Police and Public Safety Services Policies

In 2013, the Kansas Legislature passed a law allowing lawful gun owners to carry concealed handguns on all public university campuses and campus buildings in Kansas. Universities were provided a four year exemption which expired on July 1, 2017. In order to comply with the state law (known as the Personal and Family Protection Act), the Kansas Board of Regents approved new weapons policies for all Regents institutions in December of 2016.

Pittsburg State University's approved weapons policy was developed with the cooperation of a weapons task force comprised of faculty, student and staff representative. This policy complies with current state law.

This FAQ document has been developed to provide faculty, staff, students and campus visitors a better understanding of the requirements of Pittsburg State University's weapons policy and that of state law.

Download Full Policy

1. Kansas law and Pittsburg State University's weapons policy allow:
   Individuals, who are at least 18 years of age, to lawfully carry a concealed (completely hidden from view) handgun on campus and in campus buildings.
2. Who may carry a concealed handgun?
   Any individual who is at least 18 years of age and who is lawfully eligible to carry a concealed weapon may do so in accordance with Kansas Law, Kansas Board of Regents policy and University policy.
3. Who may NOT carry a concealed weapon?
   -Anyone under the age of 18.
   -Anyone convicted of a felony crime.
   -Anyone under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both who is incapable of operating a firearm.
   -Anyone addicted to a controlled substance.
   -Anyone who has been involuntarily committed due to mental illness.
4. What type of weapon may be carried?
   Only handguns may be carried.
5. What type of weapon and/or attachments may not be carried?
   -Rifles, shotguns, or other long guns may not be carried.
   -Automatic firearms may not be carried.
   -Any device or attachment designed to suppress the report of a firearm may not be carried.
6. Are there any restrictions on the manner in which handguns may be carried?
   Yes. All handguns must:
   -Remain concealed (completely hidden from view), at all times except when lawfully used in self-defense or when transferring to safe storage.
   -Be carried in an  approved holster.
   -Be secured and remain in a person's custody and control at all times. If secured in a suitable carrier (backpack, purse, handbag or other piece designed for weapon's carriage) it must remain within uninterrupted control of the individual.
7. What should I do if I see a handgun?
   PSU's weapons policy requires that all handguns remain concealed unless being used in self-defense or while transferred to an approved storage device.
   -If you see a handgun being used in a threatening or dangerous manner, call 911.
   -If you see a handgun that is not an immediate threat but that is not concealed contact University Police at 235-4624. (You may also submit a report online using the Maxient reporting system)
8. What will happen if an individual does not keep their handgun concealed?
   This is a potential violation of the university's weapons policy. Each report will be investigated by University Police.
   -If university police determine a crime has occurred, a separate criminal investigation unrelated to policy will occur.
   -If it is determined that no crime has occurred by that there may be a potential policy violation, the matter is directed to the Threat Management and Behavioral Intervention Team.
   -If it is determined that there is no crime and/or no policy violation, the matter is closed.
9. Are there any permanent gun-free locations on campus
   No.
10. Will concealed handguns be allowed in university housing?
    Yes. IF the gun owner is at least 18 years of age and lawfully eligible to carry a concealed weapon they will be allowed to do so.
11. Are individuals allowed to store their handgun at Pittsburg State University?
    Yes. In two specific circumstances.
    -In an individual's privately-owned or leased motor vehicle when the vehicle is locked and the handgun secured in a location with the vehicle that is not visible from the outside.
    -In an individual's on-campus residential unit when the handgun is secured in a holster and in an approved storage device.
12. What types of storage devices are approved by the university?
    -The device must fully include the handgun while secured in an approved holster.
    -It is non-flammable and constructed of sturdy materials.
    -It has a combination, digital or other secure locking device that can only be unlocked by the individual using the storage device. (No key locks are allowed.)
    -It is specifically constructed to be used as a gun and/or ammunition storage device.
13. May I store a handgun in my office?
    No. You may, however, carry a concealed handgun in an approved holster.

For the safety and enjoyment of all fans, please keep the following guidelines in mind when tailgating at Pittsburg State University. Please note, setups are subject to removal for violation of tailgating policies. (Full Policy)

Pittsburg State University prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct and relationship violence to include rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The University may investigate incidents of sexual misconduct or relationship violence committed by or against a student, regardless if the alleged incident occurred on or off campus. The investigation may be pursued through the criminal justice system and/or the University discipline proceedings. Internal and University discipline proceedings are independent of criminal or external proceedings. Should the criminal or external proceedings be dismissed, or reduced, the University may continue to pursue disciplinary action.

University personnel will assist in the report process if requested by the victim. A representative from the University Police, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and/or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action will guide the victim through the available options and support the victim in his or her decision. As a victim, the individual has the option to decline to notify law enforcement or campus authorities or to participate in an investigation.  However, circumstances may dictate that the university pursues investigation and response even without the victim’s assistance.

Investigating Alleged Sexual Misconduct

When the University receives any report of a sexual assault, the University's Title IX Coordinator will be immediately notified of the alleged assault by the office receiving the report.  The Title IX Coordinator will work directly with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and will promptly begin an investigation to determine what occurred and will inform and obtain consent from the victim before beginning any disciplinary proceedings.

If the victim requests confidentiality or asks that the complaint not be pursued, the University will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the complaint consistent with the request for confidentiality or request not to pursue an investigation. If a victim insists that his or her name or other identifiable information not be disclosed to the alleged perpetrator, the University's ability to respond may be limited.

The University will not tolerate retaliation in any form against anyone raising a concern of sexual misconduct in good faith as a complainant or participating as a witness, an investigator or in any other capacity. Retaliation is typically a significant adverse action taken against an individual because the individual participated in an internal complaint process. University policy and state and federal law prohibit retaliation against an individual for reporting discrimination, sexual violence or harassment, or for participating in an investigation. Retaliation is a serious violation that can subject the offender to sanctions independent of the merits of the allegation. Allegations of or questions about retaliation should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or to any one of the designated University resource offices.

The responsibility to investigate and possibly adjudicate anyone for violations of this policy is provided by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Compliance with the provisions of VAWA does not constitute a violation of the General Education Provisions Act, commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

Possible Protective Measures

In an effort to protect those directly involved in an alleged incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence, protective measures may be implemented where reasonably available. The measures may include, but are not limited to:

• No Contact Order
• Change in on-campus housing location to a different on-campus option
• Adjusting a student’s class schedule
• Altering course assignments with assistance of the assigned faculty member
• Assistance with transportation and working situations

In instances where the University determines there to be a risk to members of the University community, or where continued class attendance will disrupt normal operations of the University, the respondent may temporarily be suspended. This suspension may limit the respondent’s access to various University buildings, services, activities, and privileges. If a student who was temporarily suspended is later found “not in violation” all rights, responsibilities, and privileges will be restored. Any academic work missed by the student due to the suspension will be given an opportunity for completion, at the reasonable discretion of the faculty.
        

University Discipline Process

Special guidelines for cases involving sexual misconduct, rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking are detailed in Article 34 of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, available at www.pittstate.edu/audiences/current-students/policies/rights-and-responsibilities/student-conduct-code.dot. 

The Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities provides, in part, that the discipline process will:

• provide for a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution of allegations;
• be conducted by officials who receive annual training on the issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability;
• provide the accuser and the accused equal opportunity to have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceedings by an advisor of their choosing (not as a representative or presenter of information, but as an advisor);
• inform in writing both the accuser and the accused simultaneously of the notice of hearing(s), the outcomes of any institutional disciplinary proceeding that arises from an allegation, the procedures for the accused and the victim to appeal the results of the proceedings, any change to the results that occurs prior to the time that such results become final, and the date when such results become final.

Standard of Evidence: For any Pittsburg State University disciplinary proceedings (including those arising from allegations of rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking) the “preponderance of evidence” standard of proof will be utilized.  A preponderance of evidence standard evaluates whether it is more likely than not, based on the evidence available, that a violation occurred.

Conduct Sanctions

The purposes of imposing sanctions are twofold: to protect the University community from behaviors that are detrimental to the educational process of the community; and to assist students and student organizations in identifying acceptable parameters of their activities and consequences of future behaviors. The severity of the sanctions imposed is intended to correspond with the severity or frequency of violation, as well as the willingness of the accused to recommit to good citizenship through behaviors that fall within the conduct regulations of the University. The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon students, or student organizations, found responsible of a violation either singly and/or in combination:

1. Expulsion
2. Suspension
3. Residence Hall Eviction
4. Disciplinary Probation
5. Disciplinary Warning
6. Restitution
7. Suspension of the Privileges of a Registered Student Organization
8. Termination of the Registration of a Registered Student Organization
9. Specifically Defined Sanction
10. Summary Suspension

Appeals

A decision reached by the Hearing Officer or Campus Judicial Officer may be appealed by the accused to the Vice President for Student Life within five (5) school days of the Hearing Committee’s decision.  Such appeal shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Vice President for Student Life.  A student, or student organization, is entitled to only one appeal and the decision of the Vice President for Student Life shall be final.  An appeal may be sought on only two grounds:

• on a claim of error in the hearing procedure.
• on a claim of new information or information material to the case which was not available at the time of the hearing.

The appeal shall state its grounds.  The Vice President for Student Life has five (5) school days to make a written determination on the appeal.  Notification of decision regarding the appeal shall be sent to the accused, the Hearing Officer, the Director of Rights and Responsibilities, and to the complaining party.  If the Vice President for Student Life finds that one of the two grounds for appeal existed, the matter shall be returned to the Hearing Officer for re-opening of the hearing to allow reconsideration of the original determination and/or sanctions.

Definitions

A. Sexual Assault: An offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest, or statutory rape as used in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system.

B. Sex Offenses: Any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

• Rape – The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.
• Fondling – The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
• Incest – Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
• Statutory Rape – Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

C. Domestic Violence: A felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed:

• By a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim;
• By a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
• By a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
• By a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred;
• By any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.

D. Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim.

• The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
• For the purposes of this definition, dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse.
• Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
• Any incident meeting this definition is considered a crime for the purposes of Clery Act reporting.

E. Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

• Fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or
• Suffer substantial emotional distress.
• For the purposes of this definition:
• Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.
• Reasonable person means a person under similar circumstances and with similar identity to the victim.
• Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
• Any incident meeting this definition is considered a crime for the purposes of Clery Act reporting.

F. Programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking: Comprehensive, intentional, and integrated programming, initiatives, strategies, and campaigns intended to end dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking that:

• Are culturally relevant, inclusive of diverse communities and identities, sustainable, responsive to community needs, and informed by research or assessed for value, effectiveness, or outcome; and
• Consider environmental risk and protective factors as they occur on the individual, relationship, institutional, community, and societal levels.

Programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking include both primary prevention and awareness programs directed at incoming students and new employees and ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns directed at students and employees.

G. Awareness programs: Community-wide or audience specific programming, initiatives, and strategies that increase audience knowledge and share information and resources to prevent violence, promote safety, and reduce perpetration.

H. Bystander intervention: Safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Bystander intervention includes:

• Recognizing situations of potential harm.
• Understanding institutional structures and cultural conditions that facilitate violence, overcoming barriers to intervening, identifying safe and effective intervention options, and taking actions to intervene.

I. Ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns: Programming, initiatives, and strategies that are sustained over time and focus on increasing understanding of topics relevant to and skills for addressing dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, using a range of strategies with audiences throughout the institution.

J. Primary prevention programs: Programming, initiatives, and strategies informed by research or assessed for value, effectiveness, or outcome that are intended to stop dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking before they occur through the promotion of positive and healthy behaviors that foster healthy, mutually respectful relationships and sexuality, encourage safe bystander intervention, and seek to change behavior and social norms in a healthy and safe direction.

K. Risk reduction: Options designed to decrease perpetration and bystander inaction, and to increase empowerment for victims in order to promote safety and to help individuals and communities address conditions that facilitate violence.

L. Prompt, fair, and impartial proceeding: A proceeding that is completed within reasonably prompt timeframes designated by an institution’s policy, including a process that allows for the extension of timeframes for good cause and with written notice to the accuser and the accused of the delay and the reason for the delay.

Conducted in a manner that:

• Is consistent with the institution’s policies and transparent to the accuser and accused;
• Includes timely notice of meetings at which the accuser or accused, or both, may be present; and
• Provides timely and equal access to the accuser, the accused, and appropriate officials to any information that will be used during informal and formal disciplinary meetings and hearings; and
• Conducted by officials who do not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against the accuser or the accused.

M. Advisor: Any individual who provides the accuser or accused support, guidance, or advice.

N. Proceeding: All activities related to a non-criminal resolution of an institutional disciplinary complaint, including, but not limited to, fact-finding investigations, formal or informal meetings, and hearings.

Proceeding does not include communications and meetings between officials and victims concerning accommodations or protective measures to be provided to a victim.

O. Result: Any initial, interim, and final decision by any official or entity authorized to resolve disciplinary matters within the institution.

The result must include any sanctions imposed by the institution.

NOTE: The above definitions are a requirement for compliance with federal mandates. Violations of Kansas State Statutes relating to sexual assault or sexual misconduct may also be adjudicated as part of this policy.

Approved 7/20/15

Helpful hints for courteous parking on campus:

1. All parking areas controlled by the University require a permit.
2. Permits should be properly displayed as per the instructions on the permit.
3. Loading zones should be used for the purpose of loading and unloading of equipment.
4. Visitor zones are for use by visitors only.
5. Vehicles should be properly parked within designated spaces.
6. If you forget your permit, a temporary permits are available at University Police & Parking Services.
7. Please observe the rights of the handicapped. Avoid handicapped parking areas.
8. Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks.

I. AUTHORITY

The board of regents has the authority to adopt traffic and parking regulations for Pittsburg State University under KSA-4-32-11 and KSA-76-712. The University will establish limited access areas, create toll lots and designate by appropriate signs or curb markings such areas upon the roads, streets, driveways and parking facilities of the campus as may be used for "reserved parking," "no-parking," "general parking," "student parking," "faculty parking," "loading zones," or other restrictions deemed necessary to the best and safest use of such roads, streets, driveways, and parking facilities. Certain parking lots, campus streets, and areas may be reserved during Pittsburg State University events and by special request for other events when such special request is approved by the chief executive officer or his/her designee. During the times that certain parking lots, campus streets, and areas are reserved, parking in the certain reserved parking lots, campus streets, and areas will be restricted for whom the reservation is made.

II. PERMITS FOR PARKING

All campus parking shall be restricted to vehicles with permits which authorize parking in a specific area. Application may be made for a parking permit at the University Police and Public Safety Services Office. Faculty / Staff shall be charged a fee for the issuance of their parking permit. Parking fees for students (graduate students included) are included in student fees. Permits shall be good for the duration of the school year for which they are issued or for a lesser period of time if so designated.

The parking permit shall be displayed on the inside lower left corner of your windshield (driver's side). This permit can be repositioned or moved from one vehicle to another at your convenience.

The person to whom a permit was issued shall be presumed to be responsible for all violations of University traffic and parking regulations identified with that permit, unless such presumption is overcome during the course of an appeal filed in accordance with Section X, Parking Appeals or an appeal otherwise provided by law.

Proof of address may be requested prior to the issuance of parking permits.

The University maintains various types of parking zones. These zones have been designated by the Parking Committee to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. A parking permit does not imply or guarantee parking space at any particular time, and parking privileges may be modified or preempted by authority of the University.

Permits for controlled parking areas are available on the basis of priorities established by the Parking Committee. The Parking Committee has the right to alter or revoke permit assignments as the needs of the individual or the University community change.

The University assumes no responsibility for security of vehicles or theft of contents while moving or parking in any area subject to University jurisdiction. Parking permits may be issued for the following reasons:

Physically Handicapped

Students, faculty and staff with permanent or temporary health disabilities that impair their mobility may receive special parking privileges. Spaces are available for those persons that qualify. Applications may be obtained from either the University Police and Public Safety Services or the Student Health Center. The applicant must be able to present the necessary recommendations from their family physician. All students with a current handicapped parking certification from any state need to contact University Police and Public Safety Services with their registration information. Only vehicles with special permit designated "handicapped" are allowed to park in spaces marked for the handicapped. Students who qualify for a temporary disability permit may obtain a temporary permit that allows them to park in blue zones for the period of temporary disability with appropriate documentation.

Service Permits

Persons, firms or corporations coming regularly or frequently on the campus of Pittsburg State University in commercial vehicles or trucks for business purposes may be granted permits for parking in areas on campus roads, streets, driveways or parking facilities designated by signs or curb markings as loading zones. Application for such loading zone permits shall be made to the University Police and Public Safety Services Office. The name of the person or employee who will usually operate such commercial vehicle or truck shall be registered in that office.

Temporary Permits

If you forget your hang tag permit, this permit authorizes the holder to park in a specified zone is available at University Police and Public Safety Services.

Loading Zone Areas

Timed loading zones are located throughout the campus and should be used for loading and unloading only.

Motorcycle Parking Areas

A current motorcycle registration will allow parking in any of the authorized motorcycle parking areas day or night. Parking cycles in areas other than those designated for cycle parking will constitute a violation. Motorcycle permits shall be displayed on the front fork of the bike in clear view.

Parking Permits, Other

Parking Permits may be issued for reasons other than those set out in these regulations. These exceptions will be determined by the chief executive officer of the University or his/her authorized representative.

Kansas Board of Regents Parking Permit

This permit is issued to members of the Kansas Board of Regents and its staff and will be honored at all Regents institutions when the vehicle is parked in a legal parking stall.

Parking Permit Priorities and Use

Availability of permits for each zone shall be on the basis of priorities established by the Parking Committee. Permits for Blue and Gold zones shall be available to faculty and staff on the basis of priorities established by the Parking Committee. Brown zone parking shall be available generally to students, faculty and staff. Orange zone parking is specifically for residents of Bowen, Trout, Tanner, Nation, Dellinger and Crimson Commons. Red zone permits shall be issued on the basis of priorities established by the Parking Committee. Blue zone permits are valid in the Blue and Brown zones. Red zone permits are issued for one specified Red zone area and are not valid in other Red zones. Red permits are also valid in the Brown zone. Gold zone permits are valid in the Gold and Brown zones. Orange permits are valid in the Orange and Brown zones.

III. VISITOR PARKING

Parking for official visitors and guests on the campus is provided in a visitor zone located directly behind the Leonard H. Axe Library, as well as, other areas on campus. Visitors may request a "Visitor" parking pass when they are going to be on campus for more than one day (such as parents visiting students, etc.). Visitors to the campus will not be charged for a parking violation when they have established their reason for being on campus and have returned their parking violation notice to the University Police and Public Safety Services Office.

IV. ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING REGULATIONS

Parking regulations go into effect the first day of classes each semester, summer session, short course, seminar, or workshop. Zone parking restrictions shall be in force Monday through Friday in zones Blue and Brown from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,vacation periods excluded. Regulations shall be in effect twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week for the following: Red zones, Orange zone, Gold lot, service zones, sidewalks, visitor zones, state car zones, and all yellow zones, crosswalks, fire lanes, loading zones, and handicapped parking spaces.

Signs are posted at the entrance of each parking area giving the designation, hours during which the area is controlled, and, if the area is color coded, the zone color. During hours when an area is controlled, parking is restricted to vehicles with permits which authorize parking in that area.

V. PROHIBITED PARKING

No motor vehicle, whether privately or publicly owned, shall be parked on the roads, streets, driveways, or parking facilities unless said vehicle shall have plainly displayed thereon a current parking permit issued by the Office of the Kansas Board of Regents or by Pittsburg State University. Exceptions to this regulation apply to visitor's vehicles parked in sections marked as visitor sections and to commercial vehicles parked in marked loading zone areas.

State owned and public service vehicles are not required to obtain or display parking permits.

Double parking, parking on pedestrian walks, parking across drive entrances, parking in fire-hydrant zones, parking on the traffic lanes of any road, street or driveway of the campus or parking in any area not authorized by the type of parking permit so held shall be prohibited.

Failure to park within designated parking space, failure to park within twelve (12) inches of the curb, parking in yellow or otherwise marked no parking zones, and parking in excess of posted time limits shall constitute separate violations. One-way directional signs shall be obeyed.

VI. OPERATION OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

All motor vehicles operated on the roads, streets, driveways or parking facilities of Pittsburg State University shall be operated in accordance with directions of any signs or curb markings indicating "stop," "yield right-of-way," "slow," "no turn," "no left turn," "no U turn," or any other such direction, sign or marking deemed necessary by Pittsburg State University.

A pedestrian crossing the campus roads, streets or driveways in any marked crosswalk or at any intersection corner shall have the right-of-way. Any standard electrical traffic control signals or stop signs may be used in lieu of printed stop signs at the discretion of the chief administrative officer of Pittsburg State University or his/her duly authorized representative(s). Where any electric traffic signal is used, pedestrians shall cross streets only with the green lights. No motor vehicles including motor scooters, motorcycles or motor bicycles or any bicycles shall be operated upon any sidewalk or pedestrian walk on the campus.

The speed limit for all motor vehicles, whether privately or publicly owned, on any road, street, driveway, or parking facility at Pittsburg State University shall be twenty (20) miles per hour. A lesser speed limit may be established in particular areas of the roads, streets, driveways or parking facilities of the campus by the posting of signs indicating such lesser speed, in which case the speed limit shall be as marked. Speed may be checked by radar.

Driving shall be suited to the existing weather and pedestrian conditions. In the event of an accident, the University Police and Public Safety Services Office shall be notified immediately.

The provisions of the State Highway Traffic Code, contained in K.S.A. 8, relating to the operation or condition of motor vehicles, shall be applicable to the operation or condition of motor vehicles operated on the roads, streets, driveways and parking facilities of Pittsburg State University.

All moving violations are to be subject to the statutes of the State of Kansas and the ordinances of the City of Pittsburg by consent of the Board of Regents. Violators are subject to issuance of a summons to appear in the District Court of Crawford County, Kansas or the Municipal Court of Pittsburg, Kansas.

VII. OPERATION OF MOPEDS AND BICYCLES

At no time shall a moped be operated on the sidewalks or lawns of Pittsburg State University. Mopeds are subject to all traffic laws applying to motor vehicles. By definition "moped" means every device having two tandem wheels which may be propelled by either human power or helper motor, or by both, and which has a motor that produces not more than one and one-half brake horse-power; a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty cubic centimeters; automatic transmission; and, the capability of a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-five miles per hour.

Bicycles are not to be ridden on grass areas. They shall not be parked in any part of a building nor shall they be secured to trees, shrubs, posts, poles, or railings. Pittsburg State University shall be empowered to impound or have removed at owner's expense any bicycle which is illegally parked. Bicycles shall be parked in bicycle racks, or the immediate area thereof, if the racks are full.

VIII. REMOVAL OF VEHICLES

Normally, violations for a continuing infraction shall be issued in the following manner: (a) one violation in the morning, (b) second violation in the afternoon of the same day, (c) violations of the loading zones at the discretion of the officer, (d) vehicles whose parking violations constitute a serious traffic hazard or threat to safety and/or who receive more than five (5) tickets for such violations shall be subject to being towed away. Owners of cars which have received an excessive number of less serious parking tickets shall be notified by University Police and Public Safety Services that further violations may result in the car being towed away.

Motor vehicles parked in violation of any regulation of Pittsburg State University relating to parking may be removed from the roads, streets, driveways, or parking facilities of the University. Towing will be done by private persons/firms engaged in such business. The operator or owner of the vehicle will be responsible directly to the towing firm for the towing charge. On campus vehicles which are abandoned or which bear improper or no identification shall be subject to removal by towing and to impoundment. The University reserves the right to remove and impound vehicles after unsuccessfully attempting to contact owners where five unauthorized parking tickets have been accumulated.

IX. PARKING VIOLATION PENALTIES

Fines will be imposed for all parking violations and the amount due will appear on the parking citation. Failure to pay a violation by the tenth (10th) day after issuance shall result in a $5.00 penalty. A wheel-lock (boot) fee of $25.00 will be charged where it has been necessary to use this device for flagrant violators who do not respond to citations. Such fees shall be paid at the University Police and Public Safety Services Office, Shirk Hall.

Payment of violation fees must be received or postmarked by 2:45 p.m. on the tenth day after issuance of a violation. Tickets must be presented at the time of payment. Violations may be paid in person or dropped in the various collection boxes on campus. Parking Services Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Checks shall be made payable to Pittsburg State University. When coins are used to pay violation fees, they must be wrapped in appropriate coin wrappers. The University has adopted the following practices concerning outstanding obligations to the University:

The student will not be permitted to enroll for the beginning of a new semester if he/she has an outstanding obligation due the University.

A "Hold" will be placed on the permanent record of any student who has an outstanding obligation to the University. These Holds are placed during a semester and are not removed until the financial obligation is paid. The student with a Hold placed on his permanent record cannot have his transcript sent to any other school or place of employment. Kansas Statutes Annotated 1980 Supplement 76-741 authorized and the Board of Regents' policy requires each of the Regents' universities to withhold payroll warrants or other warrants issued to any employee until the payment is made of all fines, fees and penalties owed by the employee. Amounts owed to the University may, instead, be deducted from warrants payable to the employee. Either procedure is applicable to classified and unclassified employees at Pittsburg State University.

X. PARKING APPEALS

Appeals from a charge of misuse of parking areas by any student, faculty or staff may be determined by a hearing before the Parking Violation Appeals Board.

An Appeals Board composed of faculty and students shall meet to hear appeals on parking citations. The meetings are held periodically in the Student Center. The time and location of the meetings are posted on the Student Center digital boards and is posted at University Police and Public Safety Services.

Persons receiving a parking ticket who wish to appeal should immediately take the ticket to the University Police and Public Safety Services Office to complete a parking violation appeals form. Parking fines shall be paid at the time of the written appeal. Failure to appeal within 14 days from the date of issuance of the citation shall constitute a waiver of right to appeal. An appeal fee of $2.00 per citation will be charged. If the fine is refunded, the appeal fee will also be refunded. Completed appeal forms will be transferred by the University Police and Public Safety Services Office to the Parking Violation Appeals Board chairperson prior to the meeting. Once a decision is rendered on appeals, letters are mailed to the appellants informing them of the Board's ruling. The ruling of the Board is final. An appeal that has been denied can be appealed for a second time only if new evidence is submitted. Appellants may, but are not required to, appear personally at the Board meetings. Refund checks for all accepted appeals will be automatically mailed to the appellant. Any student having unpaid misuse of parking area fees shall not be permitted to re-enroll, to be graduated, or to transfer records. See Section IX.

Appeal parking ticket

XI. DISPOSITION OF PARKING VIOLATION PENALTIES AND PARKING ZONE FEES

Penalties for parking violations and fees charged for parking permits shall be deposited with the State Treasurer in a separate account to be known as the Pittsburg State University Parking Fee Account. Money in this account may be used by the University in accordance with the provisions of and for the purposes set out in K.S.A. 74-3213.

updated 9.14.18