PARKING

Section I

General Information

Pursuant to the authority granted by Sections 51.201 et, 54.503, 65.31, and Chapter 76 of Title 3 of the Texas Education Code, the Board of Trustees of Trinity Valley Community College promulgated Parking and Traffic Regulations to regulate and control parking and traffic and the use of parking facilities, to provide for the issuance of parking permits, and to provide for jurisdiction over offenses. This booklet contains those regulations and procedures applicable to any person who walks or drives and parks a motor vehicle or bicycle on  any  of Trinity Valley Community College campus. These rules and regulations are supplementary to the ordinances in the Cities of Athens, Kaufman, Palestine, Terrell, and the statues of the State of Texas which governs pedestrians and the use of motor vehicles and bicycles.

The College is not responsible for fire, theft, damage to or loss of vehicles parked or operated on any college campus. No bailment is created by granting any parking or operating privileges regarding a vehicle on any property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the College.

The administration and enforcement of the regulations contained in this booklet are as follows:

Traffic and Parking Appeals
Any person who receives a parking citation may file a request to appeal the citation by submitting an appeal form, located at the campus police department on the Athens campus or located on the campus police department web page, no later than 10 working days after the citation was issued.  If the appeal is not filed within this period, the citation is deemed final.

The Vice President of Student Services or his designee serves as the Parking Citation appeals administrator for all campuses.  Upon the decision of the appeal, the Parking Citation appeals administrator will notify the appellant of the decision.  The appeals administrator may order the payment of the fines in whole or in part, or the cancelation of such charges.  If the appeal is denied, the appellant is required to pay the charges within 10 working days after the notification of the Appeals administrator’s decision.  The Appeals administrator’s decision is final and there are no further appeals.

Campus Police
The campus police have the responsibility and the legal authority for the enforcement of the Parking and Traffic Regulations listed in this booklet. Campus police officers may issue campus citations or court appearance citations, ENFORCEABLE IN COURT. On special occasions and emergencies, such parking limitations may be imposed by the chief of police as are required by the conditions which prevail. When conditions warrant such action, the chief may waive parking limitations.
The College reserves the right to enforce parking and traffic regulations:

1.       Through the issuance of TVCC citations and the collection of administrative enforcement charges for
           offenses.

2.       Through the impoundment of vehicles interfering with the movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or
           blocking a sidewalk, loading dock, ramp, crosswalk, entrance, exit, fire lane or aisle and through the
           impoundment of vehicles for unpaid charges after proper notice as provided by these regulations.

 3.       By the suspension or revocation of permits.

 4.       By requiring either the vehicle owner, operator or the person who purchased the permit to appear before the
           Vice President for Student Services for non-payment of outstanding charges.

 5.       By barring the readmission and withholding grades, degree, refunds and official transcript of any student for
            non-payment of outstanding charges.

  6.       By disciplinary action against employees or students who fail to abide by these regulations.

 7.       By denying parking permits to those with overdue charges.

 8.       By the issuance of Court Appearance citations requiring an appearance in the appropriate state or
           municipal court.

 9.       By such other methods as are commonly employed by city governments or state agencies in control
           of traffic regulation enforcement.

Proof of the fact that any parking or traffic control device, sign, parking meter, signal or marking was actually in place at any location on any TVCC campus shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same is official and was installed under the authority of applicable law and these regulations.

When any person is charged with having stopped, parked and left standing a motor vehicle on any TVCC campus in violation of any provision of the Parking and Traffic Regulations, proof that said vehicle was, at the date of the offense, bearing a valid TVCC parking permit shall constitute prima facie evidence that said vehicle was then and there stopped, parked and left standing by the holder of the parking permit. However, if the vehicle does not bear a valid TVCC parking permit, proof that said vehicle at the date of the offense alleged, was owned by an individual is prima facie proof that said vehicle was then and there stopped, parked and left standing by said individual.

The College assumes no responsibility for any vehicle or any duty to protect any vehicle or its contents at any time the vehicle is operated or parked on the campus.

The College may deem a motor vehicle including a motorcycle, motor scooter, moped or bicycle parked on any College campus for more than 48 hours without a valid permit to be abandoned and may dispose of such vehicle.

Section II

Quick Reference to Parking and Traffic Regulations

Parking and traffic regulations on campus are in effect at all times.

Permits Required for Access & Parking
Trinity Valley Community College campuses are “Parking by Permit only” campuses.  The operating of a motor vehicle or bicycle on any Trinity Valley Community College campus is a PRIVILEGE granted by the College and is not an inherent right of any faculty/staff member,  student, or visitor. All faculty/staff, students, and visitors who park on TVCC property must have a valid TVCC issued parking permit or temporary parking permit.

Parking permits are issued through the campus police department on the Athens campus. Through the Library in the Anderson Building on the Palestine campus, through the Library on the Kaufman campus, and through the Library on the Terrell campus.

Faculty and Staff are provided parking permits at no cost.  Students are provided one parking permit each academic year at no cost and will be charged five dollars for each permit thereafter.

Visitors are provided temporary parking permits at no cost.

All parking permits expire August 31^st of every even year (i.e. 2016, 2018).

Ownership of the permit remains with the institution and is not transferable. Any change affecting ownership of a vehicle on which a permit has been displayed must be properly reported to the Campus Police Department or college official issuing permits on the Palestine, Kaufman, and Terrell campuses.

Display of Permits
Parking permits must be properly affixed to the lower left-hand rear window of the vehicle. Permits which are taped or affixed by unauthorized materials will subject the holder to a citation. Additionally, the permit will be revoked and the holder may lose all parking privileges.

Temporary parking permits must be placed on the front driver side dash area of the vehicle, as to prominently display the information written on the permit.

Parking permits may not be altered in any way.

Only one parking permit may be displayed on a vehicle at any given time.

Surrender of Permits
Permits shall be surrendered when there is a change of vehicle ownership, when association with TVCC is terminated, when a replacement permit has been issued to take the place of a previously issued permit or upon expiration or revocation.

Specific Classes of Permits

Green permits are designated for faculty and staff only.

Blue permits are designed for Residence Hall students residing in the South and West Residential Halls only.

Orange permits are designated for Residential Hall students residing in the Northeast, Northwest and Cardinal Hall Residential Halls only.

Brown permits are designated for non-residence hall students and those who commute to Trinity Valley.

Yellow permits are designated as temporary permits and issued to campus visitors who temporarily utilize a vehicle not registered with TVCC.

Visitors are required to register the motor vehicle that is to be operated on the premises of Trinity Valley College.  Visitors must obey traffic and parking regulations as a condition of remaining on the premises of the college.

Temporary visitor permits are issued on a temporary basis and expire on the date and time indicated on the permit.  The expiration date and will be determined at the time of the permit’s issuance.

Guests visiting campuses during large-scale college sanctioned events such as athletic events, graduations, or theater productions are not be required to display a parking permit during the hours of the event.  During these events, visitors are restricted to parking in the immediate area of the event only.

Department heads my request visitor permits from the Campus Police Department and dispense the permits to the people involved in short-term visits to the college for events such as meeting and seminars.  A list should be forwarded to the Campus Police showing the course, estimated number attending, and inclusive dates of the event.  

No vehicles larger than one ton or any double hookups (vehicle and trailer) not directly involved with a sanctioned TVCC event may be parked on any TVCC campus without the consent of the Chief of Police for the Athens campus and the Provosts for the Kaufman, Palestine, and Kaufman campuses.  

Designated Parking Areas 

Green Curbs - Faculty and staff are instructed to park in the areas the curbs or inner lines are painted green, but are not restricted to those spaces only.