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Northwest Missouri State University


Parking Policy

Statement of Policy

A Northwest Missouri State University parking permit is required to park on campus. The purchase and display of a valid parking permit does not guarantee the holder a specific parking space. It is the sole responsibility of the vehicle driver to locate a valid parking space. These regulations are applicable to all members of the University community, which shall include but is not limited to, Northwest students, faculty, staff, visitors, and vendors. Parking enforcement is conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

  1. General

    1. A vehicle is defined as a motorized means of transportation that is licensed by the state (if applicable) and must adhere to all state and campus regulations. Vehicles may not drive on sidewalks unless approved by University Police.
    2. Anyone who utilizes University parking facilities, including but not limited to, faculty, staff and students, must have a current Northwest parking permit visible and properly displayed and shall be responsible for the registered vehicle and any citation(s) issued to that vehicle.
    3. If a vehicle receives a citation while parked on the Northwest campus and it has not been properly registered, the owner of that vehicle shall be responsible for the citation as well as a surcharge for a license plate check with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
    4. The University shall assume no liability or responsibility for any vehicle parked on campus property.
    5. Motorcycles and scooters are subject to the regulation governing motor vehicles.
    6. The owner of a disabled vehicle located in a parking lot shall notify the University Police Office within 30 minutes of the disability or the vehicle is subject to be towed and/or ticketed at the owner's expense. The owner of a disabled vehicle parked improperly shall be responsible for moving the vehicle within 24 hours. A disabled vehicle on the roadway must be moved as soon as a wrecker or other appropriate means can be employed.
    7. Any repairs made to vehicles which will create a nuisance, safety hazard, or cause property damage shall not be performed on campus. Violators are subject to revocation of parking privileges and permit.
    8. Commuter students or employees who wish to register more than one vehicle shall be issued a hangtag. Multiple permits will not be issued, except with motorcycles or apartment permit holders.
    9. Anyone who needs temporary parking for a trailer should contact University Police to make appropriate arrangements.
    10. A red curb and/or sign designates a loading zone. All loading zones have a 15-minute parking limit. Curbs painted yellow are no parking zones. Docks are not for general loading and unloading; they are designed for commercial deliveries.
    11. Warning violations will be issued the first week of classes of each trimester to vehicles without permits and that have not been previously issued a parking citation. Exceptions are handicap spaces, loading zones and unauthorized parking areas.
    12. A Northwest parking permit is required in order to utilize University parking facilities.
    13. A vehicle shall be registered to one person only.
    14. Unless specific arrangements have been made with the appropriate department head, no student or employee shall utilize his or her personally owned vehicle for University business.

  2. Visitors

    1. Visitors wishing to park on campus shall, upon arriving on campus, obtain and display a visitor permit. Visitor permits are available at Admissions in the Mabel Cook Admissions and Visitors Center, Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building, and University Police in the Support Services Building.
    2. Whenever possible, the host, whether student, faculty or administrator, should obtain visitor parking permits for guests.
    3. University Police shall provide visitor permits to event coordinators when requested. An event coordinator should contact University Police for specific instructions at least two weeks in advance of the event.

  3. Operation of Vehicle

    1. Observe all campus traffic and parking signs. Posted signs shall supersede this written policy.
    2. The maximum speed limit on campus is 20 mph and 15 mph in parking lots. Violators are subject to University citation.
    3. State and city motor vehicle and traffic laws are included in the University's motor vehicle regulations governing the use of vehicles on the University's campus.
    4. No one is permitted to drive around or over any barricade erected to control traffic or parking, or to alter, deface, remove or destroy any traffic or parking control device.
    5. A vehicle operator shall comply with instructions given by a University Police Officer (voice, gesture or whistle).
    6. Vehicles shall not be parked against the flow of traffic.

  4. Parking Areas

    1. Resident student parking is permitted only in areas designated as "resident student parking". A resident parking permit is required in those areas. A resident is defined as a student who is assigned to University housing.
    2. Resident parking is restricted 24 hours a day and a resident parking permit shall be required.
    3. Commuter student parking is permitted only in areas designated for "commuter student parking". A displayed permit is required in these areas. A commuter student is defined as a student who resides off campus and commutes to the University for classes.
    4. Faculty/Staff & Commuter student parking is restricted 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday unless otherwise posted.
    5. Faculty and Staff parking is permitted only in areas designated as "Faculty and Staff parking". A faculty/staff permit is required in these areas.
    6. Only vehicles with a state issued handicap license plate or hangtag shall park in designated handicap spaces. A Northwest parking permit is also required.
    7. Visitor parking is designated for visitors only from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday unless otherwise posted. Any vehicle with a non-visitor permit displayed shall not park in visitor parking and shall be subject to citation for parking in an area designated for others.
    8. If a Northwest student who resides in University housing is a member of the immediate family of a Northwest employee with a faculty/staff permit, he/she may not park that registered vehicle in resident student areas.
    9. No vehicle shall display more than one current parking permit, unless owner resides in Northwest apartment housing.
    10. Only those designated people will use spaces that are specifically designated by a sign. These areas shall be reserved 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    11. Motorcycles and scooters are allowed to park on campus in parking stalls that are specifically designated by signs for motorcycle and scooter parking only and must have a valid campus permit. Motorcycles and scooters are defined as vehicles and therefore may not park on curbs, sidewalks, around handicap stalls, curb cuts or in any place that obstructs the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

  5. Restricted Parking

    1. Lot 59 (located Northwest of the football field) is restricted for home football games. Vehicles not moved the evening before all home games will be towed.

  6. Permits

    1. All Northwest parking permits are available at the Student Services Center, located on the first floor of the Administration Building. Temporary and visitor parking permits are also available at University Police, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    2. All academic permits expire on August 31 of each year. If employment or resident status changes prior to August 31, the permit holder shall be responsible for returning the permit to the Student Services Center to exchange for an appropriate permit or refund (pro-rated). For example, if an employee terminates his/her full-time employment, but maintains enrollment as a student, the employee permit shall be returned to the Student Services Center and exchanged for a student permit or refund.
    3. If your student status changes at any time through out the academic year, you may exchange your current parking permit free of charge at the student services desk in the Administration Building to reflect your change in status.
    4. No refunds will be issued for parking permits reported lost or stolen. The permit owner shall be responsible for purchasing a replacement permit. Lost or stolen permits shall be reported immediately to University Police. Failure to properly report a lost or stolen permit could result in the owner of the permit being responsible for any or all citations issued to the permit.
    5. No one shall register a vehicle on campus belonging to another individual without permission of the legally registered owner of the vehicle.
    6. A parking permit shall only be displayed on the vehicle to which it is registered.
    7. Parking permits not properly displayed in the vehicle shall be subject to citation for failure to properly display a permit.
    8. Students who work part-time for the University as staff members are not entitled to a staff permit.
    9. Anyone who is not a University student or employee who utilize the Fitness, Aquatic, Recreational Centers, Owen's Library or who participates in a non-credit class and wishes to use University parking facilities must purchase a temporary permit to park on campus.
    10. University parking facilities are restricted to use by those who participate in University functions or activities during restricted hours.
    11. Temporary permits are valid for a maximum 2 weeks at a time and visitor permits are valid for a maximum 3 days at a time unless otherwise specified by the University Police.

  7. Special Permits

    1. Anyone who is not a University student or employee who utilize the Fitness, Aquatic, Recreational Centers, or Owen's Library and wishes to use University parking facilities must purchase a temporary permit to park on campus.
    2. Anyone who is not a student or employee who participates in a University non-credit class and wishes to park on campus must obtain a temporary parking permit.
    3. University parking facilities are restricted to use by those who participate in University functions or activities during restricted hours.
    4. Temporary permits are valid for a maximum 2 weeks at a time and visitor permits are valid for a maximum 3 days at a time unless otherwise specified by the University Police.

  8. Display of Permit in Vehicle

    1. Parking permits are to be completely affixed to the lower portion of the right front windshield (passenger side) in plain view, with the permit number visible, and by means of their own adhesive.
    2. Motorcycle and scooter permits are to be affixed to the right front fork or fender of the vehicle, in plain view, with the number visible.
    3. Hangtag and visitor permits shall be hung on the rear view mirror of the vehicle being used that day with the information clearly visible through the windshield.
    4. Temporary hangtag permits shall be displayed on the rear view mirror when using University parking facilities with the information clearly visible through the windshield.

  9. Replacement of Parking Permits

    1. A permit holder who becomes ineligible for parking privileges must remove the permit and provide it to University Police.
    2. When transferring a vehicle, before a no-charge replacement permit will be issued, the old permit must be presented at the Student Services Center in the Administration Building. If you are unable to recover the permit for any reason, any of the following will be accepted as proof the permit is not recoverable:
      1. a copy of the bill of sale
      2. transfer of title
      3. accident report indicating the windshield was damaged or the vehicle was totaled
      4. any other appropriate documentation

  10. Payment of Fines

    1. Fines shall be paid to the Bursar's Office in the Administration Building.
    2. All citations issued are subject to billing through the Bursar's Office.
    3. Failure to pay fines may result in withholding of transcripts, class registration, and/or formal collection efforts.

  11. Appeals

    1. If a visitor, student, staff, or faculty member believes the citation was issued in error, he/she has the right to appeal to the Traffic and Parking Appeals Committee. This appeal must be received in University Police within 5 days of receipt of the citation or billing notice (issued by the University Bursar's Office). Late appeals shall not be considered, except for extenuating circumstances. Appeal forms are available at University Police or the Student Services Center or online at the University Police website. The appellant shall be notified in writing of the committee's decision.

  12. Revocation

    1. The Director of University Police shall suspend or revoke a driver's parking privileges when violations exceed 12 during the permit year (Sept. 1- Aug. 31).
    2. All revocations made by the Director of University Police shall be effective for the remainder of the permit year in which the revocation order is issued, or as otherwise noted.
    3. Student Affairs may revoke parking privileges through the Student-Faculty Discipline Committee.
    4. Payment or appeal of any traffic citation does not exempt one from the standard revocation procedure.

  13. Towing and Immobilization Policy

    1. Vehicles may be towed or immobilized for the following reasons:
      1. parking on campus after a permit has been revoked
      2. accumulation of 12 or more violations per vehicle within the permit year
      3. blocking fire lanes or fire hydrants
      4. obstruction of pedestrian or traffic lanes or creating a hazard
      5. abandoned vehicle
      6. blocking loading zones
      7. blocking or impeding snow removal
      8. parking in a handicap designated area
      9. parking in a reserved or blocked off area
      10. not displaying proper campus registration