$75 for premium parking at COD?

College of DuPage is hoping students and staff are willing to spend $75 each semester to park their cars in premium spots on the Glen Ellyn campus.

The proposal, in its formative stages, would designate 1,291 parking spaces as "premium." That represents a little more than 15 percent of the campus' 8,280 parking stalls, college officials said. If successful, it would generate $175,000 annually.

The plan is among several proposals on the table to close a $3.3 million shortfall expected in the coming fiscal year's budget at COD.

Currently, the parking situation is generally on a first-come-first-served basis. A few spots are tagged for college officials and elected leaders.

Campus police officials said they signed off on the proposal and don't expect it to affect their service if implemented.

A few students randomly contacted in the COD parking lots on Monday said the idea sounded like a nice luxury, but wouldn't be interested in paying $225 a year for preferred parking.

"I think it makes logical sense because parking is a pain," said freshman Charlotte Todd of Darien, "but I wouldn't be able to pay for it because they're already increasing tuition next year."

Jim Smythe of Itasca is graduating in a few weeks after attending COD for several years. He said the secret to finding good parking on campus is arriving early.

"If you want a good spot, you got to be here before 9 a.m.," he said. "In the winter it might be nice to have a close parking space to the building, but on days like today I don't mind walking."