I. Justification and Statement of Policy

Bringing a motor vehicle to campus is a privilege, not a right. Registration is an important component of ensuring the safety of campus as it ensures that the Department of Public Safety can contact vehicle owners in the event of problems. Compliance with the College’s parking regulations is also important to ensure that disabled drivers have available parking spots and to allow for the safe passage of emergency vehicles and access for maintenance and service vehicles.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and professional staff who plan to operate a motor vehicle (including car, truck, motorcycle, moped, or motorized scooter) or bicycle on campus.

III. Definitions

1. Fire Lane - A designated pathway for emergency vehicles to access a location.

2. First Year Accomodation - An accommodation granted to a first-year student to register and park a motor vehicle on campus.

3. Persons with Disability  Parking - Specific spaces reserved for individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

4. Parking Permit - A College issued tag or sticker that allows parking within a certain location.

5. Motor Vehicle - any motorized device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported upon a roadway (i.e. cars, trucks, SUV, motorcycles, or mopeds).

6. Motor Vehicle Registration - Information about a motor vehicle which includes make, model, year, and color.

IV. Policy

A.       Registration Requirements

All individuals who plan to operate a motor vehicle on campus are required to register their vehicle and procure a parking permit. There is no charge for registration, and more than one vehicle per person may be registered.

In order to receive a parking permit, access MyDiplomat, go to the Transportation tab, which will guide you to the Parking Permit Instruction and Parking Permit Registration Information. After submitting the required information, bring your College ID card and motor vehicle registration to the Department of Public Safety, and a Franklin and Marshall parking permit will be issued. The permit must be attached to the rear windshield in the lower left corner on the driver's side of the vehicle. Only one parking permit may be displayed on a vehicle at a time. Vehicle registration is not transferable.

Whenever the license plate on a motor vehicle is changed, the Department of Public Safety must be informed.

Franklin & Marshall prohibits first-year students from bringing vehicles to campus or surrounding neighborhoods unless a First Year Parking Accommodation is approved. Submitting an application for an accommodation DOES NOT constitute approval. First-year students should not bring a car to campus until the application has been reviewed and an acceptance letter has been issued. When approved, students must bring the acceptance letter to Public Safety in order to receive a parking permit.

The College encourages students and staff to bring bicycles (including battery- powered bicycles) to campus, to register them with the Department of Public Safety, and to store them securely with a lock. It is also recommended that students and staff register their bicycles with the Lancaster City Police Department. Bicycle registration aids the Department and City in recovering a lost or stolen bike. When riding on roadways, bicyclists must follow all rules and regulations that govern vehicular traffic. When riding on sidewalks, bicyclists must travel at a rate that allows rapid response to pedestrians, yield to pedestrians, and signal when passing. 

B.        Parking Regulations

The College attempts to assist motor vehicle owners by providing limited parking spaces but assumes no responsibility for theft or vandalism to vehicles parked on College property. Parking regulations are established to provide as much parking as possible in paved areas and to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles and access for maintenance and service vehicles. Owners of vehicles found to be in violation of the regulations will be subject to fines of up to $50 per occurrence. The College also reserves the right to tow illegally parked motor vehicles; the cost of the towing is the responsibility of the owner.

1. 1. Fire lanes must be kept open at all times. Signs designating fire lanes are usually white with red letters and rectangular in shape. The Department of Public Safety will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that motor vehicles parked in fire lanes are moved as promptly as possible.

   2. Designated spaces are reserved for individuals with a government-issued Persons with Disability Parking placard. Any employee with a special parking need should provide medical verification to Human Resources and any student to Student Accessibility Services.

   3. Maintenance and service spaces are reserved for Franklin & Marshall employees performing College work. Reserved spaces for dining services and health services personnel are not to be used by unauthorized College employees or students.

   4. Students are not permitted to park in lots designated for FPS or Visitor Parking during the core College Business hours of 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please see the Department of Public Safety’s Parking Brochure for a map and details about campus parking areas. 

V. Related Documents and Forms

First Year Parking Accommodation Application
Parking Brochure

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Policy Maintained by: Department of Public Safety, Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Original Effective Date: August 19, 2024