Skip to main content

D. Parking Policies

General Parking Regulations

  • Motor vehicles must be parked only in spaces allocated and designated for the permit type displayed on the vehicle.
  • Parking on campus is prohibited in areas other than those established for parking and marked by signs or other devices controlling their use.
  • Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The issuance of a parking permit merely constitutes authorization to park if space is available.
  • Motor vehicles must be parked within the boundaries of the single parking space used. The fact that other motor vehicles may have parked improperly does not constitute an excuse for parking any part of your motor vehicle outside the space boundaries.
  • The responsibility for finding a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator. Lack of space in a particular lot is not a valid excuse for violating parking regulations, and will not be considered as a valid basis for appeal.
  • Double-parking or parking in any position that prevents other vehicles from entering or exiting their legal parking spaces is prohibited.
  • Vehicles parking on a street must be parked the same direction as the flow of traffic in the adjacent lane.
  • Parking on sidewalks or walkways is prohibited for ALL motor vehicles. The only exception made is for golf carts.
  • Motorcycles and scooters may park in any valid parking space. Motorcycles or scooters shall not be parked on sidewalks, patios or in breezeways.
  • The responsibility to pay tickets written to any vehicle remains with the registered owner of the parking permit displayed.

Student Parking

  • Student parking permit restrictions are enforced 365 days a year in all parking areas
  • Currently enrolled students at OCU are not “Visitors” and therefore not eligible to park in “Visitor Parking” spaces.
  • Cokesbury Apartments and United Methodist Hall permitted motor vehicles may only be parked in their respective complexes with the exception of weekends between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Monday.
  • Students holding university employment in student positions are not eligible for employee parking privileges.
  • Students appointed as full-time university employees may choose to be designated either as a student or as faculty/staff regarding parking, but may not be designated as both.

Guest/Visitor Parking

Spaces identified by signage for use by visitors or Admissions guests are reserved for first come first serve basis their use between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Persons affiliated with the university as employees, students, office occupants, or tenants shall not park any vehicle, registered with the university or not, in a visitor/admissions guest parking space.

One Hour Parking

Spaces identified as “One-Hour Parking” may be used by students, staff, faculty, and guest visiting the University on a temporary basis. No parking permit is required to park in these parking spaces. However, remaining in a One-Hour Parking space for more than one hour will constitute an “Incorrect Parking” and/or “Expired Parking” violation. One-Hour Parking spaces are designed to allow everyone equal access to services offered by the University.

Special Event Parking

Individuals or departments planning to conduct short courses, workshops, conferences, or special events to which persons from off-campus will be invited should inform the OCU Police Department as soon as possible, preferably one (1) month, and no less than 2 weeks, in advance of the event, regarding the anticipated attendance, duration of the event, and special parking or traffic management requirements utilizing Schooldude, email, or by phone call.

Students, faculty members, or staff may apply in advance for temporary parking permits for individuals or groups whom they invite to the campus. Sufficient advance notice should be given to the OCU Police Department [minimum of one (1) week] to make appropriate arrangements utilizing Schooldude.

From time to time parking areas may be barricaded, roped off, or otherwise marked as reserved for university guests or for public safety. Students, staff, and faculty who disregard these barriers are subject to ticketing and/or impoundment of vehicles.

Parking Permits

All motor vehicles parked at the University must have a valid parking permit or authorization from the OCUPD. Each person purchasing/obtaining a permanent parking permit will be issued one permit that is transferable to any vehicle driven by the permit owner. One additional permit may be purchased for $10.00.

Obtaining a Parking Permit

  • Anyone desiring a University parking permit must complete a registration form online at okcu.edu/financialaid/parking-permit.
  • Parking permits may be obtained at the Student Accounts Office located on the 3rd floor of the Clara Jones Administration Building.
  • Any person who gives false information on the application/registration form may be subject to fines and/or university disciplinary action.
  • Permits will be billed to student’s university account, or direct payments may be made at the Office of Student Account Services during regular business hours.
  • Permits are available on or after August 1 of each year.

Parking Permit Placement

  • University permits shall be affixed to the driver side, lower corner, rear window.
  • Temporary permits shall be hung from the rear-view mirror with the permit number visible from the front of the vehicle.
  • Motorcycle permits shall be affixed to the left-hand fork or if applicable a standard university permit may be displayed on the lower left-hand corner of the windshield.
  • Motor vehicles without an appropriately placed parking permit are subject to citation.

Temporary Parking Permits

Students, faculty, and staff with a current parking permit or vendors may receive up to three free temporary permits per year. Each temporary permit shall only be valid for a maximum of two weeks and are not to be used consecutively. Temporary permits may be obtained from the OCUPD at any time or from Student Accounts.

Lost or Stolen Permits

Lost or stolen permits must be reported immediately to the OCUPD regardless of the location at which the loss/theft occurred. Any vehicle displaying a parking permit that has been reported lost or stolen will be issued a citation and vehicle impounded.

Parking Ticket Appeals

  • Tickets must be appealed within 10 calendar days of issuance. Appeals turned in more than 10 days after issuance of the ticket will not be considered.
  • To appeal a citation, go to the OCUPD office, located at 1635 NW 23rd Street, to obtain and complete an appeal form.
  • The parking citation appeal form requires the recipient to plead either “not guilty” or “guilty.” A “not guilty” plea means the recipient disputes the officer’s claim that parking regulations were violated. A plea of “guilty” is an admission to having violated parking regulations because of extenuating circumstances and the appeal will be forwarded to the Chief of Police. If the student disagrees with the Chief’s decision, the student may appeal to the Student Court.
  • Students must sign up for a date to appear before the “Student Court”. Any student appealing a ticket is required to appear before the Student Court in person. Students will be fined $25.00 if they sign up to appear before the Student Court and fail to attend.
  • Faculty and staff appeals are heard by the “Staff Council”. The Faculty/Staff appeals committee is comprised of staff and/or faculty members that meet monthly to review appeals. Only written appeals will be considered.
  • The decisions of the Staff Council or Student Court are final and binding.

Payment for Parking Tickets

  • Students are not allowed to enroll, pay tuition or receive transcripts without first paying parking fines/fees charged to their account. OCUPD does not accept payment for parking tickets.
  • All parking citations should be paid in person at the Office of Student Account Services.
  • Do not send cash in the U.S. or campus mail. The University will not be responsible for cash lost in the mail.

Penalties

Students, faculty and staff accruing more than five tickets during any academic year may receive additional penalties including but not limited to additional fines, loss of parking privileges, and vehicle impound. An “Immobilizer boot” may also be place on any vehicle which has received 3 or more unbillable citations. An additional fee is required to remove the boot. Vehicles booted for longer than 15 days will be impounded.

Vehicle Impound

  • Students, faculty, and staff whose vehicles are impounded must visit the OCUPD office and bring: (1) Proof of ownership; (2) Proof of vehicle insurance; and (3) Valid U.S. State Driver’s License.
  • The impounded vehicle owner must be able to prove ownership of the vehicle through a bill of sale or verification of registration.
  • The impounded vehicle owner must have proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license or bring someone that will be driving with a valid driver’s license.
  • An impounded vehicle fee of $100.00 cash is due to OCUPD for vehicle processing. After paying the fee, you will receive an impound release slip that must be presented at the impound lot.
  • The towing company used by the University will also have a separate release and impound fee that is set and regulated by the State of Oklahoma.
  • Vehicles parked or in operation with expired insurance or registration may be impounded according to state law.