June 19, 2019

I. INTRODUCTION 

The operation and parking of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege granted by the College.  Administrators of the vehicle regulations policy intend to communicate and apply the regulations consistently and fairly, and meet the parking needs of faculty and staff members.  Parking facilities at Cornell College are limited.  The purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee that a parking space in a College lot will always be available.  The inability to locate an open space is not an excuse for violation of these parking regulations.

The administration of all rules and regulations governing the operation of vehicles will be the responsibility of the Director of Campus Safety, the Parking Appeals Committee, other committees coordinated by the Director of Campus Safety, and those agents approved by the Director of Campus Safety.

Any request for changes, additions, or deletions to these regulations should be put in writing and addressed to the Director of Campus Safety.  These requests will be considered by the Director and/or the appropriate committee.

All moving and stationary vehicle laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations of the state of Iowa, the city of Mount Vernon, and Cornell , together with adopted amendments, will be enforceable twenty-four hours daily.  Snow, rain, and other inclement weather conditions will not alter any of the provisions of these regulations.

The owner/permit registrant assumes all responsibility for any damage to his/her vehicle while operated or parked on Cornell property.

Lack of familiarity with these regulations does not constitute a defense for failure to comply. It is the responsibility of the owner/permit registrant to assure the safe operation of their registered vehicle(s) in full compliance of these regulations.

II. PERMITS:

A. REGISTRATION

Employees who operate or park a motor vehicle on College property must register the vehicle annually with the College and properly display the permit. This includes those faculty and staff who have special placards or permits (e.g., Iowa disability permit, Lisbon/Mount Vernon emergency responder).

Parking lots available for employees are near these buildings: Thomas Commons (rear), Small Multi-sports Center, Cole Library, Norton Geology, Peter Paul Luce Admissions Center, McWethy Hall, and the Paul K. Scott Alumni Center.  

Parking permits may be purchased online and must be displayed by the first day of new student orientation. Parking permits may be picked up two business days after online registration is completed from the Campus Safety Office unless other distribution methods are communicated by the Director of Campus Safety. Please bring your photo ID in order to receive your permit. Campus Safety is located in the lower level of Ebersole. Permits must be displayed throughout the year, including during summer months, breaks, weekends, and after hours.

Part-time faculty permit fees will be pro-rated based upon $2.00 per block not to exceed $10.00. 

Cornell reserves the right to deny the issuance of a vehicle permit to anyone with indebtedness to the College arising from the parking or operation of a vehicle on College property until the indebtedness is paid in full. Violators will be denied the privilege of operating and parking their motor vehicle on College property.

Registrants needing temporary parking accommodations due to illness or injury will need to obtain a state-issued Person with Disabilities Parking Permit. This permit will allow registrants to park in the designated disability parking spots on campus. The permit is acquired through a full service driver's license site or the Iowa DOT office. Information regarding where to find these sites as well as eligibility, visit the Iowa DOT website. You will need to print and complete a copy of this form. Registrants possessing disability permits must register and notify Campus Safety of such a permit.  Registrants using designated disability parking spaces on campus must also have valid parking permits.

Guests are subject to all Cornell parking regulations.  When visiting for more than a 3-hour period, registration of vehicle is required.  There is no fee. Guest permits may be obtained at the Campus Safety Office, located in the lower level of Ebersole, 24 hours a day.  At no time are faculty, staff or students considered guests.

B. FEE STRUCTURE

  • Full-time Faculty/Staff 
    • (upper median - salary greater than $32,500)- $ 35.00
    • (lower median - salary $32,500 or less)- $ 17.50
  • Emeritus Status- $ 17.50

C. DISPLAY

College permits must be hung from the interior rear view mirror in clear view from the exterior of vehicle. Only one valid and current Cornell College permit may be displayed at any time.  All previous Cornell parking permits must be removed.  Any deviation from this section must be approved by the Director of Campus Safety.

D. REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

A new permit must be obtained if the original becomes mutilated or obliterated. A registrant requesting a permit for a new/exchanged motor vehicle or seeking to replace a damaged permit must remove and bring the remnants of the original permit to the Campus Safety Office. No replacement fee is charged if the remnants of the original permit are presented. Otherwise, there is a $5 charge for a replacement permit.  A permit is not transferable to an unregistered motor vehicle.

Motor vehicle permits must be removed under the following conditions:

  • Change of ownership
  • Termination of association of the owner with the College
  • Termination of the period for which the permit is issued
  • Receipt of a permit superseding a prior permit
  • Change of motor vehicle requiring permit replacement
  • Upon revocation of motor vehicle privileges



III. REGULATIONS

  • A) Parking in a parking lot other than the one for which the vehicle is registered is prohibited. This includes any other College property.
  • B) Driving into or parking in any area not designated for use or closed by the use of barricades, chains, gates, or other vehicle control devices is prohibited.
  • C) Parking or driving a vehicle on or blocking pedestrian paths, sidewalks, crosswalks, the Ped Mall, lawns and sports turf is prohibited. (Exception: special permission granted or service and emergency vehicles.)  It is recommended that, when operating on College property, all College vehicles engage hazard lights or yellow or purple-flashing emergency light when in motion. The speed limits on sidewalks and the Ped Mall is 5 MPH. 
    • When driving College vehicles on sidewalks or the Ped Mall, these vehicles should avoid, as possible, high pedestrian traffic times.  When it is necessary to drive on sidewalks or the Ped Mall during these times:
      • Pedestrians have the right of way.  Use routes of least pedestrian traffic.
      • Vehicles are to remain at a safe distance from students (at least 15 feet) when in motion.
      • Vehicles are not to weave in and out of traffic.
      • Do not honk to make pedestrians move out of the way.
      • Do not cut corners. Stay on hard surfaces.
      • Do not block or park within 10 feet of entrances to buildings.
  • D) Parking a vehicle in such a manner as to impede or obstruct properly parked/moving vehicles is prohibited.
  • E) Where parking stall lines are marked, operators must park their vehicles within the stall lines.
  • F) The College does not provide facilities for the parking or storage of boats, RVs, camper shells, removable vehicle tops, and/or trailers on its property. The College reserves the right to remove such vehicles/items from the campus at the owner's expense.
  • G) On special occasions and in emergencies, parking limitations and restrictions may be imposed or removed as required. The Director of Campus Safety, or the Cornell Parking Appeals Committee, reserves the right to impose any changes as warranted by a particular situation.
  • H) Temporary absence of a sign at the entrance of, or within a parking area/lot, does not signal the removal of restrictions upon that lot or area.
  • I) The College is posted as a school zone. The maximum speed limit on all College roadways and parking lots is 15 MPH. 
  • J) All vehicle related accidents which occur on College property must be reported to the Director of Campus Safety and/or to Campus Safety (x4299 or from an off campus line, 319-895-4299), and the Mt. Vernon Police Department (895-6141).
  • K) All state laws governing the movement and operation of motor vehicles are adopted by the College for control of vehicles on College property.
  • L) At no time are any faculty or staff members considered guests. Registrant permit must be displayed at all times.
  • M) Fire lanes are identified by either proper signage or designated by red curbs. Handicap parking facilities are identified by either proper signage or designated by blue curbs.
  • N) Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited.
  • O) Cornell vehicles must not park in handicap or 15 minute loading zones.
  • P) Pursuant to the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, smoking is prohibited in any vehicle while on College property.
  • Q) Cornell College contractors driving vehicles on campus must:
    • Display a Contractors Permit from the rearview mirror.  These will be provided and distributed by Facilities Services.
    • The Contractors Permit will be issued with an expiration date to coincide with length of service.  They are not open-ended.
    • Contractors operate under the same policies as Cornell College vehicles.

 
IV. LOADING/UNLOADING ZONES

  • Loading zones for faculty and staff usage are located in the following locations:
  • Thomas Commons - 15 minute parking in rear ice rink ONLY (no loading or unloading in the front circle drive)
  • McWethy - Rear of building
  • Norton Geology - Driveway on northeast side
  • Russell Science Center - East side parking 

Student loading zones are not to be used by faculty and staff without prior authorization of Campus Safety.  This includes each loading zone designated by each residence hall. 

Loading zone usage is limited to 15 minutes; however, if more time is needed authorization may be obtained from Campus Safety.  Long term parking is not permissible in the Thomas Commons rear circle without prior approval from the Director of Campus Safety

V. SPECIAL EVENTS OR SITUATIONS

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for College constituents to move their vehicles and/or vacate a parking lot (for example when curbs and parking lanes are painted, or during a campus event requiring other use of the lot).  Campus Safety and the Office of College Communications will provide as much advance notice as possible about these situations.  Failure to comply may result in a citation being issued or vehicle towing.  


 VI. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

A. Listed below are examples of actions that violate Cornell parking policy and the associated penalties:

  • Failure to obtain or properly display a registration permit- $20
  • Parking in a reserved resident staff parking space- $50
  • Parking in a fire lane- $100
  • Parking in or blocking handicap space or access ramp- $100
  • Violation causing the use of a wheel-locking device- $100  (cash only)

 Unpaid fines assume the same status as other debts to the College.  Payment of a citation does not infer guilt. A paid citation can be appealed if done so within the time frame stated in Article V.  Payment of fines during the academic year does not alleviate the accumulation of citations. 

B. Habitual, Aggravated or Flagrant Violations: Habitual, aggravated or flagrant disregard of Cornell parking and traffic regulations is grounds for revocation or suspension of motor vehicle privileges. Upon receipt of five citations, and any citation after that, registrant is subject to having vehicle immobilized. 

Campus Safety personnel prefer not to utilize wheel locking devices and will only do so in specific circumstances such as excessive violations or when parking privileges have been revoked.  HOWEVER, the vehicle owner will be subject to the corresponding $100.00 fine, in addition to the applicable initial parking fine.  Vehicle owners, when possible to identify, will be notified via email when they have accumulated five tickets and are subsequently eligible for receiving the wheel locking device for any additional offenses.

After the issuance of ten citations, the Director of Campus Safety has the authority to revoke campus parking privileges and immobilize or tow the owner's vehicle at the owner's expense. 

C. Impoundment: Cornell reserves the right to remove, impound, or immobilize, at the owner's/permit registrant's expense, a motorized vehicle from College property in the following circumstances:

  • Parking in such a manner which constitutes a safety hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
  • Obstruction or impediment of the operation of emergency equipment and personnel.
  • Vehicles with or without a valid Cornell College permit left unused, broken, abandoned, or in an unsightly condition.
  • Unauthorized parking in or restriction of access to a disabled designated area.
  • Parking of an unauthorized vehicle in an EMT parking space.
  • Parking in restricted or reserved areas.
  • Unauthorized parking or storage of boats, RVs, camper shells, removable vehicle tops, and/or trailers on College property.
  • Parking in a manner which could cause damage to College property or outside areas provided for the operation and parking of vehicles.
  • Any vehicle with five or more citations.
  • A vehicle has been left with a wheel locking device in place for five days.  On the fifth day the vehicle will be subject to towing, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Office of Campus Safety.

D. The permit holder is responsible for their vehicle even if they are not the operator.

The College assumes no responsibility for the loss from or damage to removed, impounded, or immobilized vehicles found in violation of state, city, or Cornell College regulations.

The owner/permit registrant of removed, impounded, or immobilized vehicles may contact the Campus Safety Office for recovery and release information. Any vehicle with outstanding citations and/or fines will not be released without a cashier's receipt as proof of payment of the owner's outstanding account and applicable storage fees. Failure to present a cashier's receipt for the Business Services Office or other delay in recovery/release may result in an additional cost for storage.

Vehicle storage and/or removal charges are the responsibility of the owner/permit registrant and must be satisfied between the owner/permit registrant and the private towing service. Unclaimed vehicles are subject to disposal by the College.

 VII. Payment of Fines

When a notice of violation of Cornell College Parking and Traffic Regulations (parking violation/ticket) is issued, the recipient shall pay the penalty directly to the Cashier at Business Services in Old Sem.

  • Payment: All monetary penalties shall be paid to the Cashier in Business Services. Payment may be made by mail or in person. Mailing instructions and penalties are listed on the notice. No violation will be considered cleared until the correct amount has been paid. If a violator loses their copy of the notice/citation, information concerning the citation must be obtained from the Campus Safety Office.                                               
  • Unpaid Citations: A citation unpaid after ten (10) business days following the day the notice was issued shall be considered delinquent.

By registering my vehicle, I authorize Cornell College to withhold from my wages parking and vehicle fines which are 60 or more days past due. I understand that I have the right to appeal paid and unpaid parking fines to the Director of Campus Safety as noted in section VI of the Cornell College Faculty/Staff Vehicle Regulations. I also understand that I may withdraw my consent to withhold past due parking fines from my wages at anytime and withdrawal of this consent terminates my parking permit with Cornell College and my parking permit will become inactivated.  Faculty and staff with outstanding parking fines will be prohibited from purchasing a current parking permit and therefore will not be authorized to use College parking facilities without penalty.           

 

VIII. APPEALS

Appeals Hearing: A person who receives a College parking or traffic violation citation may protest the citation in the following manner:

  • A request for an appeals hearing may be made by filling out a form obtained online at 
    https://www.cornellcollege.edu/campus-safety/vehicles-parking/ticket_appeal/index.php
  • This form must be returned to the Campus Safety Office for processing within five (5) business days after the issuance of a citation.  If you have paid your citation, attach a copy of the receipt to the appeals form. Failure to do so could delay your potential reimbursement.

A person who fails to submit an appeal request before the end of the above business day appeal period shall not be eligible for a hearing and relinquishes the right to further appeal.

The Cornell Parking Appeals Committee may confirm, reverse, or modify the citation and penalty. An adjustment of a penalty, in accordance with the decision of the committee, will be processed by Business Services.

A second appeal of a violation may be heard, for good reason, at the discretion of the Director of Campus Safety.

Any appeal received after the final Appeals Committee meeting in an academic year will be heard and reviewed by the Director of Campus Safety.


IX.  GENERAL SERVICES

The Department of Campus Safety is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  You can reach Campus Safety at x4299, or from an off campus phone or cell phone, please dial (319)895-4299.  The office is located in the lower level of Ebersole.  You can learn more about Campus Safety and parking policies at /campus-safety/index

In addition to coordinating parking services and enforcing regulations, the Campus Safety staff routinely patrols the entire campus and frequents buildings.  Direct one touch emergency phones connected to the campus safety office are located across campus.  Escorts to and from locations on campus are available 24 hours a day.  During periods of inclement weather, officers also assist with making sidewalks safe and provide shovels, salt and sand for use by students, faculty and staff.  

An emergency text messaging service is available through the R.A.M. Emergency System.  Visit /campus-safety/index for more information on services available.

Please remember to report any crimes or suspicious activities to Campus Safety or the Mount Vernon Police Department.