Public Safety

Campus Parking Policies and Procedures

Revised January 2012

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 Dean of Students 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

  1. Motor Vehicle: "Motor Vehicle" shall mean any self propelled vehicle not operated exclusively on tracks, including motorcycles, ATVs.

  2. Registration: "Registration" shall mean the form on which the following information must be provided for each motor vehicle parked on university property: driver's name, address and student identification number and other information as required by Public Safety.

  3. Permit: "Permit is the means of identifying each registered motor vehicle by the use of pre numbered, color coded placard properly displayed in the motor vehicle. One placard shall be issued to each individual who choses to purchase a yearly parking permit.

  4. Parking Lots: "Parking Lots" are those areas on the campus which have been designated as locations for vehicle parking 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.

  5. University Employee: "University Employee" is any person that is currently employed by the university, excluding part-time and work study student employees, throughout the calendar year.

  6. Online Student: "Online student" is any person that is currently enrolled only in online classes as a student.

  7. Commuting Student: "Commuting Student" is any person that is currently enrolled in classes on campus as a student and does not live in any of the university owned residential halls.

  8. Resident Student: "Resident Student" is any person that is licensed to reside in one of the university's residential halls.

  9. 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. Visitors may obtain a temporary permit from the Public Safety Office.

  10. 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. Guests may obtain a temporary permit from the Public Safety Office, or from the school official who invited them.

  11. Motor vehicles used by faculty, staff, or students must have a permit/current day pass 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 must 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.
  • Parking permits are valid from the date of issue through to the end of the academic year.  The date of expiration will be displayed at the bottom of each permit.
  • 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 in any campus location not specifically designated for parking.
  • Spaces marked handicapped parking are for those who hold a valid state issued handicapped parking placard but must be accompanied by a valid campus permit.
  • 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 valid only for the person for whom they are registered.
  • Vehicle storage is not permitted.
  • Mini-bikes, ATV or go-carts are not permitted on campus.
  • All vehicles are required to park in lots 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 associated 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 policies 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

All vehicles on campus must be registered with the Public Safety Office regardless of permit status. All un-registered vehicles are subject to booting.

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 the days they attend classes.

Types of Permits

A parking permit entitles the permit holder 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):

  1. A-type permit for staff/faculty members, allows for unlimited parking access to designated lots.
  2. 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.
  3. R-type permits are for Resident students. It allows students to park in R-type parking spaces only, however, Resident students with a valid R-type permit will be permitted to park in the Main Lot in commuter spaces between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. only. All vehicles not moved by 8 a.m. will be cited. Resident students are not permitted to purchase a day pass to park in the Main Lot during the hours of 8am-8pm. No exceptions.
  4. Daily parking passes may be purchased from parking machines; allows parking in C-type lots.
  5. Day passes are to be purchased by NDNU online students who visit campus.
Table 1. Types of Permits
Permit Type Group
A-type Staff/faculty
C-type Commuter
R-type Resident
Day Pass

Commuter, online students, staff/faculty, visitor, guest

Disabled

Disabled student, faculty/staff, visitor, guest (California disabled parking placard must be accompanied by a university parking permit)
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 designated 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.

Permits and Permit Placement

Parking Permits are required at all times and in all parking locations on campus. No exceptions. Everyone responsible for bringing and parking a car on campus is responsible to have and properly display a permit 24/7.  Parking permits 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 citation.

Visitor Parking

Visitor Parking is for visitors to the University only. Staff, Faculty, and students are not permitted to park in visitor parking during the hours of 7am and 7pm. 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, and the vehicle moved to a commuter space. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Table 2. Parking Permit Fees
Permit Type Price For Full Year Price By Semester
Annual Commuter $120 Full Year-Fall/Spring/Summer $60 Spring Semester/Summer
Annual Resident $160 Full Year-Fall/Spring/Summer $80 Spring Semester/Summer
Summer Commuter $40 Summer Terms 1&2  
Online Student See day pass policy

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.

Table 3. Prorated Refund Schedule
Annual Commuter $120 Before Fall Drop Date $60 Before Sring Drop Date
Annual Resident $160 Before Fall Drop Date $80 Before Spring Drop Date
Spring Commuter $60 Before Spring Drop Date No Refund After Spring Drop Date
Spring Resident $80 Before Spring Drop Date No Refund After Spring Drop Date

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 4) 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.

Table 4. Parking Violations Fine Schedule
Type of Violation First Violation
Red Zone $100
Fire Lane $100
Fire Hydrant $100
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 Zone $30
Obstructing Traffic $50 and/or towing
Reserved Parking $40
Boot Removal $50
Handicap Parking $321

Payments

Public Safety does not accept payments, all fees are paid in the Business Office located in St. Mary's Hall Room 111. When a citation is issued, it will be applied immediately to the student's account within 10 business days. Fees can be paid in person or via mail. To ensure proper crediting, please bring/include the original parking ticket along with payment.

Student Parking Hold

If a student fails to pay assessed fees, a parking hold will be placed on a student's account. This will cause registration and transcript requests 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 a new academic term. 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 towing. After a second parking citation the vehicle will be booted. After a vehicle has been booted twice, it will be subject to towing.

Appealing a Parking Citation

The Parking Appeals Committee

The Parking Appeals Committee is comprised of three members of the NDNU staff and one student. 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 of the citation being issued. The appeal must include all the following: (1) all contact information; (2) stated reason (s) the recipient feels 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 five (5) business days to discuss his or her concerns and attempt to resolve the issue. If there is no agreement, the appeal moves to Step 3.

Step 3. The Parking Appeals Committee is comprised of three staff members and a student appointed by the Dean of Students. The committee will meet and review the unresolved issue.  The complainant’s written online appeal and the witness statements (if any) are reviewed and determination of responsible/non-responsible is made without the complainant’s presence. The committee will meet independently to discuss all the facts and/or the written statement. The committee will render a written decision within 48 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. All state and local parking laws/policies 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 plate # LGF-123.)  All state and local parking laws 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. All state and local parking laws/policies 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 university need.

  • 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 service 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 may boot your vehicle and place your vehicle on a boot list. This list will state the citation numbers and total amount of fees due on your vehicle. Once a vehicle has six or more citations there will be a hold on vehicle owner’s account.

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 move. 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 to Public Safety to remove the boot. When the Business Office is closed, students are required to submit all pertinent information so we may bill their student account. Non-students are subject to towing and permanent removal from campus.

A vehicle will be towed as a last resort when there has been a history of overdue fines and/or six parking violations. Towing may also be used to move vehicles parked in fire lanes, faculty-staff area, handicapped spaces or more. 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, vandalism 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 the 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 and registration stickers are subject to removal. All towing charges are the responsibility of the vehicle owner/operator.

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, the Traffic Supervisor (or designee), or the Dean of Students.

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 to 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 all of the university community members. Penalties are an unfortunate result for people who fail to comply with the policies set forth.

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