Public Safety
Campus Parking Policies and Procedures 2009 – 2010
Revised August 2009
Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to allow the University to systematically and fairly provide for the use and parking of vehicles on campus by staff, faculty, students and visitors in such a way that business can be conducted, safety is assured, and hazards are minimized. The Office of Public Safety is charged by the Vice President for Campus Life to administer the program in accordance with these guidelines which are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Current NDNU Parking Permits or Day Passes are required to be properly displayed on all vehicles parked on campus.
General Information and Definitions
- Motor Vehicle: "Motor Vehicle" shall mean any self propelled vehicle not operated exclusively on tracks, including motorcycles, ATVs.
- Registration: "Registration" shall mean the form on which the following information must be provided for each motor vehicle: driver's name, address and student identification number and other information as required by Public Safety. A fee will be charged for each motor vehicle parking registration.
- Permit: "Permit is the means of identifying each registered motor vehicle by the use of pre numbered, color coded sticker properly displayed in the motor vehicle. One decal shall be issued for each motor vehicle registered for parking.
- Parking Lots: "Parking Lots" are those areas on the campus which have been designated as parking lots and have been posted at the entrance or plainly within view on the boundary of the lot as to the restrictions for parking therein, and which are designated on the parking map as parking areas.
- University Employee: "University Employee" is any person that is currently employed by the University, excluding work study, throughout the calendar year.
- Commuting Student: "Commuting Student" is any person that is currently enrolled in classes as a student and does not live in any of the University owned residential halls.
- Resident Student: "Resident Student" is any person that resides in one of the University's residential halls.
- Visitor: "Visitor" is any person that is not currently enrolled in classes as a student or employed at NDNU. Visitors include prospective students, guests, alumni, trustees and the general public.
- Guest: "Guest" is any person who was invited to the campus by a specific school, department, program or office. This includes prospective students, guest speakers, conference and event customers.
- Motor vehicles used by faculty, staff, students must have a permit and be registered regardless of where the vehicle is on campus.
Policy
The University has established this policy and associated procedures for the safety and security of the campus community as well as to manage limited parking resources for the benefit of all. All laws regulating traffic apply to the operation of vehicles within the property of the University. All university faculty, staff, and students shall register their vehicles and properly display a valid parking permit. Please note the following policies:
- A valid driver's license and current vehicle registration or insurance card are required to purchase a parking permit.
- A student and University employee parking permit is valid for the fall semester, spring semester and both summer terms.
- Before a permit is issued, students, faculty or staff will be required to clear any outstanding parking fines.
- A parking permit does not imply or guarantee parking it allows parking if a space is available.
- All vehicles must be re-registered each year.
- Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Parking is prohibited on any campus property not specifically designated for parking.
- Spaces marked handicapped parking are for those who hold a valid state issued handicapped parking placard.
- All parking permits, including replacement permits are purchased at the Business Office and issued by the Parking & Traffic section of the Office of Public Safety.
- Parking permits are non-transferable.
- Vehicle storage is not permitted.
- Mini-bikes, ATV or go-carts are not permitted on campus.
- All vehicles are required to park in the lot designated by their permit.
- The lack of a parking space is NOT a valid excuse for violating parking regulations.
- Vehicles are considered parked when left unattended, with or without flashers on.
- If you loan your vehicle to another person and traffic citation is issued, the registered parking permit holder is responsible for the violation and any fines.
- The Office of Public Safety may establish and enforce any special temporary parking restrictions deemed necessary for the safety of its patrons and facilities.
- No unregistered vehicle can be parked on University property.
- Falsification of any information for the purpose of obtaining a parking permit or repeated violations of rules and regulations may result in the forfeiture of all parking permits, fees, and eligibility.
- Vehicles with daily parking permits are allowed in appropriate parking lot depending on their status, i.e. faculty/staff, students.
- Visitor parking is restricted to visitors only.
- Any vehicle with a valid NDNU permit is prohibited from using visitor parking spaces.
- The University is not responsible for any damages to any vehicle operated or parked on campus.
- The University does not assume responsibility or liability for any damages caused by fire, theft, casualty, or any other cause whatsoever with respect to any car or its contents, in the areas subject to the University's jurisdiction.
- It is the responsibility of the vehicle's owner to file fire, theft, casualty or accident reports with the police, insurance company and the Office of Public Safety.
Permit Eligibility
Registration
A valid driver's license and current vehicle registration form from the Public Safety Office that identifies: make, model, color and license plate number are required to purchase a parking permit. The annual parking permit is only issued for the academic year (e.g., fall and spring semesters) which includes summer sessions. New students attending summer sessions I & II will need to purchase a Summer Session Permit or purchase a Day Pass on days classes are attended. Permits are provided by the Office of Public Safety after the individual has arranged payment and received clearance from the Business Office.
Types of Permits
Registration of a vehicle entitles the operator to park that vehicle in the appropriate parking space, i.e. faculty/staff or student. There are four types of parking permits (see Table 1):
- A-type permit for staff/faculty members, allows for unlimited parking access to designated lots.
- C-type permit for commuter students allows parking access to C-type lots. C-type permit holders can park in the NDE lot after 4pm, and Ralston Hall and Madison Art Center after 5pm; they must display their C-type permit or Day Pass.
- R-type permit for all residence students, allows students to parking in R-type restricted areas only.
- Daily parking passes may be purchased from parking machines; allows parking in C-type lots.
| Permit Type | Group |
|---|---|
| A-type | Staff/faculty |
| C-type | Commuter |
| R-type | Resident |
| Day Pass | Commuter, resident, staff/faculty, visitor, guest |
| Disabled | Disabled student, faculty/staff, visitor, guest |
| Temporary disabled | Disabled student, faculty/staff, visitor, guest |
| Special | Sisters of Notre Dame, ND High School, ND Elementary, NDNU Early Learning Center |
| Temporary | Summer conference attendees |
| Facilities | Vendors, contractors |
| Visitor | Visitor (issued by Public Safety Office) |
Special Permits
The University has established specific memorandum of agreements regarding parking with the Sisters of Notre Dame (SND), Notre Dame High School, Notre Dame Elementary School and NDNU Early Learning Center. The SND receive a fixed number of A-type parking permits that allows parking anywhere A-type parking is designated.
A specified group of Notre Dame High School students are allowed to park in East parking lot.
The elementary school faculty will display NDNU A-type permits for designate parking between 7:30-4:00 pm, otherwise the elementary school parking lot is not available for NDNU A-type and C-type permit parking until 4 pm.
The Early Learning Center (ELC) staff will display NDNU A-type permits allowing them to park in designated parking spaces.
Permit Placement
It is the permit holder's responsibility to properly display the permit at all times while parked on campus. Parking permits A-type, C-type, and R-type must be displayed on a hanger from the rearview mirror or on the driver's side dashboard. Daily parking permits must be displayed in clear view on the front dashboard. Vehicles are to park in lots that match their permit. Vehicles with daily parking permits are permitted in C-type parking lots. Failure to properly display permit or day pass will result in a fine.
Visitor Parking
Visitor parking is limited to 2 hours. If visiting for a longer period of time, a Day Pass must be purchased from the Day Pass Machines located in the main parking lot or on Laxague Dr. near the Oaks. Visitors parking spots will be open parking between the hours of 7pm and 7am. A valid parking permit or Day Pass is still required for these spaces during these specified hours.
Fees and Refunds
Parking Fees
Parking permits are issued by the Office of Public Safety only after receiving the completed parking registration form. Student accounts are charged the permit fee by Public Safety. Students must pay for their parking permit in one of the following ways, cash, check or credit card to Business Office. All parking permits purchased after January 1 are prorated based on the annual fee.
The following explains the parking fees:
- All students must purchase either an annual parking permit or a daily parking permit. The annual parking permit covers fall, spring semesters and summer terms.
- All summer term students who have not purchased an annual parking permit must purchase either a summer parking permit for Summer Term 1 & 2 or a daily parking permit..
- New permits are sold as follows: Annual fees are $70 until the end of the Fall semester, or $35 for Spring semester only. The annual fee includes Summer Terms 1 & 2. For summer term student who have not purchased and annual parking permit the fee is $25 for both Summer Terms 1 & 2.
Parking Fee Refunds
An individual who purchases a parking permit can cancel their parking permit to receive a full refund if the permit and receipt are presented at the Business Office within 5 business days of purchase. A check will be issued for the remaining prorated value of the parking permit. The check amount will be based upon the cost of the permit at the time of purchase and the number of unused months remaining. A processing fee of $10 will be assessed.
| Permit Type | ||
| Annual | $70 before Fall drop date | $35 before Spring drop date |
| Spring Only | $35 before Spring drop date | No refund after Spring drop date |
| Summer Term 1 & Term 2 | $25 before third class meeting in Term 1 | $25 after third class meeting in Term 2 |
Parking Citations
The Office of Public Safety enforces parking regulations 24/7 and issues parking citations. The citation will identify: the vehicle, the date, the issuing officer, the permit number, the state registration (license plate) number, the violation(s), the amount of fine for each violation, where to pay the fine, and other comments as necessary. A citation written and placed on the windshield of a parked vehicle on campus will result in a fine being assessed against the person whose name appears on the campus registration record for that vehicle. The citation will contain instructions on assessment, payment and penalties for non-payment of fines, along with information about the appeal process.
Violations
The following is a list of parking violation (see Table 3) examples that may result in being ticketed, having a keycard deactivated or having your vehicle towed. Please note the violations may not be limited to this list.
| Type of Violation | First Violation |
|---|---|
| Red Zone | $35 |
| Fire Lane | $35 |
| Fire Hydrant | $35 |
| Green Zone-20 Minute Limit | $25 |
| Yellow Zone - Loading/Unloading Only | $25 |
| No Valid Parking Permit | $40 |
| Parking Permit Not Properly Displayed | $20 |
| Improper Parking | $30 |
| No Parking | $30 |
| Obstructing Traffic | $50 and/or towing |
| Reserved Parking | $40 |
| Boot Removal | $50 |
| Handicap Parking | $321 |
Payments
Public Safety does not accept payments, all fines are paid in the Business Office located in St. Mary's. When a citation is issued, it will be applied immediately to the student's account. Fees can be paid in person or via mail. To ensure proper crediting, please bring/include the original parking ticket along with payment.
Unpaid Fees/Suspension
A list of persons who owe fines will be maintained and updated weekly by the Office of Public Safety. When a fine is paid, the record of that violation is eliminated. There is no accumulation of violations when the fines have been paid.
Student Parking Hold
If a student fails to pay assessed fees, a parking hold will be placed on a student's account record. This action will cause registration, transcript request and other privileges to be denied until payment is received in the Business Office.
Staff/Faculty Hold
If a staff/faculty member does not pay assessed fees, no NDNU parking permit will be issued to that individual until there is a resolution of the matter.
Suspension of Parking Privileges
All previous violations must be paid in full to register for the New Year. If violations are not paid the student will not be permitted to register and or park on campus. Vehicles not registered on campus will be given a parking citation and or subject to tow. After a third parking citation the vehicle will be booted. After a vehicle has been booted twice, it will be subject to tow.
Appealing a Parking Citation
The Parking Appeals Committee
The Parking Appeals Committee is comprised of the Parking Traffic Supervisor, Chief of Public Safety and the Vice President of Campus Life. The Committee reviews all appeals and responds in writing, the Committee's decisions are final.
Appeal Process
An appeal process is available to address a disputed parking citation issued to a NDNU community member. Appeals will be reviewed each week. If a student wishes to appeal a parking citation, the following explains the appeal process available to students, staff, and faculty.
Step 1. A written appeal must be filed online with the Traffic & Parking Supervisor within (5) working days after the citation has been issued. The appeal must include all the following: (1) all contact information; (2) stated reason (s) it is felt the parking violation was wrongly issued or in error; (3) citation number; and (4) witness statements (if any). The appeal form link is below:
http://webinfo.ndnu.edu/forms/parkcitation.aspx
Step 2. The Traffic & Parking Supervisor will review the complaint and contact the complainant within 24 hours to discuss his or her concerns and attempt the resolve the issue. If there is no agreement, the appeal moves to Step 3.
Step 3. The Parking Appeals Committee is comprised of the Parking Traffic Supervisor, Chief of Public Safety and the Vice President of Campus Life. The committee will meet and review the unresolved issue through one of two options: (1) the complainant’s written on line appeal and the witness statements (if any) are reviewed and determination of responsible/non-responsible is made without the complainant’s presence; or (2) the complainant may request to meet in person with the committee to present his or her facts and witness (if any). The committee will meet independently to discuss all the fact and the written statement. The committee will render a written decision within 24 hours after it has met, this decision is final.
Disabled Access Parking
Reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities are available near major buildings and are designated with the international disabled access symbol by signage and pavement marking. For the exact location of these lots and accessible routes, please consult a campus map.
If you meet the statutory criteria and have a vehicle with certification from your home state or province that displays the appropriate placard and/or license plate, you may park in these spaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandate how these parking spaces are managed. If student, staff or faculty has a temporary disability, they will need to contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a temporary California Disabled Parking placard. The proper display of a current NDNU Permit is also required.
Special Events Parking
Parking Information
The Office of Public Safety encourages the NDNU community to be aware of special considerations for parking arrangements for special events planning. Please consult with the Office of Public Safety during the initial planning stages of special campus events to be sure that appropriate parking is available. Conference & Events will assist planners of events in securing parking. When a university department, unit, or office hosts an individual or small group, no parking fee is assessed but the host organization must contact the Office of Public safety well in advance (i.e., two weeks) to make appropriate arrangements. The following policies have been drafted to provide guidance regarding event and visitor parking. Sometimes, spaces in specific parking lots are needed to facilitate event parking. When the need arises to either partially or completely close lots, the Office of Public Safety will endeavor to notify all those people affected as soon as possible, and to post signs in the lots that are affected. Legal parking must be observed.
Guest Parking
Departments/Organizations sponsoring events can obtain guest parking permits from the Office of Public Safety. The event sponsor must have written approval from her/his respective Dean or Vice President or Advisor. Please provide 72-hour advance notice with the following information: name, date, time of arrival, and campus destination. For example: (This is to request one parking space for Dr. Jane Doe on October 23, 2002 from 9:00am - 11:00am. She will be giving a Biology Presentation in SM127. She will be driving a red Toyota Corolla with California license plat # LGF-123.) Notification of less than 72 hours could result in a late charge of $25. Legal parking must be observed.
Conferences
Patrons or visitors attending conferences will not be ticketed. However, they will be required to display a temporary permit parking permit. Public Safety will provide temporary parking permits to Conference & Events that will distributed to conference attendees with instructions to place the permit on the dashboard. Legal parking must be observed.
University Sponsored Events
Guests, visitors or spectators attending University sponsored events will not be ticketed. These events include, but are not limited to:
- Student Orientation
- Athletic Events
- Theatre Performances
- Student Sponsored Events
During these events, daily parking fees will not be collected. Please consult with the Parking Supervisor two weeks in advance of these events. Legal Parking must be observed.
Additional Parking Services
The following parking services are available for your event:
- Parking attendant(s) can be provided at designated entrances to parking lots. An attendant at an event assists in moving event traffic into an area quickly, and provides special directions or information to event attendees.
- An attendant will be provided only for directing cars at the beginning of the event. They will go off duty 30 minutes after the event has started.
- The Department/Office sponsoring the event will be charged.
- Signs – Basic directional signs (name of event and directional arrows) are available.
- Reserved Parking Space - Parking spaces may be barricaded and reserved based on availability.
- Traffic Control – Parking Enforcement Officers may be arranged to expedite traffic flow for large or complicated events. The charges for an officer are $30 per hour with a three hour minimum, and arrangements must be made at least 5 days in advance.
Event Reservations
For events that require parking services, a minimum of 5 days notice is required. Notification of less than 5 days will result in a late charge of $25, in addition to any staffing and service costs incurred. For clarification or further information regarding this special events parking policy, please contact the Office of Public Safety or email parking@ndnu.edu. Thank you for your cooperation
Miscellaneous Parking Policies
Forgotten/Lost Parking Permit
Each vehicle must have a parking permit at all times. If a permit is forgotten a daily permit must be purchased and displayed. If a permit is lost a replacement permit must be purchased from the Business Office at a cost of $10.
Notification
After a vehicle has accumulated three unpaid citations, Public Safety will boot your vehicle and place your vehicle on a boot list. This list will state the citation numbers and total amount of fines due on your vehicle. Once a vehicle has six or more citations there will be a hold on vehicle owner’s account. A written warning will be signed agreeing to any ticket after the sixth, the vehicle will be subject to tow.
Booting/Towing
The University retains the right "boot" vehicles. Based on past incidents or the nature of the infraction, certain vehicles may have a restrictive device, commonly known as a "boot" placed on them. The "boot" will not allow that vehicle to travel any distance. Only when a cash payment and/or payment plan is made with the Business Office will the "boot" be removed. The Business Office will then release the vehicle from its "boot" by notifying Public Safety.
A vehicle will be towed as a last resort when there has been a history of overdue fines and or six plus parking violations. Towing may also be used to move vehicles parked in fire lanes, faculty-staff area, handicapped spaces, daycare violations. The Chief of Public Safety or Parking & Traffic Supervisor will make the determination on towing. Public Safety may be contacted for the name and telephone number of the towing company and location of the storage yard for vehicles towed.
Liability
The University will make a reasonable effort to protect vehicles parked on campus by providing random security patrols of the parking lots. However, the University does not assume responsibility or liability for any damages caused by fire, theft, casualty, or any other cause whatsoever with respect to any car or its contents, in the areas subject to the University's jurisdiction.
In the event of theft, damage, etc., drivers are strongly encouraged to immediately file a police report with Belmont Police Department and to report the incident to Public Safety (650) 508-3502.
The University assumes no responsibility or liability when a vehicle is towed from campus. All costs of towing will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner/operator. In the event your vehicle becomes involved in an accident, please contact Public Safety to file a report and for insurance purpose contact Belmont Police Department and file a separate accident report. It is the vehicle owner's responsibility to file fire, theft, casualty or accident reports with police department, insurance company and Office of Public Safety.
Contractors & Vendors
Contractors, vendors and their employees who park on campus, must display a Facilities Permit issued by Facilities. This permit will allow parking in restricted areas.
Disabled Vehicles
In the event a vehicle becomes disabled, immediately contact the Public Safety with the vehicle's location, make, model, color, license plate and permit number. The vehicle will be allowed to park overnight without penalty. To avoid penalty the vehicle must be removed by noon the next day.
Motorized Living Units
Campers, trailers, motor homes or other like units cannot be used for sleeping or living purposes while parked on University property.
Abandoned Vehicles
Vehicles without current or proper license plates are subject to removal.
Vacation Periods
NDNU parking regulations are in effect throughout the entire calendar year and citations are consistently issued in accordance with these regulations. During semester break only , students wishing to leave vehicles on campus must contact the Office of Public Safety with vehicle information. At that time, students will be informed of designated parking areas. Students not notifying Parking Services may have their vehicles towed at their expense. Motor vehicles are left at the students' own risk. There is no storage of vehicles on the NDNU Campus during the summer months.
Voided Citations
Citations issued in error by the University may be voided anytime at the discretion of either the Chief of Public Safety (or designee) or the Vice President of Campus Life or Traffic Supervisor (or designee).
Reserved Parking
Housing & Residence Life professional staff (e.g., Director, Residence Directors) have reserved parking spaces in the vicinity of their assigned residence halls. These spaces are strictly limited to their vehicles. Students with the Residence Hall Association permits have parking spaces that are identified by signage, only these students can park in the reserved parking spaces. All unauthorized vehicles parked in reserved parking spaces will be towed at the owner's expense.
Summary
We have developed these policies because of the need to regulate parking on the campus, which is made necessary by the relatively few parking spaces that are located conveniently near the doors of our various residence, administrative and classroom buildings.
At best, the plan is an attempt to reduce the amount of inconvenience and make all parking available on an equitable basis to students, staff and faculty.
This plan will only succeed if there is voluntary compliance and cooperation on the part of the majority of the University community. Penalties by necessity are included because experience has shown, unfortunately, that there are people in every community who will not comply with the policies and rules unless there is a strong degree of enforcement behind them.