Parking Policy

Custodian of Policy: Vice President of Finance & Administration

Relevant Minnesota State Policy: Minnesota Statute Section 169.966, subd. 8 (1988)

Effective Date: Fall 2018

Last Review: Spring 2018

Next Review: Spring 2025

Rationale:

Authority for establishing traffic and parking regulations on the Minnesota State University Moorhead campus and on any other property controlled by the University is granted by Minnesota Statute Section 169.966, subd. 8 (1988) and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

MSUM parking regulations are designed to ensure safe vehicle and pedestrian travel in and around the MSUM campus and on any other property controlled by the University. Rents, charges or fees for the use of parking facilities owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the University are established to ensure a financially sustainable parking lot maintenance program.

Policy

Anyone operating or parking a vehicle on the Minnesota State University Moorhead campus or on any other property controlled by the University is responsible for being familiar with and complying with all traffic and University parking regulations.

The University may establish rents, charges or fees for the use of parking facilities owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the University. The money collected by the University as rents, charges or fees shall be used to maintain and operate parking lots and parking facilities.

Parking permits may only be sold by the University and not offered for resale or exchange between individuals. To obtain a parking permit, an individual must register their vehicle(s) with the MSUM Public Safety Department. Parking permits are valid only for the time period indicated on the permit and must be properly displayed. Parking permits may be returned for a full or partial refund according to the University tuition and fee refund policy. Lost or stolen permits must be reported to the MSUM Public Safety Department. Any person involved in any attempt to defraud the University is subject to disciplinary action.

Vehicles displaying a valid parking permit from Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MState), Concordia College, North Dakota State University (NDSU) and North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) may park in MSUM General Lots for no additional fee.

Employee or student vehicles displaying a valid state-issued disability parking permit (including temporary state-issued disability parking permits) or license plate are also required to display a valid MSUM parking permit while parked in a disability parking stall on campus or on any other property controlled by the University. Visitor vehicles displaying a valid state-issued disability parking permit (including temporary state-issued disability parking permits) or license plate who are parked longer than four (4) hours in a disability parking stall on campus or on any other property controlled by the University also require a valid MSUM parking permit.

Government vehicles may park in any marked parking space except reserved or disability parking spaces. Motorcycles, motorized scooters and mopeds (either gas or electrically powered) are required to be parked in designated motorcycle areas only. Bicycles are required to be parked in bicycle racks in designated areas.

The University may temporarily reserve and/or restrict parking in parking facilities owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the University in order to ensure that temporary parking is available for, and conveniently accessible near, special activities and events taking place in and/or on University property. Requests to reserve and/or restrict parking must be submitted in writing to the MSUM Public Safety Department no less than 10 days in advance of the special activity or event. Larger events and usage may require longer lead times to accommodate the needs of the requester. Requests must clearly describe the purpose and rationale for the request and must address how any rents, charges or fees normally collected at the parking facility would be paid or adjusted. The Vice President for Finance and Administration, or designee, shall have authority for reserving and/or restricting parking and adjusting any associated rents, charges or fees for the use of parking facilities owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the University.

The University reserves the right to cite, immobilize, or tow any vehicle parked on campus or on any other property controlled by the University in violation of established University parking regulations. The University may also tow a vehicle due to snow removal, repair work or abandonment.

Failure to pay all fines and penalties assessed on MSUM parking citations within an established timeframe will result in an additional financial penalty. Repeated violations of University parking regulations may result in University parking privileges being revoked by the MSUM Director of Public Safety.

Citations issued by MSUM may be appealed through the University. Appeals must be filed by the individual who received the citation within 10 calendar days of issue date in writing or online.

The Parking Appeals Subcommittee of the Facilities, Grounds and Safety Committee will serve as the appeal body for all citations issued and render a decision in each case. Any challenges made to the committee's decision will be reviewed by the MSUM Director of Public Safety.