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all previously published University parking procedures and regulations and shall remain in effect until revised or rescinded by the University Parking Committee.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.

 

 

 

 

     All vehicles, with two exceptions, parked on campus must display a valid University parking decal. The first exception is for vehicles operated by visitors who have issued a “Handicapped” permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia. These vehicles must be parked in spaces specifically marked for the handicapped provided throughout the campus. All lots have at least one handicapped space, strategically located to ease movement by the individual. However, an automobile with a handicapped permit parked in an otherwise designated space, must have a valid VSU decal.  All employees who display a handicapped parking permit must purchase a VSU employee decal. The second exception is for short-term visitors on campus who are parked in the non-Police spaces in the Honor Parking Lot No. 7, located at the corner of Barnes Street and University Avenue.

 

     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 beginning on September 1 through August 31 of each year, and to non-traditional employees (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 more than three months, to perform University related duties. 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. The University issues, but does not sell, a decal reserved for Retired Faculty Emeriti.

 

     Annual parking decals are required on all vehicles parked on a continual basis on the University campus. There are three types of permanent 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).

 

 

     The “monthly decal” may be issued only to non-traditional employees (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. 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 affected Department defining the length of the assignment/contract. In the case of a vendor, the responsible person on the purchase order should submit the letter and it should reference the P.O. Box number.

    

     In instances where persons have registered one (1) vehicle and find it necessary to use another vehicle for a temporary period of time, they may purchase a monthly decal for this purpose. Vehicles with expired monthly decals will be ticketed, have wheel locks applied and/or be towed.

 

 

     Occasionally 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.

 

 

     A special pass will be issued only to special and invited guests of academic schools or major administrative units of the University. This pass allows the holder to park in the reserved guest spaces that are located in several parking lots across campus. This pass would typically be issued to persons who participate in conferences or workshops, or who come to campus for a single occasion or who come infrequently over a period of time for specific scheduled activities, numbering five or less than five services. This pass is not valid unless signed by the Director of Police and Public Safety.

 

 

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 Honor Parking Lot #7, except for the eleven (11) spaces designated for employees.

 

     Contractors providing temporary services to the University may park in designated parking spaces.  Temporary service for the purpose of this pass means any time period less than thirty days.  Contractor vehicles parked on campus must display a pass and/or the vehicle itself must identify the name of their company. The pass must stipulate the name of the company and indicate the name and telephone number of the University office where they can be reached.  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.

     A visitor who has been issued a "Handicapped" permit by the Commonwealth of Virginia can park their vehicle in any handicapped designated space, in any parking lot on campus without the purchase of a decal.  The Police Department will honor any valid permit, sticker, placard or pass that is authorized for a handicapped person, so long as it is displayed on the vehicle appropriately.  All employees and students who display handicapped parking permits must purchase a VSU employee/student decal.  Unauthorized vehicles parked in a handicapped space are subject to being ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

     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 reserved for special events parking and will be closed to all other parking.

 

 

(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.  No registered or unregistered vehicles belonging to faculty, staff, or students are allowed in this lot.  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 - Faculty and Staff requiring temporary parking privileges should report to the Department of Police & Public Safety for registration and issuance of a temporary parking pass.  This temporary pass will only be honored upon verification of a previously purchased decal.

(3) ROTC RESERVED PARKING - There are several parking spaces in close proximity to the ROTC building, which are designated for ROTC parking only.  No other vehicles are allowed in these spaces before 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.  ROTC students from Richard Bland College and John Tyler Community College 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 colleges they attend and also that they are cadets in the VSU ROTC program.

 

(4) TEMPORARY DECALS – Temporary parking decals for students still only allows them to park in student lots.  Faculty and students temporary parking options include: (a) Daily pass up to two consecutive days. (b) Purchase of a temp-parking pass valid for 30 days for $5.  (c) Pay $10 for a vehicle that is not registered but is in the student’s name.

 

     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 book.  Every faculty and staff member should obtain a copy of the book in that it also contains useful information relative to facilitating parking for visitors.  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 and (3) the applicable registration fee. Persons who register vehicles must be in a position to produce evidence of association with the University as faculty or staff, boarding student, day student, part-time student, etc.  For faculty and staff, when more than one car is registered, a valid registration document must be submitted for each additional vehicle.

 

     The Motor Vehicle Registration Application used to register a vehicle, must 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 and referred to the Commonwealths Attorney for prosecution.

 

     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.

 

     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 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 Manager of Cash and Investments, (who shall appropriately document on the application the basis of approval).

 

     Children of employees, who are also students of the University, may register and receive a faculty/staff parking decal, if their residence while attending the University is the same as their parent employee.

 

     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, cashiers check, or other certified funds.  No personal checks will be accepted.

 

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

 

     All annual decals are valid for the period beginning 9/1/08 through 8/31/09.  However, decals sold on the dates shown below will be prorated and sold at the prices indicated in the table.

 

 

                                     

 

 

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 July 1, 2007.  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.

 

     If a decal is stolen or damaged, it should be reported immediately to the Department of Police and Public Safety.  The University will not be held responsible for lost or stolen decals and will not issue a refund for any decal once it has been issued.  All decal sales are final.

 

     A replacement decal will be provided upon payment of the applicable fee if a vehicle is sold, traded or is no longer being parked on the campus.  If an individual disposes of a vehicle, the decal should be removed. If a decal is desired for a replacement vehicle, 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 evidence may result in the registrant being required to pay full cost for a new decal.

 

     Each year, on or before September 1, Faculty and Staff members 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.

 

     Vehicles must be parked in lots for which decals are valid.  The Parking Lot Locator Map is included in Appendix B 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.

 

     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.  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.

 

     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.

 

     Restricted Faculty/Staff Parking Lots are marked with signs at the entrance to each parking lot.  Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. students may not park in a lot designated for faculty/staff.  Student vehicles discovered in violation of this policy will be ticketed, have wheel locks applied, and/or towed.  All vehicles (including faculty/staff members) without decals parked in these lots will be ticketed, have wheel locks applied, and/or towed.  Restricted Faculty/Staff lots are designated for faculty and staff parking only and are in effect between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. After 7:00 p.m., students with an annual decal may park in these lots.  The following lots are designated as Restricted for Faculty/Staff: 1, 4, 5, 7 (11 spaces), 8, 11, 12, 14, 15A, 16, 19, 20, 22, 29, 32, and 34.

     A vehicle with a "special and invited guest pass" must park in a parking lot in a posted space designated on the pass.  If a space is not available as designated, any available space may be used except those spaces restricted for service vehicles, handicapped, or executive reserved spaces.

 

     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.

 

     To facilitate the enforcement of regulations pertaining to parking, the Police Department may use wheel locks on vehicles that are in violation.  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 3:30 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, cashiers check, or other certified funds. No personal checks will be accepted.  The removal fee is $100.  All payment receipts must be brought to the police station for wheel locks to be removed from car.  Payments after this time must be made in the Department of Police and Public Safety at #1 Jackson Place in the form of money order or cashiers check. (Cash will NOT be accepted in the Police Department).

 

 

     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.

 

     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 cashiers check.  No personal checks will be accepted.

     Upon receipt of five (5) parking citations, the registrant will forfeit the privilege of parking on campus for the remainder of the academic year.  Parking a vehicle for which the decal has been revoked on University grounds shall result in the implementation of a wheel lock or tow sanctions.

 

 

     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.

 

     Parking fines must be paid within five (5) business days in the Cashier's Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Note: Three or more citation payments require the payment be made in certified funds (cash, money order, credit card, cashier's check, etc.)  

 

     Parking citations must be paid within five (5) business days of issuance unless the ticket is in the appeal process.  Parking privileges will be suspended and vehicles will be towed for failure to pay outstanding citations within a thirty-day time period.  Further, employees, and students who fail to pay outstanding parking fines within the thirty (30) days, 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 his/her regular paycheck. Payroll deduction will take place once the approved list from the Student Accounts Office is forwarded to the Payroll Office.  For students with unpaid citations, the Student Accounts 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.

 

     Persons issued citations for Virginia State University parking violations shall be afforded the right of appeal to the University Appeals Committee.  The "Right of Appeal Application" form must be filed within a period of five (5) business days. The appeal application may be obtained from the lobby of the Department of Police and Public Safety where it is also to be submitted after completion.

 

     The appellant will be notified, in writing, when to appear before the Appeals Committee.  Upon conclusion of the hearing, the appellant will be notified, in writing, of the disposition of the appeal by the panel.  Decisions made by the Appeal Committee are final as a University process.  Appeals Committee decisions relative to parking violations are appealed to the Chesterfield County General District court.

 

     A request for reinstatement of revoked parking privileges within a decal period is subject to approval of the University Parking Committee.

 

     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.

     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.

 

 

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

 

 

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