The Eastern Illinois University Parking Advisory Committee has reclassified four parking lots across campus so that they may be used for both staff and student parking.
The lots that underwent this change include the east section of North X-Lot, W-Lot, Doudna East Staff Lot and the South Coleman Staff Lot, apart from the north row or handicap accessible spaces.
The lots were originally only designated for staff, but after student suggestions, the committee wanted to figure out how it could make parking more equitable for both students and staff, said University Police Chief Marisol Gamboa.
“Since I’ve been here, that has always been a topic from the students, that they want more accessible parking closer to the buildings,” said Gamboa, who also serves as chair of the Parking Advisory Committee.
Shawn Peoples, a representative for EIU Staff Senate on the Parking Advisory Committee, said the committee is composed of faculty, students, parking services and the University Police Department.
“If there are concerns or questions brought up from any of these representatives, the Parking Advisory Committee considers those suggestions, concerns, etc. and then makes some recommendations,” Peoples said.
Nyla Williams, a student senator on the parking committee, wrote in an email that student government served as a representative voice for student concerns by collecting and relaying student feedback to the committee.
“Student feedback played a significant role in initiating discussions,” Williams wrote. “The conversation focused on finding solutions that would best support students while also keeping staff in mind.”
The final decision to make the lots available to both staff and students was made on Dec. 11, 2025, according to Williams.
However, Peoples said faculty weren’t aware of the change until they returned to work after winter break.
“[Faculty] were not aware that some lots had been changed to students or staff until they were trying to find parking and saw students in those spaces,” Peoples said.
Peoples said staff found out through the university’s monthly newsletter.
“Although the information was put in the university newsletter, there was some concern about communication as it wasn’t an easily viewed part of the newsletter,” she said. “Just some concern about not having information be clearer.”
Peoples also said concerns over parking were expressed by the dining staff near South Quad.
“The South Coleman Staff Lot used to have a few more staff spots there, and so they were concerned because they were taken away,” Peoples said. “There are also more spots in the Lawson Lot, but dining staff must share those with the residence living staff.”
Darin Ripperden, a dining staff member at South Quad Dining, said dining staff have to park further away because of the parking changes.
“We would be able to park across the street [in W-lot] when it was staff only parking, but now it’s students and staff,” Ripperden said. “Staff are also now parking where dining employees usually park in W-Lot or the Lawson Lot.”
Andrea Jimenez can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].
