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University Police

Rules and Regulations

Privilege to Operate a Motor Vehicle on Campus

Permission to operate a motor vehicle on the grounds owned, operated or controlled by Bentley University is a discretionary privilege, not a right, bestowed by the Board of Trustees of the university. Such privilege may be denied, revoked, suspended or modified by the action of the trustees or by officers of the university authorized to take such action. Violation of these rules could result in the immediate towing of the vehicle, at the owner’s expense.

Authority to Enforce Traffic Regulations

It is the duty of the executive director of public and environmental safety/chief of police and the designated employees of University Police to enforce the provisions of the parking rules and regulations.

Authority to Post Traffic Signs

The executive director of public and environmental safety/chief of police or his or her designee is authorized to place and maintain all official traffic and parking signs, signals, markings and safety zones required on the campus and other lands of the university, including the placement of temporary signs and markings as may be specifically required by emergencies or other special circumstances. Operators of vehicles used in and about the campus and other lands of the university shall conform to such signs, signals, markings and safety zones.

Interference with Signs and/or Traffic Control Devices

Any person who willfully, intentionally and without right defaces or otherwise tampers with, removes, interferes with or destroys any traffic or parking regulating sign, light, signal, electronic or manual gate to control the flow of vehicular traffic, or marking device lawfully erected or placed on the campus or other lands of the university shall be subject to prosecution under the applicable criminal statute of the commonwealth. Students may also be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action.

Parking Regulation Changes

The executive director of public and environmental safety/chief of police may at times during the year suspend, change or revise the normal operating parking regulations to meet the needs of the university community and its operating functions, such as concerts, VIP visits, Commencement, admissions open houses, etc. During such events, the university community will be notified of any parking changes and alternative-parking measures will be implemented for those parties who may be displaced from their designated parking areas.

University Buildings

Motorcycles, motor scooters or other motor vehicles may not be parked so as to cause undue noise or disturbance, or be parked so as to obstruct entrance and egress to and from any university building. No vehicle may be parked within the walks of a residence hall or on land not so appropriately designated or designed for motor-vehicle use, unless specifically authorized by the executive director of public and environmental safety/chief of police or his or her designee. No vehicle shall at any time be placed or left in any building except authorized vehicles, which shall be garaged in appropriate structures. Failure to comply will result in the immediate removal of the vehicle from university property at the owner’s expense.

Speed Limit

The posted speed limit on campus is 20 MPH.

Motorcycle and Moped Parking

All persons operating a motorcycle or moped on campus are required to register via the online portal to obtain the new motorcycle parking decal which can be affixed to the front fork of the motorcycle.  The cost will be the same as the other decals depending on the student’s status.

 

Effective the Fall 2013 semester the following fees will be assessed for student parking decals:

Resident students (undergraduate and graduate) -    $62.50 per semester

Commuter Day Students (undergraduate) -  $ 37.50 per semester 

Commuter Part-Time Students (evening and graduate) - $ 25.00 per semester

Service Vehicle Parking Spaces

Parking spaces designated as service vehicle parking are reserved for service, contractor and delivery vehicles. These spaces are not to be used for long-term parking. Violators will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Staff and Faculty Parking Lots

Parking lots designated as staff or faculty are for the exclusive use of staff and faculty of the university. Students may not park in staff or faculty lots, except as designated in the section governing overnight parking.

Mechanical Problems

Hazard lights are used for the purpose of notifying other vehicles approaching you that your vehicle is having mechanical problems, or is disabled. You must immediately notify us of any mechanical problem.

Registration and Insurance

All vehicles parked on Bentley property must be properly registered and insured. Vehicles left on university property without valid registration plates are subject to removal at the owner's expense.

Administrative Action

We are committed to the safety of our community. The following activities may result in the revocation of parking privileges or the towing of a vehicle:

  • Revoked permit status
  • Reckless or dangerous driving
  • Improper use or use without permission of university vehicles and equipment
  • Using Bentley-owned or leased equipment not allowed by Massachusetts General Laws on roadways, sidewalks and grounds off campus
Towing

Vehicles may be towed in the following circumstances:

  • Vehicles not displaying a current Bentley University parking decal or valid pass
  • Upon three or more violations in an academic year
  • Vehicles parked in a manner that interferes with the movement of emergency vehicles, endangers lives, or threatens damage to property
  • Vehicles abandoned
  • Vehicles parked in an area reserved for handicapped persons
  • Parking or blocking access to handicapped ramps or throughways
  • Vehicles parked in a fire lane, near a fire hydrant, or illegally stopped in front of building entrances
  • Unregistered and/or expired registrations
  • Vehicles parked in staff and faculty lots without the proper decal
  • Any vehicle parked in a Facilities designated area without prior permission

Other conditions may exist that require the removal of vehicles from campus property. The university reserves the right to tow vehicles from its property for blatant violations of the parking rules and whenever public safety is compromised. Towing and additional vehicle storage charges, in addition to any fines imposed, are the responsibility of the owner and/or operator of the vehicle in violation.