VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

PARKING POLICY

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. STATEMENT OF POLICY

The motor vehicle procedures and regulations have been developed by the University Parking committee and are applicable to all individuals who operate motor vehicles on the campus of Virginia State University (VSU). For the purpose of these regulations, motor vehicles include all self-propelled vehicles, which may or may not require state licenses. All University roads and grounds come under the jurisdiction of procedures and regulations set forth in this policy. The Director of Police and Public Safety, VSU Police Officers and Parking Security Officers, as designated, are authorized to enforce these procedures and regulations in the interest of the safety of individuals and property. The operation of motor vehicles on the campus of Virginia State University is a privilege granted by the University. This privilege is extended to faculty, staff, students and authorized visitors to the campus. Failure to adhere to these regulations as well as the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia may result in a warning or citation and the loss of parking privileges on the campus of Virginia State University.

The official motor vehicle procedures and regulations of Virginia State University set forth in this document, supplement, but do not supersede, regulations established by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Commonwealth of Virginia. These procedures and regulations supersede all previously published University parking procedures and regulations and shall remain in effect until revised or rescinded by the University Parking Committee. These procedures and regulations compliment, and may therefore refer to, other published University documents. All affected parties should carefully read this document and become familiar with its contents. Additional parking information is available to VSU students in the Student Handbook, issued by the Office of Student Activities. The Committee reserves the right to amend this document and publish any changes to these regulations that it deems are in the best interest of public safety and security, and in compliance with the rules and regulations mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State University Board of Visitors.

The parking program of the University operates as an Auxiliary Enterprise and fees have been developed to support all costs associated with the program’s administration. Requests for special parking needs which are not discussed herein should be directed to the Director of Police/Public Safety for assessment based on merit and space availability. The University Parking Committee shall be the final authority on matters of parking policy as it relates to parking on the campus of Virginia State University. However, all parking violations may be appealed directly to the University Parking Appeals Committee (See Section XI, Appeal Procedures, of this document). PARKING ON GRASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The University is not responsible for damage to vehicles while parked on Virginia State University property. This document further provides information relevant to guests of faculty, staff and students.

II. TYPES OF PARKING DECALS

All vehicles parked on campus must display a valid University parking decal. Purchasing a decal does not guarantee you a parking space. All employees and students who are issued a handicapped parking permit must purchase a VSU decal. 

There are two types of parking decals sold by the University. The first is the annual parking decal, which is sold to faculty, staff, administrators and students, on an academic year basis valid on September 1 through August 31 of each year, and to non-traditional employees (hourly employees, consultants, contractors, vendors and temporary employees of the University for more than three months). The second type of decal is the monthly decal. Because the University may, on occasion, hire individuals (non-traditional employees) on a short-term contract (less than three months), monthly parking decals are sold to address those circumstances. 

A. Annual Parking Decals

Annual parking decals are required on all vehicles parked on a continual basis on the University campus. There are three types of annual parking decals: (1) Executive, (2) Reserved; Faculty and Staff Restricted and (3) Student. The differences among these decals are the cost of registration fees (See Section V, Decal Fees, of this document) and parking lot restrictions (See Section VIII, Parking Areas, of this document).

B. Monthly Decals

The “monthly decal” may be issued only to non-traditional employees (hourly employees, consultants, contractors and temporary employees, such as Manpower or other employees from temporary agencies) of the University have duties on campus for three months or less. Holders of a monthly decal may park in faculty/staff lots. The monthly decal will only be issued when the Motor Vehicle Registration Application is submitted with a letter from the sponsoring Department defining the length of the assignment/contract. 

Faculty or staff employees who have registered one (1) vehicle and find it necessary to use another vehicle for a temporary period of time may purchase a monthly decal, up to three per year, for this purpose. Vehicles with expired monthly decals will be ticketed, have wheel locks applied and/or be towed as outlined in this policy.

C. Retired Faculty Emeriti

Occasionally the University issues, at no cost, a decal reserved for Retired Faculty Emeriti. The University Administration approves the issuance of this special decal to retired faculty who are bestowed the honorary status of faculty emeriti. This designation allows the honoree to park in any non-restricted parking area on campus.

III. TYPES OF PARKING PASSES

A. Guest Permits

Official guest permits are issued only to special and invited guests of academic schools or major administrative units of the University. This permit allows the holder to park in the reserved guest spaces that are located in several parking lots across campus. This permit would typically be issued to persons who participate in conferences or workshops, who come to campus for a single occasion or who come infrequently over a period of time for specific scheduled activities. This pass is not valid unless authorized by the Chief of Police.

Faculty and staff members who host workshops or conferences, or individual department directors are responsible for obtaining parking passes for guests from the Department of Police and Public Safety.  It is the responsibility of the host faculty/staff member to ensure that the pass is issued only to the specific guest(s) for whom it is requested.  These passes may be processed and mailed in advance for the convenience of the persons for whom they are issued.  Reproduction of these passes is prohibited.  If a designated guest space is not available, the guest may park in any available space except those restricted for service vehicles, handicapped spaces, executive reserved spaces, or the eleven (11) spaces designated for employees in the Honor Parking Lot #7.

B. Vendor/Contractor Pass

Contractors providing temporary services to the University may park in designated parking spaces.  Contractor vehicles parked on campus must display a pass. The pass must indicate the name of the company, the vehicle license plate and the expiration date.  These passes should be coordinated through the Department of Police & Public Safety. If space is not available as designated, the vendor/contractor may park in any available space except those restricted for service vehicles, handicapped spaces, or executive reserved spaces. NOTE: PARKING ON GRASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

C. Handicapped Permit

A faculty/staff member or student who has been issued a valid “Handicapped” permit by an authorized Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will also be issued a VSU issued handicapped permit, at no charge, upon purchase of a VSU decal. This permit will identify the faculty/staff member or student that is authorized to use the handicapped placard and authorize parking in ANY space on campus designated as handicapped parking.

Any vehicle operated by visitors who have been issued a “Handicapped” permit by an authorized Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must be parked in spaces specifically marked for the handicapped provided throughout the campus and must have a valid VSU visitor’s pass issued by the Campus Police.

D. Special Events

Special events are those occasions that require one-time parking privileges.  These occasions include, but are not limited to: Fall Convocation, Founders Day, Commencement Weekend, intercollegiate athletic events and University-sponsored cultural events.  Parking for these occasions will be open and free to the public.  Lot #26 is usually reserved for special events parking.

E. Other

(1) HONOR PARKING LOT - Visitors to the campus who are not eligible for a guest pass must park in the lot designated as "Honor Parking" and pay the posted parking fee ($1.00). A space in the Honor Parking lot has no specific time limit during any given day. An individual who removes a vehicle from the lot forfeits all rights to the space in which the vehicle was parked. Only faculty and staff will be allowed to park in the eleven designated spaces.  Fees for the Honor Parking lot are required at all times between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The Honor Parking Lot is in Lot #7, located at the corner of Barnes Street and University Avenue.

(2) TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT VEHICLE PARKING – All employees and students requiring temporary parking privileges should report to the Department of Police & Public Safety for registration and issuance of a temporary parking pass valid for two consecutive days. This temporary pass will only be honored upon verification of a previously purchased decal that is still valid.

(3) ROTC RESERVED PARKING - There are several parking spaces in close proximity to the ROTC building, which are designated for official ROTC vehicle parking only.  No other vehicles are allowed in these spaces before 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.  

(4) CROSS-ENROLLED STUDENTS -  Students from Richard Bland College and John Tyler Community College, who are enrolled in classes at VSU and who have registered vehicles at their respective colleges, will be issued decals at no cost. These students must produce evidence that their vehicle is registered at the college they attend.

IV. OBTAINING A PARKING DECAL

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PARKED ON CAMPUS BY MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MUST BE REGISTERED IMMEDIATELY. 

Registrations are valid September 1 through August 31 for each academic year. Each person who registers a vehicle shall be provided a copy of the Virginia State University Parking, Policy, Rules and Regulations manual.  The Virginia State University Parking Policy, Rules Regulations and Forms can be viewed and printed in its entirety online at http://www.vsu.edu/pages/585.asp.

The appropriate parking decal will be issued by the University Cashier's Office upon receipt of a (1) Motor Vehicle Registration Application, (2) a valid copy of the vehicle registration, (3) the applicable registration fee, and (4) VSU identification card. Faculty and staff, who register more than one vehicle, must produce a valid permanent registration document for each vehicle

The Motor Vehicle Registration Application used to register a vehicle, may be obtained from and submitted to the University Cashier's Office (Room #112 Virginia Hall).  Any information found to be knowingly false on this application would be investigated by the Department of Police and Public Safety.

No decals may be sold to a faculty, staff, non-traditional employees or students unless the individual signs the "Authorization and Certification" section of the registration application to allow delinquent or unpaid traffic violations to be deducted from his/her wages or student account.

No decals may be sold to a faculty, staff, non-traditional employees, or students when University records indicate that they have unpaid traffic and parking fines, unless the ticket is under appeal.

No more than a total of three decals may be issued to any member of the faculty or staff, and no more than one decal may be issued to a student.  Individuals seeking to purchase decals exceeding these limits must request approval to do so from their Dean or Director, or Vice-President.  Once this approval is obtained, the request must be submitted to the Cashier's Office for processing.  The University is not responsible for damage to vehicles while parked on Virginia State University property.

No decal may be issued for any additional or replacement vehicle unless (1) the registration bears the same name or names as shown for the first vehicle registered, or (2) bears the same address. Any registration for an automobile that does not bear the full name of the employee or student, or at least the same surname, can be approved only by the University's Police Department. 

No decal may be issued to incoming freshmen students unless written authorization is received from the Director of Student Activities.

Students who are hourly employees may only apply for a student decal and may not receive a faculty/staff decal.

Students whose employment with the University is under College Work Study or similar programs that are incidental to their main function as a student may apply only for a student decal and may not receive a faculty/staff decal.

All faculty and staff, including non-traditional employees, must obtain clearance signatures from the Cashier's Office for traffic citations in order to receive their final paycheck.  Payment made upon separation must be in the form of cash, money order, credit card, cashier’s check, or other certified funds.  No personal checks will be accepted.

Registration of a vehicle is not complete until the decal is properly displayed. A valid decal must be securely affixed to the outside lower corner of the driver side rear windshield. Taping the decal to the windshield is not permissible. Decals displayed improperly will constitute an improper display violation.   

V. DECAL FEES

FEES - ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-2012

All annual decals are valid for the period beginning 9/1/11 through 8/31/12.  However, decals sold on the dates shown below will be prorated and sold at the prices indicated in the table.

PRORATED PURCHASE PRICE                       

DEFINITIONS:

Executive Reserved- These decals will be sold only to the President, Vice-Presidents and Deans.  These spaces will be in the faculty lot closest to their buildings and will include a sign designating the space as being reserved for that person by official title only. Example: "Reserved Parking Dean, School of Business."  

Faculty/Staff Restricted- These decals will be sold only to faculty and staff (classified and non-traditional employees).  This decal allows the holder to park in any space, except a "reserved" space, in any lot, which is, designated "Faculty/Staff" on a first come, first served basis.

Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction for parking Decals-The purpose of the program is to allow University employees to pay for parking expenses on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction.  The parking fees will be deducted from the employee’s paycheck before federal, state, and FICA taxes are computed, thereby resulting in a tax savings.  VSU faculty and staff are eligible for this payment arrangement if continuously employed at the University, and they do not have any outstanding parking fines. Employees must complete "The Pre-Tax Parking Fee Program Salary Reduction Agreement form."  The Salary Reduction form, Employee Motor Vehicle Registration Application and a copy of the vehicle registration card must be returned to the Cashier’s Office starting August 1, 2011.  The pre-tax payroll deduction from the employee’s paycheck will be processed in four installments based on approval of the salary reduction agreement form by the Payroll Office.  VSU employees must elect to participate in the pre-tax parking fee program each year.

Student- These decals will be sold only to students who are validated or officially enrolled.  This decal allows the holder to park in any lot designated as "Student Parking." No decal may be issued to incoming freshmen students unless written authorization is received from the Director of Student Activities.

Monthly- These decals will be sold only to non-traditional employees of the University. This includes hourly employees, consultants, contractors, vendors and temporary employees (such as Manpower or other employees from temporary agencies) of the University who will be staying on campus for three months or less to perform University related duties.  This type of group decal allows the holder to park in any space, except a "reserved" space, in any lot, which is, designated "Faculty/Staff" on a first come, first served basis.  This decal is only valid for the month in which it is purchased.

Daily- "Honor Parking" is available for VISITORS ONLY, except the eleven (11) spaces designated for employees, in Lot 7, located between Jackson Place and Barnes Street at University Avenue.  No decal is issued for this lot.  Deposit required fee in the collection box slot of the numbered occupied space.  This lot is designated primarily for guests and short-term visitors of the University between the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

VI. LOST OR DESTRUCTION OF DECALS OR CHANGE OF REGISTERED VEHICLE

If a decal is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the Department of Police and Public Safety. A new decal will be issued at a replacement cost of $3.00 provided that evidence of a valid police report is produced. The University will not be held liable for lost or stolen decals and will not issue a refund for any decal once it has been issued. All decal sales are final.

If a vehicle is sold, destroyed or being replaced with another vehicle, then a replacement decal will be provided. If an individual disposes of a vehicle, the decal should be removed. An identifiable portion of the decal, which was removed, must be taken to the Cashier's Office and a replacement decal will be issued for $3.00. Failure to present an identifiable portion of the decal or other documentation may result in the registrant being required to pay full cost for a new decal.

VII. RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

Each year, on or before September 1, Faculty, Staff and Students are required to renew the motor vehicle registration, which expires on August 31.  It is the registrant's responsibility to ensure that a current year decal is on his/her vehicle.  The expiration date of the registration period appears on the decal.

VIII. PARKING AREAS

Vehicles must be parked in lots for which decals are valid.  The Parking Lot Locator Map is included on page 15 and specifies all lots available for faculty, staff, student and visitor parking.  The designation of a parking area is subject to change; therefore, information on the sign of a particular lot supersedes the designation in this document. PARKING ON GRASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

A. Student Parking

Any vehicle with a University Student decal may park in a lot designated as "Student Parking".  The parking lots designated as "Student Parking" are lots 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15B, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 3lA, 31B, 33, and the Moore Hall parking lot.  If available, there is additional street parking on Jackson Place.  It is permissible for a vehicle with a faculty/staff decal to park in the student parking lots, if the need arises.

B. Executive Reserved Parking

Specially designated spaces in some of the Faculty/Staff Restricted lots are reserved for those administrative personnel (Provost, Vice-Presidents and Deans) who have paid the additional fee for a specific reserved space for their vehicle.  There are no reserved spaces for faculty or staff.  Unauthorized vehicles parked in these spaces will be TICKETED AND TOWED.  Authorized vehicles parked in these spaces must have a "Faculty/Staff" decal and must be registered by the President, a Vice-President, or a Dean.

C. Restricted Faculty/Staff

Restricted Faculty/Staff Parking Lots are marked with signs at the entrance to each designated parking lot. The following lots and/or spaces are designated as Restricted for Faculty/Staff: 1, 4, 5, 7 (f/s spaces), 8, 11, 12, 14, 15A, 16, 19, 20, 22, 26 (f/s spaces), 29, 32 and Moore Hall (f/s spaces). On Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., students may not park in a lot designated for faculty/staff. After 5:00 p.m., students with an annual VSU decal may park in these lots.

IX. PARKING VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS

A. Tickets/Citations

The Department of Police and Public Safety is authorized to issue citations for violations of University parking regulations.  The University reserves the right to issue tickets for violations in addition to those shown on the actual ticket.

B. Wheel Locks

To facilitate the enforcement of regulations pertaining to parking, the Police Department may use wheel locks on vehicles that have three or more unpaid tickets or upon receipt of a second ticket for having “no decal”. To remove wheel locks, the owner or driver of the vehicle must go the Cashier's Office in Virginia Hall, Room #112, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and pay the designated parking fines and wheel lock removal fee.  Payments must be in the form of cash, money order, credit card, cashier’s check, or other certified funds. No personal checks will be accepted.  The wheel lock fee is $100.  All payment receipts must be brought to the police station for wheel locks to be removed from car.  

Removal of the wheel lock by unauthorized personnel is subject to a $100.00 fine in addition to the $100.00 wheel lock fee to be paid to the University. **Note: this is a criminal offense and may also be subject to criminal prosecution.**

In certain circumstances and at the owner’s expense, vehicles may be towed in lieu of being wheel locked.

Failure to pay all fines within 24 hours of having wheel locks applied will result in the towing of the vehicle.

C. Towing

Vehicles may be towed at the owner's expense under the following circumstances:

1. When a vehicle is illegally parked and restricting traffic.

2. When a vehicle is illegally parked in a Handicapped Zone or Fire Lane.

Fire lanes are prohibited parking areas. Yellow curbing and the 15-foot space on corners are prohibited parking areas.  Fire hydrants are prohibited parking areas.  Vehicles will be ticketed and towed for parking against the flow of traffic and parking on the left side of one-way streets.  

3. When three or more unpaid tickets have accumulated.

4. When a vehicle has parked in the Honor Parking Lot without paying the appropriate fee.

5. When a vehicle is violating DMV Motor Vehicle Operational Codes.

6. When parking privileges have been revoked (after receipt of a third “no decal” ticket).

D. Revocation of Parking Privileges

Upon receipt of three (3) parking violations for “no decal”, the registrant will forfeit the privilege of parking on campus for the remainder of the academic year. Parking a vehicle on University grounds after such parking privileges have been revoked shall result in the implementation of a wheel lock or tow sanctions.

If a tow truck is already in route, the person responsible for the vehicle will still be required to pay towing costs before being permitted to move the vehicle.  A ticket for illegal parking will also be issued.

If a vehicle is towed, the owner or person responsible must report to the Department of Police and Public Safety to arrange recovery of the vehicle.  All fines must be paid before the towing costs are paid; certified funds include cash, money order, credit card, and cashier’s check.  No personal checks will be accepted.

VIOLATIONS

E. DMV Violations

Virginia Uniform Traffic Summons issued by the Department of Police and Public Safety for parking violations must be adjudicated in the General District Court in Chesterfield County.

X. PAYMENT OF FINES

Parking citations must be paid within five (5) business days of issuance unless the ticket is in the appeal process. Payments can be made in the Cashier's Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Citation payments require the payment be made in certified funds (cash, money order, credit card or cashier's check). No personal checks will be accepted

Employees and students who fail to pay outstanding parking fines within thirty (30) days upon receipt of the ticket, will be subject to the collection procedures mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia for past due accounts. For employees, a payroll deduction will be processed against their regular paycheck. Payroll deduction will take place once the approved list from the Parking Office is forwarded to the Payroll Office. For students with unpaid citations, the office of Student Accounts will charge the student's account and all balances must be paid prior to registration in a subsequent semester, issuance of transcripts, or issuance of a diploma.

Upon the termination of employment with the University, all faculty or staff, to include hourly employees and contractual or temporary staff, must gain clearance signatures from the Cashier's Office for parking violations in order to receive their final paychecks.  Payments made upon separation must be in the form of cash, money order, credit card, cashier's check or other certified funds.  No personal checks will be accepted.

XI. APPEAL PROCEDURES

Anyone with a valid reason may appeal a parking ticket within five (5) business days of the alleged violation by coming to the Campus Police Department with the original ticket and completing the “Right of Appeal Application.”
NOTE: Appeals will not be accepted unless the original ticket is available. Generally, the following have NOT been recognized as valid reasons for voiding citations:

• Ignorance of the regulations
• Late arrival for classes, appointments, etc.
• Inability to find a convenient legal parking space
• Inclement weather
• Returning to campus late at night

Appeal Procedure

XII. COLLECTION OF PAST DUE FINES/FEES

The VSU Controller's Office, through the Offices of Student Accounts, Payroll, and Cashier, is charged with the collection of all past due fines and citation fees.  In accordance with Commonwealth guidelines, they will use all "reasonable" methods of collection.  Any unpaid debt owed to the University that is referred to the Collections Section of Student Accounts is subject to a full range of collection actions.  This includes, but is not limited to, the use of: payroll deduction, collection agencies, State Debt Set-Off, processes placing holds on student accounts, withholding the issuance of a student refund, and reporting the debt to a credit reporting agency.  A financial hold prevents registration, receipt of grades and transcripts, and receipt of a diploma upon graduation.

These collection procedures will be applied to owners of the vehicles for which the parking citation was issued and/or to registrants of those vehicles, to include any employee or student of the University.  Any debtor to the University will be liable for ALL costs incurred in the collection of the debt including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

XIII. AUTHORIZATION TO VOID PARKING TICKETS

The issuance of parking citations on the VSU campus is a civil responsibility of the Department of Police and Public Safety.  Therefore, the Chief of Police is the only individual assigned authority to administratively void, or rescind, an issued parking citation.  The Chief's discretion in this matter is subject to the review of the Parking Committee, the Chief of Staff, and the University Internal Auditor.  The Police Chief shall retain documented records of all "voided" parking citations that he authorizes, and he shall make a monthly report available to the Committee and the Auditor.  Any request to void an issued parking citation shall be made IN WRITING to the Chief, with appropriate justification(s) included therein.

XIV. QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

Questions concerning the parking regulations of the University may be forwarded to the Parking Committee Chairman via parking@vsu.edu.  The website can be accessed through the VSU web page.  In addition, you may call 804-524-5223 to make general parking inquiries.  Questions regarding payment of fines/fees should be made to the Cashier's Office at 804-524-5150.

The 2011 – 2012 University Parking Committee Members are:

Chief of Police/Parking Committee Chairman

Director of Student Activities

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration

Director of Facilities and Services

Vice Chairman, Staff Senate

Chairman, Faculty Senate

President, Student Government Association

Department of Police and Public Safety

21012 Service Road

Petersburg, VA 23806-1006

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