Student Handbook

Parking Policy

The purpose of the Parking Policy is to provide the University community with guidance on established parking areas, permits, fines, appeals, and policies which affect the use of vehicles on and around the campus.

General Information

Pacific University establishes rules and regulations governing the use of transportation on the campus and its properties. These regulations do not conflict with nor supersede the Traffic Regulations of the State of Oregon and the City of Forest Grove. The Campus Public Safety Department (CPS) is responsible for parking and traffic enforcement. The Parking Appeals and Policy Advisory Committee is responsible for establishing procedures, violations, fees and fines, reviewing appeals, and making recommendations on policy and future parking recommendations to the Master Planning Committee and the President.

General Regulations

  1. All vehicles will display one of these permits: validated student (red or purple), staff/faculty (green), visitor, patient, or overnight.
  2. The speed limit on campus property is five miles per hour for all vehicles.
  3. Vehicles are prohibited from sidewalks, lawns, lanes, and other areas not designated for driving or parking. Exceptions are maintenance, contractors, and emergency response vehicles.
  4. All posted signs and traffic control devices must be obeyed.
  5. All vehicular traffic will yield to pedestrians; they have the right of way.
  6. No person shall operate a vehicle on campus in a careless or reckless manner nor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Parking Regulations

  1. All vehicles parked on Pacific University property must display a Pacific University parking permit.
  2. All vehicles shall be parked within the boundaries of a marked stall.
  3. All students must have a validated permit. Validation occurs during permit issuance every September.
  4. Patient,visitor, and Staff parking spaces are reserved from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, (except for holidays).
  5. No overnight parking midnight to 6:00 A.M. in lots A, B, C, E (staff), G, H, I (except western row), and O. (See campus map for lot locations).
  6. No overnight parking 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. in lots D and F. (See campus map for lot locations).
  7. Responsibility for locating an appropriate designated parking area rests with the vehicle operator.
  8. The lack of a readily available designated parking space is not an excuse for a violation of any parking regulation.
  9. Any vehicle found to be in violation will be issued a parking citation (or warning).
  10. Once the citation is placed on the windshield of the vehicle, Pacific University does not assume any responsibility if the owner/operator of the vehicle does not receive the citation.
    Pacific University does not assume any responsibility for any vehicle or its contents while parked on University property.
  11. Vehicles that are not moved from a parking stall for 14 days are considered abandoned.
  12. Inoperable vehicles need to be restored to running condition in a timely manner.
  13. Major vehicle repairs are not allowed on University property.

Habitual Parking Violator

A habitual parking violator is an owner/operator of a vehicle that receives five or more unpaid/non-appealed tickets. Habitual parking violators will receive a letter from the Dean of Students Office with the number of violations they have and the total amount of fines they have. If there are more than six tickets total to the same violator, notification will be forwarded to the Dean of Students. The goal of parking enforcement is to have the limited number of spaces on campus used properly.

Immobilizing motor vehicles:

CPS will immobilize vehicles for the following reasons:

  1. Permitted vehicle with six or more unpaid or unappealed citations per semester.
  2. Non- permitted vehicle parked in one of the Campus lots over 24 hours or with two or more citations pending.

Vehicles will remained immobilized until the Dean of Students authorizes removal of the device. In an emergency, the CPS Supervisor may grant authorization for removal.

Parking Permits

University parking permits may be obtained from the Pacific Information Center for a Fee of $40 . All vehicles used by faculty, staff, and students will be registered annually with the PIC. Information required for registration includes the owner's name, vehicle make, model, year, and a current vehicle license plate number including all letters and numbers. All vehicles must be registered before a parking permit can be issued. Returning students must validate their parking permits each year by (December 31) of that school year. Permits are to be displayed on the vehicle rear view mirror, right front (passenger side) window, or left rear (drivers side) window. All permits must be clearly visible and readable with the number of the permit facing out. Permits for vehicles other than cars and trucks must be appropriately displayed on the frame or rear bumper.

Special Parking Needs

  1. Drivers using parking designated for disabled persons must display a valid state issued placard, license plate, or other form of identification recognized by state or national authority.
  2. Patient parking is for patients of designated clinics (not students, staff, or faculty unless they are a patient with a patient permit displayed). Permits may be obtained from the clinic, PIC, or a CPS Officer.
  3. Visitor parking is for visitors (not students, staff, or faculty) who come to the campus for a short duration during daytime hours (1 day). Long-term visitor parking needs (overnight or consecutive days on campus) should be coordinated with the PIC or a CPS Officer.
  4. Long term and overnight visitor parking permits may be obtained from the PIC or a CPS Officer. Departments may make arrangements with the PIC or CPS to have these permits available in their office for distribution to their visitors when they arrive.
  5. Special needs for building access, events, dignitaries, groups, buses, or other activities should be coordinated with the CPS Office prior to the activity.

Motorist Assistance

  1. Campus Public Safety Officers are available 24 hours per day at 503.352.2230 (extention 2230 from on-campus phones. A waiver of liability must be signed before CPS can assist the driver. CPS can only help if the vehicle is on campus or on the street adjacent to the campus.
  2. A secondary battery system or jumper cables are available for assisting motorists with dead batteries. From 8am to 4pm please call 503.352.2213 (Facilities) to have the vehicle jumped. If there is no answer or it is after hours please call CPS at 503.352.2230. Pacific University does not have the ability to provide for vehicle maintenance needs.
  3. CPS can attempt to open vehicles with keys locked inside upon request. Be prepared to show your driver's license and vehicle registration to the CPS Officer upon their request. This is to ensure that the vehicle the officer is opening belongs to the requester. CPS does not have the ability to open vehicles that have power locks or power windows. CPS does not make recommendations for outside vendors but can provide access to a telephone and directory.
  4. Vehicle accidents occurring on campus should be reported to CPS immediately. CPS will provide information and assistance to the motorists involved.
  5. Vehicle accidents occurring on the surrounding streets should be reported to the Forest Grove Police Department at 503.359.3260.
  6. All persons operating a Pacific University vehicle must complete the Drivers Training Course in accordance with University policy.

Any accident involving Pacific University vehicles must be immediately reported in accordance with instructions issued at the time the vehicle is accepted.

Non-motorized transportation includes bicycles, skateboards, roller blades/skates, etc. If motors are attached (i.e. motorcycles, scooters, powered bicycles, etc.) then they are considered vehicles and subject to the vehicular rules stated above. Non-motorized transportation may be used on campus as a point-to-point means of conveyance. The use of these items to engage in extreme activities, stunts, and other related activities is prohibited. Non-motorized transportation is prohibited from use inside buildings. Bicycles are to be locked on a bicycle rack, not on handrails or inside academic buildings. On sidewalks and other areas of pedestrian traffic, pedestrians have the right of way.

Pacific University Parking Lots

Violations, Fines and Penalties

Group A (minor violations) $10

Group B (major violations) $20

Group C (serious violations) $50

Group D-Other Violations $10-$50

Appeals Process

Forms for appealing parking citations may be obtained at the Pacific Information Center (PIC). All appeals must be returned to the Student Life Office or UC Box 666 within 14 calendar days of receipt of the citation to be appealed. One appeal form must accompany each citation. Failure to appeal within the prescribed time results in the waiver of the right to appeal. The postmark date will serve as the date submitted for those appeals sent via the federal mail. Students' parking appeals will be decided by the Peer Review Board. Faculty and staff members' appeals will be decided by The Parking Appeals and Policy Advisory Committee will review all appeals at the next scheduled committee meeting. Copies of their decisions will be forwarded to the individual concerned. Fines and fees levied against individuals are to be paid directly to the Business Office. Fees and fines not paid within 14 calendar days of the Committee¹s decision will be charged to individual accounts. Persons with unpaid accounts may not be able to receive transcripts or be allowed to register for the next semester until these bills have been satisfied. Appeals received May through August will be heard during the September meeting.

Members of the Parking Appeals and Policy Advisory Committee: