Parking regulations

The operation of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege extended to employees and students. Regulations are necessary in order to have proper control of the operation of motor vehicles. If these regulations are not followed, a student may expect to be issued a ticket, have the vehicle towed, lose the privilege, or in cases of serious difficulty or continued trouble, a student may be suspended from the university for breaking regulations.

The acceptance of the privilege of parking a motor vehicle on campus shall constitute the acceptance of the responsibilities of the driver to see that no vehicle owned or registered in his/her name is operated or parked in violation of the regulations. All vehicles parked on campus shall be parked at the risk of the owner.

Motor vehicle registration 

All automobiles, trucks, motorbikes, motorcycles and motor scooters owned or operated by employees or students of Bluffton University and brought to the campus must display an official university motor vehicle parking sticker. Vehicles must be registered at the business office, located in College Hall, or online within the first three days of the start of the school year, or within three days after bringing the vehicle to the campus.

Students registering a vehicle will receive one nonrefundable parking sticker for $15. A second nonrefundable sticker can be purchased for $10. There is a limit of two parking stickers per student. Stickers must be placed in the lower left corner of the rear window. Only one vehicle is allowed per student on campus at one time. Students must park only in the assigned lots at all times. Residential students may park in any lot lettered A-F. Commuter students may park in any G lot.

A change of vehicles any time during the year must be reported immediately to the business office (ext. 3301 or e-mail reichenbachp@bluffton.edu.) Students wishing to change his/her permit must contact the business office. A temporary parking pass can also be obtained at the business office in College Hall for short-term parking (up to 2 weeks).

Visitor vehicles are required to display a guest permit while parked on campus between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m. Guest permits for visitor vehicles are available at the information desk in Marbeck Center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., and through campus security during other times at 419-303-3121. A parking lot designated solely for visitors is conveniently located by Burcky Gym and Marbeck. Visitors also may park in any residential or faculty/staff/ commuter lot except where designated as handicapped or reserved. Students may not obtain visitor permits for their own vehicles.

Temporary handicapped permits are available at the business office and must be accompanied by a doctor's verification.

Anyone wishing to have a security escort from assigned parking lots should call university security at 419-303-3121.

A list of lots and vehicles permitted to park in each lot are listed below. Signage is posted at each location.

Residential student lots:
A. Ramseyer, Hirschy, Neufeld lots, First row in the first Bentley Road lot,
     adjacent to the football field

B.  Bentley Road second, third and fourth lots, adjacent to the football field

D.  Sauder Visual Arts Center lot

E.  Bren-Dell lot and College Ave. from Spring Street to the bridge

F.  Ropp Hall lots

Commuter student lots:
G.  Elm Street lot, Sauder Visual Arts Center lot, Sommer Center lot and first Bentley Road lot (except for first row)

 

Parking and operating violations

• Parking in restricted or no parking areas. Signs mark all such areas.
• Parking in driveways, walks, loading areas, grassed areas, entrances to buildings or at cross walks.
• Failure to properly display a permit within 24 hours of its receipt.
• Failure to obey lot assignments and designated space rules as listed above.
• Failure on campus to observe the traffic and parking regulations of the village of Bluffton.
• Exceeding the posted speed limit on campus.
• Reckless operation of vehicles.
• Parking along curbs painted yellow (no parking zones and fire zones) near buildings is not allowed, except to unload and load student belongings. Hazard flasher lights must be used when loading or unloading (no exceptions). Immediately upon unloading or loading, the vehicle must be  moved. A 10-minute limit will be enforced.  Vehicles not moved will receive tickets.
• Improper parking in handicapped zones, reserved parking spaces and along roads marked no parking is not allowed.
• The Bluffton village and police departments monitor parking off campus. Violations and fines for violations are the responsibility of the village. Restricted parking on streets adjacent to campus is enforced from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless the vehicle holds a homeowner s parking permit. Streets adjacent to campus include Spring, Lawn, College (between Spring and Jackson). High, Collegeview, Campus, Grove and Elm.
• All unregistered cars will have license plates investigated by the business office and fines issued to the vehicle owners.
• Any student in possession of a permit that has been stolen, altered or used without authorization from the business office will be automatically referred to the judicial board and fines assessed.
• Failure to display a valid State of Ohio or Bluffton University handicapped permit when parked in handicapped spaces.

 

Fines and loss of privilege

All parking violation fines are payable within three working days of issuing the ticket. A parking ticket not paid within three days will be added to the student's account. An appeals committee of Student Senate members will review appeals of issued tickets. Appeals procedures are available at the business office.

Fines for parking violations are as follows:

• Parking in incorrect lot: $25 per daily violation
• Parking in fire lanes, no flashers or exceeding 10 minute limit: $25 per daily violation
• Unregistered vehicles in correct lot: $5 first violation, $25 second violation
• Failure to display permit: $5 per daily violation
• Stolen, altered or unauthorized use of parking sticker: $25 per daily violation
• Parking in handicapped area: $50 per daily violation
• Multiple vehicles parked in same lot: $25 per daily violation
• No valid parking permit: $25 per daily violation
• Taking two or more parking spaces: $10 per daily violation
• Blocking Drive/access: $10 per daily violation
• Parking in non-designated parking area: $10 per daily violation
• Parking in reserved space: $ 25 per daily violation
• Reckless/hazardous operation of vehicle: $25 per violation
• Any cost with identifying unregistered vehicles will be passed on to the student or owner
• All other parking violations: $5 per daily violation