending on courses, involvement and work on campus. For Justin Howes, ’20, he’s using the new changes to his advantage for his daily commute.
“Adjusted lots are better now,” said Howes. “There are more open spaces and different areas that allow for parking across campus and more available spots at all times of the day.”
Campus safety continuously monitors and evaluates parking at the end of each academic semester. They plan to move forward working with a representing group for all permit holders across campus. The goal of the group is to brainstorm ideas and solutions to accommodate those with parking permits.
Susan Carlson, adjunct professor of communications and media studies, is no stranger to street parking near the College. In fact, Carlson typically has to implement time into her day across campus to find a new spot once her time is up to avoid getting a ticket from the City of Naperville. “I did not know anything about the new spots,” said Carlson.
But those who utilize street parking across campus are held accountable to Naperville policies instead of NCC policies as it is public property.
Campus Safety will continuously review feedback and utilization of the new parking spots across campus to assess whether further changes are necessary for any permit holders.
