Staff Policy D-506.07
Institutional Effectiveness Criterion: Operations

Main Campus Parking

Northwestern Michigan College will strive to provide adequate parking on the NMC main campus to accommodate students and visitors to the College, as well as, faculty and staff who are employed by the College. The parking lots of NMC are strictly reserved for students, visitors, volunteers, faculty, apartment residents and staff of NMC. All Northwestern Michigan College students and employees parking in College lots are required to obtain a current NMC Parking permit (the only exception is motorcycles). NMC permits have an expiration date and are a different color each year. It is the responsibility of the student, staff or faculty member to ensure that they have a current parking permit.

The basis for the parking policy is to provide the following:

1. A fair and open parking system;
2. Accessible parking for students, faculty, and staff;
3. Adequate parking for handicapped individuals;
4. Adequate short-term parking for visitors and volunteers to the College;
5. Appropriate distribution of vehicles across all lots on campus to avoid parking and traffic congestion; and
6. An appropriate enforcement system. 

 

1. Types of Parking

Northwestern Michigan College has six types of parking: regular, visitor, handicap, delivery, reserved, and designated.

1. Regular - faculty, staff, residence hall students, and commuter students receive regular parking permits and may park in any open parking spaces in non-reserved lots. Commuter students are those students who need access to parking near NMC classroom buildings because their work and life commitments require them to come to and leave campus during the day.
2. Visitors/Volunteers - visitors to NMC's main campus and volunteers may park at meters or in the gated portion of the Aspen Lot. Egress from a gated visitor lot will be by code, which may be obtained from the Dennos Museum reception desk.
3. Handicap - requires a State Issued handicap parking permit.
4. Delivery - parking is available at most buildings. These spaces are indicated by an appropriate sign.
5. Reserved - provided for Dennos Museum Center guests (Aspen Lot, gated portion); and apartment residents (Pine Lot).
6. Designated - as identified to meet the unique parking and delivery needs of specific College entities. These areas will be specifically designated with signs identifying their allowed use.
   
   

2. How to Obtain a Parking Permit
   Parking permits can be obtained as indicated below:
   
   1. Regular - faculty, staff, residence hall students, and commuter students may obtain regular parking permits in the Enrollment Services office at registration and during the academic year. Students shall be registered for the semester in which they obtain a regular parking permit. To obtain a regular parking permit, individuals shall provide proof of current enrollment and a valid driver's license.
   2. Visitors/Volunteers - visitors and volunteers may park at meters or in the gated portion of the Aspen Lot and obtain an exit code from the Dennos Museum reception desk. Temporary parking permits for all lots are available at various locations on campus. There is no charge for temporary parking permits.
   3. Reserved - apartment residents may obtain reserved parking permits at-er at Auxiliary Services office. Permits are available at the time apartment residency is established. Apartment students shall be registered for the semester in which they receive reserved parking permits.
   4. Extended Educational Services - EES students may obtain a parking permit from the EES office.
   5. Temporary – available for visitors to NMC at Enrollment Services. There is no charge for temporary parking permits.
      
      
3. Enforcement
   1. Hours of enforcement - parking policies will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enforcement of no-parking zones, fire lanes, handicapped parking, metered/visitor and designated parking and overnight parking will be continuous.
   2. Overnight parking - there will be no overnight parking in any lot, with the following exceptions: residence hall students and apartment tenants with valid NMC parking permits may park in the Dogwood Lot, Chestnut Lot, Elm Lot, Maple Lot, and apartment residents in the Pine Lot. Vehicles parked overnight in other lots or without valid parking permits will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. This policy will be strictly enforced. Any exceptions will be handled by the Director of Campus Security.
   3. Unauthorized or derelict vehicles - NMC parking lots are strictly reserved for motorized vehicles in working condition and with valid permits. Cars without plates, without proper permits, or in non-working condition will be subject to towing at the owners' expense. Boats, snowmobiles, trailers, campers, etc. are not permitted on campus, and will be subject to towing at the owners' expense.
   4. Adverse Weather - the College reserves the right to issue notice to remove vehicles from any parking lot or roadway at any time during adverse weather conditions. It is the vehicle operator's responsibility to look for email notices, notices posted in the buildings, notices posted in parking lots, or notices posted on affected vehicles.

 

4. Unauthorized Parking and Driving Areas
   1. A valid parking space is defined by two yellow parallel lines only, with no other marks or signs within the space.
   2. Yellow diagonal lines or markings means no parking is permitted except motorcycles.
   3. Parking is not permitted (whether posted "No Parking" or not) on roads without designated parking spots. Examples: driveways, sidewalks, lawns or grass, non­paved areas, and in front of garbage bins.
   4. Handicap spaces are reserved only for vehicles displaying a handicap tag or license plate from the state of registration.
   5. Vehicles violating College parking policies are subject to ticketing and/or towing, at the owner's expense and without notice.

 

5. Parking during Vacation Periods
   1. Vehicles may be left on campus during Thanksgiving, winter break, and spring break by obtaining authorization from Campus Security.
   2. Vehicles are not to be left on campus over summer break unless written permission from Campus Security is obtained. Each case will be decided on an individual basis.

 

6. Theft, Vandalism or Damage to Vehicles or Bicycles

Any theft, vandalism or damage to property should reported immediately to Campus Security (995-1111) or the Traverse City Police Department (922-4550). Northwestern Michigan College does not accept or assume responsibility for loss under any circumstances, including theft, vandalism or malicious mischief. It is recommended that parked vehicles be locked at all times.

7. Tow Away Policy

Vehicles are subject to tow-away by a towing company for the following reasons:

1. abandoned vehicles, including those not having license plates;
2. parking in "No Overnight Parking" areas between 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.;
3. parking in areas which create a danger to safety and welfare of persons and property (i.e. fire lanes, service areas, traffic lanes, walkways, lawns, etc.);
4. parking in non-designated lots during semester breaks or holidays;
5. parking in handicap spaces without proper permit;
6. when obstructing snow removal operations.

If you believe your vehicle has been towed, contact Campus Security.

 

8. Service Vehicles

Clearly identified service vehicles do not require temporary permits even during weekdays. Examples: NMC Facilities or Security vehicles, UPS, FedEx, DHL.

9. Special Events Visitor

The College often hosts events open to the public, such as concerts and EES classes. These visitors do not need to acquire a parking permit for events occurring after 6:00 p.m. and weekend events.

10. Overnight Guest

Any guest of the College or of any member of the campus community planning to park a vehicle on campus overnight shall register the vehicle with Campus Security. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being ticketed and/or towed. Guests of apartment residents shall register their vehicles through Campus Security or the Housing Office in order to obtain a valid Guest permit.

11. Week Day Campus Visitor
    1. Visitors and guests coming to campus Mon.-Fri. between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. should display a College temporary parking permit to avoid being ticketed. Temporary parking permits may be obtained from the Enrollment Services Office or Campus Security.
    2. Students, College offices and departments that host visitors are responsible for acquainting their guests with the parking regulations.
12. Vehicle Breakdown

If your vehicle breaks down or will not start, call Campus Security and ask for assistance. This can prevent tickets. All disabled vehicles should be moved within 24 hours unless special arrangements have been made.

The Vice President of Finance and Administration, in conjunction with the appropriate faculty and staff, is responsible for the development and publication of any procedures or guidelines that may be necessary to administer this policy effectively. This decision-making body reserves the right to change and adapt this policy throughout the academic year in order to accommodate the changing parking needs of the NMC community.

If any provisions(s) of this policy or set of bylaws conflicts with laws applicable to Northwestern Michigan College, including the Community College Act of 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or the Open Meetings Act, as each may be amended from time to time, such laws shall control and supersede such provisions(s).

If any provision(s) of this policy or set of bylaws conflicts with laws applicable to Northwestern Michigan College, including the Community College Act of 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or the Open Meetings Act, as each may be amended from time to time, such laws shall control and supersede such provision(s).