Article I: GENERAL
This code establishes vehicle regulations on property owned or controlled by North Georgia College & State University. The University's Department of Public Safety under the authority of the Official Code of Georgia, Section 20-3-21, enforces the Uniform Traffic Code of Georgia and the provisions of the NGCSU Traffic Code. It is the responsibility of each individual who operates a motor vehicle on the NGCSU campus to know, understand and comply with the Georgia and NGCSU Traffic Codes.
NGCSU is primarily a pedestrian campus and vehicle operators share responsibility for their safety. The speed limit on campus is 15 MPH. Parking on the campus is very limited and is controlled by the use of parking permits and regular patrolling. Each registered vehicle must be parked in the assigned parking zone. A limited number of 30-minute parking spaces are available for transient use while loading or unloading. In the interest of fairness to others, please move your vehicle within this time period.
NGCSU assumes no responsibility for vehicles operated and/or parked on campus. Vehicles operated and/or parked on the NGCSU campus will be at the risk of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
As a courtesy to students, Public Safety offers assistance, based on officer availability, for battery boost, vehicle unlocking and escorting students from parking lots to dormitories when safety is deemed a factor.
Questions regarding the provisions of this code should be directed to the Director of Public Safety.
Article II: MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
All vehicles parked or operated on campus must display a valid NGCSU permit (Faculty, Staff, Student, Temporary or Visitor). Faculty and staff permits are valid during the term of employment and do not have a scheduled expiration date. Student registration must be renewed annually.
The applicant for motor vehicle registration must possess a valid driver's license. The vehicle for which registration is sought must have a valid license plate, belong to the applicant or to a member of the applicant's immediate family, and be insured as required by the Georgia Code. Proof of ownership and insurance may be required at the time of registration.
Every vehicle must be registered the first day of operation on campus. Registration for students is accomplished online and permits will be picked up at the Parking Office; permits may be obtained during normal business hours and temporary permits may be obtained at all other times. Registration for Faculty and Staff is accomplished at the One-Card Office. Evidence of registration shall consist of a current NGCSU parking permit displayed on the vehicle. Parking permits remain the property of NGCSU.
If a vehicle is sold, traded, or damaged beyond repair, the original registrant shall be responsible for removing and turning in the old permit and notifying Parking Services.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTERING VEHICLE ON BANNER
Section A: FACULTY AND STAFF
Faculty and staff transferable permits must be hung from the inside rear view mirror with the permit number visible from the outside. One permit will be issued to each faculty or staff member. The permit may be transferred to any other vehicle that has been registered with Public Safety. There is no fee for Faculty and Staff registration.
Section B: STUDENTS
Student parking permits are stickers. They shall be permanently affixed to a clearly visible position on the outside left (driver) side of the bottom of the rear windshield. Another location may be approved by Public Safety.
Permit will not be honored unless placed as directed above. Student registration is valid only for the person originally registering the motor vehicle, and in all cases expires annually. Parking fees are included in the matriculation fee. Replacement permits are available for $5.00 payable at the Business Office. The University does not guarantee a parking space for every permit issued; however, any time a space is not available in the assigned zone, students should request instructions from Public Safety as to where to park temporarily. Only one permit will be issued to each student. Student motorcycles are required to be registered with Public Safety but not permitted and are only authorized to park in designated motorcycle parking areas. Motorcycles are not authorized on any level of the Parking Deck.
Section C: TEMPORARY PERMITS
Temporary permits are available for visitors, students, faculty and staff who operate an unregistered vehicle on campus, e.g. borrowed or rental vehicle. It is imperative that a temporary permit be obtained from the Welcome Center at the time the vehicle is brought onto the campus. The permit will be issued for an appropriate restricted space or the student's assigned parking zone for a maximum period of one week. Exceptions will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. There is no fee for a temporary permit.
Section D: DISABLED PERMITS
Vehicles operated and parked by disabled persons, either temporary or permanent, must display a disabled permit issued by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety in addition to the NGCSU permit. Disabled permits may only be obtained from your local tag office.
Article III: PARKING
It is the desire and intent of the university to provide an adequate amount of parking corresponding with the needs of the faculty, staff and student body limited by constraints of land and finances. The location of parking zones, areas and spaces will, however, vary in terms of centrality and convenience. Authorized parking zones, areas and spaces are designated by official campus signs, markings, and the parking map.
The number of parking permits issued for each designated zone will be limited to ensure the reasonable availability of a parking space within that zone for those issued a permit. If demand for permits exceeds supply in a given zone, Public Safety will prioritize the issuance of permits based on needs known at that time.
During special campus events, specific areas of the campus may be designated for special parking for guest of the president and other special visitors. Notification of the reservation of such areas will be made in advance by posted signs, traffic cones and/or written notice. Motor vehicles must be removed from these zones/spaces by the time stipulated or the vehicles will be subject to impoundment. An alternate campus parking area will be available for those having to move their vehicle.
Section A: RESTRICTED PARKING ZONES AND SPACES
All restricted zones are in effect 24 hours a day on a year round basis except as noted.
All vehicles must be parked within the lines of an authorized vehicle parking space, and must be parked in such a manner as not to impede vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic or in a manner, which creates a hazard. All vehicles, except emergency and service vehicles, must park so the rear bumper will face the adjacent traffic lane, i.e., parking against the flow of traffic is prohibited.
Parking along yellow curbs, on lawns, landscaped areas, sidewalks or other areas not specifically designated for parking is a violation. The absence of "NO PARKING" sign does not denote parking is permitted. NO PARKING ALONG FIRE LANE AREAS. Vehicles in violation will be subject to towing. Parking in all zones is controlled by permit. Parking zones are designated by colors and are identified by signs, markings painted on the pavement, as depicted on the parking map, and as described as follows:
Section B: ZONE RED -FACULTY AND STAFF
Parking is reserved for Faculty and Staff Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm on a year around basis. NOTE: These spaces are identified by red pavement markings (rectangular in shape with white lettering).
Section C: Residents and Non-Residents
Residents are authorized to park in Non-Resident Zones Monday through Friday 5:30pm to 7:30am and Saturday through Sunday 7:30am to 11:00pm. Non-Resident's are restricted to Non-Resident Zones 24/7.
Section D: PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT RESERVED SPACES
Parking spaces are reserved Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm on a year around basis. Note: These spaces are identified by a rectangular sign.
Section E: VISITOR SPACES
Located for convenience of visitors and faculty and staff members conducting official university business. Students may not use visitor parking spaces.
Section F: SERVICE AND DELIVERY UNLOADING ZONE
Located in the vicinity of most buildings, these spaces are restricted at all times for university, vendor, contractor, and private vehicles of employees conducting official business or duties.
Section G: 1/2 HOUR PARKING
All 30 minute spaces on campus will be strictly enforced 24 hours a day, 7days a week, on a year round basis.
Section H: DISABLED PARKING
Parking in a disabled space is limited to those vehicles displaying a disabled license plate, placard, or Disabled Veteran license plate. Disabled parking spaces are reserved at all times.
Section I: ABANDONED VEHICLES
A vehicle shall be considered abandoned if it has not been moved for more than thirty calendar days. Exceptions will be made on individual basis as requested by the vehicle owner to Public Safety. On the thirty-first day it shall be subject to immediate towing. Towing and storage expenses are the responsibility of the vehicle owner.
Section J: INOPERABLE VEHICLES
If a vehicle becomes inoperable in other than an authorized space, the operator should notify Public Safety of the situation as soon as possible and the approximate length of time before the vehicle will be moved. The registrant of the vehicle is liable for any parking citations issued before said notification.
Article IV: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Penalties and fines are hereby established for violations involving motor vehicles operated or parked within the campus boundaries. The person in whose name the vehicle is registered is "RESPONSIBLE" for all parking violations by that vehicle. If the vehicle is loaned to another person, proper observance of parking regulations shall remain the responsibility of the registrant except in the case of a moving violation for which the operator is responsible.
All fines and fees shall be paid in the Business Office. Persons having unpaid fines at the end of each semester/year will have their fines added to the next semester fees. Payment in full is required before the student is allowed to begin the next term. Students with outstanding debts to the institution will not be allowed to graduate or receive transcripts. A student receiving any parking citations during the academic year can have the fine reduced by $10.00 if paid within 24 hours (or the next class day if the ticket was issued on a weekend). Exceptions are d, e, f and h of Article IV, Section B below. Vehicles with more than four citations are subject to being booted.
Section A: MOVING VIOLATIONS AND
OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE LAW VIOLATIONS NGCSU
NGCSU Public Safety Officers may issue the state of Georgia Uniform Traffic Citations (UTC) to the operator of any vehicle who violates the Georgia Motor Vehicle Laws, Georgia Code Title 40. Penalties and fines assessed for violations of the Georgia Code for which the Uniform Traffic Citation is issued will be as established through the judicial process of the State Courts.
Section B: REGISTRATION AND PARKING VIOLATIONS
Police officers and ticket writers will issue NGCSU Traffic Citations (tickets) for violations of the motor vehicle registration and parking regulations, and other violations as noted below:
- Failure to register or properly display decal in accordance with Article II.
- Parking on sidewalks, reserved spaces, restricted areas, and lawns, along yellow curbs or unauthorized areas, which may block traffic. If a vehicle is parked in a manner that it blocks traffic it is subject to immediate tow at owner's expense.
- Parking in driveways, loading zones and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Violation of this section subjects a vehicle to immediate tow at owner's expense.
- Parking in disabled spaces without proper authorization.
- Falsification of records (code of conduct violation).
- Use of abusive language, discourteous action or disrespect toward campus law enforcement personnel or parking services personnel (code of conduct violation).
- Irresponsible actions while operating a vehicle or failure to demonstrate a responsible attitude toward campus, city, county and state regulations and laws.
- Parking in a fire lane.
All fines for violations and citations will be posted in Public Safety. All fines must be paid in the Business Office.
Article V: APPEALS
The Traffic Appeals Committee is the authority to receive appeals of traffic citations issued to students by the Department of Public Safety. Students who receive a traffic citation are to make payment of fines or appeal to the Committee within seven (7) calendar days from the date of the citation. If an appeal to a citation is not made within seven (7) calendar days, the right to appeal is forfeited. Fines for offenses under appeal need not be paid until the Committee has rendered a decision.
The Committee shall consist of not less than 2 faculty members, 2 staff members, and 4 students as appointed by the Vice President for Business and Finance. At least one member from each of these three groups constitutes a quorum for all meetings. The Office of Public Safety provides the non-voting Recorder of the Committee. The Committee meets on a regularly scheduled basis of not less than monthly.
Students desiring to appeal a citation may do so online within (7) calendar days of the date of the citation. The Appellant will be notified by the Office of Parking Services as to the date and time the Committee will consider the appeal. The Appellant may appear in person to plead his or her case orally before the Committee. Notification of the results will be sent to your NGCSU e-mail account.
Reasons such as lack of knowledge of the Traffic Code; lateness due to class or appointment conflicts, and inability to find a legal parking space will not be accepted as an excuse. The Committee will first consider appeals by Appellants attending the session. The Appellant will be afforded the opportunity to add any relevant oral statement as necessary for clarification of the circumstances surrounding the offense. After dismissal of the Appellant, the Committee will decide each appeal by majority action. If more than one offense is cited the Committee will consider and vote separately on each offense appealed. The Committee has the authority to dispose of a case by either upholding the charge(s), or by dismissing the charges by half or completely. Members of the Committee meet as needed with the Director of Public Safety to review and discuss traffic and parking issues for areas of possible improvement.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPEALING A CITATION
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