Automobile Registration
All students, staff, faculty, and frequent visitors who operate a motor vehicle on the WNMU campus must register and display a current parking permit sticker on their vehicles at all times. Register all vehicles at the Campus Police Department; there is a $5.00, $10.00, and $15.00 charge. The vehicle is not considered registered until the parking permit is placed under the rear view mirror. Parking permits expire August 15th of each year.
If the ownership of the vehicle bearing a parking permit sticker changes, the permit will be revoked, and the former owner must remove it from the vehicle. This includes family vehicles that are used occasionally. Any vehicle not registered is subject to removal from the campus, and fines will be assessed against the owner or student. A copy of all parking and traffic regulations are available at the Campus Police Department.
Parking Penalties
Any person who violates a campus parking regulation adopted pursuant to Section 39-5-1, supra, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $100 ($50 for parking in a handicapped or fire zone) per citation.
Failure to comply with the regulations may subject the driver to the loss of driving or parking privileges on campus and/or the impounding of the vehicle. All costs, tow charges, storage, and fines will be charged to the owner. Other disciplinary action may be taken. More than three unpaid violations may result in disciplinary action by WNMU and/or issuance of civil citations. Lack of space is not a valid excuse for the violation of regulations.
Payment of Fines
All parking and parking permit stickers fines must be mailed to or paid in person at the WNMU Campus Police Department within five working days. After five working days, a $5.00 late fee will be charged per day up to $30 ($50 to $100 for parking in a handicap and $50 for parking in a fire zone).
Moving Traffic Violations
All moving violation fines must be paid at Magistrate Court or may be mailed to the address on the back of the citation.
General Provisions
1. The operation and storage of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege granted by WNMU. This privilege may be revoked at any time. A vehicle is the owner’s responsibility at all times. The owner must handle his/her vehicle with safety, operate it within regulations, and park and care for it without danger or problems to others.
2. All state, city, and WNMU traffic regulations will be observed at all times.
3. The maximum speed limit for motor vehicles on campus is 15 miles per hours, except in congested areas and around apartments, residence halls, and parking lots, where the maximum speed limit is 10 miles per hour.
4. Unnecessary noise from mufflers or any other noise making device is prohibited.
5. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
6. WNMU assumes no responsibility for damage or loss to a motor vehicle while it is operated or parked on the campus.
7. Double parking is prohibited.
8. Under no circumstances is any vehicle to be parked in such a manner as to obstruct traffic.
9. Parking in loading zones is permitted for only 15 minutes.
10. It is illegal to park a vehicle in the following areas:
a. those marked by signs or yellow paint,
b. on a crosswalk or sidewalk,
c. on the grass,
d. in spaces indicating parking for handicapped only, unless the vehicle bears a special handicapped sticker, or
e. fire zone (red area).
11. The lack of parking spaces is not a valid reason for illegal parking.
Firearms Policy
Firearms are prohibited on WNMU property.
All firearms will be checked in at the Campus Police Department and checked out when the owner leaves WNMU.
Weapons Policy
It is the intention of Western New Mexico University to provide a safe and harmonious setting where students, faculty and staff can work without fear or threat of bodily harm. Thus, the possession of weapons, or the unreported knowledge of such items, on the University’s premises or during University programs, on or off campus, is considered a serious offense subject to discipline.
The sale, possession, transfer, or use of any weapon(s) on the University premises or during University programs, except in officer training programs conducted under the auspices of the United States Armed Forces, state or local government law enforcement agencies or by officers thereof, is prohibited. ``Weapons,’’ as used in this policy, include, but are not limited to, firearms, knives, other than pocket knives not exceeding 4;dp in length when folded and kitchen utility knives not exceeding 7;dp in total length, clubs, explosives, spiked wrist bands, chains, brass knuckles, or other items that may cause or be used for the purpose of causing intimidation, injury, or death. “`University Premises’’ means any University-approved vehicle used to transport students to and from University activities. “University Programs’’ means any University-sponsored or approved activity, event, or function, on or off University premises where students are under the jurisdiction of the University, or during any period of time University employees are supervising students on behalf of the University or are otherwise engaged in University business. A student failing to report knowledge of a weapon in the possession of another student or of the conduct prohibited in this policy will be considered an accessory. Such an offense as an accessory will be disciplined and subject to the same penalty as the primary offender.
Persons with weapons must enter campus at the closest point to the Campus Police Department and deposit all weapons or prohibited materials at that office for the duration of their stay.
If any person does carry such weapons or materials on campus, they may be impounded by the law enforcement officer for the duration of the person’s stay on campus and the person may also be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or criminal action.
Standards of Conduct
Students attending WNMU are subject to all state, city and WNMU laws, regulations and rules.
WNMU recognizes its responsibility to the individual student, to the state, and to the communities of which its students are members. It maintains, therefore, a policy of disapproving those types of behavior which violate the standards of acceptable conduct. Continued misconduct of any type will jeopardize the student’s privilege of recommendation by WNMU and may cause his/her suspension or permanent dismissal.
WNMU will cooperate with duly constituted legal authorities when a student is involved in violations of the law.
Students who are arrested by law enforcement officers and who are subsequently convicted for law violations may be subject to disciplinary action imposed by the University including warning, censure, restitution, probation, suspension and expulsion as the individual case warrants.
Students are subject to the provisions of New Mexico Statute, and to disciplinary action by the University, including warning, censure, restitution, probation, suspension, and expulsion for engaging in the following conduct:
1. Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to WNMU;
2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of WNMU documents, records, or identification;
3. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other WNMU activities, including public service functions or other authorized activities on WNMU premises;
4. Physical abuse of any person or of property owned or controlled by WNMU or at functions sponsored or supervised by WNMU; or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
5. Theft of or damage to property of a member of the WNMU community, or of a campus visitor;
6. Unauthorized entry into or use of WNMU facilities;
7. Violation of WNMU policies or of campus regulations, including those concerning the registration of student organizations, the use of WNMU facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression;
8. Use, possession, or distribution of illegal narcotics, and drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages on the WNMU campus, as provided by the laws of the state of New Mexico;
9. Violation of rules governing residence in property owned or controlled by WNMU;
10. Disorderly conduct, including lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression on property owned or controlled by WNMU or at functions sponsored or supervised by WNMU;
11. Failure to comply with directions of WNMU officials acting in the performance of their duties;
12. Conduct which adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community.
UNIVERSITY REGULATION PROHIBITS THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON WNMU PROPERTY.