Parking Regulations

Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. The inability to find satisfactory parking does not excuse illegal parking or parking in an area for which you are not designated. Ignorance of these regulations, weather conditions, convenience, etc. is not an acceptable defense for violations. It is the responsibility of all students, staff, and faculty to learn these regulations. Failure to adhere to all parking and vehicle registration regulations will result in a citation.

Bethel University bears no responsibility for the safety and protection of vehicles or their contents while parked or operated on the campus. The owner of the vehicle shall assume responsibility for all losses or damages that may occur.

All staff/faculty and student vehicles parked on Bethel University controlled property are subject to search if probable cause exists. A vehicle search of this type is a campus matter and does not require a search warrant. At least two security officers will conduct the search, and illegal items may be impounded. Campus vehicles are not exempt from search and seizure from authorized civil authorities with proper search warrants. The operator of the vehicle will be present while the search is conducted.

The maximum speed limit on campus is 20 MPH unless posted otherwise.

Copies of the Bethel University-Main Campus and a Map of Parking Zones are available below for your convenience.

Campus Map

Parking Map

When registering a vehicle for parking, please refer to the following outlined policies that apply to all students, faculty, and staff of Bethel University.

• All vehicles operated by students, staff or faculty on the campus must be registered and have valid insurance.
• Parking permits are free. Visit the Security office to register.
• Proof of insurance must be provided to receive a permit.
• Dorm residents receive a permit based on the dormitory. All residents must stop by the Security office at the beginning of each semester to verify their housing and parking permit.
• Students that move dorms or move off-campus at any point must notify Security and receive an updated permit.
• Parking permits are to be placed on the rear windshield in the lower-left corner.
• All old parking permits should be removed and only the most current permit displayed.
• Temporary permits may be issued in certain circumstances such as a short-term change in vehicles or an injury.

• Parking lot restrictions enforced Monday-Friday, 8AM-3PM.
• Dorm residents must keep their vehicle parked at their residence hall, or in an Open/Overflow lot and walk to class.
• Staff and Faculty parking areas are designated for these individuals only and require a staff/faculty permit.
• Commuter lots are restricted to commuter students, staff and faculty, and campus visitors only.
• Chick-Fil-A parking is reserved for its patrons only. Members of the community, commuter students and staff/faculty may only utilize these reserved parking spaces when dining at Chick-Fil-A. Dorm residents are prohibited from parking in these spaces at all times.
• Vehicles with valid handicap plates/placard or a temporary parking permit for a temporary disability are not subject to these restrictions.
• The road/parking lot going around Campbell Hall is for one way traffic only coming off of Cherry Avenue or Bethel Court. All other traffic movement is prohibited.

Violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The vehicle is not registered.
• Permit not displayed, not properly affixed, or multiple permits.
• Violating restricted parking hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-3 PM).
• Parking on the grass, no parking zones, or area that is not marked for parking.
• Parking in a visitor or reserved space.
• Parked over the line or occupying more than one space.
• Double parking or blocking a vehicle.
• Blocking access to a dumpster
• Impeding or blocking traffic, the roadway, a sidewalk or crosswalk, access to building entrances and exits, or handicap ramp
• Parking on shoulder of Bethel Court (gold posts by Odom Hall).
• Parking in a fire lane or blocking a fire hydrant
• Parking in a designated handicap parking space without a valid plate or placard or parking in such a manner that it restricts or could reasonably restrict a disabled person from entering or exiting their vehicle while properly parked in a handicap space.
• Failure to obey traffic control devices (e.g. stop signs, one-way signs, speeding/reckless driving, moving cones/barriers).

Penalties for the above violations include the following:

• Fines are billed to student accounts and payable in the Student Billing office in the Vera Low Center.
• Once a citation has been processed, and the fine has been placed on the student's account, it cannot be removed until it has been paid.
• Students with unpaid fines will have a hold placed on their account and will be unable to register for classes, receive transcripts or other pertinent documentation until all fines have been satisfied.
• Repeat offenders or anyone committing a single egregious offense may be referred to the Dean of Student Development for disciplinary action.
  
• Bethel University reserves the right to tow or place a wheel lock on any vehicle at any time at the owners’ expense for illegal parking, excessive parking violations, or unpaid fines.
• Reckless driving on campus may result in the loss of driving privileges on all campus property.
• Parking citations can be appealed through the Department of Safety and Security. An appeal must be made within 14 calendar days of the date on the ticket.