Parking — or the lack of — has been an ongoing struggle among staff, students, visitors and the Department of Public Safety for many years.

So why does the battle continue?

Connie Colle, program coordinator for the Department of Public Safety, said the parking division belongs to two national organizations that are focused on seeing what other universities are doing about the same problems.

“Any other university is the same when it comes to availability of parking. People just want more parking than is available,” Colle said.

Spaces are at a premium. The map made by DPS shows exactly where anyone can park — for a price. Reserved lots for staff members are marked in red on the map, and have spots that annually cost $250. Other lots available to staff are marked in yellow on the map, containing spots that annually cost $50.

Gray lots, which surround Maple-Willow-Larch and other residence halls, are for reserved for students. Permits are given to students according to a priority system based on whether students are resident assistants, seniors or disabled. After these students are taken care of, permits are given to juniors and students who need to have access to their automobiles for work reasons.

“Students may also park by the stadium. It may not be an optimum way to park, but it is inexpensive,” said Doug Houghton, program coordinator for DPS.

Blue lots on the map are for commuter students and are accessible by Cy-Ride via the orange route. One of the most popular lots is at the Iowa State Center.

“The shuttle to this lot has been met by a wonderful response. It has just exploded since this was implemented. People have come to realize it works,” Houghton said.

With all these parking spaces available, what seems to be the problem?

“A time crunch forces people to make bad decisions to park in places that aren’t available,” Colle said. The need to pick up a classmate, talk to a professor or drop off an assignment is often what gets people into trouble with parking tickets. Officials said simply turning on the flashers is not going to work.

“Some people feel they can just park next to the back door,” Colle said.

Parking changes on campus are constantly being implemented, Colle said. With buildings being updated to be handicapped-accessible, the number of students who have severe disabilities has also increased.

“Our greatest challenge on a daily basis is finding spaces for those with disabilities,” Colle said.

The largest role of the parking division is to manage the parking spaces. Since the department’s funding comes from permit fees and parking tickets, there is a negative connotation to what the division does, she said.

For those drivers who do not agree with the parking ticket they’ve been issued, there is a system of appeals.

About 10 percent of the tickets issued to students are appealed by students, but about 45 percent of those who file appeals get their tickets revoked.

If there is a problem or concern, contact the parking division at 294-3388 during university hours or at 294-4428 after hours .