BASIC INFORMATION

To see the most up to date campus parking map, click here.  Once there, hit the back button on your browser to return to this page.

MERCER UNIVERSITY PARKING

Regulations expressed in this brochure may change. Information on any changes will be relayed to the Mercer community through this web location.

Mercer University distributes decals based on the appropriate zone for the person receiving the decal. Below are the zones and appropriate users:

Blue - - - All Freshmen, including freshmen living in Roberts Hall.

Red - - - West Side Residents other than Freshmen  (Garden Apartments, Adams/Winship
Apartments, Greek Village, Shorter Hall, Mercer Hall, Sherwood Hall)

Green - - - Commuting Students and staff members

There are also orange, yellow, and tan decals that are used for special purposes only.  The holders of these decals are familiar with the regulations affecting them.

Drivers authorized by the state to use handicap parking spaces can use such spaces in any zone if they have a properly displayed state permit.


BASIC INFORMATION

All vehicles parked on the Mercer Atlanta and Macon campuses should bear either an official parking decal or authorized visitor's permit.  Decals are free and a new decal must be obtained each year. Vehicles should be registered no later than the first day of class in the semester of your first semester at Mercer.  Decals are not needed between graduation day of the last school year and the first day of class in the new year. Vehicles may be registered 24 hours a day 7 days a week at Mercer Police on Winship Street. You must provide your tag number to obtain a decal.

If you are permanently or temporarily disabled and require handicap access, you must see your doctor about a permit issued by the State of Georgia. Application forms are available at Mercer Police. Your vehicle must be registered with Mercer Police even if you possess a handicapped permit.

ALL DECALS MUST BE PLACED ON THE LOWER FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

PARKING & TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Possession of a decal does not guarantee a parking space. The responsibility of locating a proper space rests with the driver. The lack of a parking space, being late for class or work, parking illegally for only a short time, leaving your flashers on, etc. are not valid excuses for parking illegally. The absence of a sign prohibiting parking does not mean you may park illegally.

You must park in a zone that matches your color decal. Signs indicating zoning are posted at each parking lot entrance. These signs display the color decal allowed in that area. Zoned parking is enforced during the day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. With one exception, parking on the streets inside the campus is reserved for those with a green decal. The exception is College Drive, which is zoned blue.

Parking spaces are marked by solid white lines. Your car must be in a space designated by solid white lines to be legally parked. If your car crosses a solid white line, either on the side or in the front or rear, you are in violation. The diagonal lines adjacent to handicap parking spaces are not legal parking spaces.

Visitor spaces are for visitors only. Students and employees are not allowed to utilize these spaces at any time. Campus hosts are responsible for the actions of their visitors and should provide them with these regulations. Visitors can obtain a permit at the Admissions office during business hours or Mercer Police at any time.

The speed limit on campus is 15 miles per hour. Signs and traffic lights must be obeyed and can only be superseded by a police officer's directions. State of Georgia tickets may be given to violators by Mercer Police officers. These tickets are handled through the appropriate courts and may affect your driving records.

Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Unauthorized vehicles are not allowed on "pedestrian only" areas without the express permission of the Chief of Mercer Police.

You are in violation if you park:

* On a red, yellow, or blue curb

* Across a solid yellow, red, blue, or white line

* Across diagonal lines

* Blocking a driveway or traffic lane

* Where a sign says you may not park

* In a space reserved for service vehicles unless you are in a university owned
   vehicle or in a vehicle owned by a university contractor on official business
* On the grass

* Where traffic cones, tape, or barrels prevent access to the spaces

* In front of a dumpster

* Blocking other vehicles that are legally parked

* Where any law says you may not

* In front of a locked gate

* In any fashion that a police officer feels causes a danger or hindrance to persons or
   property


TICKETS AND APPEALS

Mercer Police authorizes various individuals to write Mercer citations for illegal parking. The officers are also given the authority to write "state tickets" that can affect driving records and must be handled in courts.  State tickets are written for ignoring officer instructions, for creating or participating in a pattern of disregard for university parking/traffic regulations, for moving violations such as speeding or failure to stop, or parking in a handicapped parking space without a state permit. No one except a law enforcement officer can authorize you to park in a handicap parking space without a state permit. An officer would do this only in an emergency.  The diagonal lines adjacent to a handicapped space are considered part of the space and you can be ticketed for parking on them. 

State tickets must be handled in accordance with the instructions on the back of the ticket.  Failure to do so can result in your arrest.

The following information is for Mercer tickets only:

Fines for parking offenses are printed on the parking citations. The first offense is $25. You can have more than one offense per ticket. Fines increase $10 per offense with each new ticket you receive. Student fines will be added to student accounts.

If you receive a Mercer ticket, you have 5 days to appeal. Appeal forms can be printed from the Mercer Police website or picked up at the Police Station on Winship St. Completed appeal forms must be in the possession of Mercer Police within 5 days of the ticket being written. The ticket being appealed must accompany the form.

The completed ticket appeal form will be delivered to the Ticket Appeal Committee. It consists of representatives of students, staff, and faculty. The committee will meet to discuss several appeals at one time. You will also be invited to the meeting to discuss your appeal. It is your responsibility to make changes to your schedule that will allow you to attend the meeting. Failure to attend the meeting may result in the automatic denial of your appeal.


TOWING:

Vehicles are subject to being towed at an owner's expense any time an officer deems it necessary to maintain the safety or efficient traffic flow of University persons or property. Vehicles can also be towed once a pattern of illegal parking is established by that vehicle.  Vehicles may be banned from parking on the main campus lots after repeated violations.  After being banned,  if the car is found on campus, it will be towed at the owner's expense. In any towing situation, the driver/owner is responsible for all towing related charges once the wrecker service has been called.