Parking Policy

Statement of Policy

A Northwest Missouri State University parking permit is used to authorize parking 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.

General
1. 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.
2. Any individual who has registered a vehicle by purchasing a Northwest parking permit shall be responsible for the registered vehicle or 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 and 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, scooters and snowmobiles are subject to the regulation are subject to the regulations governing motor vehicles.
6. The owner of a disabled vehicle located in a parking lots shall notify the Campus Safety Office within 30 minutes of the disability or the vehicle is subject to be towed 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 or parking privileges and permit.
8. Temporary parking permits are available at the Student Services Center or Campus Safety. Campus Safety is open 24/7.
9. 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.
10. Anyone who needs temporary parking for a trailer should contact Campus Safety to make appropriate arrangements.
11. A red curb and/or a sign designate 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.
12. Warning violations shall 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.
13. A Northwest parking permit is required in order to utilize University parking facilities between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Monday through Friday, unless otherwise indicated.
14. A vehicle shall be registered to one person only
15. Vehicles parked in handicap parking spaces must also be properly registered with the University.
16. 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.
17. The Director of Campus Safety shall be responsible for addressing unique circumstances on a case by case basis.
Operation of Vehicles
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 5 mph in parking lots. Violators are subject to University citation.
3. State and city motor vehicle traffic laws are included in the University's motor vehicle regulations governing the use of vehicles on the University 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 Campus Safety Officer (voice, gesture, or whistle).
6. Vehicles shall not be parked against the flow of traffic.
Parking Areas
1. Resident parking is restricted 24 hours a day and a resident parking permit shall be required.
2. Resident student parking is permitted only in areas designated as "resident student parking". A resident parking permit is required in these areas. A resident student is defined as a student who is assigned to University housing.
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. 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. Faculty and Staff parking is restricted 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise posted.
7. Only vehicles with a state issued handicap license plate or hangtag shall park in designated handicap spaces. A Northwest parking permit is required also.
8. Visitor parking is designated for visitors only from 7a.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 a receipt of a citation for parking in an area designated for others.
9. 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.
10. No vehicle shall display more than one current parking permit, unless they reside within Northwest apartement housing.
11. Only those designated people will use spaces that are specially designated by a sign. These areas shall be reserved 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Permits
1. All Northwest parking permits shall be available at the Student Services Center, located on the first floor of the Administration Building. Temporary and Visitor parking permits shall also be available at Campus Safety, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. All parking 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 a refund (pro-rated). For example, if an employee terminates his/her full-time employment status, 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. There shall be no refunds 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 Campus Safety. 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.
4. No one shall register a vehicle on campus belonging to another individual without the permission of the legally registered owner of the vehicle.
5. A parking permit shall be displayed on the vehicle it is properly registered to.
6. Any visitor 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 Visitor Center, Student Services Center in the Administration Building, and Campus Safety in the Support Services Building.
7. Whenever possible, the host, whether student, faculty, or administrator, should obtain visitor parking permits for their guests.
8. The Campus Safety Office shall provide visitor permits to event coordinators when requested. An even t coordinator should contact Campus Safety for specific instructions at least two weeks in advance of the event.
9. Parking permits not properly displayed in the vehicle shall be subject to citation for failure to properly display a parking permit.
10. Students who work part-time for the University as staff members are not entitled to a staff permit.
Special Permits
1. Anyone who is not a University student or employee who utilizes the Fitness, Aquatic, or Recreational Centers sponsored by the University 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 purchase a temporary parking permit.
3. University parking facilities are restricted to use by those who participate in University functions or activities during restricted hours.
Display of Parking 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 as designed to the vehicle, in plain view, with the permit number visible.
3. Hangtag and visitor permits shall be hung on the rearview mirror of the vehicle being used that day, with the information visible through the windshield.
4. Temporary hangtag permits shall be displayed on the rearview mirror when using University parking facilities, with the information visible through the windshield.
Replacment of Parking Permits
1. A permit holder who becomes ineligible for parking privileges must remove the permit and provide it to the Campus Safety Office.
2. When transferring a vehicle, before a no-charge replacement permit will be issued, the old permit must be presented to 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 indication the windshield was damaged or the vehicle was totaled.
  4. any other appropriate documentation
Payment of Fines
1. Fines shall be paid to the Cashiering Office in the Administration Building
2. All citations issued are subject to billing through the Treasurer's Office.
3. Failure to pay fines may result in withholding of transcripts, class registration, and/or formal collection efforts.
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 Campus Safety within five (5) days of receipt of the citation or billing notice (issued by the University Treasurer's Office). Late appeals shall not be considered, except for extenuating circumstances. Appeal forms are available at the Campus Safety Office or the Student Services Center. The appellant shall be notified in writing of the committee's decision.
Revocation
1. The Director of Campus Safety shall suspend or revoke a driver's parking privileges when violations exceed 8 during the permit year (September 1- August 31). This excludes granted appeals.
2. All revocations made by the Director of Campus Safety shall be effective for the remainder of the permit year in which the revocations order is issued, or as otherwise specified.
3. Student Affairs may revoke parking privileges though the Student-Faculty Discipline Committee.
4. Payment or appeal of any traffic citation does not exempt once from the standard revocation procedure.
Towing Policy
1. Vehicles may be towed for the following reasons:
  1. parking on campus after permit has been revoked
  2. accumulation of 8 or more violations by an unregistered vehicle, 12 or more violations for campus registered vehicles 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 handicapped area
  9. parking in a reserved area or blocked off area