Parking Rules and Regulations

Campus Maps (Parking)
Parking Permits Fall 2012 Parking Permits Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic and Parking Regulations have been created to provide the safest possible environment for those who drive on campus roadways, and to help ensure the fair use and distribution of existing parking spaces. The University expects each community member to be accountable, to drive safely, and to follow parking regulations.

St. Mary's University reserves the right to enforce parking and traffic regulations by:

• Issuing citations and collecting charges for offenses
• Immobilizing or impounding (towing) vehicles
• Suspending or revoking permits
• Barring re-admission and/or withholding grades, degrees, refunds and official transcripts for nonpayment of outstanding charges
• Disciplinary action against persons who fail to abide by stated regulations

A parking permit fee is assessed automatically each semester to the accounts for Undergraduate and Law students. You must still register your vehicle with the University Police Department. Permits issued are valid until August of the academic year. For example, permits issued in August 2011 for 2011-2012 expire Aug. 15, 2012. If you do not need a parking permit, you can submit a request via e-mail to code3@stmarytx.edu to reverse the charge from your account (include your Rattler ID number in your request). The Parking Coordinator will verify your request (after the semester begins), and the reversal will appear on your account within two weeks. If it does not reflect the credit, please contact the office at (210) 431.6754 during normal business hours. There is a deadline to request a reversal (which must be done EACH semester). Any reversal request not submitted by the end of the semester, will not be accepted. If you no longer need your parking permit, contact our office within the first two weeks of a regular semester for instructions. Gateway.

I. Traffic Safety Regulations

Parking and traffic regulations are in effect at all times. Parking on campus is allowed only in designated spaces. Vehicles parked in violation are subject to tow, without notice, at the owner's expense. The University is not liable for damage, theft or burglary of any vehicle parked or operated on campus.

A. Traffic Laws and Speed Limits on Campus

Vehicles operated or parked on University property must comply with all state laws and University parking and traffic regulations. Vehicle operation is restricted to streets and parking lots. The speed limit on University streets is 20 mph, and the speed limit in parking lots is 10 mph, unless otherwise stated.

The color of stripes and curbs on campus is in compliance with the Texas Department of Transportation regulations: red denotes no parking at any time; white indicates crosswalks and stop lines; and yellow signifies warning, no parking spaces, traffic lanes and no passing zones.

B. Vehicle Operation and Parking by Permit

All vehicles operated or parked on University property (includes Family Life Center and Center for Legal and Social Justice CLSJ) shall properly display a current and valid parking permit.

Permits must be affixed to the outside, bottom left corner of the back windshield of the vehicle registered with our office.
Individuals registering a vehicle(s) for a permit will be responsible for any parking citations involving the vehicle.

C. Temporary Parking and Traffic Control

In the case of emergencies or University event(s), University Police may impose temporary parking and traffic control restrictions. These may include, but are not limited to, closing or reserving parking lots or portions thereof. Temporary restrictions have the force of other written regulations and are subject to the same penalties. Vehicles shall not be driven beyond barricades or where prohibited by temporary or permanent signs, nor shall barricades be moved or removed.

D. Vehicular Collisions on Campus

All accidents occurring within the University's jurisdictional property must be reported to University Police. To report an on-campus motor vehicle accident, call x3330.

E. Parking in Designated Spaces and Areas Only

Vehicles must be properly parked within the lines of a single parking space. Vehicles found parked in violation of state law, city ordinance or stated University regulations, or parked in a way that creates a traffic hazard, may be impounded/relocated at the expense of the violator. The University or its personnel are not liable or responsible for any loss or damage sustained because of impoundment or relocation.

The absence of sufficient authorized parking spaces on campus at any time is not valid justification for violation of parking and traffic regulations. The non-issuance of citations for an offense does not imply these regulations have excluded the offense.

Permits are designated for specific parking lots only. For example, Outback students can only park in the Outback parking lots; residents students can only park in residents lots; and commuter students can only park in commuter lots.

However, there are a couple of exceptions. The University has parking lots with signage designating specific times during which parking is allowed. Overflow parking is available in Lot C for Treadaway Hall (TR) residents. Once resident-only parking lots are full, Treadaway residents are allowed to park in the commuter section.

Visitors

Visitors are persons who are neither employees nor students of St. Mary's University. Visitor parking is available in designated areas in parking lots around campus. Frequent visitors to the campus (2 or more visits) should purchase a Visitor's permit. Short term and long-term permits are available. Students will be responsible for their visitors. Contact the University police department for more information.

Lot A - posted 24-hours-a-day reserved parking spaces for executive council members, deans, guests of the president, faculty and staff;

Lot B - designated 24-hours-a-day parking-by-permit for resident students, faculty, staff and staff physician;

Lot C - designated by permit for faculty and staff (5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday) and commuter students only;

Lot D - designated parking-by-permit for faculty, staff, commuter students and visitors;

Lot E - designated 24 hours a day by permit for Treadaway Resident students only; Opens 08/19/12

Lot F - designated commuter students and overflow and event lot for visitors; (Lot Closed: Under Construction Until Further Notice)

Lot G - designated as open parking-by-permit for Non-Resident Community Members (faculty, staff and commuter students) and Casa Maria residents 24 hours;

Lot H - designated as open parking-by-permit for Non-Resident Community Members (faculty, staff and commuter students); Lot Now Open for Use

Lot I - designated 24-hours-a-day by permit for Chaminade and Marian Hall resident students only;

Lot J - posted reserved parking-by-permit for faculty and staff (5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday);

Lot K - (New Lot - Under Construction)

Lot L - designated 24-hours-a-day parking-by-permit for vehicles includes weekends and holidays and handicap designation, police and military vehicles, faculty and staff;

Lots N, O, Q, M and R - designated 24-hours-a-day parking-by-permit for Outback residents only;

Lot P - designated for visitors to and staff of the Office of Financial Assistance; overnight parking prohibited;

Lot S - designated (5a.m. to 5p.m., Monday - Friday) parking-by-permit for faculty and staff;

Lot T - designated as open parking-by-permit for Non-Resident Community Members (faculty, staff and commuter students); (Lot Partially Closed - Under Construction Until Further Notice)

Lot U - designated by permit for faculty, staff and visitors to the AT&T facility;

Lot V - designated 24-hours-a-day for visitors only; overnight parking prohibited; faculty, staff and student parking prohibited at all times. Visitors are persons who are neither employees nor students of St. Mary's University. Visitor parking is available in designated areas in parking lots around campus. Frequent visitors to the campus, should purchase a visitor's permit. Students will be responsible for their visitors. Contact the University police department for more information.

Lot W - designated as OPEN parking-by-permit for Non-Resident Community Members (faculty, staff and commuter students)

Lot X - (under construction);

Handicap-designated parking in lots A, D, F, G, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V. Handicap parking spaces are reserved for vehicles that bear either a valid handicap hangtag placard or license plates issued by the state.

VIA Trans Pick Up and Drop Off Locations
Location #1 is at the south side of Reinbolt Hall. Location #2 is at the south side of the University Center, near parking lot J. Location #3 is at the west side of the School of Law, near the Law Center sign.

The University Police Department will honor parking permits from Our Lady of the Lake University, Trinity University, University of Incarnate Word and Oblate College.

F. Loading Zones

Vehicles parked in loading zones must be actively loading or unloading. Unattended vehicles in loading zones shall be cited or impounded.

G. Inoperable Vehicle on Campus

It is required to report inoperable vehicles to University Police. Authorized temporary parking will be determined on a case-by-case basis and usually will not exceed 24 hours, and the vehicle cannot create a hazard or obstruction. Major repairs and oil changes may not be done on the grounds, in parking lots or on the streets of campus.

H. Reserved Parking Requests

Reserved parking for special events and guests to the campus must be submitted to the University Police Department in writing on the Reserved Parking Request Form at least four days prior to the scheduled event. Contact the University Police for forms. The appropriate vice president must approve the request.

II. Parking Permit Regulations

All vehicles operated or parked on University property shall be registered with the St. Mary's University Police Department and properly display a current and valid parking permit.

A. Parking Permits

1. Students: Resident and commuter student parking permits may be obtained during all registration periods or at the University Police Department during office hours. Parking permits are issued and released only to the person who purchases the permit, and may be valid for one academic year (fall semester to the end of summer session II). Students issued permits must be currently enrolled.
   
   Resident or Outback resident permits are issued to students who reside in an on- campus residence hall. Commuter permits are issued to students who reside off campus and commute to the University. Only one vehicle can be registered for a permit. Students who reside in Chaminade & Marian Halls must remain parked in the designated resident parking lots (Lot B & Lot I) located by those resident halls. Treadaway Hall residents must remain parked in the designated resident lot (Lot E) located by that resident hall.
   
   Students must show proof of the following in addition to completing the vehicle registration form to obtain a parking permit:
   • Valid driver's license
   • Proof of school registration (i.e. current bill from the Business Office) or Class schedule.
   • Current Rattler Card I.D.
   • Valid and current proof of auto insurance
   • Vehicle make, year, color and license plate number (includes paper plate)
   
   Students who attend evening classes exclusively must specify their status as that of an Evening Student to be billed properly. Evening Students attend only class(es) that begin after 4:30 p.m. Contact our office for after-hour faxing and pick up procedures.
Note:All students who leave or withdraw must remove their permit.
2. Employees: Employee status is determined by the Office of Human Resources. Employee vehicle registration and parking permit distribution begins the first week of December and the parking permit is valid for two years. One parking permit per employee is issued. The permit is transferable to any vehicle the employee registers with the University Police Department.
   
   Employees must show proof of the following to obtain a parking permit:
   • Valid driver's license
   • Current Rattler Card I.D.
   • Valid and current proof of auto insurance
   • Vehicle make, model, year, color and license plate number
3. Service Providers: Service providers to the University shall follow procedures established by the Physical Plant Department. Parking permits will be issued free-of-charge with the appropriate documentation.

Note: Any vehicle changes should be reported immediately to our office. Lost or stolen permits should be reported immediately to our office.

B. Temporary Parking Permits

1. Students and Employees: A complimentary temporary parking permit will be issued to employees and registered students for the following reasons:
   • New vehicle with paper plates
   • Primary vehicle is being repaired (maximum two weeks)
   • Driving a second or different vehicle temporarily (maximum two weeks)
   
   Temporary parking permits may be extended, but may not exceed one month. (No permits will be issued one week prior to, and including the dates of, Fiesta Oyster Bake.)
2. Visitors: Visitors are persons who are neither employees nor students of St. Mary's University. Visitor parking is available in designated areas in parking lots around campus. Visitor parking spaces are not valid parking spaces for students or employees.
   
   Complimentary temporary parking permits (short-term and long-term) may be issued to visitors and guests who will be on campus for no more than two weeks. Temporary permits may be purchased by visitors who conduct business on campus on a regular basis, visit resident students or utilize St. Mary's University facilities. Temporary permits may be purchased for each semester. License place numbers are required.
3. Handicapped Parking: Temporary handicapped parking permits are issued to individuals who have a current and valid parking permit. Individuals must provide a letter from the attending physician stating the individual's name, nature of the disability and duration of the disability. Students must also obtain approval from the Dean of Students, and employees must obtain approval from the Director of Human Resources. Students must coordinate their documentation with Student Psychological and Testing Services.
   

C. Display of Permits

Any person operating a motor vehicle on campus shall properly display a current and valid St. Mary's University parking permit.

1. Student parking permits must be affixed to the registered vehicle's back windshield, (outside on lower left corner).
   
   
2. Motorcycle parking permits must be affixed to the motorcycle (fork) and displayed at all times.
   
   
3. Employee permits must hang from the interior rearview mirror, with the permit number facing forward and visible from the front exterior of the vehicle.

D. Parking Permit Fees

1. Commuter and Resident Students
   Day (per semester): $30
   Evening (per semester): $20
   Summer (Sessions I and/or II) and Law Review students: $17
   

2. Temporary Parking Permits for Visitors: Non-St. Mary's University affiliation
   Two weeks (maximum): No charge
   All other passes: $17
   

3. Vendors: No charge

4. Temporary Parking Permits: St. Mary's University employees and registered students
   Two weeks (maximum): No charge

5. The replacement fee is $10.

6. Contact University Police for information on the last day to request a refund.

7. Effective Spring 2011, the last day to request a reversal of parking fee is the last class day of each semester.

III. Policies for Ticketing, Immobilizing and Towing Vehicles

Traffic rules and parking regulations are in place to provide a safe and secure campus environment at St. Mary's. Persons operating vehicles on the campus are expected to follow rules and regulations and are accountable for their actions. According to Physical Plant, under no conditions should a motor vehicle (passenger car, van, or truck) be allowed to drive in the interior of campus (on sidewalks) to deliver letters or small packages directly to a department.

A. Warning Tickets and Violation Citations

The University Police Department is charged with creating a safe environment by enforcing the Parking and Traffic Regulations. Enforcement includes the issuance of warning tickets and violation citations. Some citations require research and could be billed at a later date. Citation fines are collected by the Business Office during normal business hours.

When fines are not paid, or when there is a clear display of continuous and deliberate disregard for regulations, specific steps will be taken to enforce these regulations.

If, within a semester or summer session, four citations are issued for any type of parking violation--regardless of whether previous citations are paid--an Immobilization Warning Notice will be attached to the driver's side window, along with a citation.

B. Vehicle Immobilization (the Boot) and Towing Policy

A vehicle in violation a fifth time within a semester or summer session will be immobilized by attaching a device referred to as "the Boot" to one of the vehicle's wheels. The device will be removed by University Police only after a Boot Removal Fee of $100 is assessed and charged to the student's account.

Violators not affiliated with the University must pay the parking fine and Boot Removal Fee in cash, cashier's check or money order at the St. Mary's University Business Office.

After attaching the Boot, University Police will attempt to notify the vehicle's owner/operator. The Boot may remain attached to the vehicle for up to three days. If arrangements to pay the parking fine and Boot Removal Fee are not made within that time, the vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense. There is no appeal process for the immobilization and/or towing of vehicles.

Vehicles immobilized with the Boot are added to a Vehicle Immobilization List. Subsequent violations will result in the vehicle being immobilized without notice as well as a parking citation.

If a vehicle has been immobilized a second time within a semester, the operator is notified in writing that he or she is prohibited from operating any vehicle on campus for the remainder of that semester. If the vehicle is observed operating or parking on campus, a citation can be issued and immobilization and/or towing can occur at the operator's expense without notice.

A vehicle parked legally on campus that creates a safety problem or hazard, or that may endanger campus safety, is subject to immobilization. Examples include: persons who operate a vehicle on campus while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; University Police securing a vehicle involved in a criminal act when the owner/operator cannot be located; owner/operator's request to immobilize to prevent the vehicle from being stolen. No Boot Removal Fee is assessed when using this type of prevention measure.

Removing, disabling or damaging the immobilization device is a violation under University regulations and may lead to University judicial action that could include criminal prosecution.

The University reserves the right to cite and tow any vehicle at the owner's expense that creates an immediate geographical or safety problem or hazard; is parked illegally in a fire lane or handicapped space; or is obstructing traffic on a campus roadway.

C. Fines for Parking and Traffic Citations

Parking fines are the responsibility of the vehicle permit holder at the time the citation is issued. Vehicles not displaying a permit will be recorded first in the name of the person who registered the vehicle, or second with the registered owner (or affiliated person) of the vehicle through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The University Police Department is not responsible for a citation being removed from a vehicle after said citation has been placed on a vehicle by the University Police Department.

1. University Police are authorized to issue two types of citations for violations. University parking citations can be appealed in writing. University moving violation citations cannot be appealed; Bexar County citations require your presence to a summons to appear in front of the Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 2.
   
2. Moving Violations/Moving citation are recorded in the name of the driver. The fine for any St. Mary's moving citation is $50. Others are set by the JP Office.
3. Parking
   • First, second and third citations or violations: $50 each
   • Fourth violation: $50, plus the attachment to operator's vehicle of an Immobilization Warning Notice. Further, University Police file a report to the Dean of Students for judicial action consideration. For faculty and staff, the appropriate University vice president is notified of the situation for their review.
   • Fifth violation: $50, plus immobilization of the vehicle. A $100 Immobilization Device Removal fee is required. Notification of appropriate University officials will occur, as previously described.
   • Subsequent violation: $50, plus immobilization of the vehicle. A $100 Immobilization Device Removal fee is required. Notification of appropriate University officials will occur, as previously described, with a recommendation to prohibit parking on campus.

D. Appeals Process

Any person who receives a St. Mary's University parking citation-except when in violation of the Vehicle Immobilization and Towing Policy-may request to have it reviewed on a written only appeal by the St. Mary's Parking Appeals Committee, a subcommittee of the University's Parking Committee. The appeal will be granted or denied. Granted appeals will still count towards the number of citations. The Parking Committee is comprised of members from the University community and chaired by the Chief of Police. Appeals are not accepted for Moving Violations at the University Police Department. However moving violation citations are automatically forwarded to Judicial Affairs for review and action.

Appeals must be submitted to the University Police Department within 10 calendar days of the date the citation was issued. Mailed appeals must be postmarked by the 10th day. If an appeal is not filed within 10 days of issuance, the citation is deemed final. You will be notified by email with the results; results may take up to three weeks.

The Appeals Committee will review appeals and notification of their ruling will be sent by email. The appealed citation will be charged to the student or employee's account in the Business Office and will appear on the billing statement. Those whose appeals are granted will have their accounts credited.