The University of Texas at San Antonio
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The University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown
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The Institute for Texan Cultures
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2006 – 2007 Parking and Traffic Rules & Regulations

Table of Contents

SECTION I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. General
2. Administration and Enforcement of these Regulations
3. Authority
4. Proof
5. Responsibility
6. Collection Methods

SECTION II: DEFINITIONS

SECTION III: TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

1.  Compliance
2. Special Instructions
3. Temporary Restrictions
4. Speed Limits
5. Traffic Obstruction
6. Vehicles in Buildings
7. Vehicles Driving on Sidewalks, Grass, or Shrubbery
8. Roller-Skates, Skateboards and Scooters
9. Passenger Pick-Up and Drop-Off
10. Pedestrians

SECTION IV: PARKING REGULATIONS

1. General
2. Parking Permits
3. Manner of Parking
4. Loading Zones
5. Disabled Parking
6. Veteran Parking
7. Visitor Parking
8. Emergency Vehicle Parking
9. Abandoned Vehicles

SECTION V: PARKING PERMITS

1. Issuance of Permits
2.  Classes of Permits
3. Display of Permits
4. Surrender or Removal of Permits
5. Expiration of Permits
6. Payment of Permit Fees
7. Lost/Stolen Permits
8. Permit Refunds
9. Permit Misuse
9. UT Health Science Center

SECTION VI: ENFORCEMENT

1. Parking and Traffic Citations
2. Failure to Discharge Court Appearance Citations
3. University Citations
4. Appeals from University Citations
5. Initial Review of Appeal
6. Appeals Panel
7. Failure to Pay Citation Charges
8. Vehicle Immobilization or Impoundment
9. Suspension of Privileges
10. Collections
11.  No Excuse

SECTION VII: DRIVING AND PARKING OFFENSES

APPENDIX A: PARKING FEES TABLE

 

SECTION I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. General:

Pursuant to the authority granted by Sections 51.201 et seq., 54.005, 54.505, 65.31, and 67.21 of Title 3 of the Texas Education Code, and Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, these Parking and Traffic Regulations are promulgated to regulate and control parking and traffic and the use of parking facilities, to provide for the issuance of parking permits, and to provide for jurisdiction over offenses. These regulations and procedures apply to any person who walks, drives, or parks a vehicle on University property. These rules and regulations are supplementary to applicable ordinances of the City of San Antonio and the statutes of the State of Texas that govern pedestrians and the use of motor vehicles and bicycles.

A. The operation of a motor vehicle or bicycle on University property is a PRIVILEGE granted by the University and is not an inherent right of any faculty/staff member, student, or visitor. All faculty, staff, students, and visitors who park on University property must have a University parking permit or park in a short-term paid parking space. A parking permit signifies that an individual has been granted the privilege of parking a vehicle on University property and does not guarantee a parking place on campus.

B. The University assumes no liability or responsibility for damage to or theft of any vehicle parked or driven on campus. The University assumes no responsibility or any duty to protect any vehicle or its contents at anytime the vehicle is operated or parked on the campus.  No bailment is created by granting any parking or operating privileges regarding a vehicle on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the University. 

C. These regulations are in effect at all times on University property.

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2. Administration and Enforcement of these Regulations:

A. THE UNIVERSITY STANDING COMMITTEE ON PARKING AND TRAFFIC: The University Standing Committee on Parking and Traffic is composed of twelve voting members consisting of a minimum of three faculty, three staff members, and three UTSA students. One representative each from Student Affairs, Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Development, and the University Police Department serve ex officio.  Appointment of the Committee members will be consistent with current University policy. Faculty/staff members shall serve two-year terms and student members will serve one-year terms. The charge is to review operational guidelines and to make recommendations to the Vice President for Business Affairs and to develop recommendations for revisions in these regulations as are necessary to ensure an efficient parking and traffic system. 

B. UNIVERSITY PARKING APPEALS PANEL:  The University Parking Appeals Panel is composed of three members consisting of one faculty member, one staff member, and one UTSA student member.  The Vice President for Business Affairs will appoint Appeals Panel members and designated alternates.  Panelists shall serve one-year terms. The appeals panel’s charge is to hear appeals from the decision of the Appeals Officer relating to parking and traffic citations.  The panel may uphold the citation, reduce the citation to a lesser included offense, reduce the citation to a warning, or invalidate the citation. 

C. PTS Appeals Officer:  All first level parking citation appeals will be disposed by a member of the PTS staff in the role of Appeals Officer (AO).  The AO will read the appeal, review the information on the citation as well as relevant Parking & Traffic Rules and Regulations, and render a decision.  The AO may uphold the citation, reduce the citation to a lesser included offense, reduce the citation to a warning, or invalidate the citation.

D. Parking and Transportation Services (PTS): The PTS office is authorized to enforce these regulations and is responsible for the administrative functions relating to parking permits; establishing procedures and requirements for the issuance of parking permits; the collection of enforcement fees for parking and traffic violations; establishing requirements for the submission of appeals; the processing of appeals from parking and traffic citations; and for management of parking lots and garages. PTS supervises Parking Assistants who issue parking citations.

E. The University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department (UTPD): UTPD is authorized to enforce these regulations at any time or under any circumstances deemed necessary by UTPD. UTPD police officers may issue University citations or court appearance citations enforceable in municipal court.

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3. Authority:  PTS and UTPD are authorized to enforce these regulations:

A. Through the issuance of University citations and collection of enforcement fees, including the referral of individual cases pertaining to unpaid campus citations to a national collection agency;

B. Through the impoundment of vehicles interfering with the movement of vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic, blocking a sidewalk or space for those with disabilities, loading dock, ramp, cross-walk, entrance, exit, fire lane, or aisle;

C. Through the impoundment or booting of vehicles for unpaid enforcement fees or display of a lost, altered or stolen parking permit after proper notice (issuance of previous citations, vehicle notification, holds on records, and/or citation invoice);

D. By the suspension, revocation, or denial of campus driving privileges, parking permit, and garage access privileges to those with overdue charges or who have violated these regulations;

E. By requiring either the vehicle owner or operator or the person who purchased the permit to appear in court for certain moving violations or at a University hearing for non-payment of outstanding charges or other violations of these regulations;

F. By barring re-admission and by withholding grades, degree, refunds, and official transcript of any student for non-payment of outstanding charges in accordance with University standards;

G. By disciplinary action against employees or students who fail to abide by these regulations;

H. By such other methods as are commonly employed by city governments or state agencies in control of traffic regulation enforcement.

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4. Proof:

The issuance of a citation reflecting the existence of any parking or traffic control device, sign, short-term spaces, signal, or marking at any location on University property shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was in existence and was official and installed under the authority of applicable law and these regulations, and prima facie evidence that the vehicle was then and there stopped, parked, or left standing by the vehicle operator or otherwise operated in violation of these rules.

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5. Responsibility:

A. The person to whom a University parking permit is issued is responsible for any citation issued with respect to a car displaying that permit or a vehicle registered through PTS by that person. 

B. If the vehicle does not display a valid University parking permit and is not registered through PTS to any University permit holder, then the person to whom the vehicle is registered through the Texas Department of Transportation at the time of issuance of the citation and that individual’s university affiliate (faculty, staff or student) are responsible for the citation. 

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6. Collection Methods:

The University may arrange for collection of debts due to the University pursuant to these regulations in the following manner:

A. Permit payments may be deducted from employee payroll checks with the employee’s permission.

B. A financial hold will be placed against students for past due debts.

C. Use of a commercial collection agency or attorney to collect past due fees for permits or citations.  Late fee will accrue.

D. No parking permit will be issued to any individual who has outstanding PTS debts under these regulations or otherwise in accordance with University standards.

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SECTION II: DEFINITIONS

The following defined terms are in addition to the definitions and terms of the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, which apply on University property.

1. CAMPUS or UNIVERSITY PROPERTY:  The property under the control of the University.
2. CONTRACT EMPLOYEE:  Any person employed by a business, which has contracted to operate a business, or service function of the University.
3. Court Appearance ("CA") Citations: Those issued by UTPD Officers constituting a summons to appear in either municipal court or a justice court.
4. DRIVER or VEHICLE OPERATOR:  Any person who drives, operates or is in actual physical control of a vehicle on University property.
5. EMPLOYEE:  Any person employed by the University regardless of whether the person is employed with or without salary.
6. NO PARKING AREAS/ ZONES:  Red or yellow curbs, yellow/white diagonal stripes (Zebra stripes); “X” between parallel parking spaces; loading zones; “No Parking” painted on surface, curbs and “No Parking” signs on crosswalks and bus terminals. 
7. OFFICIAL VISITOR: An individual who is not eligible for an annual University parking permit and who comes to campus to conduct important business or to render an important service to the University.  Spouses, parents, and children of faculty, staff, and students are generally considered to be affiliated with UTSA and are not official visitors.
8. PARKING PERMIT:  Permit issued by PTS that authorizes parking on University property.
9. PTS:  The University Parking and Transportation Services department.
10. SHORT TERM PARKING SPACE: Any parking space for which the payment of an hourly rate is required. 
11. STUDENT:  Any person who is or has been within the last six months registered, enrolled at the University (including special students, part-time students, auditing individuals, teaching assistant students, graders, and research assistants).
12. UNIVERSITY:  The University of Texas at San Antonio
13. UNIVERSITY PARKING CITATIONS: Those parking citations subject to University administrative enforcement charges and a right to appeal within University procedures as outlined in these regulations.
14. UTPD:  The University Police Department.
15. VEHICLE:  Includes automobiles, buses, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, motor scooters, motorbikes, mopeds, bicycles, golf carts, club cars, and tractors.
16. VENDOR:  Vendor and service permits are designed for non-affiliates of the university; students enrolled at UTSA are not eligible for vendor/service permits.

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SECTION III: TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

1.  Compliance: Every vehicle operator shall comply with these regulations, State law, and all traffic control devices at all times, unless otherwise specifically directed ny PTS or UTPD.

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2. Special Instructions: No person shall fail to comply with any instruction related to traffic or parking given by a University police officer or Director or Assistant Director of PTS or a PTS parking assistant.

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3. Temporary Restrictions: The Director of PTS or Chief of UTPD is authorized to temporarily implement restrictions that govern parking and traffic relating to construction, emergency situations, or special events on campus, and by agreement with the City of San Antonio,  on public streets. Notice of such restrictions may be given by the posting of temporary signs or barriers or in any other area deemed appropriate.

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4. Speed Limits: 20 mph on campus roads, 15 mph in parking lots, and 10 mph in parking garages and service drives is the maximum speed limit, at all times, unless otherwise posted.

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5. Traffic Obstruction: No person shall park or bring to a halt on the campus any vehicle in such a manner as to interfere with normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic or jeopardize safety or University property.

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6. Vehicles in Buildings: With the exception of wheelchairs or as otherwise specifically authorized by PTS, no person shall place, use, park or otherwise leave a vehicle within any University building, except parking lots, garages, and streets, at any time.

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7. Sidewalks, Grass, or Shrubbery: No person shall drive a vehicle on a sidewalk, walkway, patio, plaza, grass, shrubbery or any unmarked or unimproved ground area unless such areas are signed and marked for driving, except as specifically authorized by PTS or UTPD.

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8. Roller-Skates, Skateboards and Scooters: No person shall use roller-skates, a skateboard, or a scooter on University property.

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9. Passenger Pick-Up and Drop-Off: No person shall stop a vehicle on any street, alley, or driveway on the campus for the purpose of picking-up or dropping-off a pedestrian without first drawing up to the right-hand curb.

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10. Pedestrians: Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks, in intersections, and on sidewalks extending across a service drive, building entrance, or driveway. Pedestrians crossing a street at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the street. No pedestrian shall stand on the traveled portion of any street, alley, or driveway in such a manner as to obstruct or prevent the free flow of traffic.

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SECTION IV: PARKING REGULATIONS

1. General: A vehicle operator shall park only in a parking space as authorized by the parking permit displayed or as otherwise specifically authorized by PTS or UTPD.  Each parking space within a lot or garage shall be marked or defined by appropriate signs and/or other markings.

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2.  Use of Parking Permits:  no person shall lend, sell, or otherwise allow another person to use their permit, except as specifically authorized by these regulations.

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3.  Manner of Parking:  No person shall:

1. Park without a current parking permit or payment of the designated short-term parking, except as specifically authorized by PTS or UTPD.
2. Park a vehicle such that it occupies portions of more than one parking space.
3. Park a vehicle with the left wheels to the curb unless parked on a one-way street.
4. Double park a vehicle.
5.  Park a vehicle in a manner that obstructs “Disabled” parking spaces, walkways, driveways, ramps, loading docks, or marked crosswalks.
6. Park any vehicle on a sidewalk, walkway, patio, plaza, grass, shrubbery or any unmarked or unimproved ground area.
7. Park a vehicle, or permit a vehicle to stand in or block access to any area designated as a fire lane or 15 feet in either direction of a fire hydrant. Fire lanes are designated by posted signs and/or yellow or red painted curbs. Any emergency authorization for use of fire lanes must be obtained through UTPD.
8. Park a vehicle in a no parking zone
9. Park a vehicle in an area designated as a bus stop. 
10. Park in a space with a barricade or remove a barricade, except as specifically authorized by PTS or UTPD.
11. Park a trailer, recreational or mobile home on University property unless specifically coordinated and approved by PTS.
12. Park or store a bicycle except at designated bicycle parking areas

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4. Loading Zones: Vehicle operators may park in a Loading Zone (LZ) for 15 minutes to load/unload a vehicle. Once the loading/unloading process has been completed or the time limit has expired, the space must be vacated.

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5. Disabled Parking: No person shall park a vehicle in a "Disabled" space without a University permit and appropriate state disabled placard or license plate.  Persons with disabilities whose vehicles display the appropriate disability license plates, permits, or placards issued by the State of Texas, and disability plates, permits, and placards issued by other states are exempt from the payment of fees in paid short-term parking.

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6. Veteran Parking: Disabled Veterans, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients, Former Prisoners of War, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and Purple Heart Recipients, whose vehicles display the special license plates issued by the Texas Department of Transportation, are exempt from the payment of fees at paid short-term parking and are further exempt from the payment of fees for any University parking permit for which they are otherwise eligible, in accordance with State law.

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7. Visitor Parking:  Official Visitors will be offered no-cost visitor permits, not to exceed three days without the specific permission of the Director of PTS.  All other visitors without a permit must park at a short-term paid parking space. 

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8. Emergency Vehicle Parking: Emergency vehicles are exempt from the provisions of these regulations when being operated in response to an emergency situation.

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9. Abandoned Vehicles: The University may deem a vehicle parked on University property for more than 48 hours without a valid permit to be abandoned and may remove such vehicle as provided in Section 10 of Chapter VII, Part Two of the Regents’ Rules and Regulations.

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SECTION V: PARKING PERMITS

1. Issuance of Permits:

The Director of PTS may issue a parking permit to any employees or students of the University and vendors operating on the campus upon payment of the appropriate fee.  The Director of PTS shall allocate permits, at the director’s discretion, among the faculty, staff, students, and visitors of the University in a manner intended to serve the needs of the University. 

A parking permit will be issued upon application and payment of the parking permit fee to PTS. An individual is authorized to purchase only one permit, with the exception of a motorcycle permit, and may only use one permit at any time. A hangtag parking permit is transferable to any passenger vehicle being operated by or for the transportation of the permit holder. Ownership of all permits remains with the University and is not transferable.

The Director of PTS may issue special permits for events to the host department.  Parking areas are subject to closure by the Director of PTS for special events, construction or other special circumstances. The Director of PTS may establish fees for special circumstance parking, including event parking.

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2.  Classes of Permits and Eligibility:

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3. Display of Permits: Permits shall be affixed on the vehicle according to the instructions furnished on the permit. Each academic year a permit holder who fails to display their permit will be allowed three warnings for parking in an authorized area without displaying the permit.

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4. Surrender or Removal of Permits:

A.  Termination of Relationship with UTSA:  A permit holder shall return their permit to the PTS when the permit holder’s relationship with the University terminates. Permits not returned to PTS remain active and the permit holder is responsible for the permit fee and any outstanding debt associated with the permit.

B.  Permit holders are required to remove and surrender their permit:

• In the case of a decal permit when there is a change in ownership of the vehicle
• When a replacement permit has been issued
• Upon revocation of the permit

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5. Expiration of Permits: Permits expire on the date listed on the face of the permit.

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6. Payment of Permit Fees: When an application is made for a permit, the fee charged will be for the entire permit period or for the entire unexpired portion of the permit period. for specific permit fees. Permits may be purchased with the following payment methods:

A. Payroll deduction (for eligible employees only)

B. MasterCard or Discover

C. Checks or Money orders (made payable to The University of Texas at San Antonio)

D. United States Currency

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7. Lost/Stolen Permits: A permit holder shall immediately report to PTS any lost/stolen permit and complete the associated report. Lost/stolen permits may be replaced for a fee of $10.

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8. Permit Refunds: When a valid permit is returned any refund due will be prorated based on the number of full months of parking privileges remaining.

A. All refund requests must be accompanied by the permit, permit remnants showing the permit number, or a lost/stolen permit report.

B. Refund requests will be honored only if the person's parking and driving privileges have not been suspended and there are no outstanding charges or other debts remain unpaid.

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9. Permit Misuse:  Misuse of any permit shall result in confiscation of the permit, and no permit shall be issued to that individual for at least one year thereafter.  PTS is authorized to suspend campus parking and driving privileges on University property for any person whose vehicle is cited for displaying a lost, stolen, or altered permit, or any UTSA parking permit not issued in accordance with these regulations. Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Faculty/Staff will have the matter forwarded to the appropriate Dean, Director, or Department Head for disciplinary action.

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10.  UT Health Science Permits:  Vehicles bearing UTHSC parking permits shall park in Student General areas, non-designated or unassigned parking spaces at the UTSA 1604 campus and at either the IH-35 UTSA parking area, Cattleman’s Square, the Monterey Building parking lot or the UTSA Durango Loop parking lot.  Two-wheel vehicles bearing UTHSC motorcycle parking permits must park in restricted areas for motorcycle parking.  UTHSC disabled students or faculty staff members must possess a current UTHSC parking permit and the appropriate license plate and /or placard or hangtag from the Texas Department of Transportation or disabled permit from the County Tax Assessor Collector and must be displayed before parking in specially designated disabled parking areas at any of the UTSA campuses.

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SECTION VI: ENFORCEMENT

1. Parking and Traffic Citations:

A. Issuance:  Any person violating these regulations may receive a citation.

B. PTS Authority:  University Parking Assistants are authorized to write University parking citations.

C.  UTPD Authority:  UTPD officers are authorized to issue University citations and court appearance citations for violation of these regulations.  It is the general policy of the University to issue court appearance citations only for moving violations and for any violation when the individual's driving or parking privileges have been suspended, although UTPD may issue a court appearance for any appropriate violation.

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2. Failure to Discharge Court Appearance Citations: Failure to discharge a court appearance citation may result in the issuance of an arrest warrant.

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3. University Citations: University citations are issued for offenses listed in SECTION VII: DRIVING AND PARKING OFFENSES. Any person receiving a University citation must remit the amount of the charge or submit an appeal to PTS within 14 days after issuance of the citation.  Any towing, booting, and/or storage fees for removal of an impounded or immobilized vehicle or bicycle must be paid regardless of whether an appeal has been submitted.

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4. Appeals from University Citations: Any person issued a University citation may appeal the citation to the University's designated Appeals Officer within fourteen (14) calendar days of the citation's issuance by completing the appropriate PTS form.  Boot Administrative citations and towing or storage fees are not eligible for appeal.

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5. Initial Review of Appeal: When a citation is appealed the appeal is heard by the Appeals Officer within PTS. The appellant may request an in-person appearance.  The Appeals Officer shall review all appeals with 15 working days of receipt.  Approval will be sought from the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs if additional time is needed to review appeals.

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6. Appeals Panel: Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Appeals Officer may appeal the decision of the Appeals Officer.  Any such appeal will be heard by the University's Parking Appeals Panel and will be “on the record.” That is, the appellant will not have the opportunity to appear in person.  An appeal of the Appeals Officer’s decision must be submitted with 14 days after the Appeals Officer renders a decision and must be accompanied by payment of the fine.  The amount of the citation will be refunded if the Panel finds in favor of the appellant.  The Panel will make reasonable efforts to review the written appeal within 45 days after the appeal the Appeals Officer’s decision is submitted.  The decision of the Appeals Panel is final.

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7. Failure to Pay Citation Charges: Failure to pay or appeal the citation within 14 calendar days will result in a $10 late fee per citation.  Unpaid citations can result in student financial holds preventing students from receiving grades, refunds, official transcripts, or graduating.  Multiple violations within one academic year may result in suspension of driving and parking privileges on campus and/or disciplinary action.

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8. Vehicle Immobilization or Impoundment: PTS or UTPD may immobilize (boot) or impound (tow/relocate to a storage area) the vehicle of any person who accumulates four (4) or more unpaid parking or traffic citations and/or charges of $200 or more, has any outstanding citation over 120 days past due, or who is in possession of a lost, stolen or altered parking permit.  All outstanding citations must be paid in full prior to the release of the vehicle.  Vehicles may also be booted for other violations of these regulations or State law in the discretion of UTPD. The University is not responsible for any damage to the vehicle during booting, towing, relocation, or storage.  Vehicles booted for longer than 36 hours may be impounded (towed to a storage area), after notice has been posted on the vehicle. The owner and operator are severally responsible for any booting, towing, or storage fees.

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9. Suspension of Privileges:  Driving and parking privileges may be suspended by PTS, UTPD or Judicial Affairs if the violator has displayed a lost, stolen or altered permit or other flagrant violations of these regulations. The loss of the privilege of driving or parking a vehicle on campus shall commence immediately following notification of suspension. Such notification shall state the term of the suspension and consequences for violation of the stated terms. The violations of the suspension shall be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs if the person is a student or to the appropriate dean, director, or administrative official for possible disciplinary action if the person is a faculty or staff member.

A. If a person whose privilege of driving or parking on campus has been suspended receives a University citation by reason of having a vehicle on campus during the period of their suspension, the period of suspension may be extended.

B. Suspensions may be appealed within fourteen (14) calendar days on the grounds that the imposition of such suspension is improper or will create serious and substantial hardship. No appeal shall be considered if there are any unpaid citations outstanding at the time such appeal is filed, unless special arrangements are made with the PTS Office.  During the appeals period the suspension remains in effect. 

C. A person receiving notice that their privilege of driving or parking University property has been suspended shall return, without refund, the remnants of the permit issued (or the entire hanging permit) to the PTS Office within fourteen (14) days after date of such notice.

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10. Collections: Any charge not paid when due may be forwarded to an outside collection agency or an attorney for collection.

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11.  No Excuse:

The absence of sufficient parking spaces on the University campus is not justification for violation of these regulations. Failure to enforce any regulation shall not constitute a waiver of the University’s authority to enforce these regulations.  Other improperly parked vehicles do not constitute an excuse for improper parking.

Permit holders are responsible for all fees and fines issued to a vehicle displaying a parking permit issued to the permit holder or a vehicle registered to the permit holder or a member of the permit holder’s family. Use of the parking permit evidences that the permit holder agrees to abide by these regulations.

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SECTION VII: DRIVING AND PARKING OFFENSES