The operation of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege extended to employees and students. Regulations are necessary in order to have proper control of the operation of motor vehicles. If these regulations are not followed, a student may expect to be issued a ticket, have the vehicle towed, lose the privilege, or in cases of serious difficulty or continued trouble, a student may be suspended from Bluffton for breaking regulations.
The acceptance of the privilege of parking a motor vehicle on campus shall constitute the acceptance of the responsibilities of the driver to see that no vehicle owned or registered in his/her name is operated or parked in violation of the regulations. All vehicles parked on campus shall be parked at the risk of the owner.
Persons registering a vehicle will receive one nonrefundable parking sticker for $10. A second nonrefundable sticker can be purchased for $5. There is a limit of two parking stickers per student. Stickers must be placed in the lower left corner of the rear window. Only one vehicle is allowed per student on campus at one time. Permits are letter coded to specific lots. Students are assigned by class rank to a lot according to the letter of their permit and must park only in the assigned lot at all times. Each year during spring semester, a parking draw is held for assigning parking for the following year. Parking in the incorrect lot will result in a fine.
A change of vehicles any time during the year must be reported immediately to the business office (ext. 3301 or e-mail reichebhachp@bluffton.edu.) Students wishing to change his/her permit must contact the business office (based on available permits). Students may ask to be put on a list for a different parking lot. A temporary parking pass can also be obtained at the business office in College Hall for short-term parking (up to 2 weeks).
Visitor vehicles are required to display a guest permit while parked on campus between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m. Guest permits for visitor vehicles are available at the information desk in Marbeck Center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., and through campus security during other times at extension 3444. Students may not obtain visitor permits for their own vehicles.
Temporary handicapped permits are available at the business office and must be accompanied by a doctor’s verification.
Anyone wishing to have a security escort from assigned parking lots should call university security at 5-419-358-2961.
The following is a list of current parking lots on the Bluffton University campus. Included in the list are permits allowed to park in each lots. Signs listing permit letter and other vehicles permitted to park in each lot are posted at each location. A list of the various lots follow:
Residential students
A. Ramseyer, Hirschy, Neufeld lots, First row in the first Bentley Road lot,
adjacent to the football field
B. Bentley Road second, third and fourth lots, adjacent to the football field
C. Rosenberger Drive lot, second lot from Burckey Gym
D. Sauder Visual Arts Center lot
E. Bren-Dell lot, Houshower House lot (located on Spring Street)
and College Ave. from Spring Street to the bridge
F. Ropp Hall lots
J. Elm Street lot
Commuter students
G. Burcky Gym lot, Elm Street lot, Sauder Visual Arts Center lot and first
Bentley Road lot (except for first row)
2. Parking in driveways, walks, loading areas, grassed areas, entrances to
buildings or at cross walks.
3. Failure to properly display a permit within 24 hours of its receipt.
4. Failure to obey lot assignments and designated space rules as listed above.
5. Failure on campus to observe the traffic and parking regulations of the town
of Bluffton.
6. Exceeding the posted speed limit on campus.
7. Reckless operation of vehicles.
8. Student parking along curbs painted yellow (no parking zones and fire
zones) near buildings is not allowed, except to unload and load student
belongings. Immediately upon unloading or loading, the vehicle must be
moved. A 10-minute limit will be enforced. Hazard flasher lights must
be used when loading or unloading (no exceptions). Vehicles not
moved will receive tickets.
9. Improper parking in handicapped zones, reserved parking spaces and
along roads marked “no parking” is not allowed.
10. The Bluffton village and police departments monitor parking off campus.
Violations and fines for violations are the responsibility of the village. For
courtesy and good will of Bluffton University's neighbors, residential
students should not park on streets near Bluffton property. Bluffton village
has enacted an ordinance restricting parking on streets adjacent to
campus from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless the vehicle holds a homeowner’s
parking permit. Fine for violation is substantial. The streets are Spring,
College View, Lawn, College (between Lawn and Jackson), High and
Campus Drive.
11. All unregistered cars will have license plates investigated by the business
office and fines issued to the vehicle owners.
12. Any student in possession of a permit that has been stolen, altered or used
without authorization from the business office will be automatically referred
to the judicial board and fines assessed.
13. Failure to display a valid State of Ohio or Bluffton University handicapped
permit when parked in handicapped spaces.
An appeals committee of Student Senate members will review appeals of issued tickets. Appeals procedures are available at the business office.
Fines for parking violations are as follows:
1. Parking in incorrect lot: $25 per daily violation
2. Parking in fire lanes, no flashers or exceeding 10 minute limit: $25 per
daily violation
3. All other parking violations: $5 per daily violation
4. Unregistered vehicles in correct lot: $5 first violation, $25 second violation
5. Unregistered vehicles in incorrect lot: $25 per daily violation
6. Failure to display permit: $5 per daily violation
7. Stolen , altered or unauthorized use of tags: $25 per daily violation
8. Parking in handicapped area: $50 per daily violation
9. Multiple vehicles parked in same lot: $25 per daily violation
10. Any cost with identifying unregistered vehicles will be passed on to the
student or owner.
11. No valid parking permit: $25 per daily violation
12. Taking 2 or more parking spaces: $10 per daily violation
13. Blocking drive/access: $10 per daily violation
14. Parking in non-designated parking areas: $10 per daily violation
15. Parking in reserved space: $25 per daily violation
16. Reckless/hazardous operation of vehicle: $25 per violation
