Traffic Regulations

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE

“TRAFFIC CODE”

INTRODUCTION

This publication contains a codification of the rules that govern the use of all vehicular transportation (motor or otherwise) and all pedestrian traffic on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Many of the rules and regulations which are contained in this publication were previously set forth in the booklet entitled "The UL Lafayette Traffic Code"; effective August 1, 1997 is hereby revoked and superseded by "The UL Lafayette Traffic Code", effective May 1, 2004.

The Rules and Regulations are promulgated by the Department of Parking & Transit under the power and authority of the Board of Trustees, through the Parking & Planning Committee. This traffic code is designed to uphold and enhance the goals and purposes of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The operation of a vehicle on the campus is regarded as a privilege granted by the University in order to effectively carry out its goals and purposes. As such, the privilege may be revoked whenever it interferes with the functions of the University. The University reserves the right to change any or all parts of these regulations if necessary; however, all changes will be published in the Vermilion prior to taking effect.

In order to operate a motor vehicle on University property, the operator must agree to abide by all regulations in this UL Lafayette Traffic Code. In addition, by voluntarily parking the vehicle on University property, the operator must agree to abide by all regulations in the UL Lafayette Traffic Code. In addition, by voluntarily parking the vehicle on University property, the University is not liable for any damages incurred.  In addition to any penalties stipulated in this code for any violations referenced, the owner registrant or driver is also subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the University Code of Student Conduct.

SECTION ONE - TITLE

1.1 This code should be cited as "The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Traffic Code".

SECTION TWO - DEFINITIONS

2.1 Motor Vehicle:  Automobile, truck, motorcycle, and other motor powered vehicle operating on land.

2.2 Faculty:  Any person employed by the University and assigned academic rank. (This does not include Graduate Teaching Assistants.)

2.3 Staff:  Any person employed by the University full-time either in a classified or unclassified position.

2.4 Full Time Graduate Assistant:  Any graduate student employed by the University whose full-time assistantship duties are teaching.

2.5 Student:  Any person who has registered to attend the University in any capacity.

2.6 Family Housing Residents:  Residents of the University Married Student Housing including Vet Village and Cajun Village.

2.7 Application For Motor Vehicle Registration:  A form requesting information from the applicant (such as:  name, student identification number, vehicle registration papers).

2.8 Parking Zone:  An area assigned to a registered motor vehicle.

2.9 Night School Parking Zones:  All prime parking zones, (not including Residence Hall Zones).

2.10 Conference Center Parking Lot:  Conference Center parking is located behind the Conference Center off of Smith Street.

2.11 Handicapped Vehicles:  A vehicle bearing official state issued handicapped license plate or handicap placard.

2.12 Banned Vehicles:  A vehicle that because of excessive violations or safety violations is not permitted to park in a zoned parking facility owned by the University.  Violation of this ban will result in immediate immobilization or towing.

2.13 Pay Parking Areas: Pay parking lots are located on the corner of St. Mary and Girard Park Drive, and on the corner of Cherry St. and W. St. Mary Blvd.  Parking fees are $1.00 for the first hour and $.25 every fifteen minutes thereafter, except in zone 36, corner of Cherry St. and W. St. Mary Blvd. where the fees are $3.00 upon each entry.

2.14 Visitor Parking: Visitors to the University may park in the lot behind the Student Union on McKinley Street. Parking stubs may be validated by the department visited to avoid charges.  Validations for students will not be accepted.

2.15 Emergency Vehicle: A City, Parish, State, or Federal vehicle having a “Public” license plate and permanent (non-magnetic) markings on both sides of the vehicle, bearing the name of the emergency organization and department. This includes all ambulance vehicles not having “Public” license plates.

SECTION THREE - ADMINISTRATION OF TRAFFIC CODE

3.1 The University Police and the Parking & Transit Enforcement Personnel are responsible for the enforcement of this code.

3.2 The officers of the University Police Department will be commissioned by the Department of Public Safety and/or the Lafayette Sheriff's Department.

3.3 Appeal of any of the regulations set forth in this code can be made to the Parking Appeals Committee.  Appeals must be made within four (4) class days of issuance of the violation. Appeals are made on line at:  park.louisiana.edu.

3.4 The Parking Appeals Committee will consist of eleven members:  four (4) faculty or staff members appointed by the President; two (2) students appointed by the President; two (2) faculty or staff members and three (3) students recommended by the President of the Student Government Association to the President of the University.

3.5 A quorum will consist of any six (6) members of the Parking Appeals Committee.

3.6 Any change of this code must be effected by the Parking and Planning Committee, with the approval of the Vice-President for Student Affairs.

3.7 The Parking and Planning Committee will consist of eleven (11) members:  four (4) faculty or staff members appointed by the President; two (2) students appointed by the President; two (2) faculty or staff and three (3) students recommended by the Student Government Association President to the President of the University.  The President will appoint a chairman.

3.8 Tenure in both committees shall be as follows:  All faculty and staff members shall serve for four (4) years (preferably staggered); student members are to serve for tenure as students of the University beginning with the first day of the summer session after this appointment.  Undergraduate student members shall be enrolled for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours of course work during a regular semester.  Graduate student members shall be enrolled for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of course work during a regular semester.

SECTION FOUR - REGISTRATION

4.1 Any vehicle parked on University property must be registered with the UL Lafayette Parking & Transit Department.  Those not registered or properly displaying a UL Lafayette parking permit, will be treated as an illegally parked vehicle.

4.2 Faculty and Staff will be allowed to register their vehicles on a preferential basis prior to the first day of regular student registration.  Faculty and staff are allowed multiple registrations with only one vehicle being on campus at any one time.  Commencing on the Saturday prior to the start of the Fall Semester classes, vehicle registration will be sold to students.

4.3 Full Time Graduate Assistants will be allowed to purchase prime parking space on the day preceding regular student registration, if spaces are available.

4.4 The privilege of registering a vehicle will be limited to faculty, staff, and students unless permission is obtained from the proper Parking and Traffic Committee.

4.5 Students are allowed multiple registrations with only one vehicle being on campus at any one time.  In the case of students living in Married Student Housing, each apartment can be granted a total of two permits.  The person(s) registering the vehicles must reside in Married Student Housing complex.

4.6 In order to register a vehicle, a person must present a vehicle registration, student identification card, and proper application for a parking permit and the appropriate fee.

4.7 If registration must be changed from one vehicle to another for any reason, the Department of Parking and Transit must be notified and will assist in the reassignment of the vehicle registration (Permit must be returned).

4.8 Any person with a registered vehicle may obtain a temporary parking permit for another vehicle if the registered vehicle is unavailable.  Any change in the information supplied on the application form must be reported to the Parking & Transit Office within 96 hours or the registration becomes invalid.

4.9 Any falsification of information supplied on the application form is a violation of this regulation and of the "Code of Student Conduct", section 15.15.

4.10 Visitors to the UL Lafayette campus must park in the visitor’s lot behind the Student Union on McKinley Street or at the corner of St. Mary and Girard Park Drive (Zone 15).  Validations for parking are accepted at the Union parking lot only.  Validations will not be accepted at the parking lot at the corner of St. Mary and Girard Park Drive (Zone 15).

4.11 Parking permits are NOT transferable among individuals and any such transfer will be considered a violation of the “Code of Student Conduct” and this regulation.

4.12 Permits issued for the Residence Hall lots will be issued on a first come first serve basis by zone until capacity is reached, only if the residence hall student is the primary user of the registered vehicle.  Use of a residence hall parking permit for vehicles not used primarily by the residence hall student is strictly forbidden.  If a student leaves the residence hall during the semester, he/she must return their parking permit for an exchange where space is available.

SECTION FIVE - PARKING ZONES

5.1 Any person with legal registration of a vehicle will be assigned a parking zone.  The hours of restriction for a legitimate parking area are: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday for all zones except as otherwise stated in this code.  All housing zones (including residence hall and married housing) shall be restricted 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

5.2 Hours of Night School parking zone restrictions are 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday (Bourgeois Hall, zone 40 is free all day).  Any vehicle with a valid UL Lafayette permit will be permitted to park on campus.  For the convenience of night students a special night permit is required and will be available to all students attending these night classes.

5.3 Registration does not allow parking in any zone, only in the one assigned on the registration form.

5.4 Motorcycles should park in areas designated as motorcycle zones. These areas will be indicated by signs.  Failure to park in the designated area will be treated as an illegally parked vehicle.

5.5 Parking on campus other than that described in this section will be considered a violation of this Code and the vehicle will be treated as an illegally parked vehicle.

SECTION SIX - DISPLAY OF PARKING PERMITS

6.1 The owner of each legally registered vehicle will display the permit on the driver's side rear back glass of the vehicle (OUTSIDE).  In the case of multiple registrations the HANG TAG must hang from the rear view mirror.

6.2 Both permits must be displayed in the proper place as described in 6.1.  Motorcycle permits should be displayed on the rear fender. Any deviations in the procedure described in 6.1 must be approved by the Director of Parking and Transit.  All others will be considered a violation of this Code and the vehicle will be treated as an illegally parked vehicle.

6.3 If either of the permits is lost or stolen, the owner is responsible for reporting this to the Parking & Transit Department which will then assist the owner in the proper re-registration of the vehicle.

SECTION SEVEN - COST OF PARKING PERMITS

7.1 All Faculty/Staff permits must be purchased for a full year beginning with the Fall Semester. Permits purchased after the Fall Semester must be purchased for the remainder of the academic year.

7.2 Permits for all prime parking zones will cost $20.00 per regular semester and $10.00 for the Summer Semester (Annual cost - $50.00).

7.3 Permits are not required for Cajun Field and zone 40 at Bourgeois Hall.

7.4 Permits for Night School parking will cost $15.00 per regular semester and $10.00 for the Summer Semester (Annual cost - $40.00).

7.5 Permits for Motorcycle parking will cost $6.00 per regular semester and $3.00 for the Summer Semester (Annual cost - $15.00).

7.6 The cost for replacing or transferring any permit will be $5.00.

7.7 The cost for a lost or stolen gate access card is $5.00.

7.8 A hang tag may be purchased for all permits except married housing and resident hall zones for an additional cost of five dollars.

SECTION EIGHT - SPECIAL PERMITS

8.1 Emergency vehicles as defined in section 2.15 do not need permits when responding to emergencies on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s campus.

8.2 Permits for persons with a permanent disability will be issued by the Director of Parking and Transit in consultation with the Department of Services for Students with Disabilities.  This action is subject to review by the proper University Parking and Traffic Committee.  The vehicle to be registered will have to display a permanent handicap license plate or the person will need to present their handicap placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicle.  The state issued handicapped placard or license plate along with the University issued permit must be visible at all times.  If the state issued placard or license plate is not visible then the vehicle will be considered illegally parked and a citation will be issued.

8.3 Temporary special permits for persons with a temporary disability will be issued by the Parking and Transit Office after a review by the Director of Parking and Transit and is subject to review by the proper University Parking and Traffic Committee.  Documentation from a physician will be necessary to obtain this permit.

8.4 In order to be eligible for a temporary special permit, the person must be either a registered faculty, staff or student of the University.

8.5 Reserved parking spaces will only be given under very unusual circumstances.  Application for such spaces should be made in letter form to the proper traffic committee.

SECTION NINE - PENALTIES

9.1   Any vehicle in violation of any part of this UL Lafayette Traffic Code will be considered illegally parked or illegally operating on University property and subject to the penalties in this code.

9.2   The fine for illegally parked vehicles is $20.00.  Section 9.2 does not apply to 9.6, concerning towing or 9.20 concerning handicap citations.

9.3      Upon issuance of the third violation, a vehicle is subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.

9.4   If a person tries to move a vehicle that has been immobilized or towed that person will be responsible for any resulting damages to the vehicle.

9.5   If a vehicle is towed away, the owner, registrant or driver of the vehicle is responsible for the payment of all outstanding fines, towing fees, storage charges, plus any administrative fee.

9.6   If a vehicle is immobilized or towed, the owner/registrant/driver is responsible for the fine of $15.00 plus the tow fine of $45.00 and all outstanding violations, except the violation of handicap parking zones for which the immobilization fee is $20.00 plus all outstanding violations.

9.7   Any unauthorized removal of an immobilizer will be a violation of the "Code of Student Conduct", section 15.11, and the individual will be subject to University disciplinary action under the "Code of Student Conduct". In addition, the removal may result in the banning of owner/registrant's vehicle from campus and an additional $25.00 penalty will be imposed for the unauthorized immobilizer removal. Any vehicle immobilization which is not cleared within 24 hours will be subject to being towed away at the owner/registrant's expense.

9.8    The owner/registrant/violator shall be responsible for all violations attributed to a given vehicle.  The banning of any vehicle from the University shall become effective immediately upon issuance of the fourth (4) violation.  This action will be automatic and notice need not be given to owner/registrant (effective August 7, 1983).

9.9    If a faculty or staff member refuses to pay fines which are determined to be valid, the case will be referred to the proper authorities and legal action will be taken to collect such fines.

9.10   If a student refuses to pay fines which are determined to be valid, the University will withhold the student's transcript/grade/degree and will prevent future registration until such time as these fines are paid.  The student will be subject to disciplinary action under the "Code of Student Conduct".

9.11   All unauthorized vehicles parked in a fire lane, grassy area, or in a handicapped parking space or non-surfaced parking area will be towed or immobilized.

9.12   The fine for any moving violation will be $10.00.  Any alteration, theft, or transfer of a permit will result in the immediate immobilization or towing of the vehicle. In addition, the student will be subject to disciplinary action under the "Code of Student Conduct".

9.13   A vehicle shall be considered abandoned when the vehicle has been parked on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus in excess of five days without moving; or inoperative; or not registered with the state or not having a valid license plate; or in the opinion of University Police or Parking and Transit the vehicle causes safety or environmental concerns.  In the event the vehicle is registered with the university and has the proper permit, every attempt will be made by Parking and Transit to contact the driver/registered owner prior to removing the vehicle from campus.

9.14   Vehicles may be cited for the same violation every four hours.

9.15   Failure to abide by the verbal parking directive of a University Police Officer, Ticket Writer or Parking Lot Attendant may result in the immediate towing or immobilization of the vehicle regardless of the prior number of violations.  Failure to comply with this regulation could result in disciplinary action in accordance with the “Code of Student Conduct.”

9.16   Any unauthorized display or unauthorized removal of a citation will be considered a violation of this Code and the "Code of Student Conduct" and will result in possible disciplinary action and a fine.

9.17   Forgery or misuse of the multiple registration (Hang Tag) can result in citation, immobilization and towing and/or both vehicles being banned from campus.

9.18   Stopping or Parking on UL Lafayette Property or Roadway

A.  Normal Parking on Street.

No person shall stand or park a vehicle on a street or zone other than parallel with the edge of the street or zone headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement. The right hand wheels of the vehicle shall be within eighteen inches of the curb or edge of the street except where angular parking is permitted as indicated by signage or pavement markings or where vehicles park on the left side of a one-way street. When parked on the left side of a one way street the left hand wheels of the vehicle shall be within eighteen inches of the curb or edge of street.

B. Restricted Use of Bus Stop.

No person shall stop or park a vehicle other than a bus in a Bus Stop when any such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately signed, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of and which actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers, when such stopping does not interfere with any bus, waiting to enter or about to enter such zone. All such vehicles when parking or stopping shall be parallel and adjacent to the curb. 

C. Places Where Stopping or Parking is Prohibited; No Signs Required.

a. No person shall stop or park a vehicle or other conveyance, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or directions of a UL Lafayette Police officer, Parking and Transit Personnel or traffic control device, at any of the following places:

1.  On a sidewalk;

2.  In front of or within three (3) feet of the curb return in a public or private driveway, wheelchair ramp, bicycle ramp or loading ramp;

3.  Within an intersection;

4.  Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant;

5.  On a crosswalk;

6.  Within twenty (20) feet of a crosswalk or an intersection;

7.  Within twenty (20) feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a street or roadway;

8. Along side or opposite any street excavation when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;

9. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

10. Alongside a neutral ground curb;

11. Any place where parking will obscure or obstruct visibility of any traffic control device; or

12. Upon the traveled portion of any roadway except to yield to other traffic, or as directed by a signal or sign, or as directed by a UL Lafayette Police officer or Parking and Transit personnel

13. No Parking on the grass.

D. Parking Not to Obstruct Traffic

No person shall stop or park any vehicle upon a street or zone in such manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than sixteen (16) feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of two‑way vehicular traffic or less than ten (10) feet of width of a one-way roadway for the movement of one-way vehicular traffic. 

E. Parking for More Than Twenty‑Four Hours Prohibited.

No person shall park a vehicle on any street or zone for a period of time longer than twenty‑four (24) hours consecutively unless authorized by the Director of Parking and Transit.

F. Parking on One‑Way Streets.

The Director may erect signs upon the left‑hand side of any one‑way street to prohibit the parking of vehicles, and when such signs are in place, no person shall park a vehicle upon such left‑hand side in violation of any such sign.

G. Parking Next to Construction.

The Director shall have the authority to erect signs restricting parking on either side of any street or zone adjacent to any construction site, when parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation. When appropriate signs are erected, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. Said restrictions shall be in place until such time that said construction is complete.

H. Stopping or Parking is Prohibited in Yellow Curb Zones.

No person shall stop or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time in any area where the curb has been painted yellow in order to indicate that parking or stopping adjacent to that curb zone is prohibited.

I. Stopping or Parking is Prohibited in Designated Fire Lanes.

No person shall stop or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time in any area which has been designated as a fire zone whether the designation is made by sign(s) or by paint (yellow or red) striping on the pavement or by a combination of methods.

J. No Stopping or Parking in areas designated as No Parking Zones.

No person shall stop or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time in any area which has been designated by sign(s) as a no parking/stopping area or a no parking/stopping anytime area.

All vehicles will be treated as illegally parked even if it is registered to park in the zone for which the vehicle is registered.

9.19   Any vehicle parked in a limited time parking area that exceeds the time limit will be treated as an illegally parked vehicle.  This vehicle may be ticketed each time the time limit is exceeded (for example:  15 minute parking, the vehicle may be cited every fifteen minutes).

9.20. Restricted Area of Parking Spaces for Handicapped Persons.

A. No person shall stop, or park a vehicle in, or otherwise block, an appropriately signed parking space for the handicapped, except those vehicles that display an official license plate or permit indicating a handicapped status issued by the State of Louisiana, or any other State.

B. Any person that fails to properly display the official, original copy of a handicapped parking placard or permit, as required by the issuing state agency, shall be subject to a fine in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00).

C. Any person that parks, stops, or permits a vehicle to stand, in the area blocking a handicapped parking space or the space intended for the unloading/loading of the handicapped person shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)

SECTION TEN - REGULATION PERTAINING TO OPERATING OF VEHICLES

10.1 All Lafayette Consolidated Government Traffic Ordinances, the State of Louisiana Highway Regulation Act Title 32, as well as the UL Lafayette Traffic regulations apply to motor vehicle operation on the UL Lafayette campus.

SECTION ELEVEN - APPEAL

11.1 Any action taken against an individual or committee must be done within the safeguards provided by "due process", or found in this code or in the "Code of Student Conduct".

11.2 Prior to the assessment of impoundment charges and release of a vehicle, an appeal may be made in a timely manner to the Hearing Officer on line at: park.louisiana.edu. within 96 hours or (4) class days, of the alleged violation.

11.3 Procedures for appeals will be drawn up by the Traffic Appeals Committee, but these procedures shall not conflict with overall University due process.

11.4 These appeal procedures must be set forth in writing and must be easily accessible by students.

11.5 Any member of the University community who disagree with, and consequently wishes to change, any of the policies set forth herein, should address his grievance to the Parking and Traffic Committee.

SECTION TWELVE - APPEAL PROCEDURES

12.1 The committee proceedings are informal and the Chairperson shall provide reasonable opportunities for the witnesses to be heard.

12.2 The committee proceedings are closed.

12.3 The following persons may attend:  members of the Parking Appeals Committee; representatives from Parking & Transit and University Police; members of the defendant's immediate family and counsel.

12.4 The chairperson will inform the defendant of his/her rights and any other information the committee wishes to provide.

12.5 The chairman will read the Appeal to the committee to those present.  At this time the defendant may present his/her case and answer or ask questions of those persons present.

12.6 The committee deliberates in private and decides the issue of guilt or innocence; the issue will be determined by a simple majority of the voting members.

12.7 The committee chairperson will give the decision and penalty in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs for appropriate action.

SECTION THIRTEEN - BICYCLES

13.1 Regulations have been established to provide the orderly movement and parking of bicycles on campus. The rights and safety of others must be considered at all times.  Students may be charged with a violation of the "Code of Student Conduct", "UL Lafayette Traffic Code", or the State of Louisiana Highway regulatory act title.

13.2 The University is not responsible for damage to vehicles, bicycles, or bicycle locks removed because of parking violations.

SECTION FOURTEEN – TOWING

14.1 The owner, registrant and/or driver is responsible for the cost involved in towing, impounding, and storing of vehicles.

14.2 A towing charge of $60 and an impoundment fee of $5 per day will be assessed. Towing and impoundment charges must be paid in cash, check or credit card, unless other arrangements for payment are approved by the Director of Parking and Transit.

14.3 Impounded vehicles will be released by the Parking and Transit Department upon payment of assessed charges, including all fines.  All assessed charges and fines must be paid between the hours of 7:45 A.M. and 4:30 P.M Monday thru Friday except for holidays in the Parking and Transit office.  Person(s) retrieving an impounded vehicle must present a valid drivers license and a paid receipt from the Parking and Transit office before any vehicle will be released.