Graduate Student Motor Vehicle Parking and Regulations

Graduate students should be familiar with the following policies and regulations. Sewanee Police oversee graduate student vehicle registration and enforce all motor vehicle policies and regulations for the University and village of Sewanee. School of Theology administration facilitates vehicle registration and permit distribution. 

Registration / Regulations

  • Applications for graduate student vehicle permits are required, if a vehicle will be parked on campus, and are to be submitted via the online Graduate Student Vehicle Registration Application. Parking permits will be issued by Sewanee Police and distributed to graduate students by School of Theology administration. Registration is not complete until the permit has been affixed to the rear bumper of the vehicle. Failure to properly display a valid permit may result in ticketing and will not be considered a valid excuse for dismissal of a parking fine.

  • Vehicle registration is included in School of Theology tuition. Graduate students without vehicles or families with only one car may contact SoT administration to request reimbursement for un-used vehicle registration fees.

  • Motor vehicle registration is for one year, from August 1 through July 31.

  • Students temporarily possessing a motor vehicle for a contiguous time period of up to two weeks must obtain a temporary parking permit. These permits may be applied for using the online. Vehicles issued a temporary permit must park in the lot assigned. There is no fee for a temporary parking permit. Students are limited to one temporary parking permit per academic term.

  • State issued ADA permits or license plates will be honored. Individuals with a temporary handicap which limits mobility may apply for a temporary ADA permit through their physician and the TN Department of Motor Vehicles.

  • Sewanee Police should be notified whenever a registered vehicle is traded or sold. Please email police@sewanee.edu with vehicle color, year, make, model, license plate and state.

  • Lost or stolen permits must be reported to Sewanee Police immediately. Please email police@sewanee.edu.

Possession of a parking permit does NOT guarantee a parking space on campus during large or special University events, though efforts are made to expand and direct visitor parking during events to lessen campus impacts. 

Where to Park

  • Generally, graduate student vehicles have the same permissions as employees and should follow the General Policy 

  • School of Theology students will receive a Zone T designation allowing for parking near Hamilton Hall

  • Graduate students may park in any available space on campus so long as it is not otherwise restricted (visitor-only, special event, loading zone, etc)

  • Per University policy, students cannot park vehicles on city streets at all, any day of the week or time

Citations/Complaints/Fines

The Speed Limit on campus is 20 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

Parking citations shall be paid within ten (10) business days after receipt of the violation. Failure to pay a fine or appeal within ten (10) business days, will result in the fine being doubled.

  • The University reserves the right to ticket and/or tow any vehicle at the owner’s expense in violation of parking regulations.

  • All campus parking and traffic regulations are enforced on a 24-hour basis with the exception of permit regulations. Permit enforcement shall be in effect Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

  • The fact that a person parks in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation and does not receive a citation, does not mean that the law, ordinance or regulation is no longer in effect.

The following are parking violations:

  • Failure to display a valid permit.

  • Parked over time limit.

  • Use of stolen/fraudulent/lost/altered parking permit.

  • Parked where prohibited.

  • Parked in visitor stall.

  • Parked on sidewalk, lawn or boulevard.

  • Parked along yellow curb.

  • Parked in traffic lane, double parked, parked in or obstructing driveway.

  • Parked over or outside stall lines.

  • Parked within ten (10) feet of a hydrant.

  • Parked in a fire lane.

  • Parked in or obstructing a posted handicapped stall (MSA 169.346).

The following fines will be assessed:

  • $120 for being parked in or obstructing a posted handicapped stall.

  • $60 for being parked in a fire lane or within ten (10) feet of a hydrant.

  • $25 for the use of stolen, fraudulent, lost or altered parking permit.

  • $25 for any vehicle immobilized, plus applicable fine.

  • $15 for all other parking violations.

Appeals

  • A parking citation may be appealed to the Sewanee Police within ten (10) days after receipt of the citation. Late appeals will not be accepted.

  • A correctly filled out and issued parking citation is considered to be prima facie evidence that a violation has occurred. Therefore, an appeal must be based on the fact that the citation was issued contrary to University parking policy and regulations.

  • Lack of space shall NOT be considered a valid excuse for violation of established parking regulations.

  • The decision of the Sewanee Police shall be final.

Neighborhood Parking

On-street parking on campus and in the village is prohibited. Out of respect for residents who live near the University, please avoid parking your vehicle on the street in the neighborhoods adjacent to campus whenever possible.

Resources