Administrative Policies

I. Administrative Policy

In accordance with A.C.A. 25-17-307, the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas has established regulations for the operation and parking of motor vehicles on the UCA campus. These regulations apply to all faculty, staff, students, and others utilizing the land and streets owned or controlled by the University of Central Arkansas and are effective beginning August 15, 2003. The University Police Department is the jurisdictional law enforcement agency empowered under State statutes to enforce all parking and traffic regulations of the University of Central Arkansas and the State of Arkansas on all campus properties and on all streets contiguous or adjacent to campus properties.

1. Any appropriately licensed driver choosing to park an automobile on campus may do so, provided a parking permit is obtained and provided the driver understands that the permit neither obligates the university to set aside a space for every vehicle nor allows the driver to violate parking regulations.
2. The university reserves the right to restrict the use of an automobile on university property if the owner or driver has abused the privilege of operating a vehicle on campus.
3. The university assumes no responsibility for a vehicle or its contents.
4. Any motor vehicle parked on property owned or controlled by the university, including metered parking, and under the control of a student, faculty member, or staff member must properly display a valid UCA parking permit.
5. Failure to pay fines will result in the blocking of pre-registration or the withholding of transcripts or pay and refund checks.
6. A ticketed vehicle continuing in violation may be ticketed again as long as the violation continues. Overtime parking will be ticketed every two hours.
7. An illegally parked but non-ticketed vehicle is not an indication that the regulation being violated is no longer in effect.
8. Any person who is stopped by University Police for a violation of a traffic or parking regulation is subject to either a university or municipal citation as determined by the issuing officer.
9. Occupants of residence halls are requested not to drive to class, the cafeteria, or other campus areas between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
10. A traffic ticket or any other communication from a University Police officer is an official university notice. Recipients who do not respond to such a communication face disciplinary and/or legal action.
11. The Arkansas Crime Information Center furnishes the University Police Department with information on the owners of vehicles not displaying a permit that receive tickets. These tickets are then issued to the faculty/staff member or student whose last name and home address match those on the listing.
12. Use of any parking permit acquired through fraudulent, or otherwise improper means, will be considered theft of services from the University of Central Arkansas. Hanging permits will be confiscated and parking privilages may be taken away.

II. Traffic and Parking Services Office

The University Police Department is located at the intersection of W.J. Sowder and Marian Ross Streets. The Department's Traffic and Parking Services Office is open for payment of traffic fines and purchase of parking permits between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All registered students and employees may obtain their parking permit at the University Police Department 24 hours a day except for registration and fee payment days. Temporary parking permits and parking and traffic information can also be obtained at the University Police Communications Center 24 hours a day. As a service to the university community, the Department's lobby and communications center is never closed.

III. Student Parking Permits

1. Students who park vehicles on campus are required to immediately obtain and display a parking permit. The parking permit consists of two vehicle decals which are registered in the name of the student. The larger decal must be displayed on the driver's side of the rear bumper or the lower left corner of the rear window and the small decal must be displayed on the driver's side, upper or lower corner, of the front windshield. Decals should be applied to a clean, dry surface, and must be permanently affixed to the vehicle through use of the decals' adhesive backing.
2. It is a violation for a decal to be taped or otherwise displayed from the vehicle interior by means other than the adhesive backing.
3. Students should obtain their parking permit at the University Police Department or such other place that may be designated on registration and university fee payment days.
4. Permits are the responsibility of the purchaser and must be removed prior to sale or transfer of the vehicle. Student permits are not transferable to any other vehicle. Only one current permit shall be displayed on a vehicle. A permit must not be altered or defaced.
5. A current permit expires the last day of summer school, or withdrawal by the student, whichever comes first.
6. A "Temporary Permit" may be obtained 24 hours a day without cost from the university Police Department for any alternate vehicle brought to the campus for a period of one to seven days. The permit is a hanging tag which is assigned to the individual driving the vehicle. The permit must hang on the rearview mirror with the front side of the permit facing the windshield. Students are allowed no more than four temporary parking permits per semester unless special circumstances are approved by the Parking and Traffic Services Office.

IV. Faculty and Staff Parking Permits

1. Faculty and staff of the university who park vehicles on campus are required to immediately purchase and display a parking permit. Student employees are not eligible for staff parking. The parking permit for all faculty and staff employees is a transferable polyethylene hanging permit registered in the name of the employee.
2. Only one hanging permit may be issued to each employee of the university. The permit should be transferred to any vehicle the employee parks on the campus.
3. The permit must hang on the rearview mirror with the front side of the permit facing the windshield. Failure to properly display the hanging permit will result in the issuance of a citation.
4. Employees who forget to bring their hanging permit to campus must obtain a one-day temporary parking permit from the University Police Department prior to parking on university property. One-day permits are issued free of charge for employees who possess a regular parking permit.
5. Lost hanging permits may be replaced by purchasing a new permit at the full annual fee. Holders of permits are prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring their permit to another faculty/staff member or student.
6. The hanging permit must be returned to the University Police Department upon termination of employment with the University of Central Arkansas.
7. A temporary staff permit is available to university temporary or extra-help employees whose appointments are for a limited period of time. The fee for a one-month temporary staff permit is $10.00. The fee paid for monthly temporary permits may not be used to off-set the cost of a regular employee parking permit should the employee's appointment be extended.
8. Relatives of faculty or staff members are not eligible for a faculty/staff permit and may not park in faculty/staff parking areas unless they themselves are regular employees of UCA. Each parking permit is valid only for use by the person to whom it is issued. Misuse of a faculty/staff parking permit may result in loss of parking privileges for both the faculty/staff member and the violator.

V. Disabled Parking

1. Disabled parking spaces are provided for the benefit of physically challenged persons. These spaces are designated by disabled signs and marked stalls. Unauthorized use of disabled spaces may result in fines as well as towing and associated costs.
2. Physically challenged persons must obtain a blue disabled permit and must furnish the University Police with proof of issuance of a disabled permit or license plate by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Such proof shall be the "Disabled Person's Access to Parking application Form" issued by the state with the special plate or placards.
3. Temporary disabled permits will be issued only to persons who have purchased and displayed a regular UCA permit. Upon obvious, visible disability a temporary disabled permit will be issued for a period of 3 - 5 days. Temporary disabled permits for a longer period of time, not to exceed 30 working days, will be issued only with a letter from a physician stating a need for a disabled permit and the length of time it is needed.

VI. Visitor Parking

1. Visitors are welcome and are encouraged to obtain a visitor's permit at the University Police Department prior to parking on campus. These permits will be issued after presentation of a valid driver's license. These permits will be issued after presentation of a valid driver's license. A visitor who receives a citation for a violation of the UCA parking rules, other than parking in a No Parking area or Disabled space, may bring or mail the citation to the University Police Department and it will be voided. Visitors may not park in a "No Parking" or "Disabled Parking" area. Violation of "No Parking" or Disabled parking statutes will result in a municipal citation with fines set by the Municipal Court. Municipal citations cannot be dismissed by the University and failure to respond to these citations will result in a warrant of arrest issued by the Municipal Court.
2. Visitors may park in designated visitor parking lots on campus without first obtaining a visitor parking permit. Between the hours of 6:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday - Friday visitor parking is provided only for persons who are not registered students or employees of the university. Students or employees parking in visitor parking between those hours, whether a student or staff parking permit is or is not displayed, will be subject to citation. Students and Faculty/Staff are not allowed to use a visitors temporary permit. The temporary will be confiscated if used by an unauthorized individual. Parking privileges may be taken away from those involved. Faculty, Staff and students may park in visitor parking between the hours of 4:30 P.M. and 6:30 A.M. Monday - Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

VII. Meter Parking

Meter parking is designated for short-term, convenience purposes. Holders of all types of UCA permits are required to pay when parking at parking meters. Two hour meter parking is enforced 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday. Fifteen minute loading/unloading meters are enforced 24 hours a day 7 days a week. A UCA parking permit is required at all meters.

VII. Motorcycles

Motorcycles, mopeds and motorbikes are not permitted on campus except in designated parking areas located on the perimeter of the campus. Users must enter and depart the campus at the location nearest these parking areas. Motorcycle permits are required to be placed where easily seen.

IX. Bicycles

Persons riding bicycles must obey all rules of the road established for motor vehicles. Bicycles shall be parked in racks provided on campus. Bicycles parked in access ways, on sidewalks, in areas which may obstruct disabled access or in any other improper location will be subject to citation and impoundment. Impounded bicycles may be claimed at the University Police Department after all fines are paid.

X. Method of Payment

1. All parking permits may be obtained at the University Police Department or at specially designated areas during fall, spring, and summer registration and fee payment.
2. Payroll deduction is available as a form of permit fee payment for full-time faculty and staff. The annual fee will be deducted in three equal installments (six installments for employees on bi-monthly payroll) beginning with the September paycheck for all continuing employees. For those employees appointed after the start of the Fall semester, the parking fee will be deducted in installments beginning with the employee's first paycheck. Employees who terminate before the entire annual fee is collected will have the remaining balance deducted from their final paycheck.
3. Students may obtain more than one permit if more than one vehicle will be parked on university property by paying a $40.00 fee for the additional permit at the University Police Department.
4. Students may obtain replacement permits at a cost of $2.00, provided proof of destruction of the original permit is furnished to the University Police Department.
   

XI. Permit Fees

Fees for parking permits are as stated below. Fees are subject to change without notice.

XII. Parking Area Assignments and Hours

Faculty/Staff Parking - Areas marked "Yellow Area" with yellow signs and yellow lines are reserved for faculty and staff vehicles displaying current yellow hanging permits.

Resident Parking (On Campus Residence Halls) - Areas marked "Resident Parking" with green lines are reserved for student vehicles displaying current green UCA decals. Green decals are available only to students residing in campus residence halls.

Resident Parking (UCA Owned or Controlled apartments or houses other than residence halls) - These areas are reserved for student vehicles displaying a current UCA purple decal and where appropriate UCA Housing will provide a second decal which must be displayed with the purple decal.

UCA Permit Parking - Areas marked "UCA Permit Parking" are reserved for student or faculty/staff displaying current UCA permits.

Disabled Parking - Areas marked for disable access are always reserved for vehicles displaying current blue decals.

Visitor Parking - Areas marked for visitors are reserved for persons who are not employees or students of the university.

Between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, Visitor areas, Faculty/Staff areas, and UCA Permit Parking areas are interchangeable. (Summer Hours are from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.) They are interchangeable all day Saturday and Sunday. A current UCA decal must be displayed. Residence hall parking, reserved spaces for residence hall directors, physicians, disabled spaces, and all other parking spaces or parking lots as posted are not interchangeable and are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

XIII. Driving Regulations

1. All traffic and motor vehicle laws of the State of Arkansas are applicable on UCA property and will be enforced by University Police officers. Violation of State traffic and motor vehicle laws may subject the driver to a municipal citation with fines set by the Municipal Court.
2. The campus speed limit is fifteen (15) miles per hour, except where conditions indicate a slower speed as necessary.
3. One-way street driving regulations are to be observed at all times by all vehicles.
4. All STOP signs, YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY signs, and all other regulatory or directional signs are to be observed.
5. Pedestrians in crosswalks shall have the right-of-way.
6. It is a violation of traffic regulations to avoid a speed bump.
7. It is the driver's responsibility to be able to operate his or her vehicle safely. Anyone who operates a vehicle on university property while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic drugs, or opiates will be subject to arrest.
8. Failure to yield to a University Police vehicle signaling a driver to pull over to stop (via the use of blue lights and/or siren), failure to comply with University Police officer's direction, or failure to cooperate with a University Police officer while the officer is performing his official duties, will subject the violator to arrest under applicable State statutes.

XIV. Parking Regulations

1. It is the driver's responsibility t find a legal, marked parking space and to park the entire vehicle within the space's boundary lines. Other improperly parked vehicles in the area shall not constitute an excuse for parking with any part of the vehicle over the line. Severe weather is not a valid reason for violation of parking regulations. If a vehicle experiences mechanical failure, it is the owner/driver's responsibility to have the vehicle removed as soon as available services permit. Parking lots may not be used for vehicle storage.
2. All parking spaces are defined by painted lines or parking blocks. Vehicles must be parked within the painted lines or parked in front of a parking block properly spaced for parking.
3. Where parallel parking is required, vehicles must be parked with the right wheels to the curb.
4. Where diagonal and head-on parking are required, vehicles should be parked with the front toward the curb and the rear bumper toward the traffic lane.
5. No parking is allowed next to red curbs, red parking blocks or in red or candy-striped areas. These areas are reserved for emergency vehicle access, fire code regulations and pedestrian/traffic safety. Unless specifically authorized by a uniformed police officer there are no waiver periods for these areas.
6. No parking is allowed on the grass, sidewalks, or in driveways or loading zones.
7. Double parking is a violation at all times.
8. If a vehicle is parked in violation, attended or unattended, the driver may be issued a citation.
9. Vehicles licensed by the federal, state, county, or city government are exempt from permit requirements, but subject to compliance with other traffic and parking regulations. Police vehicles are exempt from certain traffic and parking regulations as provided in State statutes.

XV. Personal Responsibility for Vehicles

1. The person operating a vehicle displaying a UCA parking permit is responsible for all violations by that vehicle. If a permitted vehicle is loaned to another driver, its proper operation remains the permit holder's responsibility.
2. If a vehicle without a permit is driven on campus by a permit holder, a "Temporary Permit" must be obtained from the University Police Department. Temporary parking permits are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Motorcycle permit holders are not eligible for temporary permits. Students are allowed no more than four temporary parking permits per semester unless special circumstances are approved by the Parking and Traffic Services Office.
3. Parking facilities may not be used until a student decal is affixed to the vehicle or a faculty/staff permit is displayed on the rearview mirror of the vehicle.

XVI. Towing and Impoundment of Vehicles

1. UCA reserves the right to tow and impound from its property any parked vehicle that does not display a current parking permit, is improperly parked in a space reserved for the disabled, is parked in a restricted zone, or has unpaid parking tickets. Vehicles will be towed if parked in such a way as to constitute a traffic or pedestrian hazard or impede the access of service or emergency vehicles. Violations which could also result in towing and possible impoundment include, but are not limited to, parking in reserved parking spaces, parking in painted candy-striped or red areas, parking in driveways, or double parking on the street or in parking lots.
2. UCA reserves the right to tow and impound from its property any vehicle in violation of its traffic and parking regulations until all towing fees and UCA traffic/parking violation charges have been paid.

XVII. Appeals Process

A traffic citation may be appealed within 72 hours of its issuance if the recipient believes it was issued contrary to campus traffic regulations or in error. Forms for appeals may be obtained from the University Police Department. An appeal may not be granted after a ticket has been paid.

Administrative determinations by the University of Central Arkansas may be appealed to the Conway District Court in accordance with A.C.A. 25-17-307.

XVIII. Fines for Violations

All fines must be paid within 30 days from the date of issue. Fines for traffic and parking violations which are not paid within 30 days from the date of issue of the citation for the violation(s) will be adjusted to an amount equal to twice the amount of the original fine(s). Failure to pay traffic and parking fines may result in the blocking of pre-registration, or the withholding of pay and refund checks.

All fines are payable at the University Police Department from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the violator has their copy of the citation, payments will be accepted at the University Police Communications Center after hours in the form of a check or money order for the exact amount of the fine only.

The following are the parking and traffic violations and corresponding fines* established by the University of Central Arkansas:

*Fines double if not paid within 30 days of the citation date.

UNIVERSITY POLICE

The UCA Police Department is committed to providing quality service and protection to students, faculty, staff and visitors of the University of Central Arkansas. University Police officers are law enforcement officers of the State of Arkansas and are professionally trained and certified by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The Department employs 22 full-time police officers who have full investigative and arrest authority on the campus and contiguous streets and highways pursuant to A.C.A. 25-17-305. The Department's 24-hour 9-1-1 Communications Center and the Parking and Traffic Business Office employs additional support personnel who provide public safety services to the academic community.

The University Police Department maintains and promotes respect for the individual rights and dignity of all persons and is dedicated to excellence in all of the services that are offered on a year-round basis. The University Police are trained to understand the needs of students, faculty and staff. Police officers, equipped with two-way radios, patrol the campus by vehicle, foot and bicycle. Preventative patrols are also provided by campus service officers who are student aids and provide certain security functions. Arkansas law permits University Police officers to stop individuals suspected of criminal activity and question their identity, business and destination. In addition, University Police may make arrests or issue a summons for traffic or criminal violations which are referred to the City or County Prosecutor. All members of the campus community are encouraged to cooperate fully with police personnel for the safety and convenience of everyone involved. Resistance to detention or arrest may result in a more serious charge.

The University Police Department employs the philosophy of community policing within its jurisdiction. This philosophy is based upon the concept that police officers and the campus community as a whole can work together in creative ways to solve problems and prevent crimes. The primary focus of community policing is to foster positive interactions between the police, students, and staff. Comments or suggestions are always welcome by contacting the Chief of University Police at 450-3111.

HOW TO SUMMON ASSISTANCE

The University Police Department is located on campus between State and Hughes Hall. Persons needing EMERGENCY assistance at any time may call the University Police CommCenter by dialing 9-1-1 from any campus or residence hall telephone. General assistance can be obtained by calling 450-3111. Assistance can also be summoned by pushing the call button on any blue light emergency telephone located throughout the campus. The Dispatcher instantly knows the location of the caller and will ask what type of assistance is needed. The University Police Department's lobby is open 24-hours a day. The on-duty Dispatcher is available to assist at the lobby window. A local access telephone and a library of free crime prevention, safety and health brochures are also available in the lobby.

MOTORIST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - MAP

...a service of the UCA Police Department

Jump starting your car battery
Unlocking your car
Transportation to a local service station
The Motorist Assistance Program - MAP - is one of the services provided by the UCA Police Department. MAP is designed to provide assistance to students, faculty, staff and visitors experiencing vehicle problems while at the University.

If you need the services of MAP, call the UCA Police at 450-3111 or go to a blue light emergency telephone and push the button to talk to one of our dispatchers.

A police officer will be dispatched to your location and will be happy to assist you.

Comments and suggestions about Administrative Policies are appreciated.
Administrative Policy contents comments to: Susan Lilly, SusanL@uca.edu