Vehicle Registration

All students, faculty and staff who own or operate a motor vehicle on the MSU campus must purchase and display a parking permit.  This includes all personnel that work or maintain an office on campus.  Vehicles must be registered within one day after being brought onto campus, excluding weekends and holidays. Registration of a vehicle is valid for the fall, spring, and summer sessions.  The license plate numbers of each vehicle is required at the time of registration.  Registration is enforced 24-hours daily.  The term vehicle includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and any other motor-propelled vehicle. 

Only one permit will be issued to a student, faculty or staff member. This permit may be transferred from one vehicle to another, but NOT from one person to another. It shall be the responsibility of the recipient to secure the permit from theft or loss. The person to whom the permit is issued will be responsible for all violations received against the permit.  The purchase of a permit does not guarantee a parking place. If a parking zone is full, ample parking is available in the parking lot at 17 th and Hamilton and at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Permits must be properly displayed on the rear-view mirror the day issued. A vehicle may receive a citation ($25) for no registration permit displayed if the permit does not appear in the proper location.  If the permit cannot be displayed in the proper location, a stick-on permit may be obtained in lieu of a hangtag.  The stick-on permit must be placed in the lower corner of the driver’s side front windshield. 

Parking zone enforcement will begin on the first day of scheduled classes . Yellow curbs, fire lanes, handicapped spaces, handicapped sidewalk access, restricted areas, etc. are enforced year-round even when classes are not in session.

Using the RacerTouch process, students may purchase a permit prior to the beginning of a semester. These permits may be picked up during registration at a designated location in the Curris Center (during the first three days of classes).  After registration, permits must be picked up at Public Safety. 

Permits may also be paid for in the Cashier’s Office on the second floor of Sparks Hall. Registration must be completed within 24 hours of arrival to campus, excluding weekends and holidays. 

Faculty and staff are required to register their vehicles annually and in person at locations to be announced on campus or at Public Safety any time during normal office hours.  Early registration for Faculty/Staff normally begins in mid-July (payroll deduction only).  Receipt from Cashier’s Office is required to pick up a permit if not using payroll deduction (starting in August).  Permits should be purchased prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Enforcement will begin on the first day of scheduled classes.

Deliberate falsification of records and/or information pertaining to the registration of your vehicle may result in the rejection of the parking application and denial of parking privileges on the MSU campus. The purchase of a permit certifies that you have secured the permit for your own usage and no other.

The following fee shall be assessed to all Murray State University students, faculty and staff members who desire the privilege of parking on the university campus:

$55 per year — August to August — this fee covers the fall, spring and all summer sessions.  Permit fees for the summer semester only are pro-rated at $13.75.  The purchase of this permit applies to all vehicles including motorcycles, mopeds, etc. If a vehicle permit is purchased, a motorcycle permit may be obtained without cost.  In the case of a lost or stolen permit an affidavit must be completed at Public Safety.  The fee for a replacement permit is $27.50.

At the time of registration, students, faculty, and staff will be required to list all vehicles in which the parking permit will be displayed.

Student teachers, student employees, and graduate assistants do not qualify for faculty/staff parking permits. Students from extended campuses must pick up a student temporary permit at Public Safety when on the Murray campus.

Freshmen residents in the north residential college complex are required to purchase a parking permit ($35) and park in the large lot at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Retired faculty and staff — these members of the faculty and staff are eligible for a parking permit at no cost. All parking regulations apply to retired faculty and staff. An application for a parking permit may be obtained at Public Safety. To be considered in the category the individual must have five years of service and must have had permit(s) before retirement.  A person retired from Murray State who returns to work for the university will be considered an employee and is required to purchase a permit.

Loading/unloading zone permits will be issued by the Parking Supervisor at Public Safety. This permit is not for general parking, but for active loading and unloading only. A vehicle displaying this type of permit may park in university vehicle parking, loading zones, and visitor zones.  The vehicle must not interfere with traffic flow, university business, and must not violate fire lanes or codes. This permit does not allow parking in areas marked as service vehicles, fire lanes, restricted areas, or handicapped spaces.  Anyone using a loading zone permit must display both the loading zone permit and a current Murray State parking permit. Loading zone permits are valid only for time indicated on the permit.

Visitor and guest parking permits are available at Public Safety. There is no charge for a visitor permit. Students, faculty or staff are not visitors and may not park in any visitor parking space at any time. Visitors are persons not affiliated with the university.

Vendor permit — those agencies exterior to the university who are performing service functions on campus may be issued a vendor parking permit. This permit is authorized in all color zones and loading/unloading areas.

Parking on University Property  

The university reserves the right to tow any vehicle creating a hazardous condition, or any situation otherwise interfering with the overall operation of the university. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. 

Murray State University assumes no responsibility for theft or damage to vehicles or personal possessions on university property.

Parking is permitted only in marked parking spaces - parking outside of designated parking spaces will result in a citation being issued.

Because of limited parking facilities and the increasing demand for space, a vehicle will not be allowed to occupy a parking space when in an inoperable condition for a period exceeding 24 hours. If the University Police Office is not notified, a notice of violation will be issued to the vehicle. If the vehicle is not moved, it may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Parking Zones

Parking on Murray State ’s campus is enforced at all times.  South of Chestnut St. between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, faculty, staff and students may park only in zones designated by their permit color.  Color Zones in the North Residential College Complex are enforced 24 hours a day.  At all times, parking is permitted only in marked parking spaces.

Freshmen residing in the north residential college complex must park in the large lot at Stewart Stadium from 6 p.m. Sunday evening until noon on the following Friday. From noon on Friday until 6pm Sunday, the freshmen may also park in the north residential college area in the yellow zone. 

No registration permit displayed, handicapped, yellow curb, fire lane, visitor, and any other restricted parking is enforced 24 hours a day.

Parking zones are established as follows:

Boats, trailers, large trucks, and vehicles towing trailers must park in the large lot at Stewart Stadium.  Any boat or trailer parked in the stadium lot must be identifiable as to the owner.

Summer sessions begin the Monday following spring graduation. During summer sessions students may park in any color zone excluding the blue or green zone. All other regulations are enforced and remain effective 24 hours daily. Handicapped spaces are enforced 24 hours daily; unauthorized vehicles may be ticketed and towed.

State, city, and university regulations regarding fire lanes, fire hydrants, service areas, stop signs, crosswalks, and handicap sidewalk access ramp areas, are enforced 24 hours daily, seven days a week.

Curris Center parking lot - One-hour parking is for Curris Center use only, and shall be enforced as indicated. The visitor zone is for persons not affiliated with the university. Students, faculty and staff are not visitors and may not park in visitor zones (24 hour enforcement).  Yellow curbs will be enforced 24 hours daily. Parking in this lot may be restricted on days that special events are scheduled in the Curris Center .

Disabled and Handicapped Parking

All requests for disability parking will be handled through the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Applications for disability parking permits are available at the following sites:

•     Public Safety Web site - http://www.murraystate.edu/publicsafety/documents/parking/.doc
•     Parking Office in the Public Safety Building
•     Office of Equal Opportunity, 103 Wells Hall

Spaces for individuals with disabilities are provided at various locations across campus. Only vehicles displaying a current university handicapped permit are authorized to park in these areas. Unauthorized vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed. The handicapped permit is also valid in all color zones. It is a violation of Kentucky law to use or display a handicapped parking placard or license plate issued to someone else.  Violation of these laws may result in a citation to appear in Calloway County District Court and fines.

Temporary disability permits are available in the Public Safety Office by application through the Office of Equal Opportunity and are valid in all color zones.  These permits are not to be used in marked handicapped spaces .  Persons with state handicapped permits must register their vehicles and purchase an MSU handicapped permit. 

It is a violation of Kentucky law to use or display a handicapped parking placard or license plate issued to someone else. Violation of these laws may result in a citation to appear in Calloway County District Court.

University Police enforce all laws and regulations regarding the operation of a motor vehicle.

All motor vehicles operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are required by law to have liability insurance coverage. KRS 304,39-110. Said proof of insurance must be submitted to any officer upon request.

Kentucky law requires the operator of a motor vehicle to have in his or her possession: a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and current proof of insurance.

Parking lot speed limit 15 mph

Kentucky traffic laws are enforced on university property.  Violation of traffic laws may result in a citation to appear in Calloway County District Court.

The operator of a vehicle is responsible for any damage to university property occurring from the operation of that vehicle.  Criminal charges may be filed in Calloway County District Court.

Non-Pedestrian Devices Regulations  

Non-pedestrian devices include, but are not limited to: bicycles, skateboards, skates, roller blades, and unicycles.  It is the responsibility of all individuals using these devices on campus to read and understand these regulations.  Lack of knowledge of these regulations will not be accepted as grounds for dismissal of citations or enforcement actions.

General Guidelines

Pedestrians have the right-of-way.

Bicycles shall not be operated on specified pedestrian walkways or sidewalks, within university buildings, or other areas designated by regulation or signs.

Cyclists are required to operate within applicable Kentucky law when riding on streets or roadways.

These conveyances are not to be ridden or operated in the following areas:

•  Inside university buildings

•  Anywhere restricted by signs

Stunt riding, trick riding, free-style riding, or skating, are not to be performed on university property.  In addition, excessive noise, speed, stunt riding, or any other use of non-pedestrian devices that may cause disturbances of studies, property damage, or endanger self or others is prohibited.  Users may not ride on stairways, patios, dock areas, benches, picnic tables, stairs, ramps, curbs, or other irregular surfaces.  

Student, faculty, or staff violators are subject to disciplinary proceedings.  Violators’ equipment is subject to confiscation and impoundment.  

The university may impound any non-pedestrian device which is classified as abandoned, lost, or stolen.  The university reserves the right to remove locks and/or security devices attached to bicycles in order to impound. 

Violations, Fines, and Penalties  

University Violations, Fines and Penalties  

Accounts receivable statements will be sent out monthly. Parking fines may be paid in the Cashier’s Office located in Sparks Hall.  Checks may be mailed either in campus mail without U.S. postage or in the U.S. mail with appropriate postage. Also for check payment, there are drop boxes in designated areas on campus for convenience. Cash payments should be made in person at the Cashier’s Office (do not mail).

Outstanding fines are to be cleared before registration may be completed. The University will not furnish transcripts or credits until all fines are cleared. Payment of outstanding faculty-staff parking violations is a pre-requisite to registration of a vehicle.

The person to whom the permit is issued is responsible for all violations and payment of fines charged against the permit, regardless of the operator of the vehicle.

Any person violating traffic and parking regulations on the MSU campus shall be subject to the following penalties:

•  No registration permit displayed ($25): A vehicle not displaying a permit in the appropriate location and visible to the ticket writer will receive this violation

•  Parking in restricted areas, service vehicles, university vehicles, loading/unloading areas ($40)

•  Parking in or blocking any portion of a fire lane or within 10 feet of a fire hydrant will result in towing and a fine ($40)

•  False Registration ($40)

1.    Possession lost/stolen permit

       (Other sanctions also apply - Loss of parking privileges

       reimbursement of permit costs to person reporting loss of permit

       and possible criminal charges, etc.)

                      2.   Possession of an altered/forged permit

                            (Other sanctions also apply - Loss of parking privileges,

                            possible criminal charge of Forgery.)

                      3.   Possession of a permit issued to another person

•  Parking in handicapped spaces, blocking sidewalk access or access to handicapped ramps  ($40)

•  All other parking violations, such as parking by yellow curbs, on grass, medians, in drives, crosswalks, no parking areas, improper display of permit (24 hour enforcement)    ($10)

•  An area blocked off with barricades and/or parking ribbon is a restricted area. Do not move the barricades or ribbon. Vehicles found in violation may be ticketed ($40) and towed.

Vehicles may be towed for any of the following:

blocking a legally parked vehicle

double parking

parking in or blocking any portion of a fire lane

parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant

blocking dumpster access

impeding traffic flow

abandoned vehicle

hazardous condition (gas leak, anti-freeze leak, transmission fluid leak, oil leak)

blocking drive

parking in loading/unloading zone

parking in restricted areas

parking on median, sidewalk, or grass

parking in a no parking zone

parking on yellow curbs or in striped areas         

Reporting of a lost or stolen permit will require the taking of an affidavit. Falsely reporting an incident is a criminal act and may be dealt with in the criminal courts. If a permit is lost and later recovered, the permit is to be brought to Public Safety. The permit is not valid after an affidavit has been made.

Violation notices issued to unregistered vehicles or to vehicles not displaying the current university parking permit in the appropriate location will be traced through the state license bureau to the owner and/or operator.

State Violation, Fines and Penalties

Theft of a university parking permit or possession of a stolen/lost permit  is a criminal offense and may result in criminal charges and prosecution.

Kentucky revised statutes state as follows:

KRS 514.030 Theft By Unlawful Taking Under $300.

•  A person is guilty of theft by unlawful taking or disposition when he unlawfully:

•  Takes or exercises control over movable property of another with intent to deprive him thereof;

           Penalty - Class-A misdemeanor

Up to $500 fine and one year in jail - or both

KRS 514.110 Receiving Stolen Property Under $300.

•  A person is guilty of receiving stolen property when he receives, retains or disposes of movable property of another knowing that it has been stolen, unless the property is received, retained or disposed of with intent to restore it to the owner.

Penalty - Class-A misdemeanor

Up to $500 fine and one year in jail - or both

It is a violation of Kentucky law to use or display a handicapped parking placard or license plate issued to someone else. Violation of these laws may result in a citation to appear in Calloway County District Court and fines.

Appeals

Students, faculty and staff who desire to appeal a parking violation must do so by filing an appeal form within five school days from the day the violation was issued.

• Possession of a stolen or forged permit is a criminal offense and can not be resolved through the Appeal process.

• Appeal forms are available at Public Safety or the Student Government Office. All appeals must be turned in to Public Safety, with the offender’s copy of the ticket attached, within the five-day appeal period .

• Appeals will not be accepted after the five-day period has lapsed. The right to appeal will be forfeited. The University Police officers and parking enforcement officers are not permitted or authorized to void any parking violation. Each appealed violation shall be adjudicated by the appropriate judicial committee (disposition is final).

General information

Parking permits are the property of the university and must be returned to the Public Safety Office upon termination of employment as a part of the clearance process.

In the case of curb parking, all vehicles will be parked headed in the direction of the traffic flow, 24-hour enforcement.  

Requests for special use of parking areas or streets (dances, etc.) should be submitted to the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services for approval and then coordinated with the Director of Public Safety.  

All serious incidents or vehicle accidents should be reported to the University Police  (2222) immediately – do not move the vehicle.

Theft of personal or university property should be reported to the University Police (2222) immediately. The University Police Department will furnish engraving devices free of cost for the purpose of marking personal property. Personal Property Inventory sheets are also available at the University Police Department.  For your protection it would be wise to make photographs of jewelry and other valuables. 

University, state, or government-owned vehicles may be parked in any color zone, service vehicles areas, or restricted areas, without displaying a university permit. 

Parking on the MSU campus is permitted only in marked spaces .  

The City of Murray by ordinance requires the purchase of a city sticker by the persons:

•  City stickers are required of all persons working inside the limits of Murray, university students who establish residence in the city of Murray or non-residents working inside the city. Any one employed as a student employee is required to purchase a city sticker.         

•  Murray city stickers may be purchased at the Murray city hall building, City Clerk’s Office ($35). Questions about city stickers should be directed to the City Clerk’s office (270) 762-0350.                               

•  Persons exempted are non-resident university students not employed within the city of Murray .

Anyone planning short courses, workshops, or meetings to which persons from off campus are invited should notify Public Safety of the location of the event, date(s) and time, and the number of expected participants involved. This notification should be made two weeks prior to the event, so that permits may be issued and parking provided. Special permits are for two weeks or less.

Anyone wishing to make recommendations regarding regulation changes or modifications should address correspondence to: Director, Public Safety Department, 101 Public Safety Building, Murray , KY 42071

Points of contact for Public Safety   

Emergency

911 – on campus

University Police

2222 – on campus

(270) 809-2222 – off campus

Parking Management Office

4812 – on campus

(270) 809-4812 – off campus

maintained by Public Safety
Last updated July 13, 2007  ©Murray State University, 2004.
Please direct comments & questions to Public.Safety