Parking and Traffic Information

The regulations outlined have have been developed to maximize available parking, control the flow of traffic, protect pedestrians, and permit access for emergency and service vehicles. The regulations have been developed and/or approved by the University Parking Committee, comprised of representatives from various campus constituency groups. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Parking Committee are committed to providing a safe and accessible campus and assure that all those who visit, live, learn, or work at Gallaudet benefit from orderly and enforced traffic and parking regulations.

All individuals who park on campus are required to pay the established parking fee. Parking for regularly-employed faculty, teachers, and staff and for full- or part-time students is allocated in zones designated as faculty/staff (including teachers) parking and as student parking. Zone parking is in effect Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. DPS may announce a temporary lifting of zone restrictions at various times of the year.

Guests of the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University are assigned a guest parking pass for use in the parking garage or overflow lot. Others (e.g., short-term employees, visitors, guests) may, for a small fee, park in a parking lot. Parking for people with disabilities is available in the designated areas and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

DPS reserves the right to modify parking rules or regulations as needed, to change the allocation of parking spaces when necessary, and to make exceptions if appropriate. The department may, on occasion, need to close a parking area or roadway for a special event, safety reasons, or repair. The campus community will be informed when changes occur. The Department also has the authority to ticket, immobilize, or tow, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle that is in violation of the established rules and regulations. In addition, the department may relocate a vehicle if necessary and there is no response to a request to move it.

The University assumes no liability for loss of or damage to personal vehicles, or to items left within them, or for personal injuries that may result from the use of a vehicle on campus.

Listed below are a few important regulations to remember. Others can be found in other pages of this website.

• The speed limit on campus is 15 mph.
• All motor vehicles parked in University parking spaces MUST be registered and MUST display a valid parking permit.
• Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Having a parking permit merely means that an individual is authorized to park on campus – not in a specific parking place.
• There is absolutely no parking or standing in a fire lane. Attended vehicles (driver inside) may stand at an unmarked curb long enough for passengers to enter or exit the vehicle.
• Motorcycle parking is in designated areas.
• The lack of space in or at a particular parking area is not an excuse for violating parking regulations and will not be considered as a valid basis for an appeal of a violation notice. The responsibility for finding an appropriate parking space rests with the driver.
• The individual to whom a permit is issued assumes responsibility for all violations written against the vehicle, regardless of the identity of the driver at the time of the violation.
• The fact that a person parks in violation of any regulation and does not receive a citation does not mean that the regulation is not in effect.
• Tickets may be issued daily for the same violation.

Anyone who operates a vehicle at Gallaudet is expected to know and obey all parking and traffic regulations. Ignorance of the regulations is not an acceptable excuse for reducing or canceling fines assessed for violations.

Physical contact or assault on safety officers or members of the student parking patrol will result in criminal charges being filed. Verbal confrontations will be reported to the appropriate administrator.

Inoperable Vehicles

If a vehicle cannot be operated safely or at all, the Department of Public Safety should be notified. Notes left on a vehicle or flashing lights are not considered notification. Inoperable vehicles may not be kept indefinitely in parking areas, with or without a parking permit. The Department of Public Safety must be informed of the nature of the repair problem and of the efforts being made to move the vehicle. The Department of Public Safety will determine a reasonable length of time for repair or removal. Any vehicle left beyond that time will be subject to booting or towing at the owner’s expense. If DPS is not informed about an inoperable vehicle, the vehicle may be booted or towed at the owner’s expense.

Traffic Accidents

All traffic accidents occurring on Gallaudet’s property or involving a Gallaudet vehicle must be reported to the Department of Public Safety immediately. Any person operating a vehicle that is involved in an accident must stop and cooperate in providing appropriate information.

Vehicle Maintenance

Except for minor repairs needed to make a vehicle operable, all other vehicle maintenance (including oil changes) is not prohibited on campus.