Student Handbook 2012-13

Composition and Authority of LeTourneau University Police Department

The LeTourneau University Police Department is authorized by the State of Texas and LeTourneau University to function as a fully empowered law enforcement agency in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Education Code. The Police Officers of the Department are duly sworn Peace Officers in and for the State of Texas and, as such, bear all the rights, authority, responsibilities, protections, powers and privileges of their sworn office. These sworn officers serve the University alongside the traditional Guards that have provided service and safety for the community for over forty years. Combined as an integrated and well-trained agency it is our goal to ensure safety during your educational experience at LeTourneau University. We are committed to the ideals of community oriented policing guided by the principles of the scriptures and empowered by the University so that we may continuously strive to meet the goal of a safe and secure campus through training and quiet preparedness.

All personnel within the University Police Department, whether on or off-duty, in plain clothing or in uniform, are empowered to enforce the regulations of the University by issuing citations or initiating other corrective, investigative or restorative measures.

The following regulations are designed to (a) promote the safety and convenience of LeTourneau University students, employees and visitors, (b) provide access for emergency equipment and (c) facilitate University functions. All vehicle regulations apply to traditional students, Graduate and Professional Studies (GAPS) students faculty members and staff of the University as well as contract and sub-contract employees or vendors operating on University property. These regulations are in effect and enforced 24-hours a day throughout the year, both during and between academic terms.

Remember all LeTourneau University rules governing the use and operation of vehicles on campus as well as all State laws are enforceable under the authority of the University Police Department UPD)

Persons having questions related to these or other regulations should contact the Chief of University Police at (903) 233-4441.

Terry Turner
Chief of Police LeTourneau Police Department

Walking Campus

LeTourneau University is a WALKING-CAMPUS, therefore campus community members are required to walk to classes and other campus commitments from parking areas that are specifically assigned for the individual’s particular type of campus registration decal. Motor vehicle traffic should be kept to the minimum possible in order to promote the safety of our pedestrian population. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be given right-of-way however it is imperative that pedestrians and bicyclists not “assume” that such right-of-way is being given by an approaching motorist.

LETU Vehicle Registration and Parking Rules

Vehicle Registration

All members of the LETU community (student, faculty, staff, contract/vendor personnel) are required to register their vehicles with UPD. Registration decals are provided by UPD at no charge. Fees and fines may be assessed to any vehicle owner for failure to register. Additional fines will be assessed if the vehicle remains unregistered. Registration decals are distributed at all student registration functions, EDGE and Preview events, as well as daily from the UPD Offices. Registration may be completed in person at UPD or online at: www.letu.edu, under the tab “Forms and Publications” or www.letu.edu/opencms/opencms/_Student-Life/campus-safety/index.html

There are appropriate forms available for student’s vehicles as well as faculty/staff-owned vehicles. New employees are provided an opportunity to register vehicles during new employee orientation. Online registrations will be received by University Police via email. They will be processed and a decal will be mailed to the applicant via campus mail.

• Community members must obtain and properly display a registration decal on their vehicle within the first two weeks of the initiation of the current semester or within two weeks of obtaining a vehicle. Residential students are limited to ONE automobile (car or truck) on campus at any given time.
• Residential students may have a motorcycle and/or bicycle registered on campus in addition to an automobile. 
• Faculty, staff and contract employees must obtain and properly display a registration decal on their vehicle(s) within two weeks of becoming employed or within two weeks of obtaining a vehicle. Faculty and staff members may register more than one vehicle. 
• All community members who have a bicycle on campus must obtain and properly display a LeTourneau University parking decal on their bicycle. This is a theft prevention initiative as well as a means of recovering property if it should be stolen.
• Temporary and Visitor Permits: Permits are provided at no charge through the Police Department for:
• Persons who are temporarily using a different or other than the one they registered, for a short period of time (fewer than 30 days)
• Guests on campus overnight or longer, the guest’s vehicle may be issued a temporary permit for their visit at no charge
• Visiting faculty, vendors, contractors who will be on campus daily over three consecutive days or more.

Vehicle Registration and Registration Update

Every vehicle owner/operator is personally responsible for maintaining their vehicle registration current with respect to the information contained in the registration.

• Living area assignment must be kept current even if you change living areas in mid-semester
• License plate number and state of registration must be kept current at all times
• Liability insurance information (company and policy #) must be kept current at all times If a new vehicle is purchased or placed into service at any time, the owner/operator is required to register that vehicle with UPD within 10 days of acquiring the vehicle or within 10 days of placing the vehicle into service on campus. Updating your vehicle registration is FREE of charge.

Display of Registration

All vehicle registration decals issued by UPD must be displayed on the vehicle to which it is assigned. Decals are not transferrable.

• Cars and Trucks: Decals will be displayed on the exterior of the lower left corner of the rear windshield so as to be visible from behind the vehicle.
• Motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds: Decals will be displayed on one of the following areas; windshield (if present), right front fork or license plate bracket. The decal must be visible and not concealed from view.
• Bicycles: Vertical frame tube below the seat post or cross-bar in front of the seat New and replacement decals are Free of charge.

Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles

All cars, trucks and motorcycles must be maintained in safe working condition in compliance with the original manufacture specifications. Vehicles may NOT be altered so that they are substantially reduced in ability to protect the occupant/operator/rider. All lights, signals, warning devices, and drive/braking systems must be fully operational. All motorized vehicles (regardless of type of motor/engine) must be covered by a liability insurance policy in compliance with Texas State law, regardless of the state of license plate registration. Vehicles not in such working order may be removed from campus at the owner'’s expense after reasonable opportunity has been given to make appropriate repairs to the vehicle.

Driver’s Licenses

Every operator of a motor vehicle on the LeTourneau University campus must have in their possession, a current and valid State issued driver’s license for the type of vehicle being operated. Every community is required to display, upon demand of a UPD Officer or Guard, their driver’s license.

Insurance

Texas State law requires that every motor vehicle be covered by a liability insurance policy (minimum). All vehicles operated on LeTourneau University property must have such an insurance policy. The driver of a vehicle is personally responsible to be able to show, upon demand of any UPD Police Officer or Guard , current, valid liability insurance coverage.

Towed Vehicles, RVs and Vehicle Extensions

There is limited space on campus for utility/moving trailers, other towed vehicles. University Police and Student Affairs will identify a location on campus where these items may be stored for a fee.

• All trailers will be required to be:
• Registered with University Police and have coverage under a vehicle liability insurance policy
• Secured by a tongue lock to be supplied by the owner. A chain and padlock on the wheel/frame as an added security measure is highly recommended.
• Recreational Vehicles (i.e. motor homes, RV trailers, campers, boats, trailered personal watercraft and trailered motorcycles) are not permitted to be stored on campus. These types of vehicles/trailers may be maintained at a local RV park or commercial storage area.

Parking

All vehicles must be parked on a paved surface and within the confines of a single parking space. Vehicles with a trailer attached are considered to be two units of traffic and may occupy two adjoining parking spaces.

Limited Parking Areas

• Some parking areas are restricted to 20- minutes as a loading area.
• White curb or stripe on pavement adjacent to the curb indicates limited time parking
• Yellow curb or stripe on pavement adjacent to curb indicates no parking at any time
• Red curb or stripe on pavement adjacent to the curb indicates a fire lane and no parking at any time. A violation of the fire lane restriction is a violation of State law and City ordinance as well as University rule.

Handicap Parking

Parking in Handicap parking areas without proper handicap credentials displayed inside or on your vehicle is a violation of State law as well as University rules. This will be strictly enforced. Handicap parking areas may NOT be used as a loading area for loading or unloading cargo from any vehicle unless it is properly marked with handicap credentials and being used in support of a handicapped person.

Special Prohibited Parking

Some areas are marked by signage that indicates that it is prohibited to park in that immediate area. All such signage indicating a prohibition to park in an area refers to BOTH sides of the street on which it may appear and includes an area of at 100 feet on either side of the sign indicating the prohibition.

Reserved Parking

Certain parking areas are reserved for various reasons. This may include guest parking, specific types of customers or utility or other University vehicles. Only the specified persons in the reserved parking signage may park in such reserved areas.

Parking/Driving on Non-Paved Areas

Vehicles may only be operated or parked on paved surfaces. Vehicles may park on grassy or dirt areas only at the direction of UPD personnel or by signage authorized or placed by UPD personnel. Special events which require vehicle operation on grassy or dirt areas must obtain approval through the Chief of Police at least one business-day in advance of the event.

Zone Parking Rules

Each vehicle is assigned to a color coded parking area according relationship and status with the University

• Residential Students: Blue parking decal
• Non-Residential (Commuter) Students: Orange parking decal
• Society (AO, KZX, LAS) Resident Students: Green parking decal
• The Village Apartments Resident Students: Red parking decal
• Faculty/Staff employees: Purple parking decal
• Vendor/Staff (contract) employees: Purple parking decal

All LETU community members must park on parking lots assigned for their particular decal, Monday through Friday from 7am until 5pm.

• Blue residential parking areas are assigned by specific named living areas(i.e., Tyler East, Tyler West, Trinity, South Hall, Speer Chapel). Dormitory residents must park on lots marked with the name of their dormitory. These lots are: Tyler West, Tyler East, Trinity (hosts Evelyn LeTourneau Hall, Mabee Hall, Pennsylvania Hall), Quad (hosts Durham House, Carpenter House, McKinley House and Howe House), Speer Chapel (hosts Davis Hall, Gilbert Hall and Thomas Hall), and South Hall during the Zone Parking hours listed above.
• Orange Commuter lots are for all non-residential students (traditional and GAPS). During the Zone Parking hours listed above, Commuter & GAPS students may use the following parking lots: Belcher Center, Solheim Activity Center, Margaret Estes Library, B.A. Skipper, Glaske Engineering and Science lot.
• Green Society Resident decals are solely for residents of the society buildings. During the Zone Parking hours residents of AO, KZX and LAS must park on the parking lots immediately adjacent to their society house.
• Red Village Apartments decals are solely for the residents of The Village Apartments. These consist of married students, honors students, graduate students and some faculty/staff members from time to time. Faculty/Staff members housed in The Village Apts will have a purple Faculty/Staff decal. During the Zone Parking hours residents of The Village Apts, must park on the Village parking lot most immediately adjacent to their apartment.
• Purple Faculty/Staff decals are issued to employees who teach and/or work directly for LeTourneau University. During the Zone Parking hours Faculty/Staff members must park on the following lots: Belcher Center, Trinity lot, Solheim Activity Center, Glaske Engineering and Science, Business Office, and South Hall.
• Purple Vendor/Staff decals are issued to personnel who are employed by a company, other than LeTourneau University, which provides goods and services to the LETU community and those employees perform their primary duties on campus routinely (i.e., Follett Bookstore, Bon Appétit, etc.) During the Zone Parking hours Faculty/Staff members must park on the following lots: Belcher Center, Trinity lot, Solheim Activity Center, Glaske Engineering and Science, Business Office, and South Hall.

Vehicle Decorations and Ornaments

No lewd, obscene or offensive items (as deemed by University Police or a Student Life representative) may be attached to or displayed on your vehicle in any way that is visible to the community at large.

Junk Vehicles

Any vehicle that is inoperable and/or out of current State registration and/or out of current motor vehicle inspection may be deemed as a junk vehicle. No junk vehicles may be parked, stored or abandoned on campus. The University reserves the right to remove inoperable vehicles from campus at the owner’'s expense, after prior notification to the owner'’s last known address. Junk bicycles will be disposed of. All costs incurred in removing junk vehicles from the campus will be transferred to the owner.

Vehicle Repairs

Major vehicle repairs which require a vehicle to be disabled must be completed within 48 hours. Oil changes may NOT be done on any campus parking lot or other area not specifically and permanently designed to ensure the safe and authorized collection of used automotive fluids. Some repairs may be done at the Automotive Society in accordance with the club’s rules and fees. You can contact the Automotive Society at (902) 233-6461 or by email at autosociety@letu.edu.

Large Vehicles

Vehicles larger than a one-ton pickup truck are prohibited from parking on any campus parking lot without permission of the Chief of Police. Commercial vehicles contracted for delivery, construction, demolition, etc. have been approved for the purpose of fulfilling their contracts with the University.

Recreational Vehicles

Motor-Homes and Travel Trailers: Persons desiring to bring a motor home or travel trailer to campus are encouraged to make reservations at one of the nearby recreational vehicle parks. If arrangements cannot be made, operators of such vehicles must make arrangements prior to arrival at the campus through University Police Department. Operators of such vehicles will be provided information as to where they may park and what services and limitations they may expect. University Police may be contacted 24/7 at 903-233-4444. During normal business hours the administrative offices may be contacted at 903-233-4440.

All persons residing in such vehicles for the term of their visit will:

• Be expected to abide by LeTourneau University Community Standards
• Be required to surrender any firearms in their possession to UPD during their stay on campus.

Off-road Vehicles: Operation of moto-cross, dirt-bikes, and ATV’s is prohibited on campus. These vehicles are not equipped to be legally operated on the streets and no campus facility exists where they may be used for their intended purpose. Such vehicles may be kept on campus provided they are properly registered with UPD in accordance with the Vehicle Registration requirements.

Vehicle Safety

Safety Helmets

All operators and riders on motorcycles, motor-scooters, mini-bikes, go-carts and any other similar type vehicle are required by the University to wear a D.O.T. approved safety helmet at all times while operating the vehicle on University property.

• Safety helmets for bicyclists and unicyclists are encouraged but not required
• Safety helmets are not required for operation of golf carts or open-cab maintenance equipment such as lawn tractors, skip loaders, etc.

Go-Carts and Other Unlicensed Vehicles

Go-carts and other similar types of vehicles may not be operated on campus roadways, sidewalks or landscaped areas. If such a vehicle is kept on campus it must be properly registered with UPD in accordance with the Vehicle Registration requirements.

Lights

Vehicles that do not have functioning headlights, tail lights and turn signal lights may not be operated on LeTourneau University properties during any hours of darkness or diminished light.

 Overloading Vehicles

Drivers may not carry passengers in their vehicle in such a way that would restrict the mobility or vision of the driver, so as to endanger any occupant, passer-by or other vehicle or property.

Passing Traffic

Campus roadways are not constructed for three lines of traffic. All campus roadways are considered to be “no passing” areas. Drivers shall not pass moving vehicles which are traveling in the same direction on University roadways. Slow moving vehicles, such as golf carts or maintenance equipment, are encouraged to pull to the right side of the roadway, stop and allow traffic to pass safely.

Restricted Roadways

Utility/maintenance roads and paths are off-limits to all but fleet and/or contractor vehicles on official business of the University. Some sidewalks are constructed in such a way as to permit utility vehicles to be operated on them, however they are not to be used as roadways or parking facilities for routine motor vehicle traffic without the express permission of the Chief of Police.

Speed Limits

The maximum posted speed limit on campus is 20MPH. The speed limit on Harris Drive is 15 MPD due to this being a family housing area. Speed limits are strictly enforced by RADAR.

Stop Signs and Stop Lines

Stop signs and stop lines are purposefully placed at intersections and driveways on the campus and require a complete stop.

Right of Way

All right-of-way issues defined by Texas State law are applicable and enforceable by UPD uniformed personnel. Reckless Driving: Operation of any type of motor vehicle in such a way as to endanger persons or property who may be in the immediate area of or come into the path of a driver is regarded as reckless driving.

Driving While Intoxicated (Alcohol or Drugs)

LeTourneau University ascribes to a policy of abstinence from the use of alcohol and illicit drugs as well as from the abuse of prescribed medication. Persons found to be operating a vehicle while violating this policy may be disciplined under the authority of the Student Affairs Department. All persons suspected of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be thoroughly Violations of the rules of the University and the laws that govern vehicle traffic in the State of Texas are enforced by the LeTourneau University Police Department.

Most traffic violations are considered to be violations of University rules rather than of State law, however certain violations, may be filed with local courts:

• Handicap Parking Violations
• Fire Lane Violations
• Reckless Driving
• Unlicensed Driver
• No Insurance
• Fleeing Police
• Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Disciplinary fines and/or actions by the University do not preclude the filing of charges with the Municipal Court of the City of Longview or Gregg County District Attorney’s Office.

Schedule of fines

This does not represent a comprehensive list of offenses that may be enforced by UPD. All Sate laws and City ordinances may be enforced and fines may be assessed by the Chief of Police. # Violation Fine

1. Miscellaneous Parking Violation - $20
2. Parked in Handicap Space (and/or loading area) - $40
3. Parked in a Fire Lane - $40
4. Parked on Grass - $30
5. Parked on Sidewalk - $30
6. Parked Where Prohibited by Sign or Ground Marking - $30
7. Fail to Yield Right-of-Way - $30
8. Fail to Stop at a Stop Sign or Stop Line - $40
9. Passing Traffic Moving in Same Direction - $20
10. Overloaded Vehicle (unsafe # of passengers or items on board) - $40
11. Speed: 1 –-  5mph over posted limit - $20
12. Speed: 6 -– 10mph over posted limit - $30
13. Speed: 11 -– 15mph over posted limit - $40
14. Speed: 16 –- 20mph over posted limit - $50
15. Speed: 21 or more mph over posted limit - $60
16. Reckless Driving - $75
17. Fleeing/Failure to Stop for Guard or Police Officer - $100
18. Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs - $500 + Criminal Chg
19. Unauthorized Driving on Restricted Roadways - $30
20. No Safety Helmet When Required (motor cycle/scooter/go-cart, etc ) - $40
21. No Lights (operating in dark or diminished light conditions) - $30
22. Expired State Registration or Expired State Inspection - $30
23. Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance) - $100
24. Failure to Show Proof of Liability Insurance - $30
25. Unlicensed Driver $100 Driving with No License in Possession - $30
26. Failure to Register Vehicle (LETU) - $40
27. Failure to Properly Display LETU Vehicle Registration - $40
28. Zone Violation - $40
29. Disabled Vehicle on Campus (Major repairs over 48 hours) - $30
30. Junk Vehicle on Campus - $30 + Fine + towing and storage charges Tow & Store
31. Abandoned Vehicle On Campus - $60 + Fine + towing and applicable storage charges Tow & Store
32. Using Stored or Inoperative Vehicle as Storage Container - $100
33. Lewd Display/Ornamentation on Vehicle - $40

Citations, Contests and Appeals

How Citations May be Delivered

Citations issued by University Police Officers and Guards may be delivered:

• In person such as a traffic stop or personal contact in a parking area
• By being left secured to the windshield of a vehicle.
• Citations are securely placed under the windshield wiper of the vehicle.
• Once it is placed on the windshield it is considered to have been delivered and is the responsibility of the registered owner of the vehicle.
• By being mailed to the vehicle owner via inter-office mail or to the Campus Post Office (CPO) Box at the Mail Center located in the Memorial Student Center.

Once the citation has been mailed, it is considered to have been delivered and is the responsibility of the registered owner of the vehicle.

How Citations May be Contested

The recipient of a citation may contest the charge and/or fine by:

• Appearing personally at the University Police Department at one of four scheduled hearing times each week.
• The person has ten working days (not inclusive of weekends, holidays, or official academic breaks) to start the contest process.
• Hearings are conducted each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:20am to 11:30am and again at 3:00pm to 4:00pm

How Adjudicated Contests May be Appealed

The outcome of any student hearing for a traffic or parking violation may be made by: 

• Contacting the Office of Student Life and making an appointment with the Dean of Students
• The appeal should be stated in writing and addressed to the Dean of Students
• The Dean of Students will consider the appeal and make whatever inquiries are needed to appropriately consider the matter
• Upon reaching a decision the Dean of Students will notify the Chief of Police of his finding (sustained, altered or over-turned) and,
• The Chief of Police will make any required changes concerning the fine that has been posted to the records management system for billing the fine amount. The decision of the Dean of Students is final and there is no further appeals process.