Parking and Transportation Regulations

Mills College has established the following regulations to govern parking and traffic movement on campus. These regulations are specifically designed to provide for the safe and orderly movement of traffic and better ensure pedestrian safety on campus. The Parking and Transportation regulations reflect the College’s Campus Master Plan and are organized so that all users share in the costs of the parking system. Permission to park and operate a motor vehicle on Mills College property are privileges subject to these regulations. These privileges are not guarantees about the location or availability parking spaces. Mills College is private property and entry to campus is granted only to those persons who agree to comply with College rules and regulations and the lawful direction of campus authorities.

During the academic year, students, faculty, and staff wishing to park in campus lots, must display an appropriate parking permit on their vehicles. Students or employees living on campus are required to park in the residential parking spaces. Parking permits may be purchased from the Department of Public Safety located in room 113, CPM.

Objectives of Parking and Traffic Regulations

• To provide for the protection and safety of the Mills College community by providing easy access at all times for emergency vehicles to the campus and its buildings
• To mitigate and minimize the impact of parking and traffic congestion on the academic mission of the College and on the surrounding community
• To comply with traffic reduction requirements mandated by the city of Oakland and the California Air Resources Board
• To organize parking and movement of vehicles on the Mills College campus in an efficient and safe manner

Public Safety Staff Authority

The Board of Trustees of the College has delegated primary responsibility for the enforcement of College regulations, including all parking and traffic regulations, to the Director of Public Safety. Public Safety Officers, as duly appointed representatives of Mills College under the supervision of the Director of Public Safety have authority to enforce parking and traffic regulations on College property. The College reserves the right to revise these regulations, including schedules of fees, fines, and penalties. Information on current permit fees may be obtained by calling the Department of Public Safety at x3151 or 510.430.3151.

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Transportation and Parking Services

The Director of Public Safety, or his or her designee the Supervisor of Parking, is responsible for the development, promotion and coordination of alternative transportation programs. These individuals are also responsible for making recommendations for signs, curb markings, barricades, and other traffic control systems for the management of traffic and parking on College property. These recommendations are a result of a collaborative effort with Campus Facilities and appropriate campus advisory committees. No person without authorization from the Director of Public Safety shall remove, move, deface, or in any way change a sign, barricade, structure, marking, or direction placed for the purpose of regulating parking or traffic. Permission to make temporary or permanent changes of this nature must be obtained from the Director of Public Safety or his or her designee.

Operation of Vehicles

Restricted Areas
The parking of private motor vehicles in areas other than designated campus parking areas is prohibited. Details on prohibited parking areas are listed below.

Speed
No motor vehicle or bicycle shall be operated on campus at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour. The speed limit on College property is strictly enforced.

Pedestrian right of way
The operator of a motor vehicle, bicycle, or other vehicle must slow down or stop, if necessary, to yield the right of way to any pedestrian.

College vehicles
College vehicles (including motorized, wheeled equipment) are allowed access to campus areas as necessary to carry out essential functions under these restrictions. College vehicles may not permanently park in fire lanes or disabled parking areas. They must not block disabled access (curb cuts, etc.) to sidewalks or buildings. They may not drive or park on sidewalks or in front of building entrances, except to load or unload heavy items, and must be moved immediately after the delivery, pickup or repairs are completed.

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Parking of Vehicles

Designated and assigned parking areas
Authorized parking areas on the campus are specifically marked. All vehicles parked along the roadways must have their wheels within 18 inches of the right curb and not extending into any landscaped or unimproved area. In parking areas marked for individual spaces, vehicles must be parked so as to occupy only one space or stall.

Prohibited parking areas
On campus, vehicles cannot park:

• At any place where signs prohibit parking
• Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
• At any place not specifically marked for parking
• Along any red-painted curb or surface striping denoting a fire/emergency vehicle zone

Lack of an available or convenient parking space is not a valid excuse for parking in prohibited areas.

Curb markings defined

• Red Curb: No Parking at any time
• Yellow Curb: Commercial loading/unloading zone only
• Green Curb: Time limited parking/special reserved spaces. Guest Parking at the Oval is open to anyone after 5:00 pm.
• Blue Curb: Disabled parking with Mills or DMV Placard only
• Gray Curb: Authorized General Parking

Parking of motorcycles and scooters
Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and scooters are considered to be motor vehicles and are subject to all traffic and parking rules and regulations. They must be parked in designated areas only and are not permitted on pedestrian pathways or sidewalks, in or near buildings and their entrances, or in any pedestrian areas.

Parking of bicycles
All bicycles on campus must be parked and secured in bicycle racks or bicycle lockers at all times. They should not be attached or locked onto signs, handrails, the outsides or insides of railings, or landscaping. Bicycles shall not be stored inside buildings unless specific areas have been designated for that purpose.

Overnight parking of occupied vehicles
Overnight parking of occupied vehicles (motor homes, campers, trucks, cars, etc.) is forbidden.

 Liability of College
Mills College and its employees are not liable for any loss or damage to vehicles or contents of vehicles parked on Mills College property due to theft, fire, immobilization, impoundment, or other causes.

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Parking Permits

Display of permits
All vehicles entering Mills College property must either display, or stop and obtain, a valid parking permit. The Mills College parking permit is a static cling decal designed to be placed on the inside of the windshield, lower left on drivers side.  Vehicles displaying their permits improperly are subject to enforcement action, including parking citations and fines. All vehicles parked on campus must display a valid permit issued by the Department of Public Safety. A valid permit is a current year parking permit issued to faculty, staff, students, visitors and regular guests of Mills College, or a daily or visitor permit issued by the Department of Public Safety. An expired permit is not an adequate substitute for a valid permit.

Permit denial or revocation
The College may revoke or refuse to issue a parking permit without prior notice. All outstanding parking violations or penalties must be satisfactorily settled before a permit is issued or renewed. Parking permits may be revoked for nonpayment of parking fines.

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Types of Permits

Commuter Permits

This permit is valid for commuter lots only. Parking in other areas not authorized for commuter use is a violation subject to citation and fine.

Staff and Faculty Permits

This permit is valid in the Staff and Faculty lot and also is valid in any commuter lot.

Resident Permits

This permit is valid for designated resident only parking spaces. Resident parking spaces are available for use 24 hours per day, seven days a week, during the academic year by vehicles displaying resident permits. Vehicles with resident permits may not park in other permit-controlled areas of the campus between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. Students may not park or store vehicles on campus during the summer if not living in authorized campus housing at the time.

Temporary Permits

Drivers who do not qualify for one of the above permits may meet the criteria for Temporary  Permits. Persons parking on campus to use campus facilities such as the Aquatic Center, tennis courts, or fitness center, or to walk dogs or jog, must purchase and display a Temporary  Permit. This permit is valid for parking only in the Richard's Gate lot at the entrance to campus.

Persons attending special events or conference activities at the College may be required to purchase appropriate permits. Sponsors of special events should contact the Director of Public Safety to discuss parking needs. Arrangements may be made for paid visitor permits to be issued in advance or for parking enforcement to be waived for visitors to an event.

Guest permits

For those driving cars to campus on an occasional basis, the College offers guest permits. These permits are essential for parking vehicles on campus at all times. Guest permits are date stamped and are valid for one day only, and must be visibly displayed on the driver's side of the vehicle's dashboard. Prospective students and their families, job applicants, Art Museum visitors, and other guests of the campus can obtain guest permits at no charge. Students are not eligible for guest permits that authorize parking in the guest area at the Oval in front of Mills Hall. Individuals with commuter or resident permits whose vehicles found at the Oval with guest permits will be cited and fined.
Accessible Permits

Accessible parking spaces are provided in College parking lots in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vehicles parked in these spaces must display a Mills College Accessible permit or a DMV-issued placard. Authorization to park in College Accessible spaces requires presentation of state certification of permanent accessible permit  or a physician's recommendation for a temporary accessible permit.

Reserved parking permits

The College reserves the right to designate specially reserved parking spaces for officers of the College. These spaces are specifically marked and reserved seven (7) days a week. Underwood residents have reserved parking in front of their building and the spaces reserved are numbered one (1) through 12. Underwood residents must affix the reserved Underwood parking sticker to the rear of their rearview mirror  to use these reserved spaces. Vehicles not displaying the parking sticker will be cited or towed.

Purchase of Parking Permits

Faculty and staff may purchase annual parking permits with cash or check or by payroll deduction. One permit per student per academic year is included in the Comprehensive Fee. Additional permits must be purchased at full price unless the original permit was stolen and a copy of the related police report is submitted to the Public Safety office.

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Citation and service of citations

When there is cause to believe that a violation of these regulations has occurred, an appropriate notice of violation will be issued by the Department of Public Safety setting forth the date, time, location, and nature of the violation. The citation may be served by affixing a copy to the vehicle involved or by delivering or mailing a copy to the vehicle owner. Service by mail is accomplished by mailing a copy of the citation to the vehicle owner’s PO Box or mailing address.

Payment of fine or appeal process

Vehicle owners may choose to pay the fine as assessed or to appeal the matter through the Citation Appeals Committee.

• If the vehicle owner chooses to pay the fine, s/he may mail a check or money order for the appropriate amount or pay that amount at the Public Safety Office in room 113, CPM. The vehicle owner has 14 calendar days to pay the fine. Payment of the fine is an affirmative election to waive all rights of appeal.
• If the vehicle owner chooses to appeal, s/he must submit an appeal form to the Citation Appeals Committee within 14 calendar days after receipt of the citation. Parking and Traffic Appeal forms are available at the Department of Public Safety, located in room 113, CPM. Traffic appeals will be forwarded to the Citation Appeals Committee for adjudication. If the vehicle owner is found responsible, s/he may pay the amount of the fine or may apply for Campus Community Service work. For each hour worked, there is a $10.00 credit against the fine. CCS work is defined as campus clean-up, student escort/Seminary Gate duties, or office work within HMDS, Public Safety, or Conference Services. The Assistant Director of Public Safety determines the job site for CCS work.
• If the vehicle owner neither pays the fine nor appeals the notice of violation within 14 calendar days, the fine doubles and the right to appeal is forfeited.
• If the vehicle owner loses his or her appeal or is required to pay a reduced fine, the amount due must be paid within 14 calendar days of the notice of appeal decision, or else the amount doubles. There is no further right of appeal for citations already reviewed by the Citation Appeals Committee.

Suspension of parking privileges

Individuals with one moving violation or multiple outstanding parking fines that have not been paid or appealed are subject to suspension of parking privileges. The Director of Public Safety will notify the permit holder that his or her failure to pay the fine or otherwise comply with these parking regulations constitutes grounds for suspension of parking privileges. If there is no response to this notice within five business days, the permit holder's parking privileges will be revoked by the Director of Public Safety, and the vehicle will be subject to impoundment when found on College property.

Enforcement

A vehicle's registered owner is the responsible party when his or her vehicle is found to be in violation of Mills College parking regulations.

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Impoundment

Impoundment after due warning

Any vehicle parked on Mills College property may be subject to impoundment after notification, as specified in these regulations. The College and its officers, employees, and agents are not liable for any loss or damage of any kind resulting from impoundment. Any vehicle that has three (3) or more outstanding citations is subject to impoundment. Upon receipt of the third citation, a warning notice shall be placed on the vehicle or sent to the vehicle owner’s PO Box or mailing address. The notice will state that if the vehicle is found again on campus in violation of campus parking regulations, including non-payment of fines, it will be impounded and towed off campus. For vehicles not registered on campus and lacking valid parking permits, Public Safety will contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and obtain registered owner information. Any costs associated with contacting the DMV will be passed on to the registered owner, and a $25.00 service charge will be added for documentation fees.

Release of Impounded Vehicles

Contact Public Safety at x5555 or 510.430.5555. All outstanding fines and fees must be paid before the impounded vehicle will be released from the tow company. Payment can be made at CPM 113 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Cash, personal checks, money orders or credit cards are accepted. The vehicle owner is responsible for settling all towing costs with the tow company. For more information, call 510.430.3151.

Impoundment without prior notice

A vehicle may be impounded without prior notice for:

• Parking in a designated disabled parking space without a valid disabled parking permit.
• Parking in a marked tow away zone or space
• Blocking a driveway, entrance, exit, or fire hydrant; parking in a loading zone, no-parking area, impound zone, landscaped area, prohibited area, fire zone, or in an area that restricts College activities
• Parking in a campus service area without proper authorization
• Parking in a reserved space
• Displaying a forged/counterfeit/stolen parking permit

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Shuttle Service

The College operates a shuttle service from Mills College to the University of California Berkeley campus seven days a week. Information on shuttle schedules is available at the Mills College Department of Public Safety web site, HMDS, CPM 113, Richards Gate, or x5555 or 510.430.5555.

$40.00 Fine
No Permit
Parking prohibited by signs
Parked 18' from right curb
Parked across stall marking
Parked off pavement
Dog off leash
No dog permit

$60.00 Fine
Failure to stop at stop sign
Parked on walkway
Parked on sidewalk
Red Zone
Fire Hydrant
Driving in excess 20 MPH
Reserved Parking

$100 Fine
Abandoned Auto

$400 Fine
Blue Zone

Questions or Concerns?

Questions or concerns regarding the Parking and Transportation Regulations should be addressed to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), a forum for the Mills Community to provide suggestions and input.  For information on TAC meeting times individuals should contact the Public Safety office at x3151 or 510.430.3151.