arrow_circle_left Back to All Policies

Traffic and Parking

TBR Policy Reference: 3.02.00.01

Approved by: Dr. George Pimentel, President

Original Date Effective: 2021-08-25

Purpose

To facilitate and regulate the safety and orderly operation of motor vehicles on Jackson State Community College property or Jackson State Community College controlled property and to provide parking facilities for their operation within the limits of available space.

DEFINITIONS

 As used in this policy:

  • “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle that is capable of exceeding twenty- five (25) miles per hour.
  • “Employee” means all faculty, executive, administrative, professional and support staff employed in the service of and whose compensation is paid by a TBR institution.
  • “Employee” does not include independent contractors who provide goods or services to the institution or student workers as defined in TBR Policy 5.01.01.00.

POLICY/GUIDELINE

  1. Administration of Policy
    1. Jackson State Community College will be responsible for implementation and the Campus Police Department for enforcement of this policy.
    2. Any person operating a motor vehicle on the property of a Jackson State Community College or controlled by a Jackson State Community College is required to obey this policy as a condition of parking or operating a motor vehicle on institution property or institution-controlled property.
    3. The issuance of a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space. The inability to locate a designated parking space does not diminish the responsibility to park in accordance with this policy.
    4. The absence of “no parking” signs or painted curbs/lines does not imply that parking is allowed. Parking in designated lots is restricted to designated spaces only. Motor vehicles parked outside of designated spaces are subject to citation and towing, and the owner/operator may be subject to disciplinary or administrative action.
    5. Jackson State Community College shall have no responsibility for theft or damage to any motor vehicle or its contents operated or parked on institution property or institution-controlled property.
    6. This policy is enforceable seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day, including holidays and breaks.

REGISTRATION AND PARKING PERMITS

  1. Jackson State Community College requires students, employees, and faculty to register motor vehicles and/or obtain parking permits in order to park on Jackson State Community College property or Jackson State Community College controlled property.
  2. Visitors are to report to the Business office to obtain a visitor parking pass.
  3. Reasonable costs/fees may be assessed in association with the motor vehicle registration or permit process. Any fees or costs associated with registration of motor vehicles, together with appropriate information sufficient to justify the fee/cost amount, shall be submitted for review and approval by the Chancellor, and then the Board of Regents.
  4. Jackson State Community College utilizes parking permits and they are available for pickup by students, faculty, and employees in the Student Center.
  5. Lost or stolen parking permits must be reported to the institution.
  6. If the institution utilizes parking permits, only motor vehicles properly displaying a parking permit, visitor pass, or those motor vehicles legally parked where no permit is required may be parked on institution property or institution-controlled property.
  7. Faculty, staff, or students who change cars may secure a replacement decal by presenting the number of the original decal at the jHub Student Assistance Center. The updated vehicle information will be logged and the patron can transfer the original decal to the new car. All violations against an old decal or previously used decal will be charged to the person to whom it was originally issued.

PARKING ZONES

  1. Persons utilizing disabled parking spaces must have a state-issued disability license plate or disability placard. All students, faculty, and staff who have a state-issued placard or license plate should be registered with the institution to ensure access to the appropriate disabled parking spaces on institution property or institution-controlled property.
  2. Motorcycles, motor bikes, and motor scooters must display a motorcycle permit (if issued by the institution) and are only permitted to park in parking spaces designated as “motorcycle parking” or in other regularly marked parking spaces. Operating these motor vehicles on any surface other than designated streets or parking areas is prohibited.

MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION

  1. Operators of motor vehicles on institution property or institution-controlled property, which includes city streets running through campus, must obey all traffic rules, regulations, postings, and directions of law enforcement, regardless of whether the rule, regulation, posting, or direction is included in these rules, and all applicable traffic rules, regulations, postings, or directions.
  2. Violations of posted speed limits, the reckless operation of a motor vehicle on institution property or institution-controlled property, including but not limited to, squealing tires or sliding the motor vehicle.
  3. All persons operating motor vehicles are responsible for maintaining proper control of the motor vehicle, safe operation, and observance of traffic control signs, barriers, and devices.
  4. Operating a motor vehicle in any area other than a street or a roadway intended for motor vehicles is prohibited.
  5. Pedestrians have the right of way at established pedestrian crossings, except where regulated by traffic control lights or police officers.
  6. Individuals riding bicycles must comply with all applicable traffic rules, regulations, postings, or directions.

VIOLATIONS

  1. The following are non-exclusive examples of violations of these rules.
    1. Registration
      1. Unauthorized possession of a parking permit;
      2. Falsification of registration information; and
      3. Illegal use, unauthorized use, reproduction or alteration of a parking permit or temporary parking permit.
    2. Parking
    3. In a no parking zone;
    4. No permit or visitor pass where required;
    5. Improper display of permit or visitor pass;
    6. Parked outside of lines or appropriately marked parking space;
    7. In such a manner as to block or obstruct traffic, street, sidewalk, driveway, fire hydrant, building entrance or exit, or another motor vehicle;
    8. In a fire lane;                                                                                                                         
    9. Non-operative vehicle parked on institution property or institution-controlled property for longer than seven (7) days without permission from the institution;
    10. Disability parking violation, as defined by State law (including, but not limited to, unauthorized use of a disabled parking space, ramp, plate, or placard; parking a motor vehicle so that a portion of the motor vehicle encroaches into a disabled space in a manner that restricts, or reasonably could restrict, a person confined to a wheelchair from exiting or entering a motor vehicle properly parked within a disabled parking space). Fines for violating the disables parking laws cannot be suspended or waived where prohibited by T.C.A. § 55-21-108.
  2. Campus police officers may issue citations for violations of this policy, city or county ordinances, and/or state laws. Individuals who receive a citation for violations of city or county ordinances and/or state laws must appear in court on the court date listed on the citation or pay the citation fine if appearance in court is not required.
  3. Fines
    1. Fines may be set as determined by Jackson State Community College but shall not exceed the greater of fifty dollars ($50.00) or the amount set by any state law, or any county or municipal ordinance in the institution’s jurisdiction for the same offense. Provided, however, if a state statute requires that a fine be set at more than fifty dollars ($50.00), Jackson State Community College shall set the fine in compliance with the statute.  Any such citation written as a violation of a city or county ordinance and/or state law will be resolved by a court; any such violation issued as a Jackson State Community College citation shall not involve a fine of greater than fifty dollars ($50.00).
    2. Fine amounts must receive prior review and approval by the Chancellor and then the Board of Regents. Proposed fines shall be submitted to the Chancellor together with information sufficient to justify the fine. Fine amounts shall include consideration of state/county/municipal fines for the same offense, fines for the same offense at similarly situated institutions, association to enforcement costs at the institution, and/or the unique parking and traffic considerations at each institution.
    3. Fines are exclusively collected by the Business Office at Jackson State Community College.
    4. Once adopted or amended, all fines shall be affirmatively communicated to the faculty, staff, and students of the institution through its website.                      

ENFORCEMENT

  1. Jackson State Community College, without advance notice, may tow, boot, or remove to a place of storage at the owner’s expense any motor vehicle that is parked in a fire lane, designated disabled parking space, spaces reserved for designated motor vehicles, or motor vehicles parked in such a manner as to impede the flow of traffic or disrupt the orderly affairs of the institution.
  2. Jackson State Community College may tow, boot, or remove to a place of storage at the owner’s expense any motor vehicle that has unpaid parking citations as long as advance notice and an opportunity to contest has been given. Windshield notices and/or other methods of notification will be used to provide the operator of the motor vehicle with advance notice of the intent to tow and the operator's right to a contest.
  3. Jackson State Community College may revoke parking privileges for repeated and/or deliberate parking or moving violations.                                                                                         
  4. Parking permits are issued to motor vehicles, and are required to be affixed to a motor vehicle per instructions on decal. Permit holders are responsible for citations incurred with their permit. Persons will also be held liable for a violation incurred by a motor vehicle without a permit when that motor vehicle is reasonably shown to be associated with the person.
  5. Any student who has received a Jackson State Community College citation may appeal the citation within five (5) business days of the date of issuance. Citations issued by Jackson State Community College and not appealed must be paid. The Tennessee Code Annotated, TCA 49-9-108, states that all colleges and universities of the State College and University System are authorized to issue diplomas, transcripts or grade reports only after the student involved has paid all debts or obligations owed to the college or university including, but not limited to, college bookstores, libraries, food service centers, etc. As a result, no student may re-enroll, graduate, or receive an official and/or unofficial transcript or grade report until all financial obligations (such as returned checks, library fines, traffic fines, etc.) are paid.
  6. Employee who has received a Jackson State Community College citation may appeal the citation within five (5) business days of the date of issuance. Citations issued by Jackson State Community College and not appealed must be paid. If citation is not paid, then administrative actions will be taken to satisfy the debt.
  7. Visitor who has received a Jackson State Community College citation may appeal the citation within five (5) business days of the date of issuance. Citations issued by Jackson State Community College and not appealed must be paid. If citation is not paid then a notice will be sent and possibly turned over for collection if not satisfied.

APPEALS

  1. Any student who has received an institution-issued citation may appeal the citation to the Student Government Association (SGA) within five (5) days of the issuance date of the citation. Jackson State Community College provides instructions for appeals on the back of the citation and in the Student Handbook. Students who disagree with the final decision of their appeal to the Student Government Association (SGA) shall have the opportunity to appeal to the Vice President for Student Services in writing and within five (5) business days of receiving the final decision. They shall be notified by mail and/or email per the student’s request within two business days of the final decision.
  2. Visitors and employees may appeal traffic citations, in writing or in person with a copy of the citation, to the chief of Police in the Student Center Building within five (5) working days of receiving the citation. The chief of Police will make a decision on the validity of the citation after hearing and/or reading the appeal and will make a final determination within five (5) working days.

    All decisions regarding traffic citations for visitors and employees may be appealed in writing to the Vice President for Student Services within two (2) business days of the previous determination.
    • The Vice President for Student Services will obtain information from the Chief of Police, regarding the previous appeal decision.
    • The Vice President for Student Services will issue a decision, in writing, to the visitor or employee and Business Services Office, within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal.

Sources

Authority

T.C.A. § 49-8-203; All State and Federal Statutes, Acts, Codes, Rules and Regulations referenced in this policy.

History

NEW Policy approved at Board Meeting, June 18, 2021.