Frequently Asked Questions

When did NMSU start charging for parking on campus?

Actually, there is still FREE parking available on campus!  Parking permits are not required to park in any of the free lots, and several are close to the center of campus and serviced by the Aggie Shuttle.  For those who wish to park in the lots requiring permits, there is a fee for the parking permit.  Until 1993, the permit fee was $5.  Starting September 1, 1993, the current parking permit system was implemented.  At that time, student parking permits were $16 per year, and faculty/staff permits were $48 per year.  Permit fees did not increase again until September 1999, when student permits became $20, and faculty/staff could purchase either a $30 permit or a $60 permit.  Even though the increase in permit fees was necessary to cover the increasing cost of paving parking lots on campus, the cost of parking at NMSU has remained lower than the other major universities in the region (see below), and closer to classrooms and offices.

Where does parking revenue go?

All money generated by the parking program goes to either the operation of the Parking Department or to the improvement of parking and security on campus.  In November 1998, efforts began to reduce overhead expenses and increase funding of parking lots and security (primarily improved lighting in and around the parking lots).  The following is a list of the parking lots that have been either paved (in part or in whole) or developed by parking funds:

YEAR                                PARKING  LOTS

1994/1995                       Lots #14, 15, 16, and 19

1995/1996                       Lots #23, 25, 48, and 57

1996                                None

1997                                Lot #3 and 31

1998                                Lot #32

1999                                Lot #55 and Lot #17

2000                                Lot #4, & Lots #100, 101, and 102 (new lots)

2001                                Lot #103 (new lot)

2002                                Lot #5 (expanded in size)

2003                                Lot #1 (expanded and paved)

2004                                Lots #9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 21, 27

2005                                Lots #30, 39, 41, 44, 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 72, 73, 75, 85, 94, 97, 100, Cole Village lots

Why not build a parking garage?

The single most frequent suggestion from students is to add more parking in certain areas of campus.  A large number of these suggest building parking garages.  Based on research and actual expenses from other universities, it would cost between $15,000 and $25,000 per parking space to construct a parking garage.  If NMSU took out a 30-year loan to build such a structure, it would have to charge between $500 and $833 per year for parking in the garage (which still would not cover the interest on such a loan, the cost of maintenance and utilities, staffing, or other costs associated with a parking garage).  On the other hand, it currently costs between $1,000 and $1,500 per parking space to fully develop a new parking lot on open land.  As a result, NMSU will be working on developing new parking lots to better serve our students, faculty, and staff.

What do students at other universities pay for parking?

A survey of other universities in the region revealed students have to pay significantly higher fees for parking than students at NMSU.  The following is a sample of the fees:

If I see a problem or have a suggestion, who do I call?

The NMSU Parking Department welcomes any suggestions or notification of any problems related to any of its services, including parking.  Most of the new programs and policy changes over the last year have been as a result of suggestions.  If there is an immediate danger to life or safety, please call 9 1 1.  If there is a problem that does not immediately pose danger, but that is serious, please call 646-3311.  For general parking problems or suggestions, please call 646-1839 or e-mail parking@nmsu.edu.

How are parking decisions made?

Who runs the Aggie Shuttle?

The Aggie Shuttle is primarily funded and operated by the Associated Students of NMSU.  The shuttle service consists of two (2) buses, with one providing service to Student Family Housing and Vista del Monte Student Apartments, and the other providing service to the Greek Complex and the parking lots south of Alumni Avenue Residence Center.  The routes take riders into the center of campus by Hadley Hall and back again.  Average route times are between 10 and 15 minutes.

 Do you have a question?

If you have a question that is not addressed here, please feel free to contact us through e-mail (parking@nmsu.edu), by phone (505-646-1839), or in person.