Memo to: All UH-Downtown/PS Holders UH-Downtown/PS 01.B.01
From: Max Castillo, President Issue No. 1
   Subject:  Traffic and Parking Policy Effective Date: 4/25/94
1. PURPOSE
This PS is established by the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) to facilitate the conduct of university business and to provide parking as conveniently as possible within the space limitations. Operation of a motor vehicle on the campus is a privilege and is conditioned, in part, on compliance with this policy.
2. POLICY/PROCEDURES
2.1 All faculty, staff, and students who park vehicles on University of Houston-Downtown property must register their vehicle at the Parking Office and display a valid parking permit
2.1.1 The permit must be hung from the rear view mirror with the permit number facing the windshield.
2.1.2 Motorcycles and scooters must display the permit in a location that allows it to be clearly visible at all times, such as the fender or gas tank.
2.2 Parking permits are available to students, faculty and staff.
2.2.1 Student Parking Permits are sold to any student registered at the University of Houston-Downtown. Students are allowed to park in any available parking space in the Student Parking Lot located at 500 North Main or in one of the ground level lots off Girard Street. Student parking is also available at one of the lots adjacent to the university at a higher rate.
2.2.2 Two Wheel Parking Permits are sold to any faculty, staff, or student who operates any type of motorized bicycle on campl,s. The parking area for two wheel motorized bicycles is located across from the University of Houston-Downtown loading dock area, off Girard Street.
2.2.3 Disabled Parking Permits will be issued to any person with a documented physical disability. Appropriate documentation of disability or a state-issued disabled permit must be presented to the Student Health Services Office. No fee will be charged for permanent parking permits.
2.2.4 Temporary Disability Parking Permits are issued to any person with a temporary disability (broken leg, back surgery, etc.) when presenting appropriate documentation from their personal physician to the Student Health Services Office.
2.2.5 Students from other universities or UHD alumni may park at any UHD satellite student lots along North Main, provided a valid parking permit from the other university/college or membership in the UHD Alumni Association is properly displayed on the vehicle.
2.2.5 Visitors are provided special areas marked "Reserved for Visitors". A fee is assessed for Visitor's Parking regardless of the length of the visit. City of Houston parking meters are also available on Wood Street under the 1-10 overpass. Visitors are defined as individuals with no official connection with the university as student, faculty or staff. Visitors parked in areas not designated "Reserved for Visitors" are subject to a campus citation and/or having their vehicle immobilized.
2.2.7 Students, faculty and staff may not park in areas designated for visitor's parking. Citations will be issued for violation to this regulation.
2.2.8 Faculty and Staff Parking Permits are sold to any employee of the University of Houston-Downtown provided proper documentation from their department manager or Human Resources is presented. An access card to enter the garage is issued with the parking permit. Lost, stolen or damaged access cards can be replaced for a fee. All part-time and adjunct faculty must return their access cards to the Parking Office upon completion of their teaching assignment; all other personnel, upon their resignation or termination from the University of Houston-Downtown.
2.2.9 Parking permits from other University of Houston components will be honored. Faculty and staff who visit the University of Houston-Downtown campus occasionally, may park in the Visitor's area and will, with proper UH identification, be issued an exit token. Employees that visit frequently will be issued an access card for garage parking with proper UH identification.
2.3 Purchasing a parking permit does not guarantee a parking place but allows the individual to park if space is available. 2.4 The registered holder of the permit is at all times responsible for the vehicle in which the permit is used. Violations will be assessed to the registered permit holder, regardless of who operates the vehicle. 2.5 Permits may be transferred to another vehicle on a temporary basis. Permanent transfers require a change of vehicle registration records.
2.6 The University of Houston-Downtown makes every effort to protect vehicles parked on the campus or on properties under ' ts control. However, the university cannot assume responsibility for any damage or loss of motor vehicles or personal property contained in any motor vehicle parked on campus or on properties under its control.
2.7 All thefts, accidents, or any offenses must be reported immediately to the Campus Police Office. 2.8 Faculty, staff, students, and visitors must comply with the University of Houston-Downtown rules and regulations for traffic and parking, as outlined below. Violators will be subject to the traffic and parking enforcement rules and regulations, as stipulated in PS Ol.B.02.
2.8.1 Pedestrians will be given the right of way at all times.
2.8.2 Speed limits are as follows: 10 miles per hour on campus unless otherwise posted; 10 miles per hour in any parking lot; and 5 miles per hour in any parking garage on campus.
2.8.3 Parking is governed by markers and traffic signs and is permitted only in such areas clearly identified for parking. A valid parking space is an area designated on three sides by lines, posts, curb or any other type of barrier.
2.9 Traffic citations may be issued for any of the following reasons:
2.9.1 Parking in a non-designated area;
2.9.2 Parking permits not properly displayed;
2-9.3 Falsifying, reproducing Or altering permit;
2.9.4 Parking in a "NO PARKING,, zone;
2.9.5 Unauthorized parking in a "RESERVED", "HANDICAP", "VISITOR", or "CONSTRUCTION", parking area;
2.9.6 Obstructing traffic, street, sidewalk, crosswalk, driveways, trash container(s) and/or building entrance or exits;
2.9.7 Parking in a striped zone;
2.9.8 Parking a vehicle in such a way that parking other vehicles is impaired or where such parking creates a potential hazard;
2.9.9 Parking without a valid permit;
2.9.10 Parking in a "TOW AWAY ZONE";
2.9.11 Parking by a fire hydrant or in a "FIRE ZONE";
2.9.12 Driving past a STOP sign;
2.9.13 Failing to yield right of way to pedestrians;
2.9.14 Violation of any Texas Motor Vehicle Law(s);
2.9.15 Changing, damaging or moving any UH traffic sign or signal;
2.9.16 Taking citations off other vehicles;
2.9.17 Disobeying traffic directions given by Police personnel;
2.9.18Failure to pay attention to traffic signs or lawfully erected barricades; and
2.9.19 Other violations as defined on the face of the citation.
2.10 Procedures for resolving traffic or parking citations or obtaining the release of "booted", towed or impounded vehicles are as follows:
2.10.1 Traffic or parking citations may be resolved by paying a $15 00 service fee for each citation. If payments are made within ten calendar days of issuance, the fee will be reduced to $10.00. Payments are to be made at the Cashier's Office and receipts must be taken to the Parking Office for payment verification. Otherwise, the UHD parking permit may be surrendered to the Parking Office, and on-campus parking will not be; permitted for a period of 30 days for each citation. Upon completion of the surrender period, the permit will be replaced for a $3.00 fee. Only citations bearing the individual's permit number may be surrendered to resolve the citation. This option is not available during the last 30 days of the semester. Violations accumulate over the permit holder's lifetime and not by year or semester.
2.10.2 The Vice President for Administration shall provide an equitable and efficient appeals process through the Parking Violations Appeals Committee. Written appeals will be forwarded to the Appeals Committee by the Parking Office. The Parking Violations Appeals Committee shall be comprised of two students, two faculty members, three classified staff and one professional/administrative staff appointed by the President. The President will also appoint the chairman of the committee.
2.10.3 Release of "booted" (immobilized) vehicles is contingent upon compliance of the requirements on the immobilization notice. When all elements of release have been met, a Police Officer will remove the immobilization device as soon as operationally possible.
2.10.4 Towed and/or impounded vehicles will be assessed towing, citation service and storage fees. Violators must contact the university Police and pay all required fines/fees to obtain the release of their vehicle.
3. REVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Chief of Police
Review: Biennial
Reprint of original policy statement. Signed original on file in the President's Office.

Return to Human Resources Home Page