Parking Regulations

1. INTRODUCTION
2. REGULATIONS
3. REGISTRATION
4. VIOLATIONS, FINES AND PENALTIES
5. APPEALS AND PROCEDURES FOR HEARING
6. EXCEPTIONS

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. Granting Authority - South Carolina Revised Statute "56-21-10". Authority of governing boards: "Governing Boards of State institutions may employ security personnel and make traffic regulations. The governing boards of all State institutions which provide for the operation and parking of vehicles upon the grounds, streets, drives and alleys or any other institutional property under its control are hereby authorized to employ security personnel and to promulgate such traffic regulations as may be deemed necessary. Such regulations may include the following:
      1. Fixing the rate of speed;
      2. Assigning parking spaces and designating parking areas and assessing charges therefore;
      3. Prohibiting parking in certain areas;
      4. Removing vehicles parked in violation of regulations at the expense of the violator;
      5. Instituting a system of registration for vehicle identification;
      6. Issuing parking and traffic tickets. HISTORY: 1962 Code 46-771; 1972 (57) 2268."
   2. Finances - The construction, improvement, and maintenance of all College parking facilities are financed solely through permit sales, fines and gate receipts. In addition, all money expended for the administration of Parking Services comes from these same funds. No state funds may be used for any of these purposes. Fees described herein are subject to change subsequent to appropriate administrative review and approval by the College's Board of Trustees.
   3. Scope of Regulations - College Parking Regulations are issued supplemental to all applicable state laws and city ordinances. Users of the College of Charleston campus should be aware that City of Charleston ordinances regulating private conduct including, but not limited to, traffic regulations will be enforced on the College of Charleston campus in addition to these Regulations. These Regulations apply to all persons while on the College campus in the manner described in detail below. These Regulations are in effect at all times, including vacation and recess periods. These Regulations apply to all persons driving any motor vehicle, including state and federal government-owned vehicles.
   4. Approval Of And/Or Revisions to Regulations - The authority to promulgate these Parking Regulations has been delegated to the Parking Advisory Committee of the College, hereafter referred to as PAC, by the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs. PAC is a joint organization of students, faculty, and staff. Inquiries may be made to PAC, c/o Parking Services. PAC reserves the right to change these Regulations as necessary. The College of Charleston Board of Trustees may change parking permit fees.
   5. Definitions
      1. "ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE" includes all handicapped parking spaces on the College of Charleston campus. These spaces are painted blue, and are marked by a College of Charleston accessible parking sign.
      2. "AUTOMOBILES" include all motor vehicles (e.g., cars, pickup trucks, vans, recreational vehicles, buses, etc.) except motorcycles.
      3. "BOOT" shall be defined as a mechanical device used to immobilize a vehicle.
      4. "CAR POOL" shall be defined as an arrangement whereby several commuters travel together in one car, sharing the cost and often taking turns sharing the car used. The intent of a car pool permit is to accommodate ride sharing.
      5. "COLLEGE HOLIDAYS" shall be defined as any day when the College's business offices are closed, except Saturdays and Sundays (academic recess is not synonymous with College holiday).
      6. "EMERGENCY VEHICLES" shall be defined as vehicles operated by fire departments, law enforcement agencies, or ambulance services for the protection and preservation of life and property, and that are equipped and operated as emergency vehicles pursuant to State Laws.
      7. "FACULTY MEMBERS" include faculty with the rank of full-time instructor or above; full-time or part-time employees on regular appointments; and certain faculty as designated by the President or his representatives.
      8. "HANDICAPPED" shall be defined as a person who has a permanent or temporary physical impairment, which has been verified in writing by a licensed physician to be of such a nature as to substantially restrict the person's ability to move from place to place.
      9. "HANGING PERMIT" shall be defined as a parking permit designed to be hung from the support post of the rearview mirror.
      10. "IMMOBILIZE" shall be defined as the securing of the vehicle with a mechanical device, typically a boot.
      11. "MOTORCYCLES" shall be defined as any motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and for the purpose of College of Charleston Parking Regulations, includes mopeds, motor scooters, motorized bicycles, skateboards with motors, etc. This definition does not include farm or construction vehicles (tractors, etc.).
      12. "MOTOR VEHICLES" include all motor-driven vehicles including, but not limited to, "automobiles" and "motorcycles". This definition includes utility/service carts.
      13. "PARKING PERMIT" shall be defined as a permit issued by Parking Services to an individual as authorization for parking a vehicle on the College of Charleston campus.
      14. "SERVICE VEHICLES" shall be defined as any vehicle that is used in the conduct of business or provision of goods or services to or for the College of Charleston.
      15. "SPECIAL EVENTS" include all events on the campus that would necessitate a change in the normal parking routine.
      16. "STAFF MEMBERS" include all members of the administration employed on a full-time or part-time basis not otherwise designated as a student or faculty member.
      17. "STUDENTS" include all persons doing graduate or undergraduate work, including continuing education students on the College of Charleston campus.
      18. "TOWING" shall be defined as the method of removal of a motor vehicle from a parking space.
      19. "VISITOR" shall be defined as any person who is a guest of the College of Charleston campus, and is not a "student", "staff member", "faculty member" or "service agency" as defined in these Parking Regulations.
      20. "WINDOW PERMIT/DECAL" shall be defined as a parking permit attached to the exterior rear windshield on the driver's side with the supplied adhesive.
      21. "WORK SITE" shall be defined as any area within which construction or maintenance to the College's buildings, grounds, or property is under way.
2. REGULATIONS
   1. General Regulations - The effectiveness of any parking system is dependent on compliance with, and the enforcement of regulations by everyone. The following Regulations should be thoroughly read and understood to avoid possible violations:
      1. Any vehicle parked on campus requires a valid College of Charleston parking permit, and is subject to the College of Charleston Parking Regulations. Permits are valid only in the specific lot for which they are issued except as noted below.
      2. These Parking Regulations shall be enforced by the Department of Public Safety on all properties within the jurisdiction of the College of Charleston, including College parking areas not fully and directly controlled by the Parking Services Office.
      3. Parking violations and any associated citation and impoundment fines are deemed the responsibility of the registered owner of the involved vehicle. Registered owners are identified through license plate listings with the appropriate state department of motor vehicles.
      4. In the event of mechanical failure of a vehicle, Parking Services must be immediately advised of the vehicle's location, description and license plate number to avoid possible citation or tow. Please call Public Safety after regular business hours at 953-5611 to report any disabled vehicle.
      5. Abandoned vehicles may be towed and impounded in accordance with the State Abandonment Law. Vehicles may be considered abandoned if they are not currently licensed and/or operational at all times.
      6. The College of Charleston assumes no responsibility for the care and protection of any motor vehicle or its contents at any time that the vehicle is operated or parked on campus.
      7. Counterfeiting, altering, defacing, or transferring a parking permit/gate card to another person or motor vehicle to whom the permit/card was not issued, and/or giving false information in any application or hearing, is considered a violation of State Statutes and may be investigated as a criminal matter by the Public Safety Office.
      8. Parking at the College of Charleston is allowed only in those areas designated as parking zones by signs and/or stripes. Vehicles parked in areas not specifically posted and/or striped as parking areas may be subject to citation, immobilization, and/or towing.
      9. Skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates, etc. are prohibited in campus parking lots, garages and any place prohibited by sign.
3. REGISTRATION
   1. General Requirements
      1. Issuance of Permits - The College of Charleston issues a variety of permits as described in sections C through K below.
      2. Consent to Withholding of Fines - All permit holders shall understand that the College may withhold unpaid fees and fines from any sums owed the registrant.
      3. Imputed Knowledge of Regulations - Anyone bringing a vehicle to the College of Charleston campus has the responsibility to obtain and read a copy of the current Parking Regulations and to comply with these Regulations.
      4. Change in Residence, Vehicle and/or License Plates - Anyone bringing a vehicle to campus that changes residence, vehicle and/or license plates after initial registration must submit notification to Parking Services. Failure to do so may result in continued responsibility for citations and a loss of parking privileges.
      5. Replacement Permits - The registrant is responsible for removing permits prior to selling or trading a vehicle. The identifiable remnants of the original permit must be presented to Parking Services in order to receive a replacement free of charge. Persons failing to comply with this requirement must pay a $10.00 office charge for replacing the permit ($20.00 for a gate card). If the permit is lost or stolen, the permit holder must complete a permit replacement form before obtaining a replacement permit. A $10.00 office charge for replacing the permit will be assessed by Parking Services ($20.00 for a gate card). This form will be forwarded to Public Safety for investigation. Alleged false reporting will be investigated as a criminal matter. It is a violation of the College's Honor Code and the Parking Regulations to make a false report of a lost or stolen permit. False reports will result in the loss of parking privileges for the academic year and a report of the incident will be sent to the Honor Board.
      6. Due to the demand for parking, the College will only sell one automobile permit per person. A person who alternates between an automobile and a motorcycle will be required to purchase both an automobile and a motorcycle permit.
      7. Upon cancellation on the part of the registrant, valid permits must be removed and returned to Parking Services.
      8. Refunds for surface parking fees will be issued on a prorated basis.
      9. Refunds for garage parking fees will not be issued after the last day of the second week of classes.
      10. Refunds for magnetic garage card and gate access card deposits will be issued only within thirty days of the last day of the semester for students and within thirty days of the last day of the academic year for employees. Refunds will not be issued for cards returned after the allotted time period.
   2. Permit Display
      1. All window permits shall be totally attached with the supplied adhesive to the exterior rear windshield on the driver's side.
      2. All hanging permits shall be hung on the inside rearview mirror with lot identification facing toward the front of the vehicle so that it can be easily viewed from the outside of the vehicle. These permits may be transferred only between those vehicles registered under that permit with Parking Services. Permits are non-transferable between individuals, unless such persons are co-owners of the permitted vehicles or are registered as part of a car pool. Only one permit will be issued to each permit holder, including car pools. It is the responsibility of the car pooler to display the permit as required herein when parking on campus.
      3. All dashboard passes must be placed on the dash above the driver's steering wheel, and high enough on the dash to be in clear sight.
      4. Motorcycle permits should be placed on the windshield, front wheel cover, or fork.
   3. Faculty and Staff Permits - NOTE: Employees who require parking must submit an application in advance each academic year. Employees are assigned parking for an academic year. Employee parking assignments are based on an employee's parking eligibility date which includes all years of state employment plus any temporary service time at the College of Charleston. Effective Fall 2002, employees participating in a carpool will be assigned to the Gloria Parking Lot, located at the rear of the Sottile Theatre. The fee will be the same as Core surface parking and will be split among participants. Employees wishing to participate in a carpool must submit one paper application that lists information for all participants. Employee permits will be delivered on or before the first day of class for the Fall semester to the departments of employees paying for their permits using the payroll deduction method and who have paid in advance. Permits should be displayed no later than the first day of class for the Fall semester. Employees leaving the College prior to the end of the academic year must return their parking permits/garage cards to Parking Services before leaving. Upon receipt of a returned permit/garage card, Parking Services will stop the employee's payroll deductions and/or issue a pro-rated refund. Employees who require accessible parking should complete an accessible parking permit application each academic year.
      1. Employee parking fees can be paid using the payroll deduction method. Pre-tax deductions are available if requested. Parking fees for temporary employees using the payroll deduction method will be deducted from the first six (6) paychecks for the academic year. Persons who park in a garage or the WA lot and opt to use the payroll deduction method must pay the $20 refundable magnetic card deposit in the Parking Services Office. Parking fees can also be paid in full in advance in the Parking Services Office by check, cash, money order, and Master, Visa, or Discover card.
      2. Employee permits are valid beginning on the first day of class for the Fall semester and expire on the day before the first day of classes for the following Fall semester.
      3. Employee permits are valid in any faculty/staff lot excluding "WA" lot after 3:00 PM Monday through Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
   4. Evening Faculty/Staff Permits - Parking Services issues evening faculty/staff permits that allow faculty/staff members to park in any faculty/staff lot excluding "WA" lot after 3:00 PM Monday through Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Such permits are available to faculty/staff members that do not have a valid surface lot parking permit.
   5. Student Permits - Students apply in the Parking Services Office for parking each semester in advance. Notifications of parking assignments are made prior to the beginning of the semester. Student parking lot selection priority is based on the student's cumulative credit hours earned and on file in the College of Charleston Registrar's Office. Students must bring their vehicle registration and a photo I.D. card to pay for their parking permit/gate card. Students who apply for permits after the application acceptance date will be sold the remaining permits that were not paid for prior to the payment acceptance cut off date beginning on the second day of classes for the semester.
      1. THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON DOES NOT SELL PERMITS TO FRESHMEN RESIDENCE HALL STUDENTS.
      2. Student lots are not ticketed during the period beginning the day after the last day of final exams until the day before classes start for the following term. All faculty/staff lots will be ticketed during this time.
      3. Current semester's permits are valid beginning on the first day of classes for the semester, and expire the day before the first day of classes for the following semester.
   6. Car pool Permits - Persons in a car pool will be given a permit on a special display that will be passed among the participating drivers for display on the rear view mirror. One application should be submitted in the person's name that has the highest seniority. A vehicle registration must be presented for each vehicle that may be driven by a car pooler. Residence Hall students are not eligible to participate in a car pool.
   7. Motorcycle Permits - The parking of motorcycles is permitted in designated areas located in the "A", "N", and "PP" lots, and a valid permit is required. You may purchase a motorcycle permit in the Parking Services Office.
      1. Employees who have a valid automobile permit can purchase a motorcycle permit at the reduced rate of $5 per academic year. Employees with both a motorcycle and an automobile permit are only allowed to use one permit at a time. If both permits are used at the same time, parking privileges will be revoked.
   8. Temporary Permits
      1. When available, temporary parking permits will be sold on a weekly basis. Contact the Parking Services Office for information on lot availability and cost.
      2. Departments that wish to provide parking for their visitors in one of the college-owned or city-operated parking garages may pick up a "Guest" pass from the Parking Services Office. The department will be charged for these passes at the end of each quarter.
   9. Service Permits - Service vehicle spaces are marked on the campus map. Permits for these spaces are available in the Parking Services Office for non-College affiliated agencies whose employees require use of their vehicles in order to conduct business with College of Charleston departments. Service permits authorize temporary parking for the time period shown on the pass, and shall be restricted to parking within spaces designated by a sign that reads "Service Vehicle Parking Only".
   10. Accessible Parking Permits - A College of Charleston accessible parking permit must be displayed on any vehicle parked in a College of Charleston accessible parking space. To obtain an accessible permit, a valid South Carolina state-issued handicapped parking placard must be presented as documentation along with a valid College of Charleston I.D. card to the Parking Services Office. The accessible permit allows persons to park in any accessible space on the College of Charleston campus.
   11. Alternate Parking Permits - Persons having a valid parking permit and driving an alternate vehicle to campus will be issued an alternate parking permit by the Parking Services Office. Alternate parking passes are valid for the lot and time indicated on the pass.
4. VIOLATIONS, FINES AND PENALTIES
   1. Violations and Fines - In addition to the following penalties, the College of Charleston reserves the right to immobilize or tow vehicles for violation of these Parking Regulations, and/or for unpaid parking citations. Further, students and employees who have outstanding parking fines will not be issued a parking permit/gate card. NOTE: Failure to pay a citation within fifteen days of the issue date will result in a $10 late fee.
      1. Parking a vehicle on College property without a current/valid permit - $20 FINE.
      2. Parking a vehicle outside a legal space, occupying two spaces or parking parallel in an area not authorized for parallel parking - $20 FINE.
      3. Parking a vehicle on pedestrian pathways, on sidewalks or crosswalk areas or on landscaped areas including gravel, dirt and lawn; obstructing areas necessary for vehicular movement (e.g. thoroughfares, driveways, parking lot aisles); parking along yellow curbs; parking in prohibited areas; blocking a fire lane; or parking in any other area not designated as a legal space - $20 FINE.
      4. Blocking handicapped access or unauthorized parking in an accessible parking space - $100 FINE (as mandated by state law).
      5. Parking overtime in a loading/unloading zone - $20 FINE.
      6. Parking a vehicle in an area designated for service vehicles, or obstructing trash collections -$20 FINE.
      7. Parking a vehicle in any campus lot for which the displayed permit is not valid, or failure to display a permit properly - $5 FINE for first offense, and $20 FINE for all others.
      8. Bypassing, removing or defacing a parking control device, or accessing a barricaded area - $50 FINE.
      9. Parking an oversized vehicle in a compact car space - $20 FINE.
      10. Parking a motorcycle in an area not designated as motorcycle parking - $20 FINE.
      11. Using an altered, counterfeit, lost or stolen permit/gate card, one that was issued to someone else, or one obtained on the basis of false information - $50 FINE. Incident will be reported to the College's Honor Board and Public Safety.
      12. Parking a vehicle illegally and not displaying a license plate or VIN number - $20 FINE and vehicle will be immobilized.
      13. Blocking driveways on College of Charleston property in residential areas surrounding campus - $20 FINE.
      14. Other violations of the College of Charleston Parking Regulations - $20 FINE.
   2. Penalties
      1. Payment of Fines - Parking fines may be paid to the College of Charleston by mailing the citation along with a check or money order to the address shown on the citation, dropping it in the payment box at Public Safety, or by making payment at the Parking Services Office. A $10 late fee will be added to citations that are not paid within fifteen days of issue date.
      2. Vehicles may be immobilized for accrual of two or more unpaid parking citations more than fifteen days old, or for any violation listed in Section A above. Vehicles immobilized for a period of time longer than twenty-four hours will be towed.
      3. Previously immobilized vehicles will be ticketed and can be automatically immobilized or towed when parked illegally on campus.
      4. When towed, the driver of the vehicle is responsible for paying all outstanding parking fines owed to the College in the Parking Services Office, or at Public Safety after normal business hours. After outstanding parking fines are paid in full, Public Safety will issue a release form that must be taken to the tow company. The vehicle will be released after all towing fees have been paid in full to the tow company.
   3. Other Violations and Sanctions
      1. Administrative and Disciplinary Sanctions which the College may impose upon students and employees include, but are not limited to:
         1. Encumbrance of records, grades or both.
         2. Withdrawal or suspension of campus parking privileges and/or
         3. Oral or written reprimand and other disciplinary actions.
         Administrative and disciplinary sanctions 1a and 1b are directly imposed by Parking Services. The Associate Dean or Student Judicial Affairs or the appropriate Dean, Director or Department Head imposes administrative and disciplinary sanctions under 1c upon recommendation by Parking Services.
      2. Habitual or Flagrant Violators
         1. Employees: Any employee who is referred to the Dean, Department Head or Director for recommended administrative or disciplinary sanctions by Parking Services may appeal that recommendation by following the procedures set forth in the Code of Conduct of the College.
         2. Students: Any student who is referred to the Associate Dean of Student Judicial Affairs for recommended administrative or disciplinary sanctions by Parking Services may appeal that recommendation by following the procedures set forth in the Honor Code of the College. Such actions may include suspension or expulsion.
         3. General Public: Members of the general public who park on campus in an unauthorized manner after being warned, or who habitually violate these regulations, shall have their vehicles towed and shall be responsible for all related citation and impoundment fees.
5. APPEALS AND PROCEDURES FOR HEARING
   1. General Guidelines for Appeals and Hearing - Failure to follow the procedures for appeal will result in the assessment of appropriate fines and a waiver of the right to appeal.
      1. Request for Appeal of Parking Citation - Parking Citations are appealed first in writing. The appeal must be made within fifteen calendar days of the date that the citation was issued. A form with instructions for appeal is available at Public Safety or the Parking Services Office. The appeal will be heard by the Parking Adjudication Board of the College, hereafter referred to as PAB. The appeal will be reviewed and the appellant will be notified in writing of PAB's decision. The citation will be noted as "pending" in the records system until the appeal is satisfied. Upon receipt of letter, the citation must be paid in ten calendar days. The Board's decision constitutes the final decision on the matter and there is no option for a second appeal.
      2. The Parking Adjudication Board will consist of faculty staff and students who are not employees of Parking Services. The President, at the recommendation of the Student Government Association and Faculty Senate, will appoint new Board members.
   2. Appeal Criteria
      1. The following shall be grounds for which an appeal will be considered:
         1. Substantial and valid evidence that the alleged parking violation was not committed is presented.
         2. The violation charged occurred under circumstances where the appellant believed he or she was not committing a violation, and where a reasonable and prudent person under the same or similar circumstances would have acted in the same manner as the appellant.
         3. Appellant was misinformed by College personnel, and can verify this.
         4. Officer error.
      2. The following reasons are not considered valid and will not be accepted by PAB:
         1. Lack of knowledge of these Regulations.
         2. Tardiness due to class or appointment.
         3. Disagreement with amount of fine.
         4. Violation was of short duration.
         5. The lot in which the violation occurred was not full.
         6. Appellant's designated lot was full.
         7. Appellant does not submit documentation that verifies that College personnel misinformed him/her.
   3. Satisfaction of the Appeal - The appeal is satisfied when the decision has been rendered in favor of the appellant, or when the appellant receives notification that payment is due and pays the assessment. Once satisfied, the appeal is nullified. Any citation, when paid or dismissed, is nullified.
6. EXCEPTIONS
   1. Overflow Parking - At times, the lot for which a permit is assigned may be full. In such cases permit holders shall park in another lot of the same designation, e.g. students with core permits will park in another student core lot, and faculty/staff members with core permits will park in another faculty/staff core lot. In order to avoid receiving a citation, Parking Services must be notified of the alternate location and vehicle information immediately. Notify Public Safety after hours.
   2. Evening Parking - Parking is available in many parking lots after 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Please see the Parking Map for lot time restrictions. NOTE: Time restrictions are subject to change. Verify time restrictions with the sign posted at the entrance to a lot before parking in the lot.
   3. Visitor Parking - Short-term parking is available at any meter or parking garage for visitors to the College. Garages located close to campus are the college's St. Philip Garage, located at 81 B St. Philip next to the Bell Building, the George Garage, located at the intersection of George and St. Philip Streets, and the Wentworth Garage, located at the intersection of Wentworth and St. Philip Streets.
   4. Accessible Parking for Visitors - Accessible parking is available in any parking garage or at any city meter, and is free of charge to persons with valid state-issued handicap placards. Accessible parking is available to visitors on campus after 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. A state-issued handicapped placard must be properly displayed on any vehicle parked in an accessible parking space during these times.
   5. Special Events
   6. General Information
   7. College events may interrupt routine parking patterns. During any special event or campus activity, Parking Services will control parking lots in conjunction with Public Safety.
   8. Failure to heed instructions of Parking Services and Public Safety Officials will result in the issuance of a citation and possible towing.
7. All valid permits issued by Parking Services will be honored.
8. Non-permit holders may be assessed a parking fee for parking in a College lot.
9. All lots are subject to day and time restrictions as posted on the signs at lot entrances.