Campus Parking and Driving Regulations

Effective August 1, 2017

The operation of a vehicle on the campus of Northwestern State University is a privilege granted by the institution. Serious and/or excessive traffic citations will result in the loss of this privilege. All regulations aim to reduce moving traffic on campus, as traffic is a prime source of danger to the safety of the campus population.

University Police Officers are commissioned by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and the City of Natchitoches and are authorized to enforce all state statutes, city ordinances, and university rules and regulations. Northwestern assumes no responsibility for the care and/or protection of any vehicle or its contents at any time it is operated or parked on campus.

View/Download Campus Parking Map

Vehicle Registration

Any person affiliated with the university (employment, enrollment, work contract/site, or other appropriate affiliation) must register with the university and secure a parking permit to operate a vehicle on university property.

• Affiliated persons must obtain a temporary parking pass if their registered vehicle is inoperable and they use a vehicle owned by a non-affiliated person. See “Temporary Parking Passes.”
• Non-affiliated persons are not authorized to secure a parking permit.
• Visitors must secure a temporary parking pass from University Police before operating a vehicle on campus, except when attending university-hosted events (e.g., theatrical performances, sporting events). See “Visitor Parking.”
• Parking permits are issued upon presentation of proof of payment from the Cashier’s Office and completion of a vehicle registration application (vehicle registration, proof of insurance, license plate data, and proof of affiliation). Information is retained for three (3) years.
• Permits are valid for one academic year only and may be used only on the vehicle registered with University Police.
• Issuance of a parking permit does not guarantee an available parking space.

Permit Display

• Display the permit on the outside back windshield in the lower right-hand corner (passenger side) so it is visible when standing behind the vehicle.
• Tickets for not displaying a permit cannot be appealed.
• It is the registrant’s responsibility to properly display the permit on the registered vehicle being operated on campus.
• If a permit is lost or stolen, notify University Police immediately. All tickets issued to that permit will be charged to the registrant until the date it is reported lost or stolen.
• Replacement fee for a lost/stolen permit: $10.

Parking Regulations

Zoned Parking

Handicapped Parking

• Designated throughout campus and indicated by blue paint and handicapped signs; in effect 24 hours per day.
• Only vehicles displaying both a valid NSU Handicapped Permit and a handicapped license plate or state-issued parking tag may park in these areas.
• Vehicles without proper identification will be ticketed and may be towed at the owner/registrant’s expense.

Zone Parking Assignments

In effect 7:00 AM–3:00 PM Monday–Thursday and 7:00 AM–12:00 PM Friday. At other times, any authorized vehicle with a valid permit may park in any non-handicapped space. Motorcycles with a valid motorcycle permit may park in any zone. Zones correspond to permit types and are shown on the campus parking map; lots are marked by signs.

• Faculty/Staff Zone (Black): Only vehicles with Faculty/Staff permits during zoned hours. Areas include PA6B, PA10, PA12, PA16D, PA19A, PA24, PA25A, PA28, PASUN, PASUW, and portions of PA17, PA26A, and PA27 as posted. Some areas require card access.
• Resident Zone: Only vehicles with University Columns (Red), University Place (Orange), or Varnado (Green) permits during zoned hours. Areas include PA6C, PA25U, PA31, and PA32.
• Commuter Zone (Purple): Only vehicles with Commuter permits during zoned hours. Areas include PA7, PA8, PA9, PA11, PA19B, PA26B, PA30, and portions of PA4, PA26A, and PA27 not designated for Faculty/Staff.
• Louisiana School Zone (Blue): Only vehicles with Louisiana School permits in PA14, PA20, and PA29.

Timed Zones

• Front area of Roy Hall and the circle in front of the Student Union: 30-minute zones for visitors, students, or faculty/staff conducting business in adjacent buildings (not for employees of those buildings).
• Timed spaces in the circle in front of Sabine Hall near Iberville Dining Hall are for non-University Place residents while dining; not for vehicles with University Place permits.

Open (Un-zoned) Areas

Parking areas not designated above or otherwise posted are available for any registered vehicle 24 hours per day. Areas include PA5, PA5B, PA13, PA15, PA16, PA16B, PA16C, PA18, PA22, PA25L, PA33, and portions of PA3, PA17, and PA23 not designated for Faculty/Staff.

Parking Violations and Enforcement

Parking Violations

1. Not registered or improper display of permit.
2. Wrong zone.
3. No parking zone (yellow paint, control sign, absence of space, blocking a fire hydrant).
4. Restricted area (dirt/grass or other non-parking areas).
5. Handicapped zone without proper permit and license/tag (subject to tow).
6. Timed zone overstay.
7. Improper use of permit (loaning, selling, or purchasing an NSU permit for a non-affiliated person).

The fact that other vehicles are parked with impropriety shall not constitute an excuse for parking illegally.

Towing, Impound, and Immobilization

1. Vehicle found on campus without a current parking permit.
2. Illegally parked vehicle.
3. Abandoned on campus for 10 days or more.
4. Unauthorized or altered parking permit.
5. Parked in a way that constitutes a hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
6. Impedes movement and operation of vehicle traffic and/or emergency equipment.
7. Parked in a handicapped zone without handicapped license or parking plate.
8. Located on campus after being banned and driving privileges suspended.

The owner/registrant is responsible for all costs of towing, immobilizing, impounding, and/or storing the vehicle.

Students who fail to comply with NSU Vehicle Regulations are in violation of the Code of Student Conduct (IV.7.1, IV.7.2).

Temporary Parking Passes

Available when a registered vehicle is inoperable and a non-affiliated vehicle (e.g., rental, family member) is used during repairs.

• Issued to the NSU-affiliated registrant upon written evidence of repair necessity (e.g., repair estimate).
• University Police will verify the NSU registration of the vehicle being repaired.
• Valid for the duration of the repair or up to sixty (60) days, whichever is less; extensions may be granted with approval of the Chief of Police.
• Temporary passes/placards must be prominently displayed on the dashboard for the duration of repairs.

Visitor Parking

Visitor Parking Passes are available during weekday operating hours (7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Monday–Friday). Passes/placards must be prominently displayed on the dashboard.

1. One-day Individual or Small Group Visitors: Report to the University Police Department upon arrival to obtain a Temporary Parking Pass for the day.
2. Multi-day Individual or Small Group Visitors: Email Mrs. Donna Anderson (University Police) with names, purpose, on-campus location, and duration (motterd@nsula.edu) so passes can be prepared; obtain the pass upon arrival.
3. One-day or Multi-day Large Group Visitors (conferences, symposia, special events): Email Mrs. Donna Anderson with details (motterd@nsula.edu) to coordinate a special parking placard for distribution at event sign-in.

If a visitor receives a parking ticket during an official visit, they should take the ticket to University Police and submit a Parking Ticket Appeal indicating they were a legitimate visitor. University Police will inform the Parking Appeals Committee.

Traffic Regulations

• Campus moving regulations conform to traffic ordinances of the City of Natchitoches and the State of Louisiana.
• Campus speed limit: 25 mph unless otherwise posted; Tarleton Drive and Jefferson Street: 25 mph; between traffic beacons when flashing: 15 mph.
• All motor-equipped cycles are limited to street use only and must adhere to vehicle traffic and parking regulations.
• Caldwell Drive: one-way eastbound from the PA3 main entrance to Jefferson Street.
• Central Avenue at the Main Gate (boulevard portion): one-way traffic in both directions (divided boulevard).
• Portion of PA20 (Caddo Lot): one-way as signed.
• Demon Drive at the Field House: one-way.

Appeals Process for Moving and Parking Tickets

Faculty, staff, and students may appeal tickets issued by University Police to the Parking and Traffic Appeals Committee, which meets regularly each month during Fall and Spring semesters.

Steps to the Appeals Process

1. Submit your appeal: Report to the University Police Station on Caspari Street, request an Appeals Form, complete it, and turn it in. Clearly state your case and provide evidence (photos, witness statements, etc.). Note the committee’s meeting date, time, and location on the form.
2. Appeals Committee meeting: The committee reviews written and/or oral responses from the ticketed individual and any witnesses. Appearing with substantiating information offers the best chance to void the ticket.
3. Appeals Committee decision: After review, the committee deliberates and decides by voice vote; a majority of the quorum determines the outcome. The chair votes only to break a tie.
4. Documentation: The chair prepares paperwork to void successful appeals; fines for voided tickets are removed from the individual’s account. Denied appeals are recorded; the final decision is noted on the Appeals Form.
5. Notification: A copy of the Appeals Form with the decision is mailed to the appellant as official notification.

Vehicle Registration Fees

• First vehicle for academic year (August 31): $45.00
• Each additional vehicle (any period): $10.00

Note: The reduced fee for subsequent vehicle registrations applies only to the same individual’s vehicles and may not be used across households (e.g., one employee may not purchase an additional registration for another to reduce costs).

Fines for Parking Violations

*Loaning, selling, or purchasing an NSU parking permit for a non-affiliated person will result in a $150.00 fine and may lead to action by Judicial Affairs.

Fines for Traffic (Moving) Violations

*State citations may also be issued.

Payment and Additional Enforcement

• All registration and violation fees must be paid in the Cashier’s Office, St. Denis Hall.
• Three parking violations in an academic year: reassigned to stadium parking only and subject to towing upon further violations.
• Six parking violations in an academic year: privileges suspended and vehicle banned from campus.
• University Police adjudicate moving violations committed by NSU faculty, staff, and students; others are referred to City Court.
• Three moving violations in an academic year: privileges suspended and vehicle banned from campus.

Parking Areas