Rules for Operating a Motor Vehicle on Campus
Definitions: For the purpose of these procedures, the word “parking” means any vehicle which is stopped and/or waiting, regardless of the period of time the vehicle is stopped or whether a driver is present, except for a vehicle immobilized by traffic control, congestion, or accident.
The word “vehicle” means any type of motor-powered conveyance including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorhomes, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, hover boards, personal assistive mobility devices and all methods of transportation on wheels.
- (1) Anyone operating a vehicle on campus will observe posted speed limits, barricades, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, and stop signs and will drive in a safe and prudent manner. The speed limit on campus is 15 MPH. Driving or parking vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, or motorized bicycles on sidewalks, lawns, and other areas not designated for driving, parking, or public thoroughfare is prohibited.
- (2) All vehicles must be parked in legally marked parking spaces and will be cited for parking in a no parking zone if parked on the grass, sidewalk, yellow zone, etc. Exceptions to this rule may only be considered if it is requested and approved through Parking Services prior to parking in a no parking zone.
- (3) Parking procedures may change from time to time. In the event of conflict between traffic signs or markings and printed procedures, the signs or markings will prevail.
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY
- (1) All persons operating vehicles on campus are responsible for knowing and adhering to the procedures herein. All parking and vehicle operating procedures are enforced 24 hours per day year round, including summer term and holidays, unless posted otherwise. All vehicles driven or parked on SOU property shall be legally licensed and operated by a legally licensed driver. The license must be displayed upon request of Campus Public Safety Officers.
- (2) The responsibility for locating a legal parking space rests with the operator of the vehicle. Lack of parking space or an overabundance of parking space is not a valid excuse for violating any University parking rules or procedures. Before arriving on campus, we recommend reviewing the SOU Parking Lot Zone Map to familiarize yourself with where you can park. Please allow yourself ample time to get to your destination.
- (3) Vehicles must park within the marked parking space and must not take up more than one space. Vehicles larger than what one parking space will allow (i.e. motorhomes, RV’s, etc.) must obtain prior approval from Parking Director to park on campus.
- (4) Persons whose vehicles have broken down on the campus must immediately notify Parking Services. Mechanical repairs to vehicles on the campus are prohibited. Abandoned or junked vehicles remaining on the campus more than 24 hours will be removed at the owner’s expense. Unlicensed vehicles parked on the campus will be considered abandoned and subject to removal at the owner’s expense. Unlicensed vehicles include those with expired vehicle registration. Campus parking includes the parking lots located at Family Housing.
- (5) Southern Oregon University assumes no liability for personal injuries or for the care and/or protection of any vehicle or its contents while the vehicle is operated or parked on campus property.
- (6) Vehicles involved in driving safety violations may have their vehicle permits to park on campus revoked by the Campus Public Safety and Parking Director. Revocations may be appealed through the Traffic Planning and Parking Committee (TPPC).
- (7) Dangerous driving includes but is not limited to wrong way driving, high speed, spinning tires or operating a vehicle not under control.
- (8) Persons using physical or verbal abuse in violation of university conduct rules directed at Parking officials, Campus Public Safety personnel, and/or any University Parking staff may be subject to disciplinary action and have their driving/parking privileges on campus revoked by the Campus Public Safety and Parking Director. Revocations may be appealed through the Transportation Planning and Parking Committee (TPPC) process.
- (9) Parking on campus is first come, first serve. Vehicles with valid virtual permits are not guaranteed a parking space on the campus.
- (10) Vehicles with virtual permits are not exempt from timed parking restrictions. Timed parking zones are limited and are intended for visitors with SOU business and/or seeking to enroll at Southern Oregon University. Vehicles with valid virtual permits may park in parking spaces posted with a time limit, but only for the allotted time posted.
- (11) Mopeds, scooters, & motorcycles are treated as any other “vehicle” and must purchase an annual or term virtual permit.
- (12) Vehicles parked inside University buildings will be towed at the owner’s expense.
- (13) Government Vehicles not assigned a permanent parking space may only be parked for a period of 24 hours in Faculty/Staff or Student parking zones unless prior permission has been obtained from Parking Services. Vehicles may be liable for enforcement action for non-compliance. Government vehicles are not exempt from parking in timed spaces for periods longer than the amount of time posted on the signs.
- (14) Bus parking on campus is generally limited to parking lot #36. All bus parking must be arranged/approved with SOU parking services prior to arrival on campus.
DISABLED PARKING ON CAMPUS
Disabled parking is in accordance with ORS 811.602, 811.605, 811.606, 811.607, and 811.615. Only vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or license plate issued and registered at the Motor Vehicles Division will be allowed to park in spaces posted for use by disabled persons. These vehicles must also display an SOU virtual permit or meter permit unless otherwise posted.
Temporary placards are issued by the Motor Vehicle Division for persons with qualifying temporary disabilities (as provided by ORS 811.606 and 811.640). The requirements for parking on campus apply for all disabled parking listed above.
Vehicles with a valid disabled placard or license plate and SOU virtual permit may park in any parking zone or space without incurring citations, except timed spaces or reserved spaces.
Vehicle Registration System: Virtual Permits
The SOU parking department uses a parking software system called NuPark, which utilizes License Plate Recognition (LPR) Technology.
The SOU Parking Enforcement vehicles have LPR cameras on them that scan license plates while driving through the parking lots. SOU no longer issues or recognizes “physical” parking permits (hangtags, printouts, decals). All permits to park on campus, long term and short term, are now “virtual”. A “virtual” permit is registered to a vehicle’s license plate, and is not a physical permit placed on or inside the vehicle. In order to be recognized as valid by the SOU parking department, an SOU virtual permit must be purchased: online through the parking services website portal, at one of the visitor parking meters on campus, or via the PayByPhone smartphone application. Virtual permits are serialized for use on specific vehicle(s) with a license plate designated by the purchaser at the time of purchase.
Permit Types and Eligibility
- (1) Student Commuters: if you are an enrolled student who currently lives off campus, (this includes family housing) you qualify for a student commuter virtual permit. This virtual permit allows you to register up to two vehicles, but only one is permitted to park on campus at a time. This permit is valid to park in SOU lots posted on the entrance signs as “Student Commuter Parking Zone”.
- (2) Student Residents: If you are an enrolled student who lives on campus in the Residence Halls (this does not include family housing), you qualify for a student resident virtual parking permit. This virtual permit allows you to register up to two vehicles, but only one is permitted to park on campus at a time. This permit is valid to park in SOU lots posted on the lot entrance signs as “Student Resident Parking Zone”.
- (3) Faculty/Staff: Faculty/Staff employed by SOU either full or part time qualify for a faculty/staff virtual permit. This virtual permit allows you to register up to three vehicles, but only one is permitted to park on campus at a time. This permit is the only one valid to park in SOU lots posted on the entrance signs as “Faculty/Staff Parking Zone”. Faculty/staff virtual permits are also valid to park in all student parking zones.
- (4) Carpool Permits- available for faculty/staff and commuter students. If a group of two or more faculty or staff members desire to carpool to the University or register more than one vehicle, they must purchase on Virtual Carpool Parking Permit. This permit can be used on any one of the carpool vehicles registered with the Parking and Transportation Services. If a group of two or more commuter students who have classes at least three (3) days per week and share the same class schedule desire to carpool to the University or register more than once vehicle, they must purchase one Virtual Carpool Parking Permit which can be used on any one of the carpool vehicles registered with the Parking Department. Only one vehicle is permitted to park on campus at a time.
Carpool permits are not intended to promote permit sharing, but to reduce vehicles on campus by encouraging ride sharing. Faculty/Staff virtual carpool permits are permitted to park in any of the lots that a regular faculty/staff virtual permit may park in. Student Commuter Virtual Carpool Permits are valid to park in any “Student commuter parking zone”. Student Residents do not qualify for carpool virtual permits.
(5) VIP parking permits are issued only to select individuals; eligibility is designated through the Office of the President. If you have been issued a VIP hang tag in the past, you are still required to contact the parking department to register your vehicle(s) with our LPR system. The system will then assign your vehicle a “virtual” permit. Physical VIP hangtag permits are no longer recognized as valid by the SOU parking department, and failure to register your vehicles with the parking department could result in a parking citation. VIP virtual permits will be valid one year from issuance. After one year you will be required to register again for a VIP virtual permit. This will help us to ensure that your vehicle information is still up to date in our system, and that the permit holder has not sold or purchased any new vehicles. After verification that you are still eligible for VIP permit status, you will be issued a new virtual permit which will be valid for one more year from that date. VIP permit holders are allowed to register up to three of their vehicles to their virtual permit- however only one of those vehicles are permitted to park on campus at one given time. VIP parking permits are valid to park in faculty/staff and all student parking zones.
(6) Emeritus parking permits are only eligible for SOU retired faculty. If you have been issued an Emeritus decal permit in the past, you are still required to register your vehicle(s) with our LPR system. The system will then assign your vehicle a virtual permit. Physical decal permits are no longer recognized as valid by the SOU parking department, and failure to register your vehicles with the parking department could result in a parking citation. Emeritus virtual permits will be valid one year from issuance. After one year you will be required to register again for your emeritus virtual permit. This will help us to ensure that your vehicle information is still up to date in our system, and that the permit holder has not sold our purchased any new vehicles. Emeritus permit holders are allowed to register up to three of their vehicles to their virtual permit- however only one of those vehicles are permitted to park on campus at one given time. Emeritus parking permits are valid to park in faculty/staff and all student parking zones.
Permit Returns and Refunds
Timeframe for Returns:
- Annual Virtual Permits- can only be returned for a prorated refund if requested during the first term of the academic year (fall term).
- Single Term Permits- can only be returned for a refund if requested within the first two weeks of that term.
Payment Refunds:
- If you have an outstanding balance for parking citations: you can still request a permit return, however any refund will first be applied towards paying off that balance.
- All refunds will be returned via the same payment method in which the permit was originally purchased:
- If you purchased your permit with a credit/debit card, any refunds will be applied back onto that card.
- If you purchased your permit via tuition charge (available to students only), any refunds will be applied as a credit onto your SOU account.
- If you chose the payment option of Payroll Deduction (available to employees only), payroll will cancel the automated $25/month deductions from your paycheck starting on the next pay period.
If interested in returning a virtual permit, email: parking@sou.edu
Parking Permits: Visitor/Guest/Short Term/Long Term
Parking Permit Zone Permissions
All vehicles parked on the University campus are required to register their vehicle license plate through parking services in order to obtain a virtual SOU permit where the posted lot entrance signs require a virtual permit. Because some campus lots allow multiple permit types to park within them, there are colored circles (dots) painted in the parking spaces that indicate which virtual permitted vehicles are allowed to park there.
PARKING LOT ZONES/COLORS:
- Faculty/Staff parking zones have yellow colored dots painted in the parking spaces where a faculty/staff virtual permit may park.
- Student Commuter parking zones have green colored dots painted in the parking spaces where a commuter student virtual permit may park.
- Student Resident parking zones have red colored dots painted in the parking spaces where a student resident virtual permit may park.
- Visitor/Short Term Permit parking zones have white colored dots painted in the parking spaces where a valid short term permit may park, purchased either at one of the parking meters or via the paybyphone smartphone application.
Some parking spaces have combined colored dots, indicated the virtual permit types that may park there. For example: If a parking spaces has a green and white dot, it means vehicles with either a student commuter virtual permit or a virtual short term permit may park there.
ZONE ENFORCEMENT TIMES:
- Student Resident (red) parking zones, and metered lots are enforced 24 hours a day, including summer term and holidays, unless posted otherwise. All other lots are enforced as indicated herein:
- Faculty/staff (yellow) parking zones are enforced 6am-6pm. 6pm-6am and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) any valid virtual permit (long or short term) may park in this zone.
- Student Commuter (green) parking zones are enforced 6am-6pm. 6pm-6am and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) any valid virtual permit (long or short term) may park in this zone.
- Visitor short term permit parking zones (white dots) are enforced 24 hours a day.
There is no overnight parking in Student Commuter and Faculty/Staff parking lots.
Event and Group Parking
The Parking Department charges a fee for all events on campus, even those during evenings and weekends. Events can be paid for via the hosting group, or the individual event guests. An “Event” is defined as any activity occurring on Southern Oregon University property which requires use of 5 or more parking spaces in SOU parking lots. This includes all Conferences, Presentations, Concerts, Sports Games, Workshops, etc. Parking is first come, first served. Campus parking rules are enforced at all times, including evenings, weekends, and summer.
To arrange parking for an event: Persons, departments, or outside groups sponsoring University-hosted or community events must submit an Event Parking Request form at least two weeks prior to the event. The Parking Department will have authority to approve or deny event parking requests, as well as determine which parking zones may be used for events. For any questions about event parking, contact the SOU parking department.
Service Vehicles, Delivery Vehicles, and Loading Zones
Loading Zones are single parking spaces located throughout the campus and are reserved for people loading and unloading heavy or bulky packages;
- (a) Signed loading zones are limited to 30-minute occupancy;
- (b) Loading zones are enforced at all times unless otherwise posted.
Loading Docks:
- (a) Loading docks are reserved for delivery vehicles;
- (b) Under special circumstances, a private vehicle may be issued special use permission at Campus Public Safety;
- (c) Loading docks are enforced at all times unless otherwise posted.
Service Vehicles Spaces:
- (a) Spaces are reserved for service vehicles;
- (b) Under special circumstances, a private vehicle may be issued special use permission to park in a non-designated parking space from the CPS/Parking Director. Vehicles must get permission from the director prior to parking on campus.
Service Vehicles are defined as University-owned service trucks or cars, vehicles with commercial permits, or vehicles with special temporary service permits performing a service for Southern Oregon University.
Delivery Vehicles are defined as vehicles owned by companies doing pick-up and delivery business with the University departments or vehicles with temporary special delivery permits on pick-up and delivery business.
Transportation Planning and Parking Committee
- (1) The Transportation Planning and Parking Committee (TPPC), is established to advise on policies, procedures, and programs which address the transportation needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors who access the Ashland campus, including routes and parking within the campus. Further, the committee makes recommendations to the Director of Campus Public Safety and Parking to create and/or modifying traffic and parking policies and assists in the equitable, effective, and economic regulation of vehicle use on campus. Included in these duties is the adjudication of second appeals for parking citations and consideration of petitions for reserved parking. The committee will be convened as necessary to address campus parking complaints/recommendations, and review final citation appeals.
- (2) The TPPC will include faculty and staff members identified through the Administrative Committee appointment procedure, and student members recommended by the Student Senate. A minimum of three members at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. Each member of the TPPC will be appointed for a minimum of three years. Terms of office will be staggered to provide continuity.
- (3) The Director of Campus Public Safety and Parking, being responsible for the enforcement of these procedures, has authority over the TPPC, and makes the final decisions. The purpose of the TPPC is for advising and recommendations.
Parking Violations and Penalties for Offenses
Citable Violations and Fines:
- (1) No registered permit: Fine $30 (Vehicles parked in permit-required parking areas without a valid permit may be cited once in a period of 24 hours).
- (2) Fraudulent Use of Permit: Fine $50 (Example: More than one vehicle registered to the same virtual permit parking on campus simultaneously)
- (3) Incorrect Permit Zone: Fine $20. (Example: A vehicle with a Student Commuter Virtual Permit parking in a Student Resident parking only zone)
- (4) Disabled Space Parking: Fine $190 (first offense). Additional offenses are subject to a fine of $450. (Example: A vehicle not displaying a valid state issued DMV disabled placard parking in a handicap reserved space)
- (5) Overtime parking: Fine $25. (Vehicles in timed parking zones may be cited when their time parked exceeds the posted time limit. The vehicle may be cited again after double the posted time limit is exceeded.)
- (6) Blocking Wheelchair Ramp: Fine $100.
- (7) Improper Parking: Fine $15. (Example: A vehicle parking over the line into another parking space)
- (8) No Parking Zone: Fine $40. (Examples: parking along a yellow curb, parking on the sidewalk, in a walkway, on the grass, or entering a parking lot that is blocked off).
- (9) Reserved Space Parking: Fine $75. (Example: A car parking in a space that is posted with a sign stating it is reserved for motorcycles only).
- (10) Blocking traffic: Fine $50. (Example: Parking in the middle of a roadway).
- (11) Boot Vehicle: Fine $50.00. (A wheel lock being placed on a vehicle’s tire due to unpaid parking fines).
- (12) Abandoned Vehicle: Fine $100. (Example: A vehicle without a valid parking permit parked in a space without moving for at least 72 hours).
- (13) Meter Permit Expired: Fine $10. (Example: Vehicles that purchased a meter permit that same calendar day, but it has expired.) Vehicles displaying expired meter permits from previous days receive the $30.00 fine for having no permit).
- (14) Littering: Fine $30. Depositing litter or debris on a University parking lot, roadway or bikeway is not permitted. (This includes discarding parking citations and or envelopes on the ground).
- (15) Other Violations not defined by 1-15 above. $50
- (16) A vehicle may be towed off campus property and impounded at the owner’s expense (including additional administrative fees) under the following circumstances:
(a) Any vehicle is causing imminent danger to people or University property;
(b) Any vehicle is without a valid virtual parking permit and has records of $100 or more in unpaid citations (may be towed or booted);
(c) Any vehicle is left parked or standing in an area not normally used for parking, including parking on a sidewalk or on grass;
(d) Any vehicle is improperly parked in a disabled space;
(e) Any vehicle is blocking traffic, another vehicle, any door or fire exit, access to any trash container, fire lane, crosswalk, driveway, or it poses any other safety hazard (may also be cited for blocking traffic);
(f) Any vehicle is determined by the Campus Public Safety and Parking Director to be abandoned on University property.
*Vehicles may be cited for multiple of the following violations in a single incident*
All parking citations are printed out on waterproof paper, placed in a bright orange mailing envelope, and placed under the driver’s side windshield wiper of the vehicle so the driver is made aware that a citation has been issued.
If, during the process of issuing a parking citation, the driver of the violating vehicle drives away from the scene, thus preventing the issuing agent from placing the citation on the vehicle, the citation will be entered into the parking system as if it had been placed on the vehicle. When a driver leaves the scene during the issuing process, this will be considered “constructive notice” of the citation.
Outstanding and Unpaid Parking Fines
- (1) Vehicles parked on campus with three or more outstanding parking citations may be booted or towed at the owner’s expense.
- (2) In order to identify the owner of vehicles with outstanding parking fines, the parking department will run the license plate through the DMV for the registered owner information. Outstanding fines will then be billed to the registered owner provided by the DMV. A DMV research fee of $10 will be added to the original outstanding fine amount.
- (3) The right to purchase a permit or register for classes may be denied if any fines owing under these procedures remain unpaid.
- (4) Vehicle owners who fail to pay their outstanding fines may be subjected to University collection policies and practices of up to and including assignment to an outside collection agency.
- (5) Faculty/Staff outstanding citations will not be rolled over to their SOU account. Faculty/Staff must pay for their parking citations via SOU Parking.
- (6) A faculty or staff member who fails to pay the University for any outstanding parking fines may have the fine deducted from his/her payroll check 30 days after written notice of the outstanding fines.
- (7) Any University personnel or students may contact Parking Services to transfer responsibility for citations received by their guests to themselves. This in no way implies the fine will be suspended, only that the guest will not be billed or pursued to pay the fine. The University personnel or students will be responsible and have all avenues of appeal available as if the citation were issued to them personally.
Parking Enforcement and Citation Appeals
PARKING ENFORCEMENT:
- (1) Campus parking rules and procedures are in enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including summer term and holidays
- (2) Tow-away zones will be enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- (3) All penalties will be administratively enforced by Southern Oregon University Parking Department, Campus Public Safety Department, and Collections Department.
- (4) After receipt of a parking citation, the individual must, within fifteen calendar days of the date of the citation, file an appeal online through the parking services website, or pay the appropriate fine.
CITATION APPEALS:
All Citation Appeals must be filed online, via the parking services web page portal. First Appeals must be submitted within 15 calendar days of citation issuance. First appeals are reviewed by the Director of Campus Public Safety and Parking or designee. Notice of the first appeal decision will be sent to you via email. You then have the option to file a final appeal. Final appeals must be submitted within 15 calendar days from the date your first appeal decision letter was emailed to you. Final appeals are reviewed by the Transportation Planning and Parking Committee (TPPC) Board. The final decision of the TPPC board will then be emailed to you. Only the President of Southern Oregon University, or Vice President of Finance and Administration have the authority to overrule a second appeal decision. Late Appeals will not be accepted or considered under any circumstances.
Appearing in person at either of the hearings is not required, however you do have the option to appear in person at both the first and second appeal hearings to speak on behalf of your situation. When filling out the online appeal, make sure to indicate if you would like to appear in person. The party appealing the citation may have legal counsel to present his/her case at both the first and second appeal hearings if requested.
SOU Parking Services
382 Wightman Street, Ashland, OR 97520
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Phone: 541-552-PARK (7275) Email: parking@sou.edu