Parking on-campus can be hassle free

With an abundance of parking spaces and five permit levels, students often don’t know where they’re allowed to park.

Students are only permitted to purchase “D,” “E” and “F” permits, which restrict them to residence hall parking lots and lots by the stadium before 5 p.m. on weekdays.

All visitors and students can apply for an “E” or “F” permit. The “E” permits allow parking in only “E” spaces during the weekdays before 5 p.m., in non-24-hour “A” and “C” spaces after 5 p.m. and in parking garages for free after 5 p.m.

The “F” permit is restricted to parking after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Anyone can park in non-24-hour spaces on weekends.

“Actually, anyone who is affiliated with the University or visits daily can get them,” parking operations receptionist Alex Meneakis said. “I recommend an ‘F’ permit because it’s the cheapest if you come to the performances at the IU Auditorium. It’s a good resource to have for that.”

Meneakis said he does not encourage students to bring vehicles to campus.

“It is a bigger hassle than not to bring it,” Meneakis said. “A lot of students end up just simply parking their car (at the stadium) and not using it.”

“D” permits are limited to students who live in a residence hall. Only a select number of “D” permits are given out based on the number of spaces per zone, Meneakis said.  

Students wishing to obtain a “D” permit must place themselves on a waiting list, which opens mid-June and closes at the beginning of August. However, who receives a permit is based on how soon their housing application is received by the University.

“As far as ‘D’ permits go, we only pass out as many as the number of parking spaces there are,” Meneakis said.

Listed on the Residential Programs and Services website, the “D” permits are divided into seven zones. Students in Collins Living-Learning Center Cravens, Edmondson and Smith can apply for a City 7 parking permit from the City of Bloomington. Only D3 spaces are available to “A” or “C” permits before 5 p.m. on weekdays.

A special feature on the Parking Operations website is the parking lot locator, which allows visitors to plan where they can park.

Prices for parking permits and other regulations are listed on the Parking Operations
website.

Students who live off-campus in designated residential zones must obtain a parking permit from the City of Bloomington and can call 812-349-3436.

“If you do decide it’s best for you to bring your car to campus, we encourage you do get a permit,” Meneakis said. “You cannot park on campus any weekday unless you pay to park in a parking garage.”


"A" permit
ELIGIBILITY Faculty and staff.
LOCATION May park in designated 'A' spaces. Cannot park in most 'D' spaces on weekdays.

"C" permit
ELIGIBILITY Faculty, staff and research
assistants.
LOCATION May park in designated 'C' spaces on weekdays. Cannot park in most 'D' spaces on weekdays.

"D" permit
ELIGIBILITY Students living in residence halls.
LOCATION May park in designated 'D' spaces.

ELIGIBILITY All students, faculty and staff.
LOCATION May park in any 'E' space, mostly available in Athletic Department parking lots. Must move car for sporting events.

"F" permit
ELIGIBILITY All students, faculty and staff.
LOCATION May only park in campus parking garages or non-24-hour 'A' or 'C' spaces after 5 p.m. No day parking.