I. GENERAL

 

A.   These regulations are established by the Administration of Georgia Southwestern State University which holds ultimate authority for administering and enforcing traffic and parking regulations on the Georgia Southwestern State University Campus. The Administration reserves authority to make changes as needed in parking areas, traffic flow patterns and such other changes as traffic conditions warrant. Prior notification of such changes (except on an emergency basis) will be made to the University Community.

 

  1. These regulations shall be in effect in all areas of Georgia Southwestern State University Campus. They are intended only to supplement the State of Georgia Vehicle Laws, all provisions of which apply to the campus. “Motor Vehicle” includes every vehicle that is self- propelled.

 

  1. The purpose of these regulations is to facilitate the safe and orderly conduct of University business and to provide parking facilities in support of this function within the limits of available space.

 

  1. Students are required to observe these regulations as a condition of attendance at the University; faculty and staff members are required to observe them as a condition of employment.

 

  1. Public Safety is responsible for implementation and enforcement of these regulations, as well as placement and maintenance of traffic control devices. Public Safety officers are State Law Enforcement Officers.

 

  1. The University shall have no responsibility for loss or damage to any vehicle or its contents while operated or parked on the Georgia Southwestern University Campus.

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

931-2245

 

 

 

   Vehicle Registration

 

 

WHO MUST REGISTER THEIR VEHICLE?

 

Each student ( including full-time, part-time, auditors, evening, summer, graduate, and special) taking courses; and each member of the faculty, staff, and administration of Georgia Southwestern State University must register any motor driven vehicle operated on campus. A period of five class days is allowed at the start of each semester for decals to be picked up and displayed. At other times vehicles must be registered on the first class day they are operated on campus.

 

 

    TO REGISTER A MOTOR VEHICLE

 

  1. Vehicles may be registered during the official day of registration at the beginning of each semester at the Public Safety office.
  2. All identification decals, forms and information may be obtained at the Public Safety office by submitting the following information:

 

    1. State license plate number.
    2. Descriptive vehicle information (make, model, color).

 

      NOTE: Decals are non-transferable and must be removed before sale of vehicle.

 

 

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

 

  1. Student Vehicles
    1. All Students operating a motor vehicle on campus shall be issued a Vehicle Identification Decal which is valid for the current academic year (Aug. 1st –July 31st).
    2. A fee of $18.00 per vehicle is assessed for decals issued during fall semester. The fees are charged per semester for subsequent decals are as follows:

Spring Semester           $8.00

Summer Term               $4.00  

Replacement Decals are $2.00

The decals are valid for the remainder of the academic year after issue date. All decals expire at the end of summer term.

 

 

    1. In order for a vehicle to be properly registered, the current parking fees must be paid and a current Vehicle identification Decal must be attached to and displayed in the lower left corner of the rear window (outside) or attached to and displayed on the rear bumper of the vehicle.
    2. Student Parking Permits allow the operator to park only in the specified zone during hours of 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. daily during scheduled classes and examinations.
    3. Temporary permits will be issued at no charge when a registered vehicle is out or order and another vehicle must be used for a period of time not to exceed seven (7) days. (Limit of two (2) per person per quarter).
    4. The registration of motor homes, campers and recreational type vehicles is prohibited. Only temporary permits will be issued to vehicles of this, pending the approval of the Director of Public Safety.
  1. Persons with ambulatory handicaps, either permanent or temporary, having a motor vehicle properly registered may obtain special parking permits from Public Safety with proper documentation from the Herschel A. Smith Health Center or personal physician.
  2. Temporary and handicap permits shall be displayed on the left rear window of vehicle in full view at all times.
  3. Exceptions:
    1. Education majors who are student teaching and living off campus are exempt from vehicle registration requirement for the semester in which they are student teaching. However, any citation received must be responded to and the recipient’s status as to student teaching verified.
    2. Persons enrolled in Continuing Education programs only, are exempt from the vehicle registration requirement.
  1. FACULTY/STAFF VEHICLES
    1. Faculty/Staff decals are issued at the Public Safety Office. LIMIT of two decals per person.
    2. Decals must be displayed and attached to the lower left corner of the rear window (outside) or on the left corner of the rear bumper of the vehicle.

 

 

 

PARKING: GENERAL

 

  1. Generally, the location for parking a given motor vehicle on campus streets and lots will be authorized according to the alphabetical zone letter validated on the Parking Decal. However, any properly registered vehicles may be parked in any designated parking area during nonrestricted hours (11 p.m.- 7 a.m.). Exceptions: Residence hall directors, service vehicle spaces, doctor, patients, emergency vehicles at Herschel A. Smith Health Center and in parking lots designated for on campus (residence students) or in designated “Handicap” spaces.
  2. Parking in front of Duncan Hall and Complex III is prohibited. Students and visitors calling on residents of Duncan Hall and Complex III only, shall park in the Visitor’s Parking Lot (south of CX III).
  3. Parking on all campus streets and lots shall be within marked spaces. Parking in center lanes of parking lots or on entrance/exits of drives in any parking lot is prohibited.
  4. Stopping on thoroughfares and/or parking at yellow curbs (anywhere) in driveways, service and delivery zones, entranceways, or lawns and athletic fields is prohibited.
  5. Parking zones for various permit types are designated on the accompanying campus map.
  6. Parking automobiles in spaces designated for motorcycles in prohibited.
  7. “Handicap” parking spaces (blue areas) are restricted to the use of those persons who have documented mobility limitations.

This documentation must be verified through the Herschel A. Smith Health Center of doctor

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the motor vehicle operator to find a legal parking space. Lack of convenient space is not considered a valid excuse for violation of any parking regulations. Rain or inclement weather will not alter any of the provisions of these regulations.

 

PARKING: FACULTY/STAFF

A.     All faculty/staff registrants shall park in area designated as faculty/staff parking or in all zone parking areas. Faculty parking in student areas is prohibited.

B.     The following faculty/staff areas are restricted:

Rear of Cafeteria-Food Service personnel only

Rear of Bookstore-Bookstore, Post Office, Snack Bar and OSL

Personnel only.

Rear of Library-Library Staff only.

 

 

                                             

 

PARKING: STUDENTS

 

A.     All students who reside in residence halls on campus are considered on-campus students. All regular daytime students, evening students and Saturday students who commute are considered off-campus students only.

B.     “Zone X Parking”- For all off–campus students.

C.     Zone-B Parking for on-campus students

D.     Ambulatory handicapped students who have their motor vehicle properly registered and who have secured a “Handicap” permit may at any time park their vehicle in any marked space designated for faculty/staff residence hall or off-campus student parking, but not in “handicap” space (blue).

E.      The parking lot on the south side of the James Earl Carter Library is open to all zones, faculty and staff. PARKING ON YELLOW CURB BEHIND LIBRARY IS PROHIBITED.

F.      Parking on Perimeter Road is prohibited.

G.     Students having business in the Administration building should park in the 15 minute zone behind the Administration Building.

 

           PARKING: VISITORS

 

A.     Visitors are persons not connected with the campus who occasionally have business or other reasons to be on campus.

B.     Visitor parking spaces are provided in front of the Administration Building and so are designated.

C.     Visitors who intend to stay on campus for a period exceeding eight (8) hours shall register their vehicle at no charge and shall park their vehicles in areas designated by Public Safety.

 

PARKING: GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN OWNED/SERVICE  VEHICLES

 

A.     GSW service and contract service vehicles are to park in compliance with these regulations. Exceptions must be approved by the Director of Public Safety.

B.     GSW vehicles are not given special privileges. They are to be parked in areas prescribed in this document in accordance with the office of facility that uses them.

 

          VEHICLE OPERATION

 

A.     All persons operating a vehicle on University property shall be properly licensed operators.

B.     Pedestrians have the right-of-way on campus except where traffic is regulated by Safety Officers. Extreme caution must be exercised in the vicinity of Early Childhood Lab.

C.     Under normal conditions, the maximum speed limit on campus is 20 M.P.H. However, vehicles may not be operated at any speed which is excessive for the conditions which may exist as a result of weather, traffic congestion, pedestrians, etc.

D.     Traffic control signs, devices and directions of Safety Officer shall be obeyed.

E.      All persons operating vehicles are responsible for maintaining control of the vehicle, safe operation and observance of traffic control signs, barriers and devices.

F.      Operating a motor vehicle in any area other than a street or roadway intended for motor vehicles is prohibited.

G.     Identification Cards and Valid Drivers Licenses shall be presented upon request by Public Safety Personnel.

H.     All accidents occurring on campus shall be reported at the Public Safety Office immediately and before the vehicle(s) are moved unless such vehicle(s) would impede emergency vehicles.

 

 

          Violations and Penalties

 

 

 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

 The person to whom a vehicle is registered is held fully responsible for any violation involving the vehicle, even if another person was using the vehicle at the time of the violation. A ticket is not excused on the plea that another person was driving the vehicle.

  1. VEHICLE PARKING VIOLATION

Fines for violations listed below are as follows: First offense $10.00; second offense $20.00; third and each subsequent offense $30.00. Violations run consecutively throughout the academic year and do not start anew at the beginning of each semester.

    1. Parking in no parking, loading zone, yellow curb, reserved spaces or on grass.
    2. Parking in the fire lane, blocking or obstructing traffic, street, and sidewalk, fire hydrant, building entrance or exit or another vehicle.
    3. Parking in handicap space, blocking entrance or exit at handicap space.
    4. Parking in ambulance, doctor, or nurses spaces.
  1. VEHICLE MOVING VIOLATION

All moving violations will be cited under the Uniform Traffic code of Georgia or local City Ordinance AND will be adjudicated through State Court of Sumter County OR the local Municipal Court.

 

 

Enforcement and Appeals

 

 

ENFORCEMENT

 

A.     University violation citations should be responded to at the Cashier’s Office within three (3) days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays).

B.     Payment should be made or notice of appeal shall be filed within the above stated time. (Appeal forms are available at the Office of Student Life.)

C.     Failure to comply with above stated procedures forfeits all rights of appeal and the penalty or failure to respond shall be imposed in addition to the offence penalty.

D.     Flagrant violator’s vehicles are subject to immobilization. (Flagrant violators are persons who accrue repeat violations and fail to respond to citations and letters of notification.) Vehicles tat are parked in a manner that creates a traffic hazard, inconvenience or nuisance are also subject to immobilization.

1.      Vehicles will be immobilized by placing a restraining device on a wheel of the        vehicle. Any attempt to move a vehicle which has been immobilized may result in damage to the vehicle. The operator will be notified of his vehicle’s immobilization by the placing of conspicuous notices on the windshield and left front door handle of the vehicle.

2.      The University is not responsible for any damage incurred as a result of attempting to operate a vehicle that has been immobilized. Operators are liable for any damage to immobilizers as a result of any forceful or illegal removal of the device.

3.      Operators of vehicles that have been immobilized must report to the Public Safety Office and arrange for removal of the device.

4.      Delinquent student fines will be handled the same way as any other fee or payment due at the University.

5.      Delinquent faculty or staff fines will be handled the same as any other fee or payment due at the University.

E.      TOWING POLICY

1.      Certain areas on CAMPUS are designated as TOW ZONES. These areas include Perimeter Road in front of Duncan Hall and Complex III, the access street from Perimeter Road to Marshall Student Center (including the circle) in front of Jordan Hall, the area immediately in front of the Lobby Entrance to Collum II and Prance Hall, and the service street to the rear of the James Earl Carter Library. The above areas are clearly marked with signs indicating “No Parking Anytime…Tow Zone”.

2.      Vehicles parked in the indicated area will be towed at the owner/operator’s expense. The owner/operator must make arrangements with Public Safety and obtain a Release form. The Release Form must then be presented to the towing company before the vehicle will be relinquished. The tow fee and applicable storage fee(s) must be paid directly to the company. These fees are in addition to the Public Safety citation fine(s) which is paid directly to the Public Safety Officer.

 

    1. In addition, vehicles issued 3 citations for not being properly registered and there has been no response from the operator to the Public Safety offices are subject to be towed according to paragraph 2.

 

 

APPEALS

A.                 Student appeals from traffic citations must entered by completing all appropriate forms at the Public Safety Office within three (3) days, excluding weekends and holidays, of receiving the citation. In general, such circumstances as ignorance of the law, inability to find a proper parking space or financial hardships caused by fines so not constitute sufficient basis for the approval of an appeal.

B.                 Students have the option of either appearing in person, with witness, before the Student Government Association Judiciary or entering a written appeal only.

C.                 All faculty, staff, and contract employees must file appeal forms at the Public Safety Office within three days receiving the citation. Failure to file an appeal within three days forfeits all rights of appeal.

 

 

           RESTRICTIONS

A.            Campus streets or grounds may not be used by any firm or corporation of persons for commercial or advertising purpose without proper authorization.

B.           Excessive noises by musical instruments, loudspeakers, faulty mufflers or muffler cut outs are prohibited on campus.

 

 

           SPECIAL

A.           On special occasions (i.e. sporting events, concerts, graduation, etc.) emergency parking and traffic limitations may be imposed by the Public Safety Department as required by the conditions that prevail.

B.           Students, faculty and staff using the University Lake recreation area will park in the parking lot provided; any overflow will use the parking facilities on main campus. It is expressly prohibited to park on the Perimeter Road.

 

  

 

                   

 

 

ESCORTS

Student campus escorts are available through the Department of Public Safety. For   escort service contact Public Safety at 931-2245.